gear that takes you there
Black Diamond Tents
Black Diamond is the world’s largest manufacturer of technical mountaineering gear. They entered the tent market about 5 years ago when they acquired Bibler tents – the legendary single wall, bomb proof tents of choice among altitude climbers for probing the extremes of our planet. Since then they have developed four other ranges including the versatile Double Lights, ultra light Super Lights, the minimalist Mids to the compact bivi’s. These tents feature the best materials that industry has to offer like Easton & DAC aluminium poles, combined with innovative designs which ensure great performance in extremes plus awesome liveability in more mild conditions.
The Black Diamond Bibler tents are legend in serious mountaineering circles. They are the tents of choice for mountaineers visiting Alaska, the Himalaya, Antarctica and Patagonia. First introduced by veteran Alaska mountaineer Todd Bibler, these tents are built to withstand the most serious conditions on the planet. Bibler tents are single skin tents constructed of ToddTex, a patented PTFE laminate with a ultra absorptive skim on the inside, offering a completely weather proof barrier with unsurpassed breathability. The breathability of this fabric is amazing. It performs well even in warm, humid and very wet conditions, and the single skin allows Black Diamond to provide reliable four season shelter at weights that manufacturers of double skin tents just dream about. The designs also feature a pole-inside set up method which ensures steep, drum tight sides. The most popular tents in the range are the ultra small I-Tent which can fit on postage-sized ledges half way up Karakorum giants, the Tempest which is as solid two person trekking tent with built in vestibule, and the Fitzroy – reputed to be the strongest tent in the world. Unfortunately this quality of product does not come cheap – the Bibler range starts at a retail of R5999.00 – but that’s a small price to pay when you have to sit out a Patagonian storm for several days!
Black Diamond evolved the single wall concept by applying Epic fabric to many of the Bibler designs to produce the award winning “Super-light” range. These tents are unsurpassed in terms of light weight & pack-ability – and have proved very popular with cyclists & bike tourers. Most popular in the series are the OneShot, the First light and the Skylight. At a mere 1.28kg and the pack size of a large grape fruit, the OneShot will meet the demands of even the most particular of ultralight fanatics. The Firstlight is slightly heavier at 1.45kg, but offers reliable shelter for two and the Skylight offers roomy accommodation for two plus an award winning roll back vestibule which allows great star gazing on clear nights.
Black Diamond’s most recent introduction is the light weight double wall series – the “DoubleLights”. These tents are more conventional with their double skin design, but still incorporate a number of new trend setting features – including the use of “pole hubs” which allow all the tent poles to be connected – while still folding up into a compact space. The Mesa and Vista were the first in the series. They offer side opening / vestibule designs with lots of no-see-um mesh thereby providing a very roomy and livable space – great for chilling in the great outdoors.
The two new two- and three-person Mirage and Oasis double-walls are Black Diamond’s strongest three season tents offering optimal shelter for climbers and backpackers concerned about weight. Both have a lower, more streamlined profile & offer integrated vestibules at their front end. The Mirage’s vestibule opens with a unique side angle that allows more space for gear storage away from the door opening, while the Oasis has double doors on both the tent and integrated vestibule, providing easy entry and exit. These tents are simple and easy to set up and despite their light weight, will handle strong wind conditions. The inner tents can be set up on their own and incorporate a lot of mesh offering a 360º view and excellent ventilation, while nylon ripstop along the lower perimeter allows for privacy. For major weight savings the tents can be set up with only the fly- and optional ground cloth.
The latest extension to Doublelight range is the arrival of two thoroughbred 4-season designs - the strong and spacious Squall and Stormtrack tents. They offer an ideal combination of weather protection and breathability, which makes them versatile and usable during all weather conditions. Both these tents have the same design, but are differentiated by size — the Squall is designed for three and the Stormtrack for two people. Both tents can be set up in a flash with a three-part set of poles and a central crossing, while the inner tent is fastened with pole sleeves and clips. The free standing inner tent with its mesh/nylon construction creates an airy space. Both tents come with two entrances and vestibules, while adjustable vents in the front, back and top guarantee good air exchange in all conditions.
For the cost conscious minimalist, the Black Diamond Mid’s offer updated, more reliable take on the old “tarp” methodology. They have been designed to be supported by trekking poles and even offer bathtub-type ground sheets and /or bug net shelters. Available in an ultra light & compact (68g!) two person version called the BetaLight or a very roomy 4-person Mega Light into which a two person party could even fit their bicycles !
