Before any piece of Black Diamond gear makes it on to the shelves, it spends months, sometimes years getting put through the wringer by our team of Quality Control engineers. Through extensive and meticulous testing, both in the lab and in the field, the QC Lab team help ensure that you can count on your BD gear to be as durable, reliable and as strong as possible every time you head into the mountains or out to the crags. Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of the most common gear-related questions.

2017

QC Lab: Personal Anchor Systems Explained

QC Lab: Old vs. New Gear Testing

QC Lab: Playlist

2016

QC Lab: How Ice Screws Are Made

QC Lab: Off-Axis and Tri/Quad-Axial Loading

2015

QC Lab: Full Strength Haul Loops

2013

QC Lab: The Electric Harness Acid Test

QC Lab: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job - Carabiners

QC Lab: Can a hot belay device melt my rappel slings?

2012

QC Lab: Gear Doesn't Last Forever—CRAMPONS

QC Lab: Gear Doesn't Last Forever—SLINGS and QUICKDRAWS

QC Lab: Gear Doesn't Last Forever— ICE TOOL PICKS

QC Lab: How strong are Himalayan fixed lines?

QC Lab: Re-slinging Camalots and C3s

QC Lab: The Dangers Of Modifying Your Gear

2011

QC Lab: Via Ferrata

QC Lab: To Screamer or not to Screamer?

QC Lab: Do ropes need to rest between falls?

QC Lab: How strong is the Spinner Leash?

QC Lab: Remounting previously drilled skis

2010

QC Lab: Daisy chain dangers

QC Lab: How Sketchy Is a Rope-Worn, Sharp-Edged Carabiner?

QC Lab: Dangers of rope worn carabiners

2009 and older

QC Lab: Autoblock Misuse

QC Lab: What is the strongest rappel knot?

QC Lab: Can I Use a Sharpie to Mark the Middle of my Rope?

QC Lab: Weakness of Nose-hooked Carabiners

QC Lab: Worn Anchors

QC Lab: Sling Strength in 3 Different Anchor Configurations

QC Lab: Draws in a Gym

QC Lab: Extending a Cam Sling

QC Lab: Girth Hitching a Stopper

QC Lab: Retiring Old Ropes

QC Lab: Connecting Two Slings Together

QC Lab: Strength of a worn belay loop and when to retire a harness