With the holidays and gift giving season fast approaching, Black Diamond has been fortunate to glean some shiny hardware and accolades from lumps of coal. Specifically, BD has won national awards for product design across categories for their new Freeride Boot line, Skis, Skins, Headlamps and Lanterns, Gloves, Packs, Tents and Harnesses.
Select examples include:
Outside Magazine Gear of the Year (GOY) 2009 – Bandit pack; 2008 GOY – Verdict Ski; Best in category Backcountry Boots Factor AT and Push Telemark boots
National Geographic Adventure – Best of Adventure – Enforcer Glove
Skiing Magazine Best of Winter – BD Factor Boot and Bod harness*
Field & Stream Best in Test Award – Icon Headlamp
Outdoor Award Friedrichshafen – Orbit Lantern
Backpacker Magazine Best All-Around Ultralight Tent – BD Mirage
Backcountry Magazine – Best in Test – BD Factor Boot, BD Push Telemark Boot, Ascension STS skins
Powder Magazine Skier’s Choice – Megawatt Ski (also top scorer in Freeskier, Outside, Backcountry, and Skiing tests)
Climbing Magazine Editor’s Choice – Quantum pack
Of all these awards, perhaps the most exciting and enduring is the BD Bod harness.
Why?
Well, besides personally owning and wearing one since 1988, the Bod debuted in 1986 and is perhaps the best selling harness ever built.
The PR take/irony is not lost that new is not always better.