Best Deals From Black Diamond’s Almost Free Sale 2023
High-quality climbing gear at ridiculously low prices
Black Diamond has just launched their Almost Free Sale, which has some incredible bargains (some items are up to 80 per cent off) for climbers looking for new gear. We sorted through their extensive list of products to bring you what we believe are some of their best deals.
So, what that out of the way, here are the best deals from Black Diamond’s 2023 Almost Free Sale.
Vapor Helmet (2022)
An innovative helmet that combines low weight, excellent protection and ventilation.
The original Vapor helmet set new standards for low weight, ventilation and protection, and now you can get last season’s version for a staggeringly good price. The helmet achieves its unique blend of low weight and protection by combining a sheet of Kevlar with a series of carbon rods. These components are moulded inside the EPS foam, which is covered with a thin polycarbonate shell. The result is a helmet that delivers all-around impact protection without the bulk often found in helmets with more conventional construction. A low-profile ratcheting adjustment system easily accommodates a variety of head shapes, and the replaceable headlamp clips provide a secure headlamp attachment point for early morning starts or if you get benighted.
9.2 Climbing Rope
A versatile rope that provides low weight without sacrificing durability.
Looking to stack the odds in your favour during hard redpoints or onsights? Then check out BD’s 9.2 Climbing Rope. The rope’s 9.2 mm diameter reduces success-robbing excess weight without sacrificing the margin of safety you want when you’re way above your last bolt. BD employs a 1X1 sheath construction that provides additional abrasion resistance and helps the rope glide effortlessly through belay devices. Finally, the addition of a triple-dash middle marker increases safety when lowering off long routes. This is a great rope for climbers looking to push their limits this season, and the reduced price makes it even harder to pass up.
Speed 40 Pack
A lightweight pack for challenging alpine climbs.
This versatile pack is purpose-built for challenging routes where low weight is critical for success. Black Diamond specs a BD X-rip 210d fabric with UTS coating that delivers exceptional abrasion resistance without excessive weight. The pack also features a slim profile ensuring unencumbered movement when climbing. The Speed 40 is also fully strippable (removable waistbelt, lid and frame sheet), allowing climbers to customize the pack for their particular objective. This specialized no-compromise climbing pack is an absolute steal at this price.
StoneHauler 60
A roomy padded duffle for extended trips.
I would be stating the obvious if I said that climbers like to travel. And whether it’s for climbing or some other R-and-R-related reason, they need to get their gear to their destination. While traditional climbing packs may work for humping your gear to the base of the route, they are a poor substitute for a proper duffle-style bag during air travel or when you’re living out of your car during an extended road trip. For these situations, consider the StoneHauler 60. With 60 litres of volume, the bag has plenty of space without becoming unwieldy. The bag also features padded removable shoulder straps, internal organizer pockets, a rugged #10 YKK zipper, 5 mm foam padding, and a unique enviro-friendly 1640d polyester fabric.
StoneHauler Pro 45
A versatile padded duffle-style pack for shorter trips.
Is it a duffle bag, or is it a pack? It’s both! The StoneHauler Pro 45 is the perfect bag for short trips where you want to combine climbing and work. Like other bags in the StoneHauler series, the Pro 45 features padded removable shoulder straps, internal organizer pockets, a rugged #10 YKK zipper, 5 mm foam padding, and a unique enviro-friendly 1640d polyester fabric. Where it diverges is with its padded exterior accessed laptop sleeve. This clearly positions the Pro 45 as the perfect two to three-day business travel/climbing bag. And if you don’t have any business trips planned, the Pro 45 is the perfect size for organizing more important items during shorter road trips.
Super Chute Rope Bag
A roomy rope bag with an innovative tarp shape.
The Super Chute takes the traditional rope bag design and updates it with an innovative funnel-like tarp. The result is a rope bag that allows for easier loading when you’re moving from route to route. The bag itself is roomy enough for an 80 m cord, and the durable aluminum G-hook closure buckles ensure easy operation. Throw in a large tarp with two tie-in points (top and bottom of the rope) and a smoking good price, and there’s no rational reason not to grab Super Chute during this sale.
Solution Harness
A versatile harness for cragging and multi-pitch climbing.
Most climbers spend their time clipping bolts, plugging gear, and occasionally venturing onto some longer multi-pitch climbs. If this sounds like you, then check out the Solution harness. This versatile harness delivers the comfort and support you need on longer climbs while still being sufficiently light and agile for desperate sport-climbing redpoints. The Solution features BD’s Fusion Comfort Technology which consists of three rows of webbing in the waist and leg loops to better distribute the pressure when you’re hanging. Four moulded gear loops provide plenty of racking space, and the silky-smooth buckle allows for easy donning and doffing.
Technician Recco Harness
A versatile harness for cragging, multi-pitch, alpine and ice climbing.
The standard Technician is already an excellent harness for various climbing adventures. It has five gear loops, adjustable leg loops, four Ice Clipper slots, and Fusion Comfort Technology construction for exceptional support and comfort. So how do you improve on this design? Well, you add Recco technology. Recco consists of a passive transponder that requires no power or activation. This transponder makes you searchable to rescue teams if you are unfortunate enough to get hit by an avalanche. It’s a small but valuable upgrade for climbers that venture into mountains during the winter.
Liquid Black Gold Chalk
A liquid chalk that has an additional drying agent for increased moisture absorption.
For decades, liquid chalk has been a staple of the comp circuit or when climbers wanted their hands to remain dry during hard redpoints. Many liquid chalk formulas have emerged over the years, but none seem as effective as BD’s Liquid Black Gold Chalk. Just like the Black Gold powder chalk, this liquid version consists of 10% Upsalite, a powerful drying agent that delivers twice the moisture absorption of conventional chalk. Apply a coating as a base layer for your regular chalk and revel in the improved grip and the reduced need to re-dip.
Products reviewed in this article:
Vapor Helmet (2022)
9.2 Climbing Rope
Speed 40 Pack
StoneHauler 60
StoneHauler Pro 45
Super Chute Rope Bag
Solution Harness
Technician Recco Harness
Liquid Black Gold Chalk