Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader of innovative active outdoor performance equipment and apparel, today introduced its Spring 2018 climbing collection, including the debut of the brand’s first line of climbing shoes. The collection also includes stretchable, breathable rain apparel and new trekking poles in its Distance Z-Pole Series, with improved rapid deployment technology.
For its debut in the climbing shoe category, Black Diamond introduced Engineered Knit Technology, which provides stretch where necessary, support where it matters most and exceptional breathability for unparalleled comfort. Knit Technology is featured throughout the complete line of climbing shoes, beginning with Momentum, a shoe that utilizes the technology for a breathable upper refined for gym climbing.
“When we put our heads together on the design of these shoes, we wanted to blend the tradition of old world European hand craftsmanship for making climbing shoes with the technology of Asia’s modern manufacturing processes and material know-how,” said Kasey Jarvis, Black Diamond Equipment’s vice-president of design.
Black Diamond’s NeoFriction rubber – inspired by its forging processes from carabiner manufacturing – is molded, rather than being cut from one sheet of rubber consisting of the same thickness. Shoes will feature rubber and rands built for durability and optimized for consistency, enhancing overall performance and grip, varying by style. Each mold has been individually created to fit together – unlike the trace, trim and hand-grind method of other manufacturers.
Black Diamond’s entry into the climbing shoe market will consist of nine models with neutral, moderate, slightly downturned and aggressively down-turned lasts. Of the nine models, three are women’s specific with one children’s model.
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