Featured Image: Gabe Rovick
Last week, Black Diamond Equipment publicly announced it will increase MSRP prices on most of its goods in the United States by 10-25% beginning on May 5, 2025. The increases are in response to “the recent wave of global tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration,” according to the official statement. BD will honor all original pricing for May preseason shipments, with all U.S. item pricing being updated on June 1.
“We’re navigating an unprecedented and uncertain global economic environment, and like many of you, we’re doing our best to adapt,” BD said. “We’ll continue to communicate openly, act responsibly, and stay true to what matters most: designing world-class gear that earns your trust every time you head into the mountains.”
Some of the recent tariffs are unavoidable for BD given their product range. The 10% baseline tariff implemented on April 5 is of course a problem, but a manageable one. Others, like the new 25% tariff on imports of aluminum, pose more of a threat.
The Administration’s goal, of course, is to drive manufacturing on such materials back into the United States. While that outcome would have clear benefits, it could take years to achieve, and it’s likely that many businesses will suffer irreversible loss before that day comes.
Another unavailable road black for BD and many other brands is the 145% Reciprocal Tariff on China. Around 20% of Black Diamond’s gear is made in China, including two of their largest headlamp suppliers, which the brand has worked with for over a decade.
The point here is that simply changing material suppliers or production partners isn’t as easy as it’s often portrayed. If it can be done, it will be done slowly and at great cost.
In a recent interview with SES Outdoor, Black Diamond Equipment President Neil Fiske said they realize there’s no easy solution. Finding new suppliers jeopardizes the relationships they have in place. They’re currently looking to move production to another country, but that won’t be until 2026 at the earliest.
“We can’t even deal with China right now. Because it’s at such absurd, ridiculous levels, all trade is uneconomical,” said Fiske. He noted that BD will likely be taking a hit on Chinese-manufactured products, acknowledging that these price increases will inevitably drive unit sales down. “We’re assuming – and this might be an optimistic assumption – that for every percentage increase in price, you’ll see a corresponding reduction in units, and hopefully keep revenue where you planned it.”
BD’s price increases are a way to stay afloat, not to gouge or increase profit margins. Companies will inevitably have to pass portions of the new financial burden onto consumers if they hope to make it out the other side. When discussing BD’s ability to perform over the coming year, Fiske said, “We got the business into really good shape, and thank God we did because it positions us to weather the storm much better.” While Black Diamond might be able to withstand this seemingly inevitable hit, other companies may not be as fortunate.
The outdoor community is no stranger to uncertainty, but that same sense of uncertainty, which we strive to navigate in the mountains, can be tough to clearly define when it’s brought into an emotional and volatile economic market.
Our industry will be an interesting case study, as there is very little brand equity. We all have our preferences in the skis, boots, beacons and backpack manufacturers we prefer, meaning that rising prices might not affect some brands with devoted followings as much as those in industries without such deep consumer affiliation. Will these biases be enough to keep money coming in for brands even as more and more are forced to implement similar pricing choices?
Only time will tell, but if companies act with the same caliber of transparent honesty and clarity as Black Diamond it’s likely we will all fare better over time. Fiske closed out his interview by noting, “Shit happens and there’s plenty of it happening now. For our team, it’s like, ‘Let’s break it down into pieces. Let’s take it in steps. Do your best to manage through it. Stay calm and rational, and really communicate as clearly as we can.'”
