Black Diamond Tele gear

[JohnSKepler]

Some of that’s true, but is a really selective reading. Opening your own manufacturing in China is different than contract manufacturing, and there’s some processes that the expertise is over there. BD found that out when they opened a new manufacturing facility in Utah somewhere around 2016 I think and had more QC issues there than overseas.

And BD has always had a cast of brilliant people rotating through. Sure, some have not stuck around because of corporate issues, but it’s overly reductive to dismiss them due to their practices. Remember… chouinard equipment was essentially never profitable.

This is definitely true @spopepro and thanks for calling me out on that. At the same time, I've not personally seen anything from BD in quite a while that doesn't have "Made in China" on the label. I'm sure some of it is of domestic manufacture but when a company goes public the fiduciary responsibility to customers legally becomes both secondary and through the fiduciary responsibility to the stockholders.

[fledersau]

I had a black diamond push boot for 2 winters, used it with a AXL binding. Was a fantastic boot to Ski. I would say super for wider feet, soft bellows and hard upper. If i remember correctly it event had a 130 flex written on it. I changed after for a T2 Eco, which i liked less, bellows way harder, fit slimmer, but walked much better...

[phoenix]

At first,when Chouinard Equipment morphed into becoming Black Diamond, BD carried over much, if not all, of the Chouinard gear. That was good stuff, both the ski gear and associated hardwoods. They continued to be innovative and active for some years. I haven't seen BD really reflect their origin for many years now, and in fact I don't get a very good vibe from them, nor do I care for their current style(s) of hardgoods.

[lemon]

The 01, 02, 03 bindings are really fun. The 01 was my favorite of the 75mm touring bindings. I also loved the boa liners of their boots. Very comfy. They made some really interesting stuff imo and in some categories still do. The cirque 22 ski vest & the dawn patrol 32 are my absolute favorite ski packs ever.