This trek has it all: three countries, endless views of Western Europe鈥檚 highest peak鈥�15,771-foot Mont Blanc鈥攆resh-baked treats at high huts you stay in along the way, and views of climbers clinging to improbable spires. While downright decadent at times, thanks to the gourmet food and drink en route, the Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB), 103 miles of hiking that circles Mont Blanc and passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland, is no pushover. It comprises more than 32,000 feet of uphill hiking and descending. It offers gorgeous stretches of warm, summer Alps weather, yet full-on big-mountain storms can still descend on trekkers.

The Beautiful Mount Blanc Region

The Mont Blanc region of the Alps is huge, encompassing 155 square miles, with 60 square miles of glaciers and eleven summits over 13,000 feet. Ten thousand years ago, nomadic tribes gathered here, living off deer and chamois on the land and fish from the rivers. In time, they began herding animals, moving them to higher pastures in the summer, creating the annual Alpine rhythm called transhumance that persists to this day. Those paths created an intertwined network of trails around the massif. In the last 60 years, local communities worked on the ancient routes, upgrading them for modern use by active travelers. In the 1960s, old huts were updated, inns sprang up in the valleys, and the TMB took on its present form.

Starting and finishing in the adventure-crazed alpine town of Chamonix, France, at the base of Mont Blanc, the TMB is perhaps the world鈥檚 most famous pedestrian loop and definitely one of its most entertaining, passing through three countries and the resulting variety of cultures. Along with the lively hut scene, Michelin-star dining options en route, and stop-dead-in-your-tracks views, you may also see the world鈥檚 best trail runners breezing past.

Getting to Know the Tour du Mont Blanc

I began hiking and trail running the Tour du Mont-Blanc 15 years ago in sections鈥攁 day here, two days there. It wasn鈥檛 until seven years ago that I did the full loop in one continuous push. It was September 1, 2017, and 2,200 fellow trail runners joined me in the 14th edition of the iconic Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, or UTMB. Held each year at the end of August and easily the world鈥檚 most famous trail race, UTMB is one part of the reason the TMB (walking version) has become so popular.听听

I鈥檝e lived in Chamonix full-time for five years, spending five summers here before that, and founded and am part-owner of the trail-running tour company The UTMB race is intense. Far more typical is the leisurely eight-day TMB hike I took with my two brothers and a cousin last September. My relatives booked a total of 11 days for the trip, which included their arrival and departure days, a day in Chamonix to adjust to Central European Time, and a rest day in Courmayeur.

We meandered around the range, napping in alpine meadows, chatting with shepherds, and snarfing up lunches at huts and inns all along the way. We started around 8:30 each morning, right after the continental breakfasts, and dropped our bags with the hotel for the pre-arranged transport to the next destination. (Pro tip: Skipping the baggage transfer to save money is a dubious trade-off. You do not want to lug the extra weight over the high passes.) With an organized start time, we鈥檇 arrive at our next destination mid-afternoon, usually in time for a shower, a post-hike beer, and a nap before dinner. Our weather was perfect: blue skies, temperatures in the 60s, and a light breeze, day after day.

I鈥檝e hiked or run the TMB a dozen times now, and here鈥檚 my advice for beginners on how to do it right.

Tour du Mont Blanc Guide – Quick Links

How to get to the TMB | How Hard is it to Hike the TMB? | How Long Does it Take to Hike the TMB? | The Best Time of the Year to Hike the TMB | How to Book Your TMB Trip | Is the Trail Easy to Follow? | Lodging Options Along the TMB | Should I Plan My Own Trip or Go With A Guide? | Do I Have to Hike the Whole TMB Trail? | What to Pack to Hike the TMB | TMB Etiquette | The Best Piece of Advice of All |听 Resources

1) How to Get to the TMB

Nearly all TMB travelers fly in and out of Geneva, Switzerland, which is just about 90 minutes from Chamonix, the traditional start and end point of the loop. There are multiple shared shuttle services, which typically cost about 鈧�35 (about $38 as of August 2024) and should be scheduled in advance. At Run the Alps, we use Mountain Dropoffs. They鈥檙e reliable, they track your flight, and their drivers are well trained and always courteous.

2) How Hard Is It to Hike the TMB?

Most fit hikers will find the TMB to be within their abilities, especially if they opt for a luggage transport service between huts and hotels, leaving them to hike with light daypacks. But the trail is a big undertaking and can be challenging.

The longest day is usually about 20 miles, with roughly 4,500 feet of climbing and descending. Most days total around 15 miles, with between 4,000 and 5,000 feet of climbing. The highest point you鈥檒l reach is 8,323 feet, and you work naturally up to it, so altitude is generally a non-issue, though concern about it is a common misconception about the TMB.

A lot of hikers and trail runners will find the TMB to have a good bit of 鈥渧ert鈥� (vertical gain) along the route. There are almost no truly flat sections, and depending on how you plan your route, you can do up to or even more than 33,000 feet of climbing during the trip. To train beforehand, find a nearby hill, get the pack you intend to use, load it up, and head uphill. If your local terrain doesn鈥檛 lend itself to TMB training, sign up for a few months at a gym with treadmills that go up to a 20 percent incline, and start hiking, doing your best to ignore the looks of gym rats when they see your pack on your back.

Old-school hiking boots are fine but, increasingly, TMB hikers are switching to sturdy trail-running shoes, from brands like Hoka, Salomon, or Merrell. No matter what you bring, wear them in well in advance鈥攚hich means a few weeks of daily use, then at least a half dozen hikes, to make sure they are broken in and fit comfortably.

3) How Long Does It Take to Hike the TMB?

Depending on your jet-lag coping skills and your interest in rest days, plan on anywhere from a week to 12 days. The TMB breaks down nicely into village-based stops, and the most common itinerary looks something like this: Chamonix, France (add a rest day in for the day after you arrive); Les Contamines, France; Les Chapieux, France; Courmayeur, Italy (add a rest day in here); La Fouly, Switzerland; Champex-Lac, Switzerland; Trient, Switzerland; back to Chamonix (add in a rest day or two here before flying out). Bingo, that鈥檚 the loop.

4) The Best Time of Year to Hike the TMB

Be forewarned: midsummer is busy. The trail is getting popular. Even before COVID, there was a notable uptick in TMB usage, and last summer saw by far the biggest visitor numbers yet. An estimated 200,000 hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners travel some sections of the TMB each year.

