Before diving deep into this review let’s get over the sticker shock: retail price $129.00 for the Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell. (But you can find it on sale.) $129.00 may not seem much if, for example, you’re stocking up on perfluoro wax. But take the weight of the Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell, 98 grams, and the cost seems disproportionate to the mass. Working the wax angle, the BD Distance Wind Shell actually might...
Black Diamond has been around in several iterations for decades. First, there was Chouinard Equipment. Yup, that Chouinard. The emerging alpine climbing gear powerhouse was sold to employees and became Black Diamond Equipment. A few bumps on the proverbial road to growth and prosperity and now Black Diamond is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. But, the Salt Lake City based company has remained true to their core users: alpinist and rock climbers, backcountry...
Click here for the under $20 guide. Toko Thermo Plus Gloves MSRP: $45.00 There is nothing worse than cold hands – and nothing better than a sweet pair of gloves. Toko Thermos are a great all-around training and race glove, keeping hands warm in cold temperatures, but are not overly bulky and do well even as the temps head back up. Two Planks and a Passion: The Dramatic History of Skiing MSRP: $29.00 Predating the...