You're not a true Ashevillian until you've had an inner debate about whether or not trying out that new restaurant is worth going downtown during tourist season. But, to be honest, all those tourists are on to something. Downtown Asheville has…

What do you call a tricky mountain? A sneak peak. With that terrible pun, we'd like to introduce you to a few of our favorite deals for Thanksgiving weekend. Black Friday, November 29th Open downtown from 10am - 9pmCosta Del Mar Sunglasses…

September is a tricky month. While it's easy to believe that summer is nearly over when you're shivering on your morning commute, it seems really strange that you're seeing pumpkin spice everything as afternoon temps climb into the 80's. With…

As a locally owned business that's committed to getting people outdoors, we think it's important to support brands that are doing good for the environment and our society as a whole. Our newest handbag line, Vaan & Co., is creatively reducing…

As a locally owned business that's committed to getting people outdoors, we think it's important to support brands that are doing good for the environment and our society as a whole. That's why we're super excited about an inspirational mother-daughter…

A couple weeks ago I posted a blog about the 7 principles of Leave No Trace when hiking, backpacking, and camping: Click here to see blog post. This week, I am following up on that topic. I interviewed Zane Wolf, who used to work for the Forest…

Are you longing for April days when all the spring annuals are popping up all around? That is a fantastic time to enjoy the southern Appalachian Mountains; the warm sun is out and all the leaves are budding once again. However, you might be…

Shopping for a friend who's constantly on the go, but ready for an adventure at a moment's notice? You know, the one who always has a headlamp and hiking boots in their trunk, just in case the opportunity for a quick hike presents itself. We've…

Crisp fall weather is on it's way, along with the beginning of tailgating, picnic, and bonfire season. Take your casual gatherings to the next level with our top picks for grilling and chilling. Check 'em out below, then stop by for personalized…

Intro Delving into the etymology of Charlie’s Bunion reveals a historical tale of exploration during the earliest days of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Famed author and adventurer, Horace Kephart, was leading a reconnaissance trip…

The Asheville Outdoor Show returns to Salvage Station on the banks of the French Broad River on Sunday, September 23. The fourth annual iteration of the festival celebrating all things outdoors promises big changes. The one-of-a-kind community…

When it comes to carving out time for outdoor adventures, we think bringing your gear should be stress free and simple - not a huge production. That's why we've partnered with innovative brands like SylvanSport, Thule, and Boonedox to offer…

Outdoor music festival season is right around the corner and grabbing the right gear means staying hydrated, happy, and comfortable. To make sure you've got the stuff you need for an epic festival, we asked thru-hiker and festival aficionado, Jimmy,…

Western North Carolina is a land of waterfalls. Countless cascades punctuate the waterways braiding the vast expanses of forest and lofty Appalachian peaks dominating the western corner of the state, lending the landscape an undeniably enchanting…

It's no secret that spring is one of the greatest times to hit the trail. In fact, between thru-hiking attempts, weekend backpacking trips, and day hikes, we'd be willing to wager that you have at least a few days on the trail ahead of you.…

Imagine unloading your kayak or canoe and setting up camp on an island in the middle of a mountain lake. A brilliant Carolina sunset reflects on crystal clear water as you finish tying off your hammock. Or maybe you’ve reached a coastal oasis…

The Nantahala River is ideally set up for intermediate paddlers. It has myriad small surf waves, forgiving eddy lines, and rapids with just enough power to challenge and entertain. There is also the capability to set up elite slalom courses…

We believe the outdoors are for everyone. That’s why we teamed up with Patagonia again this year to award $6,000 to area programs that support environmental and stewardship education for local kids and teens. You helped us by voting in the…

After a few days in the great outdoors, one the last things you want to do when you get home is tackle the task of cleaning your gear. But, as any outdoor enthusiast knows, gear is pricey stuff — and that’s if you only buy it once. However,…

Primarily a popular whitewater rafting destination, the Pigeon River is a dam controlled river that winds its way through North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee before emptying into the French Broad River.What Makes It Great Situated along…

Thank you! Diamond Brand Outdoors has been named Best Outdoor Company in Blue Ridge Outdoors' annual roundup of readers’ favorite places, people, events, businesses, and organizations from Maryland to Alabama. We’re excited to be…

On any given summer weekend in Hot Springs, North Carolina, pack-laden hikers and paddlers in wetsuits can be seen traversing the sidewalks of this tiny, no-traffic-light Appalachian Trail town, population 575. Acoustic music drifts from the…

What Makes It Great Grandfather Mountain's forests house plenty of wildlife and almost 200 different species of birds. Profile Trail hikers can spot woodland species such as warblers (especially in spring), scarlet tanagers, Louisiana water…