As of now, no permit is required to hike it, but you do have to book huts and hotels. The regional government has been talking with several nature reserves through which the TMB passes about implementing a permit system. Initially, at least, these permits would be both free and unlimited. The goal is to use the registration process to educate guests and track user numbers better鈥攁nd hopefully to mitigate crowds.

As a result of the surge in use, the gens du pays鈥�the local people who live and work along the TMB鈥攁re scrambling 24/7 during July and August. If you must go then, you鈥檒l need to plan well in advance to secure bookings and will pay top dollar. Many tour operators stop taking midsummer reservations for the TMB by mid-winter.

If you have a flexible schedule, I鈥檇 suggest booking during the second half of June, or after the UTMB race at the end of August, when things quiet down again.

In the shoulder seasons of June and September, bookings will be easier and refuge staff will have more time to visit with guests and perhaps even share a beer. On the front end of the shoulder season, the last two weeks of June, high passes might still be holding onto their snowfields, and you鈥檒l need to use caution if the slopes are frozen solid. Bring hiking poles with carbide tips and microspikes for traction, and always check conditions locally with tourist offices before striking off.

The September shoulder season is arguably better, thanks to snow-free passes and good odds of blue skies. Most refuges and public transportation are open and running until about mid-September. This late season on the TMB is a wonderful time, with fewer crowds and a bit more wildness. Warmer gear is a must, though, as nighttime temperatures drop to the 50s and lower, and be aware that snowstorms might shut down travel for a day.

July and August are the high season. If that鈥檚 your vacation window, booking a year ahead will help you get the hotel you want. (Pro tip: Ask your hotel to pack a bag lunch for you the night before, so you can enjoy lunch from a quiet pasture, rather than waiting to place an order with overworked hut staff.) Huts usually don鈥檛 allow picnicking at their facilities, but if you pass by before or after the lunch rush, you can always enjoy a cafe au lait with the view.

Even if it鈥檚 busy, it鈥檚 still the TMB. If you don鈥檛 mind sharing vistas with fellow travelers, the fundamentals are pretty darned spectacular. You鈥檒l need a thesaurus when texting home, because hackneyed travel adjectives like spectacular, stunning, amazing, and jaw-dropping will all sneak into your writing. For once, they won鈥檛 be overstatements.

5) How to Book Your TMB Trip

You can set up the whole circumnavigation yourself, go with a guide, or use a tour operator to book everything in advance for you. Whatever you choose, set things up as far ahead as possible. 鈥淵ou need to be planning 10 months in advance to secure space if you want to get into all the hard-to-book places,鈥� says Troy Haines, owner of Alpinehikers, a guided and self-guided hiking tour operator that has been leading trips on the TMB for two decades.

There is good news, though, for those with an open approach. 鈥淏eing flexible in your thinking really helps,鈥� says Haines. 鈥淚f you have a range of dates that work, or are happy with a dorm one night or a fourth-choice hotel, or even taking a taxi to a nearby village, then there is almost always something we can do to put together a trip.鈥�

If you鈥檙e planning your own TMB hike and working on the logistics in late winter or spring for the coming summer, you may need to get creative in at least one overnight destination and possibly several. Look for hotels and inns in adjacent villages, and schedule Taxi Besson, a service that gives hikers rides to and from trails, to meet you at a specific location and time and return you to the trek the following morning. Places that traditionally get booked out along the trail include: Les Chapieux, France, and La Fouly and Trient, Switzerland. Instead, taxis can take you to the Savoie town of Bourg St. Maurice or quiet, atmospheric villages like Beaufort or Ar锚ches. If La Fouly is full, take the Swiss Post bus to Orsieres and then Champex-Lac, skipping ahead a day. If Trient is full, look to Finhaut, Switzerland, or Vallorcine, France. Consider the switch-ups an adventure, and a chance to explore villages a bit farther afield.

6) Is the TMB Trail Easy to Follow?

Whenever you go, the TMB is one of the easiest trails in the world to follow. No matter whether you鈥檙e hiking in France, Italy, or Switzerland, the signage is clear, with distances marked. (Predictably, Switzerland wins for best and most accurate signs.) Many junctions are named, with elevations shown on the signposts. The TMB trail itself is well-worn, so even if visibility is poor, you should have no problem staying en route.

7) Lodging Options Along the TMB

There may be no multi-day trek in the world that offers such an array of overnight options. Some guests are rolling out sleeping bag liners in shared dorm space, while others are sipping pricey Burgundy wines amid the five-star, red-carpet treatment at high-end hotels in Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Champex-Lac. (See the Resources section below for my favorite hotel options along the route.)

For those looking for a sky filled with thousands of stars, camping is an option, but with the recent proliferation of tents popping up around the range, it鈥檚 increasingly frowned upon by many of the guides on the trail and staff at nearby huts. If you want to camp, follow good Leave No Trace practices and be as unobtrusive as possible. Regulations vary widely along the TMB. Camping is usually permitted outside of nature refuges after sunset and before sunrise. If you鈥檙e overnighting near a hut, drop in during the afternoon and ask permission of the hut caretaker or guardian. Commercial camping businesses exist in all of the key towns around the TMB. Because of the convenient alpine villages sprinkled around the route, however, the TMB is a great choice for anyone who wants to leave the tent and camp stove at home.

Because the TMB passes through three countries, camping regulations along the trail vary. Below is a quick overview of the regulations.

In France, camping is allowed under the following conditions:

• In the proximity of a refuge, with the permission of the guardian.
• 国产吃瓜黑料 of the Contamines nature reserve, you can pitch a tent between sunset and sunrise (7 P.M. – 9 A.M.). In the Contamines nature reserve, you must pitch your tent in the designated area near the Refuge de la Balme.

In Italy:

• Camping is not allowed under 2500m of altitude.
• In the Val Veny and Val Ferret zones, camping is only allowed in a designated campsite.

In Switzerland:

• Camping is allowed above tree level, but not within nature reserves.

8) Should I Plan My Own Trip (DIY), Self-Guide, or Go With a Guide?

A) DIY

If you鈥檙e a planner, the TMB is made for you. You鈥檒l get to cruise around on hotel websites in three countries, poring over photos of standard, superior, and deluxe rooms.

Stephanie Lefferts, the tour manager at my company, Run the Alps, who works with more than fifty hotels, has three tips for DIYers:

• Book directly through a hotel鈥檚 website, if possible. You鈥檒l often get a better rate and terms, and more money goes to the hotels, which are often family run.
• When in doubt, go for the half-board option, which includes dinner. As Lefferts points out, 鈥淚t’s really nice to walk downstairs for dinner after a long day on the trail and not have to wander the town searching for somewhere to eat.鈥�
• You guessed it: 鈥淏ook early!鈥�

Over the years, a number of planning sites have emerged for the DIYer鈥搒ee our suggestions below and grab a copy of the venerable TMB bible, by Kev Reynolds. The most recent edition was released in 2020. Be sure to get the IGN Tour du Mont-Blanc map as well.

