The Mist alpine climbing backpack.
Designed for professional Alpine technical climbing and racing.
Product Concept
By minimizing gear transition time, this design empowers alpinists to focus on technical execution and transform efficiency into peak climbing performance.
Vertical Zero
Rapid Ascent
Efficiency Pro
BDE x Athlete
Jackson Marvell
“Climbing is not just about strength, but about staying sharp and finding solutions when everything feels uncertain."
On May 20, 2022
Jackson Marvell, Alan Rousseau, and Matt Cornell completed Denali’s 9,000-foot Slovak Direct in 21 hours and 35 minutes.
(One-third of the previous record time).
Exsiting Problems
Efficiency Gap
Excessive gear transition time distracts athletes and creates a critical bottleneck in achieving peak performance.
"For an athlete like Jackson, every second saved in transition is a second earned for the record."
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Access Obstruction
Conventional storage forces a compromise between halting climbing momentum to access gear and the physical hindrance caused by stuffing essentials into apparel.
Detachment Friction
Conventional harness systems hinder rapid pack shedding, causing critical momentum loss and increasing safety risks during high-stakes technical maneuvers.
"In technical climbing, efficiency is the invisible bridge between raw effort and a record-breaking ascent."
Product Design Logic
6 words story from 3 aspects
(A six-word story is a minimalist narrative that conveys a complete, emotionally resonant arc using only six words.)
Black Diamond Spirit
Denali Feature
Athletic character
Based on the six-word story, I started generating "What if" and "How could" questions for the product I’m about to design.
What if restlessness builds new horizons?
Restlessness -- Never Stop -- Saving Time -- Rapid Assembly -- Enhanced Velocity -- New Records -- New Horizons -- Panorama
How could a synchronized steps foster renewal?
Synchronized Action -- High-speed Efficiency -- Simplified Maintenance -- Nano CURE Tech -- Fabric Self-regeneration -- Systematic Renewal -- Renewing Personal Records
Design Phrase
Moodboard
Design Process
Fabric Color choices
Cargo Module
Suspension Chassis
Design solution
Modular Quick-Detach Architecture
Deconstructs the pack into
two independent units:
Cargo Module
Suspension Chassis
For technical terrain, the quick-release coupling allows athletes to shed the loading unit instantly, ensuring an uninterrupted climbing rhythm.
(Using Clo3d to get 3d model)
Prototype Making
(Sewing and taping)
Tech call-out
Self-heals scratches & punctures
Nano Cure Tech
Fast & Reliable Connection
Dyneema cuben fiber
Lighter. Tougher.
Colorways
Sustainability: Beyond Innovation
Aligning with Black Diamond’s mandate to "protect what matters",
this design prioritizes long-term resilience over disposable trends.
Lifecycle Extension via NCT:
By integrating NCT (Nano-technology), the product gains self-healing capabilities. This reduces the need for professional repairs, significantly cutting down on shipping-related carbon emissions and material waste throughout the product's lifespan.
Indirect Environmental Impact:
The application of Dyneema Cuben Fiber achieves a "less is more" philosophy. Its extreme durability and lightweight properties minimize raw material consumption and ensure the product withstands the harshest alpine environments, embodying sustainability through longevity.
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