Even after 54 years, the spirit of the mountains we call home continues to amaze. We issued a challenge to collect 300 coats during our annual Bundle Up for Good coat drive for Eblen Charities. You helped us blow past that goal by donating…

Intro  “Come Ski the Wolf.” Wolf Ridge Resort offers this enticing invitation. How could a skier or snowboarder turn down an invitation that sounds so cool? The greatest thing about coming on up to Ski the Wolf? It only involves a 35…

Our winter look book has arrived. Check your mailbox or stop by the store for your printed copy — or view it online! While you can always shop many of the outdoor products we carry on our website and hold them for free store pickup. The look…

Hide A Boat isn't just a fun way to sound Canadian. It's an easy way to purchase an awesome gift and keep it hidden even if you're personally at a loss for space. It's a service we offer all year, but comes in especially handy during the holiday…

Intro Cataloochee is home to great skiing and snowboarding in the Great Smoky Mountains. Make your way over from Asheville and you are sure to agree with this sentiment. With expansive views, varied terrain, a full service lodge, and friendly…

Autumn is that seasonal sweet spot between the balmy, bug-bitten days of summer and the frigid frost of winter. Fall is a time when fiery foliage makes outdoor excursions even more alluring. While leaf-peepers flock to the mountains of North…

Among the many perks of winter hiking (fewer people, the sweet silence that a blanket of fresh snow brings to the mountains, the diamond sparkle of frost on the grass), none can compare to the bright taste of a well earned hot toddy, the…

Since 1964, Diamond Brand Outdoors has been known as the place to go for personal attention from friendly local outdoor experts. We’re extremely proud of this heritage, and are excited to announce that we’re expanding our signature customer…

Intro Devil's Courthouse towers ominously above the beautifully delicate pink beds of Pisgah National Forest. At its summit, a sinister looking rock formation is the stage for a devilish local legend. Folklore tells of a cave at the cliff's…

Nepali food is a dynamic mixture of cuisines from all over the world, as complex as the people who make up this wonderful and mysterious country. To better understand the food, we will first have to take a look at the people. Nepal is a landlocked…

Intro When we take the time to relax beside the roaring waters of an Appalachian stream, something incredible happens to our psyche. The roaring thunder of the water drowns out all the worries and doubts you carried from "real life." The continual…

Intro The Appalachian Trail follows the crest of the Appalachians along the North Carolina and Tennessee state line. In between the soaring mountains of the Great Smokies and the rolling hills of Hot Springs, the AT passes over the grassy bald…

Intro Famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the grounds at Biltmore with visitors in mind. Flowers, shrubbery, and trees were his brush strokes as he intended the landscape to resemble a "walk through painting." If you are…

Intro On the crest of the Plott Balsam range, at an elevation of 6,292’, stands the majestic Waterrock Knob. The Blue Ridge Parkway climbs high up the sides of Waterrock Knob to within a few hundred feet of its’  summit. Where the Parkway…

Intro Dare we say that Looking Glass Rock suffers from Half Dome syndrome? It's prominent presence can be seen from virtually all viewpoints within the Pisgah National Forest. The granite walls of this 600’ Rock Pluton beckon adventurers…

Intro Art Loeb was a man who “deeply loved these mountains.” If you travel to the highest point on the trail bearing his namesake you will see a weathered plaque commemorating these words. On a clear day, from this high point, you will…

Intro Bald is beautiful. Especially when referring to the grassy bald known as Black Balsam. A short ramble through a fragrant forest of Balsam Fir trees leads you to panoramic views atop the Great Balsam Mountains on this high country adventure.…

What are the Blue Ridge Mountains besides an immense exhibition of natural beauty: wide-open vistas overlooking an ocean of rolling mountain peaks, rivers of whitewater and clear pools with wildflowers clustered at the banks, sunlight catching…

Summer days are long and should be filled from sunup to sundown with adventures and enriching outdoor activities. Now is the season for children to get their hands dirty, to chase frogs and climb trees, to hear songbirds and eat freshly picked…

A voluminous network of trails spiderweb the mountains that surround Asheville. Soaring ridge lines, breathtaking views, and an epic array of terrain have long established this city as one of the hiking epicenters of the country.The tireless…

Intro Mt. Pisgah Campground is located high atop the Pisgah Ledge at Flat Laurel Gap off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Centered amongst the wonders of the Pisgah National Forest, at an elevation of 5,000’, the Mt. Pisgah campground is ideally…

Intro One of the closest hikes to Asheville with the best long-range views is Craggy Gardens at Milemarker 364.1 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Because of its easy access, this is a popular spot and although its never exactly ‘crowded,’ you…