B) Find an Outfitter Who Sets Up Self-Guided Trips

This means that a company will book everything for you in advance so that all you have to do is show up and hike. Most TMB outfitters know the better inns and hotels along the route. And if you need to spend a night off the trail, they鈥檒l schedule taxi transport for you. You鈥檒l also get route descriptions for each day along with supporting materials that can save hassle and confusion. Most companies will also arrange for transport to and from the airport and baggage transfer during your hiking days.

C) Go With a Guide

In the Alps, so-called 鈥渕iddle mountain鈥� guides (meaning hiking rather than climbing guides) are a common sight, leading hikers and trail runners along paths throughout the region. The English designation is called IML, for International Mountain Leader. In French, it鈥檚 accompagnateur for a male guide and accompagnatrice for a woman. Guides in the Alps go through a rigorous training and testing process, and their knowledge runs deep on topics from mountain safety to flora and fauna to local customs and more. The additional cost of going on a guided trip can be well worth it, particularly if you鈥檙e busy and would like to just show up and follow a competent and friendly leader.

If you鈥檙e going on a guided trip, be sure to confirm that your company uses only licensed guides. Mountain police, Europe鈥檚 equivalent of a forest ranger toting a police badge, often check a guide鈥檚 paperwork, and more than one hapless group has had its TMB trip stalled by the presence of non-licensed guides.

If you use a commercial company for either a guided or self-guided tour, remember that not all companies offer the same tier of service. The cost difference can be thousands of dollars, and your overnight accommodations might range from a stuffy dorm room to a 600-thread-count king-sized bed with a mountain-view terrace. Read the fine print carefully to see what costs are covered, and if items like airport shuttles and in-country transport are included on your way back.

9) Do I Have to Hike the Whole TMB?

The TMB is well set up for hikers with limited time. Transportation around the region is relatively straightforward. There are multiple buses each day between Chamonix and Courmayeur through the Mont Blanc tunnel, and France鈥檚 SNCF passenger trains coordinate with Switzerland鈥檚 SBB rail system, which in turn dovetails with the country鈥檚 Postbus system. All of which means, getting around is easy. If you鈥檙e short on time, try some day hikes. These are my places to stay for dramatic day hikes around the region: Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Champex.

10) What to Pack For Your TMB Hike

Most summer days on the TMB are luxurious, with zephyrs rustling the pastures, blue skies, and great hiking temperatures. But any given day can be downright brutal. Hope for the best, but be ready for the worst. Here鈥檚 a typical packing list:听

• Warm and waterproof clothing for cold days, including a waterproof jacket and pants, a thermal top, and hat and gloves.
• Dry bags or a waterproof cover for your pack.
• Hiking boots or sturdy trail running shoes. Go for at least a few long hikes beforehand to make sure they are a good fit.
• Hiking or trail-running poles are a common sight on the TMB, and for good reason. The slight shifting of weight from legs to arms will reduce fatigue later in the day, and the third point of contact will make steep terrain safer.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• A large water bottle or hydration pack that can hold at least two liters.
• First-aid kit including a mix of bandages and blister aids.
• About 200 euros, even though many of the mountain stops and most mountain refuges accept cards.
• A cell phone with an international plan. It鈥檚 a good idea to store the emergency numbers in your contacts. In France and Italy, the number is 112. In Switzerland, it鈥檚 114. Calls to emergency numbers are free. Rescue fees vary from free to pricey throughout the Alps. Here鈥檚 on the details. (TLDR? Get a membership in the Swiss nonprofit REGA, make sure your health insurance is up-to-date, and buy travel insurance from a reputable company, like IMG.)
• Bring your ATM card鈥搕here are ATMs at every stop except Les Chapieux and Trient. Just call your bank first to make sure the card is authorized for France, Italy, and Switzerland. Though Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, euros are generally accepted around the loop.
• If you鈥檙e staying at mountain huts, most require a sleeping bag liner, which you鈥檒l use in combination with wool hut blankets that won鈥檛 see a good washing until the close of the season. You can buy cotton, which has more bulk, or silk, which costs more but stuffs into about the size of a rolled washcloth.
• While most huts provide Crocs or flip-flops for indoor use, it鈥檚 not a bad idea to bring your own that are actually comfortably sized to you instead of whatever is in the hut shoe cubby.
• Ear plugs if you鈥檙e sharing overnight accommodations.

11) Learn the TMB Etiquette

As with many long-distance paths, there are rules to the road. On the TMB, they are well-established, thanks to the long history of the route.

At refuges:

• Shoes and poles in the boot room only.
• In shared rooms, try to be quiet at night, and don鈥檛 turn the light on if someone is sleeping. Turn cell phones off or to Airplane Mode.
• Use an indoor voice. (Yes, it really is true: Americans tend to be among the loudest.)
• A small tip is appreciated鈥損erhaps a euro for a snack and cafe au lait, a few euros for a meal.

On the trail:

• Remember that there might be bikers, runners, or faster walkers who want to get past, so be ready to step aside.
• Share a 鈥淏onjour鈥� when passing fellow hikers.
• Please, don鈥檛 play music out loud. Grab the earbuds.
• Evidence is starting to mount that swimming in lakes has a negative impact on their ecosystems. Please minimize or avoid it, especially if you鈥檙e wearing sunscreen.

12) My Top TMB Advice: Treat Yourself!

The TMB has to be the hiking path with some of the tastiest aid stations en route. While you鈥檒l burn over 4,000 calories a day, if you鈥檙e not adding it all back, well, you鈥檙e missing out.

This is ten years of in-depth culinary research in a handful of short paragraphs, but rest assured, the pleasure was all mine.

On one of my first TMBs, circling the Mont Blanc massif in four days as part of a trail-running mini-vacation, our group kept a literally running tally of the number of tartes aux myrtilles (blueberry tarts), pain au chocolates, and cafe au laits we had. We quickly lost track, though.

My brothers, cousin, and I repeated a version of this game last fall. In fact, counting tartes and other treats is a classic TMB tradition. Thanks to those baked mountain goodies and endless big views, the miles pass quickly. Before you know it you鈥檒l be back on the steps of the centuries-old St. Michel Church in Chamonix, celebrating with beers from Big Mountain Brewery and looking forward to a fromage-filled celebratory dinner at La Caleche.

