With its foundations rooted in innovation, it’s no surprise that Black Diamond Equipment has come out with a new gem – the world’s lightest technical t-shirt.
It was in a backyard in 1957 that Black Diamond Equipment was born with just an anvil and hammer, for making pitons for local Californian rock climbers – though in 1989 the company moved into performance wear and now counts three global offices as well as an authoritative reputation of constant innovation in the sector.
Work and play are one and the same for the Black Diamond Equipment team, who ski before entering the office and climb at the end of the day. Indeed, the company accomplishes its goals as it would climb a mountain – with the greatest achievement often lying in the journey itself. In the pursuit for peak performance wear for skiing, climbing and hiking, the company’s ethos focuses on very specific product developments for these disciplines through a holistic lens.
“Black Diamond Equipment supports the world’s most demanding users who constantly push the boundaries so we chose Merino wool – the original performance fibre – given its versatility, durability and natural performance benefits,” says Black Diamond Equipment’s vice-president of apparel, Trent Bush.
“Black Diamond products are synonymous with outstanding performance. Our partnership with The Woolmark Company on the Spring 2019 debut of the Rhythm Tee and forthcoming Solution Wool line features the latest innovations in wool technology powered by our R&D collaboration with Nuyarn, empowering our customers to perform their best.”
Bringing together Black Diamond Equipment’s principles of material selection, manufacturing processes and trademark commitment to nature, the Rhythm Tee for men and women boasts many features. Created with the breakthrough Nuyarn Merino wool fabric technology and weighing 95gsm the tee is significantly lighter than other shirts whilst retaining superior durability and performance. The fabric is also engineered for incredible stretch and much faster drying times making it the ultimate climbing or hiking shirt. To complete the hardiness of the garment, it is also machine washable.
At 95gsm, the Rhythm Tee is significantly lighter than other tee-shirts whilst still retaining superior durability and performance.
“Merino wool is a natural fit for Black Diamond,” says Bush. “Along with its environmental credentials of biodegradability and renewability, Merino wool lends itself to our brand’s need for multifunctional design. Our athletes and staff have tested the Rhythm Tee extensively backcountry skiing, climbing, hiking and running. Universally everyone is impressed with its properties of thermoregulation and odour management, which is natural to the Merino wool fibre and ground-breaking Nuyarn innovation and technology.”
The Rhythm Tee sits well amongst Black Diamond Equipment’s high-performing quality gear, but it also aligns with the company’s consciousness of their environmental and social responsibility. A natural fibre, apparel Merino wool is predominantly grown in Australia by flocks of Merino sheep expertly looked-after by generations of woolgrowers. An affinity with the land ensures the nature these woolgrowers are custodians of, is looked after in a similar vein as to their sheep, with the greatest achievement lying in their long-term, holistic care.