Your opportunity to experience a rare total solar eclipse in western North Carolina arrives on Monday, August 21. To make sure you’re prepared and packed for totality, the experts at Diamond Brand Outdoors have assembled this helpful checklist.…

It's hard to deny the lure of mountain fire towers, with their place in history as guardians of the forest, and the intrigue of the solitary, beatnik existence of the watchmen who were once posted within them. Like lighthouses, these imposing…

Western North Carolina's varied landscape is a veritable buffet for backpackers. Nestled at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, overlaid by the Plott Balsam and Great Balsam mountains, and loaded with strings of soaring 6,000-foot…

Southern author Eugene F. Walter once wrote, "summer in the deep South is not only a season, a climate, it's a dimension. Floating in it, one must be either proud or submerged." Perhaps this explains why the waters here are so well-explored…

Ask someone their favorite part about living in North Carolina, and a likely response will touch on the accessibility of both mountains and ocean. From mile-high peaks to rolling farmland to wind-swept sand dunes, the Tarheel State is, indeed,…

Asheville’s easy access to the French Broad River and other great waterways make it an ideal spot for watersports, as the increasing popularity of kayaking and paddleboarding can attest. As these activities gain in overall popularity, more…

Ask your neighbor to describe the Great Outdoors and you’ll get plenty of answers peppered with words like “trees,” “trails,” “rivers,” “sky,” and other hallmarks of untamed areas. You’re a lot less likely to get a description…

We believe the outdoors are for everyone. That's why we teamed up with Patagonia to award $6,000 to area programs that support environmental and stewardship education for local kids and teens. You helped us by voting in the Winter of Love poll…

My favorite outdoor memory is a summer camping trip to the Republic of Khakasia on the southwestern edge of Siberia. Traveling to the lake, it was fascinating to watch the landscape transform from dense Siberian forest to vast Central Asian…

Even though summer hung around longer than usual, we’re lucky to enjoy four distinct seasons in our little corner of the world. Every season is a great season to live in Asheville, but holidays in the mountains carry a special charm all their…

We’re proud to share that with your help we have raised $395.44 in just over two weeks for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue!October 15-31, we offered shoppers the opportunity to round up their total to the nearest dollar amount to support…

We couldn’t be more ecstatic to announce the final list of those of you can expect to see at the Asheville Outdoor Show. It's a group of instantly-recognizable leaders in the outdoor industry, as well as locally-based gear companies who…

We opened our first store in the Asheville area in 1964. From the very beginning, working with the community and other local businesses has been the bedrock of our success. Our team of outdoor experts still prefers to work one-on-one with…

Remember the good old days when outdoor adventure meant unplugging? For modern adventurers, electronics are an essential piece of kit. From safety to convenience, having powered up electronics is a good idea. Think keeping in touch with loved…

Still searching for something to remind Dad that he taught you the value of usefulness and thoughtfulness? Our staff has curated a few items that have all of your bases covered. Gift cards are also a great option. They never expire and can be…

With the start of travel season comes one unfortunate side effect: bug season. While we're fortunate to live in an area where mosquito bites are typically just an annoyance, ticks are a fairly common problem and the rising prevalence of bug…

...AWESOME, and we've got great ideas to tell her "thanks!"With Mother’s Day just around the corner, the quest to find the perfect gift is on. But where do you even begin to look for a gift to say “thanks” to the most important woman…

Not too long ago women who loved the outdoors had to make do with (often ill-fitting) unisex gear. Now, women’s specific gear is one of the fastest growing segments in the outdoor gear industry. Just about any piece of gear that you can imagine…

The time between the middle of April and Memorial Day doesn’t offer much time for full-blown vacations. Kids and college students are preparing for the end of the school year. There’s usually a string of deadlines at work. Those of us who…

In 1964, we opened the first outdoor gear shop in Western North Carolina: a 900 sq. ft. garage full of factory seconds. Over the years, Diamond Brand Outdoors has grown to include much more than camping products, but our dedication to quality…

On August 25, the National Park Service (NPS) celebrates an important milestone: 100 years of the National Park Service Organic Act. Today, the NPS manages 401 park units and attendance hit a peak last year. While we’ve got easy access to…

Outdoor Magazine, the must have trade resource for the outdoor recreation industry, has again named Diamond Brand Outdoors to its annual Top 100 Retailers list. This a direct reflection of our outstanding team of experts and amazing customers…

Western North Carolina attracts some great people. We're happy to call many of them our friends. Our very creative friends at SapidMedia recently brought home a Gold Award and the "Best of Show" Award at the American Advertising Federation Asheville…