Here are some of my favorite stops en route.

• Refuge Plan de l鈥橝iguille: While not on the TMB, this high hut above Chamonix is well worth a visit. So, book a jet-lag recovery day in Chamonix, and head here for a TMB warm-up. Claude and his staff make what is widely considered the best tarts in the Chamonix valley, fresh each morning. The typical spread is wild blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and raspberry. (Take in the Midi tram, the world鈥檚 second-longest, on the same day.)
• Chalet Miage: Stop for lunch at this rustic mountain farm before the French village of Les Contamines and order anything on the menu. Really. It鈥檚 that simple.
• Alpage Ville de Glacier: If you鈥檙e not taking Col des Fours, look for this farm just outside the hamlet of Chapieux and stock up on local Beaufort and S茅rac cheese directly from the farmer.
• Refugio Elizabetta: Time your wanderings to stop in for their traditional Italian lunches like hearty bowls of polenta, and all for a good price.
• Courmayeur, Italy: This TMB stopover town has a wide array of great restaurants, so schedule a rest day here. Get a gelato or an ice cream at the Gelateria in the center of town, and sneak down a side alley for focaccia at Pan per Focaccia. Pro tip: ask your hotel to book a taxi to the QC Terme roman spas at Pr茅-Saint-Didier. If you end up wanting more, the same company has a new facility waiting to ease the end-of-trip aches and pains in Chamonix.
• Alpage de Bovine: Switzerland is all about comfort food, and the grated potato and cheese Rost茂 at this high Swiss farm stop will persuade you that all is well with the world. Save room for an apricot or blueberry tart.
• Refuge Col de Balme: Wrap your hands around a thick hot chocolate as you look down to Chamonix and eye the last ten miles of your loop around Mont Blanc.

Sant茅 et 脿 bient么t!

13) Important Resources for the Tour Du Mont Blanc

Helpful Sites for DIY Planners

is a one-stop online planning site, with links to key huts and other services along the way.

offers paid support for DIYers who want a hand building their own trips.

: Taxi Besson is the go-to company to shuttle your bags around the TMB. They work with most major hotels in the region. Drop your bag by in the morning after breakfast, and it will be waiting for you at your next hotel that evening. (In my outfit鈥檚 ten years of using them, they鈥檝e never once failed us.) Pro tip: Follow the weight-limit guidelines, ask at the hotel desk exactly where to leave your bag, and don鈥檛 tie anything to the outside.

transfers between Geneva and the Chamonix valley.

: With nearly 37,000 members, this Facebook group is lively, filled with useful information. Ignore the know-it-alls, and you鈥檒l find tons of good intel.

If you鈥檙e going on your own, Emily Geldard, a longtime resident and the Run the Alps assistant manager, has created a handy summary of options to shorten many of the days, in the event of inclement weather or injury. 鈥溾�� offers information on bail-out options, plus a list of ways to extend each day if yesterday鈥檚 pastries have you energized for bonus terrain.

Outfitter Recommendations for Guided and Self-Guided Hiking

, , and are highly regarded tour operators who offer both guided and self-guided trips on the TMB.

Outfitter Recommendations for Guided and Self-Guided Running

is an Alps-based company with U.S. roots. (The author is the founder and part owner.) Run the Wild and Tracks and Trails are two other good options.

If You Need a Doctor

If you have an emergency, use the emergency numbers or ask your accommodation host to call a local doctor. Les Contamines, Courmayeur, and 础谤驳别苍迟颈猫谤别 have pharmacies.

Apps

A handful of apps make the TMB easier to navigate, including which also contains weather data. is often used for weather.

(Gaia is owned by 国产吃瓜黑料 Inc., the company that owns 国产吃瓜黑料.)

Learn Some of the Local Language

French / Italian:

• Hello = Bonjour / Ciao
• Thank you = Merci / Grazie
• Breakfast = Petit Dejeuner / Colazione
• How much is it? = 脟a co没te combien? / Quanto costa?
• Do you speak English? = Est ce que vous parlez anglais? / Parla inglese?
• Where are the toilets? = O霉 sont les toilettes? / Dove e鈥� il bagno?
• This way? = Par ici? / Da questa parte?
• It hurts here = 脟a me fait mal ici / Sono ferito qui
• Mountain hut = refuge de montagne / rifugio di montagna
• I need help = J鈥檃i besoin d鈥檃ide / Ho bisogno di aiuto听

Great Side Trails to Explore

One of the best features of the TMB is that there are plenty of side trails to hike along the way. You can truly do your own hike, mixing the standard route with wilder variants, or hopping a local bus to skip sections. Hiking what we call a variant trail can be a great way to get away from crowds and find solitude. Here are a few of my favorites.

• France: Col de Fours: from Les Contamines to the must-see rustic lodge of Les Mottets, this is a direct variant that detours around Les Chapieux. It is a mere 350 feet of additional climbing鈥搕hough much more technical than the norm鈥揳nd a bit more than a mile shorter. It includes one of the highest points on the TMB (which should be avoided in bad weather). Best of all, there鈥檚 a high likelihood of seeing ibex.
• Italy: Val de Sapin: From Courmayeur to Bonatti Refugio, this adds an additional 1,300 feet of climbing and about a mile of distance. It is a wild and quiet valley, and you are likely to see ibex.
• Italy into Switzerland: Petit Col Ferret: Next to the Grand Col Ferret, this is an alternate route to La Fouly. It is the same distance and elevation, but the rocky descent is more technical. The trail is much quieter than the traditional route.
• Switzerland: Fen锚tre d鈥橝rpette: from Champex to Trient, this variant adds about 1,300 feet of elevation, and is a bit less distance, but it is a lot more technical and time-consuming. Because of the high altitude and slippery rock, it should be avoided in bad weather and certainly during the early season. The route鈥檚 steep and icy snowfields linger into early summer and have led to a fatal slide every few years. The scenery is wild and other-worldly, and the trail is usually quiet.
• Switzerland into France: Les Tseppes: From Trient to 础谤驳别苍迟颈猫谤别, France, this variant adds a few hundred feet of elevation and about a mile of distance. The start is steep and daunting, but worth the challenge. The trail is quiet, and you are treated to wide-ranging views of the Vallorcine valley and Mont Blanc.

