Black Diamond focuses on activity-based manufacturing.
Instead of being driven by marketing and chasing trends, they listen to feedback from the field, identify the features players need, and develop products accordingly. The
resulting products are simple yet powerful. They are the kind of tools that make users exclaim, "This is exactly what I wanted!"
While the brand is strongly associated with climbing gear, as you may know, it covers almost all the equipment needed for mountaineering in general, and also handles a wide range of ski equipment, including skis, poles, and climbing skins.
Among these, I would especially like to draw the attention of skiers to their gloves.
Choosing gloves is difficult. You need to strike a good balance between warmth and grip, maintain flexibility even in low temperatures, be water-resistant, and reasonably durable...
It's a tricky situation because you have to balance conflicting elements, and judging good or bad is subjective and cannot be quantified. As a result, the market is flooded with gloves that differ in subtle details, and skiers get stuck in a rabbit hole searching for the perfect pair.
To all the glove refugees who are lost, I want to say this loud and clear:
Black Diamond gloves are great.
Gloves are gear
Black Diamond only started selling apparel in the Fall/Winter 2013 season, but they've been selling gloves since they were founded in 1989. The 1987 catalogue of their predecessor, Chouinard Equipment, features a "shell glove" that is clearly advertised as "for backcountry skiing."
This model, which first appeared about 35 years ago, already featured a pre-curve that approximated the relaxed shape of the fingers and a cuff closure that could be adjusted with one hand. It can be said to be the prototype of today's "Guide Gloves."
Black Diamond has always viewed gloves not as accessories, but as tools. Their development is handled not by the apparel category, but by the same mountain category as their backpacks and poles.
The development environment is also excellent. The company is located in Salt Lake City, and it's common for employees to hike and ski before coming to work. For discerning readers, there's no need to reiterate the advantages of having developers who are also players.
Skiing in various situations—on groomed slopes, in the backcountry, in the depths of winter, during the lingering snow season, for beginners, for advanced skiers, and so on—is a diverse activity. However, products designed with a clear understanding of when and where they will be used are easier for users to choose from.
Therefore, we have picked out four models with outstanding features from the 2024-25 season's product lineup. If there are other models that interest you, comparing them against these four should help you grasp their
features more easily. If you are thinking of buying new gloves this season, try them out in a shop. If you put your hand in and grip them tightly and think, "These are good," then congratulations! Your glove problem is solved.
Four main models selected by target audience
"For tough professionals"
Guide Gloves
As the name suggests, these gloves are designed for professionals who put their gloves through heavy use every day, such as mountain guides and ski patrols, and are the most durable and warmest gloves in Black Diamond's lineup. They
feature a combination of 4-way stretch nylon and leather, with durable goat leather on the palm and meticulous construction with reinforcing patches that wrap around to the sides. They are filled with PrimaLoft Gold (170g/m²) and boiled wool, and the removable inner glove uses Gore-Tex Plus Warm technology integrated with the insulation. A carabiner loop for hanging is provided on the middle finger. A trigger type with even better insulation is also available.
"For experts who can do detailed work"
LegendGloves
This glove is designed for experts who are considering not only regular backcountry skiing but also climbing and riding. It's filled with Primaloft Gold, but the back of the hand is 170g/m², while the palm is thinner at 60g/m². There are no seams at the fingertips, and a gusset at the base of the thumb ensures a comfortable fit and ease of use. If you'll be holding ice axes as well as poles, or handling ropes on cold, windy ridges, this is the glove for you. While prioritizing a comfortable fit, it also provides ample warmth, and the short cuffs make it easy to use, making it versatile for a wide range of situations. It's made with Gore-Tex Plus Warm technology
"For entry-level users who value cost performance"
MissionGloves
This all-around model is designed for beginners to BCs or those who only use them a few days a season, and it's affordable while still offering all the essential features. The palm is made of durable and supple goat leather, while the back of the hand is made of ripstop polyester and filled with Primaloft Gold (133g/m²). The short cuffs make it easy to tuck into your sleeves, and the fingers are pre-curved to make it easier to grip the poles
"New model for speed touring"
Sark Grove
This model is designed for speed-focused touring, like skimo (ski mountaineering) without the racing element. The five-finger softshell gloves have a stowable wind hood sewn into the wrist. This is a design commonly seen in trail running gloves, but the key feature is that the hood is padded. Primaloft Gold Cross Core (40g/m²) is sealed into the back of the hood, improving wind resistance and warmth when worn. Durable goatskin leather is used on the palm, and key areas are further reinforced. The design, which increases warmth and wind resistance with the hood, makes them suitable for hiking in the depths of winter, or for long touring trips when there is still snow remaining and you want to reduce the weight of your equipment
Text = Toshiaki Ito
Photo = Shota Kikuchi
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Lost Arrow
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