Black Diamond Factor Shell Sustainability Report

With its thick nylon face fabric, 3-layer BD.dry Stretch membrane, and high-quality construction, the Factor Shell is built for many seasons of inbounds use. The softer, more pliable feel doesn’t detract from its durability, and after a full month of testing it showed no signs of wear. While it’s slightly less rigid than the most bombproof shells, the robust materials and smooth-running hardware make it a trustworthy option for skiers who want long-term protection without sacrificing comfort.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Black Diamond Factor Shell is treated with a PFAS-free DWR finish. As of 2025, all Black Diamond apparel, backpacks, gloves, and footwear are made without intentionally added PFAS.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

As of 2025, all apparel products with waterproof membranes at Black Diamond are made without intentionally added PFAS, including the Factor Shell.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Factor Shell does not contain any recycled materials. As of 2025, 52% of Black Diamond’s products with polyester contain recycled content. Currently, less than 30% of Black Diamond products reviewed by Better Trail include recycled materials.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The Black Diamond Factor Shell contains no Bluesign-approved materials. Black Diamond is not a Bluesign System Partner, but many of the fabrics in its apparel products are Bluesign approved. Some climbing soft goods, such as harnesses, also use Bluesign-approved materials.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Black Diamond does not appear to work with any third-party factory certifications or audit programs. The company has its own vendor code of conduct, but that alone is not enough to meet our criteria for this category. To meet our responsible manufacturing criteria, we require brands to be part of a third-party program that provides certification and/or annual audits of factories to ensure safe working conditions, fair wages, and a decreased environmental impact.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Black Diamond uses 35% recycled cardboard for packaging and 100% recycled paper for all apparel hang tags. The company is making efforts to reduce packaging within specific product categories. For example, from 2019 to 2021, packaging for trekking and ski poles decreased by 46%.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Black Diamond offers repair services for in- and out-of-warranty products through its Reroute program, including fixes such as patching for simple or extensive rips, part replacement, and restringing tent poles.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Through its Reroute program, Black Diamond will recycle old carabiners into trekking poles. However, they do not offer recycling programs for other products.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Black Diamond tracks greenhouse gas emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and has set a goal to reduce its total carbon intensity by 50% by 2030. However, Black Diamond does not publicly share specific details about its company-wide emissions tracking. Its impact report highlights significant reduction efforts at two of its major production facilities through the use of renewable energy and more efficient systems, but it does not provide an overview of the company’s Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions reductions.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Black Diamond published its first impact report in 2025. The report has a dedicated section on sustainability, which covers information on its preferred material goals, waste reduction, energy efficiency practices, circularity efforts, and more.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.