The Author’s Lodging Recommendations Along the TMB

Chamonix

• High End: If you want modern and plenty of amenities, Heliopic is your go-to. Want authentic French? Head to the Hameau Albert 1er.
• Middle: Le Refuge des Aiglons is modern, with a nice spa, pool, and outdoor seating. For something more rustic, head down the street to Hotel Oustalet, which features a large yard that鈥檚 somehow quiet, despite its central location.
• Rustic: La Boerne is located out of town in the tiny collection of chalets known as Tr茅-le-champ. It鈥檚 a ten-minute walk to the local train, which is 20 minutes from Chamonix. There鈥檚 also bus service from 础谤驳别苍迟颈猫谤别, a 15-minute walk away.

Les Contamines

• High End: H么tel La Chemenaz. Spacious private rooms and suites, with an outdoor swimming pool and spa.
• Middle: Gai Soleil. Family-run by passionate staff, this converted farm has been hosting tourists since the 1920s. The private rooms have a cozy, alpine feel.
• Rustic: Chalet Refuge de Nant Borrants. Set on the TMB trail, a little outside of Les Contamines, this refuge is secluded and traditional. The dormitories are clean, with just six to nine people in each room.

Les Chapieux

• High End: Taxi to Bourg St-Maurice and stay at Hotel L’Autantic or Hotel Base Camp Lodge des Arcs.
• Middle: Chambres du Soleil. Family-run, with excellent food cooked by the husband. There are woodburners in the dining rooms, and blankets in the bedrooms made from local wool.
• Rustic: Refuge Les Mottets. The food is hearty mountain style using local cheeses, and the dining room is decorated with historic farming equipment. A refuge staffer often plays music at dinner time on the player piano in the dining room.

Courmayeur

• High End: Grand Hotel Courmayeur. Modern and stylish rooms, with an indoor pool and spa.
• Middle: Bouton D鈥橭r. Traditional, alpine decor, and a fantastic breakfast buffet that is all homemade. The fruits in the breakfast tarts are grown in the kitchen garden.
• Rustic: Cabane du Combal. A secluded location in the mountains, on the TMB but outside of Courmayeur.

La Fouly:

• High End: Take a taxi to Verbier and stay at La Cord茅e des Alpes. Modern rooms with alpine decoration.
• Middle: L鈥橦么tel Edelweiss. Clean, modern rooms that have been recently renovated.
• Rustic: G卯te Alpage de La Peule. This is an active dairy where you can buy the products, and see how different cheeses are made.

Champex:

• High End: H么tel Alpina. A husband-and-wife partnership with Michelin-standard food cooked by the husband. The building is small and has a private, family feel.
• Middle: H么tel Splendide. A historic and grand hotel built in the 1930s. Think high ceilings, stained-glass windows, and creaky wooden floorboards.
• Rustic: Relais d’Arpette. A traditional mountain auberge on a variant taking you a 20-minute walk off the TMB, on the F锚netre d’Arpette, in a secluded valley outside of Champex. Fantastic views.

Trient

• High End: Take a taxi to 础谤驳别苍迟颈猫谤别 and stay at the H么tel Les Grands Montets. Access to a spa and indoor swimming pool. The rooms are cozy and comfortable with alpine deco.
• Middle: La Grande Ourse. Clean, modern rooms and friendly staff.
• Rustic: Refuge Le Peuty. Excellent food served in a yurt with homemade, artsy decorations.

础谤驳别苍迟颈猫谤别

• High End: H么tel Les Grands Montets. Access to a spa and indoor swimming pool. The rooms are cozy and comfortable with alpine deco.
• Middle: With an old standby, the H么tel de la Couronne, newly sold and under renovation until at least December 2023, middle-of-the-road accommodations are thin in Argenti茅re. A good alternative is to take public transport or a train to Chamonix or Vallorine, and double up your nights in one of your last hotels.
• Rustic: La Boerne. Another traditional auberge that is right on the TMB trail. It is in a quiet, secluded spot with a beautiful terrace. The building is full of character, with wooden beams and bunkbeds.

If You Get Shut Out of the TMB This Year

Troy Haines of Alpinehikers likes to point clients toward other, quieter destinations in the Alps, such as the Haute Route between Chamonix, France, and Zermatt, Switzerland; Switzerland鈥檚 Bernese Oberland; or Italy鈥檚 Dolomites. 鈥淎ll of them, TMB included, are simply stunning,鈥� Haines says. 鈥淵ou really can’t go wrong.鈥�

How to Be a Conscientious Traveler

While the are not specifically called out along the TMB, they are excellent guidelines, particularly as the TMB or any other place becomes busier. Learning a few phrases of the local language is always a nice icebreaker and shows respect, and please be patient with busy hut and innkeepers. When passing through the huts, follow the simple protocol of removing and storing boots and poles. Protocols are often posted right inside the doors.

Doug Mayer is the founder of the trail-running tour company . He lives in Montroc, France, 100 yards from the TMB, where he often trail runs with his labradoodle, Izzy. His new book is The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of the UTMB.

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Cash was tight in 2022鈥斺�攁nd my budget for buying new outdoor gear was nonexistent. Thus, I relied heavily on trusty reliables, some freebies, and stuff I bought used or at a steep discount. I spent way too much time scrolling through listings on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist this year. I lowballed. I bargained. I circled back again and again. But the听 work paid off, as some of the items I used the most were acquired through shameless haggling.

And that is the thru-line that connects my ten favorite products from the year. This is the stuff that got me through skiing, cycling, and hiking seasons, and helped me enjoy precious outdoor time with my three-year-old daughter. It鈥檚 also stuff that I can scrutinize with my inner accountant and feel good about having either purchased or held onto. Because in 2022, I got my money鈥檚 worth.

Prana Red Slate Vest ($185)

As you may know, those lucky few of us who work in outdoor media benefit from a freebie piece of gear or apparel from time to time. This past spring I arrived at our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to find that an editor from a different title had dropped footwear and apparel from a recent gear test on the 鈥渇ree鈥� table in the cafeteria. I grabbed the stylish , and since then it has become part of my regular repertoire (yep, those stains in the photo are authentic). I鈥檓 a vest guy, and I love this one for its versatility. It has vintage Marty McFly puff matched with a contemporary color scheme that make it appropriate outerwear for a night on the town. Plus, its insulation and PFAS-free water repellent coating make the vest great for cold and camp conditions, and there鈥檚 plenty of pocket space with six total pockets (two of which are zippered). Yes, I scored this vest for free, but after using it heavily听I would buy it retail.