Finally Black Diamond also offers a range of four different Bivi Bags. Most of them are constructed in ToddTex and I can attest from personal experience to their superb breathability & reliable waterproofness. The basic has a flexible nylon pole over the head, the Bipod a single aluminium pole and the Tripod a two pole structure providing considerable head room in such a small structure.
The Black Diamond Bibler tents are legend in serious mountaineering circles. They are the tents of choice for mountaineers visiting Alaska, the Himalaya, Antarctica and Patagonia. First introduced by veteran Alaska mountaineer Todd Bibler, these tents are built to withstand the most serious conditions on the planet. Bibler tents are single skin tents constructed of ToddTex, a patented PTFE laminate with a ultra absorptive skim on the inside, offering a completely weather proof barrier with unsurpassed breathability. The breathability of this fabric is amazing. It performs well even in warm, humid and very wet conditions, and the single skin allows Black Diamond to provide reliable four season shelter at weights that manufacturers of double skin tents just dream about. The designs also feature a pole-inside set up method which ensures steep, drum tight sides. The most popular tents in the range are the ultra small I-Tent which can fit on postage-sized ledges half way up Karakorum giants, the Tempest which is as solid two person trekking tent with built in vestibule, and the Fitzroy – reputed to be the strongest tent in the world. Unfortunately this quality of product does not come cheap – the Bibler range starts at a retail of R5999.00 – but that’s a small price to pay when you have to sit out a Patagonian storm for several days!
Black Diamond evolved the single wall concept by applying Epic fabric to many of the Bibler designs to produce the award winning “Super-light” range. These tents are unsurpassed in terms of light weight & pack-ability – and have proved very popular with cyclists & bike tourers. Most popular in the series are the OneShot, the First light and the Skylight. At a mere 1.28kg and the pack size of a large grape fruit, the OneShot will meet the demands of even the most particular of ultralight fanatics. The Firstlight is slightly heavier at 1.45kg, but offers reliable shelter for two and the Skylight offers roomy accommodation for two plus an award winning roll back vestibule which allows great star gazing on clear nights.
Black Diamond’s most recent introduction is the light weight double wall series – the “DoubleLights”. These tents are more conventional with their double skin design, but still incorporate a number of new trend setting features – including the use of “pole hubs” which allow all the tent poles to be connected – while still folding up into a compact space. The Mesa and Vista were the first in the series. They offer side opening / vestibule designs with lots of no-see-um mesh thereby providing a very roomy and livable space – great for chilling in the great outdoors.
The two new two- and three-person Mirage and Oasis double-walls are Black Diamond’s strongest three season tents offering optimal shelter for climbers and backpackers concerned about weight. Both have a lower, more streamlined profile & offer integrated vestibules at their front end. The Mirage’s vestibule opens with a unique side angle that allows more space for gear storage away from the door opening, while the Oasis has double doors on both the tent and integrated vestibule, providing easy entry and exit. These tents are simple and easy to set up and despite their light weight, will handle strong wind conditions. The inner tents can be set up on their own and incorporate a lot of mesh offering a 360º view and excellent ventilation, while nylon ripstop along the lower perimeter allows for privacy. For major weight savings the tents can be set up with only the fly- and optional ground cloth.
The latest extension to Doublelight range is the arrival of two thoroughbred 4-season designs - the strong and spacious Squall and Stormtrack tents. They offer an ideal combination of weather protection and breathability, which makes them versatile and usable during all weather conditions. Both these tents have the same design, but are differentiated by size — the Squall is designed for three and the Stormtrack for two people. Both tents can be set up in a flash with a three-part set of poles and a central crossing, while the inner tent is fastened with pole sleeves and clips. The free standing inner tent with its mesh/nylon construction creates an airy space. Both tents come with two entrances and vestibules, while adjustable vents in the front, back and top guarantee good air exchange in all conditions.
For the cost conscious minimalist, the Black Diamond Mid’s offer updated, more reliable take on the old “tarp” methodology. They have been designed to be supported by trekking poles and even offer bathtub-type ground sheets and /or bug net shelters. Available in an ultra light & compact (68g!) two person version called the BetaLight or a very roomy 4-person Mega Light into which a two person party could even fit their bicycles !
Finally Black Diamond also offers a range of four different Bivi Bags. Most of them are constructed in ToddTex and I can attest from personal experience to their superb breathability & reliable waterproofness. The basic has a flexible nylon pole over the head, the Bipod a single aluminium pole and the Tripod a two pole structure providing considerable head room in such a small structure.
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