Thule Yepp Maxi Rack Mounted Child Seat ($249)

Earlier this year I got a Radwagon 4 electric cargo bike for carting my daughter around town, and I started researching which seats to buy. I had been stockpiling gift cards from REI, and in the fall I plunked down the $279 for a new version of the child seat with a rack mount (note: don鈥檛 buy the frame mount version if you own a cargo bike). I was bummed when I was unable to get the Maxi Nexxt鈥檚 mounting jaws to work with the metal cargo cage on my Radwagon 4鈥攖hey wouldn鈥檛 fit into the square-shaped hole in the bike鈥檚 built-in ack. (A Thule rep told me that the seat and its clamping system does work with the Radwagon 4, but I couldn鈥檛 figure it out). Luckily, REI has a friendly return policy, and I was able to get a refund. But we still needed a seat.听I found someone on Craigslist selling a 2020 edition of the original seat (not the Maxi Nexxt), and haggled the price down to $150. The mounting system for this seat is a rectangular-shaped box that simply drops into the Radwagon 4 rack and then tightens. It鈥檚 been ideal for our trips to and from my daughter鈥檚 preschool, and it gives me the presence of mind that my most precious cargo is safe and secure.

Shotgun Child Seat + Handlebars ($135)

My wife bought me the by Kids Ride Shotgun last Christmas鈥攖hanks honey!鈥攁nd it has transformed my life as a parent who craves outdoor adventures with my child. As many parents know, getting your kid to enjoy an outdoor activity is a lesson in patience and frustration. We鈥檝e done hikes with my three-year-old daughter where our turnaround point was well within sight of the car. The Shotgun enabled us to go on long rides that span hours, and take us far away from the parking lot and trailhead. My daughter loves riding in the front of the bicycle due to the vantage point it gives her. The plush seat is cushy enough for small to moderate bumps, and the kid handlebars give her something to grip onto for the twists and turns. Note: It only works with a mountain bike. As with most outdoor kids gear, your results may vary, but my experiences with the Shotgun Child Seat + Handlebars thus far have been extremely positive. Just remember that the seat and handlebars don鈥檛 include the most important component of any outdoor adventure with your kids: snacks.

Trek X-Caliber 9 ($1,929)

I’ve bought and sold used bikes online for decades, and am keenly aware of the frustrations that are present on both sides of the exchange. Everyone wants the best price, and few sellers are willing to budge. This year I was looking to purchase a hardtail mountain bike for my daughter’s Shotgun seat. I was shocked by the high asking prices on Facebook Marketplace. After a few whiffs, tried a new buying strategy: I would message a seller, praise their item, and immediately admit that I could not meet the asking price. Instead, I鈥檇 tell them the ceiling of my budget, acknowledge that it was below asking, and then simply say that my offer would stand if no buyer met their price. Then, I鈥檇 wait. It took a few weeks for this strategy to bear fruit, but I was patient. Eventually it worked, and I purchased this (with a dropper post) for under $1,000. The 100 millimeter fork and tubeless tires offer more than enough cush to enjoy the buffed out trails I ride in Summit County, Colorado. The frame geometry works well with the Shotgun seat, and I’ve taken my daughter on multiple long trail rides deep into the backcountry. Sure, I鈥檝e found myself wanting the forgiving squish of a dual-suspension bike from time to time, but this hardtail works for me鈥攁nd my pocketbook鈥攔ight now.

Banjo Brothers Small Handlebar Bag ($20)

Have you ever accidentally left a metal multitool in your jersey pocket and then sent it through the 鈥淗eavy Duty鈥� cycle in your tumble dryer? I have, a few times, and it makes your laundry room sound like a gravel quarry. I promised my wife I would stop damaging our home appliances with bike parts. So, earlier this year I purchased the (at $20, the cheapest handlebar bag I could find), as a way to permanently remove the gear from my pockets. I chose this bag because it has a rigid liner that provides the bag its cylindrical shape. I’ve used soft-sided handlebar bags in the past, and on both occasions the rattling of the bag鈥檚 metal contents actually chipped paint from the head tube. I鈥檝e had zero problems with rubbing or paint chips with this. More importantly: I have yet to dent the washer or dryer with my bike stuff.

Dynafit Mercury 2 Pants ($199)

For several years, outdoor brands Dynafit and Salewa liquidated their samples and excess inventory at an outdoor garage sale here in Boulder, Colorado. These events were like Christmas for me, and over the years I picked up an entire gear closet鈥檚 worth of backpacks, shoes, jackets, and other stuff. In 2015 I purchased a pair of Dynafit skimo pants, and wore them for a wide-range of outdoor activities, from high-altitude hikes, to warm-weather ski sessions. In January, these pants finally blew鈥攐ne of the welded seams tore apart. I鈥檓 part of a Facebook group called SKIMO GEAR SWAP AND FORUM, and sure enough, I found someone selling a lightly used pair of for less than $100. These pants immediately replaced the old ones as a versatile garment that can be comfortable for a wide range of activities. They are my go-to for my sunrise skimo sessions. When I wear an insulated base layer, these pants are more than up for a day of resort skiing as well, so long as temperatures don鈥檛 dip below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. After one ski session, I even wore these pants out for an evening in Boulder鈥攁nd I wasn鈥檛 the only one wearing them.

Black Diamond Element Hoody ($230)

Like听 many of the other items on my list, I purchased this one on Facebook Marketplace. The tags were still attached, and the buyer said he’d simply bought the wrong size for his torso. My is threadbare and covered in “forever” stains鈥攁 testament to how often I have worn it over the last two seasons. Had I kept track of my outfits, this would be my most-worn garment, by a wide margin. It kept me warm and dry during my pre-dawn patrol skimo sessions in the winter, and comfy in those variable shoulder-season conditions in the spring and fall. I even wore it during a 95-degree day in rural Kansas, as the fibers vented my body heat while protecting my neck and arms from the beating sun. And here in Boulder, Colorado, where performance outerwear counts as appropriate evening attire, this hoody has been my outfit of choice for social events as well.

Goodr Mint Julep Electroshocks ($35)

I learned long ago that fancy and expensive sunglasses are not my jam. I lose them, crush them, or scratch the lenses. In recent years, I’ve bought cheap ones from gas stations, or purchased name-brand glasses used. That was before I discovered Goodr, the consumer-direct eyewear brand that makes just-good-enough shades with contemporary styles for bargain prices. The size fit my large noggin perfectly. Are these glasses going to allow me to spot a smallmouth bass in low light from the bank of a river? Probably not. Will they block every ray of ultraviolet light from entering my eyeballs? Who knows? Will I feel bad when I eventually sit on them or back them over with my car? Nope. I鈥檓 already on my second pair of them鈥攖he first disappeared when I dove into a foam pit during a toddler birthday party. But the glasses are just $35 and they look great. I can tolerate buying another pair.

Shimano XC7 MTB shoes ($230)

I鈥檓 infamously finicky when it comes to cycling footwear. My long (size 13) and narrow foot is a tough ask for most brands, so when I find a shoe that fits, I tend to wear it until the sole literally comes off. This is what happened in June to my previous cycling shoes, a pair of size 45 Shimano XC5 lace-up kicks from 2016. These shoes were so blown out that I had cut new eyelets in the upper to accommodate the laces (the original lace holes tore). I was bummed to learn that Shimano discontinued the lace-up version of is XC5, and I also experienced some sticker shock when I saw the price tag for the new lineup. But I found a seller in the midwest liquidating his set of Shimano mountain bike shoes from 2020 on Ebay, and I purchased a pair new for well below MSRP. I like the for its stiff sole, with great power transfer to the pedals. Plus, the bottoms have a Goodyear rubber coating, which gives you plenty of grip on slippery rocks. I have broken plenty of Boa closure systems in my day, but after one year of use, the one on my pair of XC7 shoes is still going strong.

My Local Bike Shop (Priceless)

In December, 2021, my community was devastated by an urban wildfire, which burned more than 1,000 structures and left even more families either homeless or stranded. My local bike shop, , became a hub for the recovery. The shop asked customers to donate used bicycles in any and all conditions, and the mechanics fixed up the rigs and gave them free to anyone who lost a bike in the blaze. I鈥檝e been a regular at the shop for a few years, and throughout the winter and spring I marveled at how the shop became a social hub for cyclists who suffered from the fires. People just hung out at all hours of the day to chat with the sales staff and mechanics. It felt like a clubhouse. This community effort is just one of the many reasons why I love Louisville Cyclery, which has operated since 1980. Greg Jones, the owner, remembers every customer鈥檚 name. Doug Nishimura, the service manager, gives clear and straightforward tech advice without any hint of bike-shop-dude attitude. The sales staff are friendly. In a year when I had to pinch pennies, every cent I gave to Louisville Cyclery was money well spent.

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The sales numbers coming out of the pandemic thus far paint a picture of unpredictable, if short-lived, demand. In the first few weeks, dehydrated meals鈥攖he kind backpackers carry to lighten their loads鈥攕eemed to be worth their weight in gold. Companies like Mountain House, Backpacker’s Pantry, and dozens of others saw sales spike, sometimes as much as 1,000 percent, out of nowhere.

“Our sales were up ten times in March,” said David Koorits, co-founder of Good To-Go, a dehydrated meal brand in Maine that has a devoted following among outdoor enthusiasts. “We saw an initial surge right after states started locking down. Some people were ordering as many as 100 or 200 meals at a time. We’ve seen that occasionally for big expeditions and trips, but never individuals ordering that quantity before.”

As spring wore on, however, sales at Good To-Go and other dehydrated meal companies slowly settled back to normal. Food shortages were not imminent, people seemed to realize. Demand for other outdoor survival products spiked in similar fashion, but almost universally those frenzies followed the same pattern鈥攕hort, punctuated bursts of activity, declining interest, and an eventual return to baseline.

“Emergency rationing behavior led to a surge in demand for portable power devices,” such as those you might take backpacking, said Dirk Sorenson, executive director and sports industry analyst for the NPD听Group, a market research firm in New York. “That was pretty short-lived, though. After a couple weeks, people returned to normal purchasing behavior.”

Independent retailers saw interesting jumps in product movement, too. Charlie Wise,听owner of The Mountaineer in Keene Valley, New York, says his shop鈥攚hich closed from March 16 to May 15 but continued selling products online鈥攕aw a spike in purchases of books and maps.

“People were sheltering in place and wanting to venture out,” he said. “If they couldn’t do it with their bodies, they wanted to do it with their minds, through books. We harnessed that demand. We rolled out a book campaign with staff picks, just to keep people connected to the store.”

The Big Winner

Through all the changes in brand and retailer sales, however, one category has risen consistently across the board since the pandemic began: bicycles.

“The biggest surprise to me has been the durability of the demand for bikes,” said Sorenson. “It鈥檚 remarkable that it hasn鈥檛 been satisfied yet. This pattern of consumer desire for bicycles has been very long, and people haven鈥檛 met the need in aggregate across the U.S., even after months.”

Recent numbers published by the NPD Group confirm the point.听In March, U.S. bike sales rose across virtually every category, with commuter and fitness bikes increasing 66 percent, leisure bikes increasing 121 percent, children鈥檚 bikes increasing 59 percent, and electric bikes increasing 85 percent.听Independent bike shops also saw repair orders rise by 20 percent overall. In the months since, the numbers have remained just as strong.

Industry Optimism

All of this has experts like听Trek president John Burke and former pro racer听Heather Mason听talking about a coming bike boom and a sunny-looking Q3 for 2020. It has also听reinforced the importance of brick-and-mortar retailers听for听people听Sorenson and others with a bird’s-eye view of the industry’s sales numbers.

“With all the store closures over the past two months, it gave us a good moment to see just how important brick-and-mortar retail is to outdoor equipment sales,” Sorenson said. “Many bike shops were classified as essential businesses and stayed open, and you can see the success of that. It really reinforces the power of brick-and-mortar sales in satisfying the needs of outdoor consumers who want try-and-buy, in-person experiences for purchasing technical equipment.”

In all, the uptick in bike sales across the U.S. amounted to more than $300 million in additional sales in Q1 of 2020. As Sorenson wrote in a recent blog post on NPD’s website, “All of this growth generates an opportunity for cycling retailers and manufacturers…to embrace a new group of customers expressing interest in cycling.”

A large part of that embrace,听Sorenson wrote, should focus on the surge in family riding.

“For independent bike shops, in-store messaging should focus on family. Family and trail-a-bikes should be placed in the front of the store and offerings shouldn鈥檛 be marginalized. Sales staff should be encouraged and trained to help with the basic questions a new family might ask about cycling, and encourage sales for this important segment. For broader retailers in the rest of the market, I would look long and hard at how bikes are initially built to assure that the first ride experience on a bike from a major retailer is a positive one.”

Looking Ahead

Whether the “bike boom” will pan out the way retailers and brands hope remains to be seen. Trek released a survey last month that showed 50 percent of Americans plan to ride their bikes more after the pandemic. Headlines are frequently declaring bike “shortages” in the U.S. as demand continues to outpace supply.

That’s obviously good news for cycling companies, though the picture could become more complicated when tariff exclusions on many Chinese-made bike products expire听in late summer and early fall. If those tariffs are reinstated, they will raise penalties on imports听as much as 25 percent above normal rates.

Still, most experts seem to regard the situation positively, at least for now.

“The new reality that we鈥檙e all faced with has brought many challenges along with it, but has also opened doors for opportunity in certain markets, including cycling,” Sorenson wrote in an assessment of the recent market changes. “More people are likely riding bikes today than in years past, and there鈥檚 no reason why this new culture shouldn鈥檛 persevere.”

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The brand, best known for its climbing and winter hardgoods, will debut 24 apparel styles to consumers in fall 2013, including men鈥檚 softshell, synthetic insulation and fleece outerwear, tops, and bottoms. The first slate of Black Diamond apparel will feature well-known ingredient fabrics from Schoeller, Polartec, Pertex, and PrimaLoft.

Company officials also outlined Black Diamond鈥檚 future rollout schedule of additional categories, including men鈥檚 technical alpine and cotton climbing wear for spring 2014, women鈥檚 outwear along with men鈥檚 hardshells and down insulation for fall 2014, and men鈥檚 ski wear for fall 2015. The brand plans to have about 200 apparel styles by spring 2016.

Black Diamond director of apparel Tim Bantle premiered new apparel line at the Utah Natural History Museum in Salt Lake City, including a fashion show with plenty of substantive commentary explaining each piece. The event was preceded by tour of Black Diamond’s headquarters, offices, and factory down in town.

While initial line only includes three product categories, it鈥檚 easy to glean Black Diamond鈥檚 theme for its apparel moving forward.

鈥淲e realized early on that our challenge (in designing apparel) wasn鈥檛 about competing with the outerwear market, it was about competing with Black Diamond and its 50-year history of equipment,鈥� Bantle said. 鈥淭here needed to be an overdose of quality. Design needed to be as clean, functional, and reduced as possible.鈥�

The latter is most evident on Black Diamond鈥檚 new insulation pieces such as the Stance Belay Parka (MSRP $299), Hoody (MSRP $229) and Jacket (MSRP $199). Instead of the quilted look of so many puffy products today, these pieces have a continuous smooth face with the two layers of 80-gram PrimaLoft Synergy insulation stitched from the inside. The design also reduces cold air from seeping in, much like the construction philosophy of a sleeping bag. Another insulation collection, the Access Hybrid Hoody (MSRP $249), Jacket (MSRP $219) and Vest MSRP $169) use a similar construction with lighter 60-gram PrimaLoft One insulation, plus Schoeller softshell stretch panels down the side, for a more active-use product.

Other prevalent design themes in the apparel line include slimmer athletic fits, longer sleeves, and longer torsos鈥攁ll that speak to the climbing crowd.

involvement brings the Swiss fabric maker back to Black Diamond since the two worked together on a short-lived, small collection of clothing in 2002. In this latest line, 厂肠丑辞别濒濒别谤鈥檚 durable, stretch wovens are a natural fit for Black Diamond, Bantle said, allowing for a slim fit without restriction, such as in the new Dawn Patrol shell collection that includes various jackets and pants. The toughest is the Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell (MSRP $349) and Hybrid Bib (MSRP $329), which include body-mapped, three-layer waterproof laminate in key areas. The collection also debuts 厂肠丑辞别濒濒别谤鈥檚 new NanoSphere, said to be a long-lasting, abrasive-resistant application that repels water, dirt, and oil, along with having natural self-cleaning properties.

brings its Power Stretch and High Efficiency Power Dry materials to Black Diamond鈥檚 new mid-layer fleeces with a windproof softshell in the Crag Hoody (MSRP $189) and Jacket (MSRP $169); a beefier, grided and tough midlayer in the Solution Hoody (MSRP $189), Jacket (MSRP $169) and 1/4 Zip (MSRP $149); and a lighter, slimmer fitting layer in the CoEfficent Hoody (MSRP $159), Jacket (MSRP $139), Vest (MSRP $119) and Pant (MSRP $109).

Twelve out the 13 main materials used in the new line are Bluesign approved, said vice president of engineering support services Jeff Nash.

鈥淔rom my view, is top quality disguised as environmentalism,鈥� Nash said. 鈥淲ith all those checkpoints and guidelines, you鈥檙e not only getting an environmental friendly product, but you鈥檙e getting a high-quality product as well because someone is watching.鈥� The apparel products are being manufactured in Korea, Bangladesh, and Nicaragua.

Black Diamond鈥檚 apparel debut is being closely coordinated at the retail level. Only 65 of its top retailers across the nation were invited to the launch last week with the ability to put in their first orders by October 26. And while more than 1,000 specialty retailers sell Black Diamond gear, only 60 to 80 will debut the apparel next year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not that we want to say 鈥榥o,鈥欌�� Bantle said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that we don鈥檛 want to spread ourselves thin. There are hard realities to what we can do at the start, especially if we want to do it right.鈥�

Black Diamond will show the line to a few more retailers at Winter Market 2013, but the apparel will not be on the show floor for all to see until Winter Market 2014.

鈥淭wenty-four new styles is not enough to justify spending a lot of money on a brand new trade show booth,鈥� Bantle said.

Retailers who got the first look in Salt Lake City last week were mostly upbeat, saying they thought Black Diamond succeeded in embodying the equipment brand in apparel.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a logical extension of what they do well,鈥� said Mike Donohue, co-owner of in Burlington, Vermont. 鈥淭hey partnered with some really good fabric companies鈥攜ou might pay a little more, but the quality is always there.”

Donohue said he didn鈥檛 see anything revolutionary, but he thinks Black Diamond will easily fit into the market segment competing with Arc鈥橳eryx, Patagonia, Rab, and the United Kingdom鈥檚 Mountain Equipment.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see what鈥檚 ahead, especially for women鈥檚.鈥�

Several retailers noted the lack of women鈥檚 items with the launch. Bantle said the decision to wait another year was predicated on Black Diamond鈥檚 designers (all women, he noted) wanting more time with the category, plus the reality that the gender represented a smaller share of customers.

All the retailers OBJ spoke to gave Black Diamond high marks for its color selections鈥攁 mix of blacks, browns, greens, blues, and reds with some of the latter popping, but not too over-the-top. More importantly for retailers, there was a clear strategy and intention to have the colors match between jackets and pants with options for consumers to pair the same colors, different bright and dark tones on the same color, or high-contrast color mash-ups.

鈥淐olor is math,鈥� Bantle said. 鈥淵ou balance color like a chemistry equation. I think retailers really appreciate when they can buy and sell a collection.鈥�

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