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Black Diamond
Distance 15L Backpack

4.310344827586207 out of 5 stars
29 Reviews
$179.95
Color:Ultra Blue

Size:

Size Chart

Quantity


Why We Like The Black Diamond Distance 15L Backpack

Made for fast and light mountain missions, Black Diamond's Distance 15 Backpack is a hybrid pack that combines an alpine-worthy daypack with shoulder straps similar to running vests. The shoulder harness utilizes Black Diamond's stitch-less Edge Taping Technology to eliminate chafing while the ventilating back panel keeps our back cooler and our load close-to-body for scrambling and running technical ridgelines. External gear attachments and easily accessible stretch pockets keep our ice tools, trekking poles, devices, and snacks at hand while the pack is constructed of Dynex— which is ten times stronger than steel per weight— for superior durability that doesn't weigh us down. It's perfect for alpine adventures that mix trail running, hiking, scrambling, and climbing with enough storage to get us through a hard day trip or keep us safe in between aid stations.


Details

  • Hybrid day pack for trail running, hiking, Alpine climbing
  • Dynex is extremely light, abrasion-resistant, and durable
  • Quick blitz-style top opening with slack pocket to tuck cording
  • Water-resistant main compartment to protect gear and layers
  • Running vest-style straps for close-to-body fit and mobility
  • Ice tool and trekking pole attachments for alpine missions
  • Small, accessible pockets to keep gear and snacks at hand
  • Compatible with water bladder or Hydrapack flasks (sold separately)
  • Item #BLDZ9O7
Material
Dynex Ripstop (100D nylon, 200D polyethylene)
Volume
15L (915cu in)
Support/Suspension
adjustable vest, ventilated back panel
Shoulder Straps
integrated
Waist Belt
no
Hydration Compatible
yes
Reservoir Included
no
Access
top
Pockets
[external] 2 stretch, 2 stretch chest, 2 flask, [internal] 1 zippered security, 1 rain shell stash, 1 slash
Gear Loops
none
Helmet Carry
none
Ice Axe Carry
dual holsters
Trekking Pole Carry
Z-pole quiver sleeves
Compression
dual side straps
Rain Cover
none
Dimensions
17 x 10 x 5in
Claimed Weight
13.9oz
Activity
trail running, hiking
Manufacturer Warranty
1 year

Overall Rating

4.5 based on 29 ratings

Review Summary

1 Stars - 0 reviews
2 Stars - 2 reviews
3 Stars - 3 reviews
4 Stars - 8 reviews
5 Stars - 16 reviews

Fits Slightly Small

Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.
Runs smallTrue to sizeRuns large

What do you think about this product?

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5 out of 5 stars

February 5, 2024

Best big vest around

Comfort is fantastic with lots of room for full day expeditions and expect-anything type weather. Carries best with some junk in the trunk but even nearly empty the suspension limits bounce with a full water load. Up front pockets don't interfere with the water sleeves and the side stretch pockets are sneaky big for the whole snack drawer.

Laine R.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

February 3, 2024

Favorite piece of gear I've ever owned

I have been using the distance 15 for the past 3 1/2 years for long efforts above treeline in the White Mountains and Adirondacks. Trail-running, , gravel riding, scrambling, bushwacking etc. For winter sports, it is the perfect size for low-angle 3-pin ski touring or backcountry nordic (though a tad too small to carry a helmet and other backcountry skiing essentials, for that I turn to the cirque 35) and I feel like I can truly float through the woods carrying everything I need without feeling weighed down at all. It has been on nearly every adventure with me since I've owned it, and it has held up to everything I have thrown at it -- squeezing through boulders, shwacking through thick balsam fir regeneration. I have even used it while working in the field as a timber cruising vest. I own an older version of the pack, so my only criticisms may have already been rectified in newer versions, but the stretchy material that makes up the vest pockets has ripped in multiple spots, and my dental floss repair job is also starting to come undone. Given how many hours of really rough use I've put this thing through, I really can't complain. There is no other sign of wear and tear anywhere on the pack. It's held up better than any peice of running/hiking gear I've ever owned and I intend to use it for many years to come. While I've never carried trekking poles or ice axes, I have used the side pockets to stuff in things like voile straps, rain gear, microspikes etc. This fills the niche of an accessible pocket outside the pack, but has its limitations. I just ordered the distance 22, and when it arrives it has the potential to become my new favorite piece of gear (there's just enough extra room to make it a fully functioning daypack and allow for a couple extra layers for the miserable shoulder seasons, or extra pair of shoes for bike-to-hike expeditions. Kudos to BD for making a durable, multi-functional piece of equipment that lasts.

mazalope
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

December 31, 2023

Hands down best running pack for serious mountain objectives!

I owned the first generation Distance 15 and it was a game changer for my mountain running adventures. Especially those which required a light ice axe or were in inclement weather (of which there were quite a few). The only problem was the water flask pockets were too short to hold a standard 500ml flask and so narrow it was a struggle to get the flask in the pack. the gel pockets were also very hard to get ones hands into for similar reasons. The generation 2 Distance 15 solved both of these problems creating the perfect solution for mountain running/light and fast mountaineering objectives

Matthew T.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

December 7, 2023

Extra capacity

After already owning the Distance 8 had experience with the pack, so upgrading to the 15 for packing a little extra out in the back country was what I needed, also plan to use this pack for a carry on when flying.

Doug G.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

September 21, 2023

Best of both worlds

Love the fitted straps, stays nice and snug and I don’t have deal with a bunch of dangling straps. So much storage, plenty of room for all my day trips and long runs. Fits my poles and ice axe. And it’s incredibly comfortable and lightweight. Best of both worlds for running vests and daypacks.

Curtis S.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

4 out of 5 stars

September 18, 2023

Great pack

Just ran a heavy half with this bad boy and can't say enough good things first the material it is very light and it has so many pockets for your gear also I love the dry bag style it allows you to pack out your bag fully and it dosent affect stability or anything like that For reference I'm 5'9 150 pounds size m

Chase R.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

September 8, 2023

Everything at a minimum weight!

Out here in CO there are certain peaks that recommend a helmet. Purchased the new version of the Vapor and needed a way to stow it securely in a pack. At the Boulder store the employee and I made sure the helmet fit inside the pack as well as the pack fit before I left the store. It has everything you could possibly think of for a big day in the high country.

Kevin C.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

September 4, 2023

Great bag!

Comfy, practical and tiny, this bag is a must for every physical activities or commutes one!

Philippe G.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 15, 2023

Great product. Sadly undersized.

Size Bought:
L
Height:
6' 1"
Weight:
220

I've been trying out a number of lightweight vests and packs for use as an ultralight day hiker in alpine terrain with ultra-changeable weather. This is one of two standouts in terms of design, materials, and construction. Light compact, good hydration & pocket setup, Enough (and a bit more) capacity for what I need to cary without making me choose between micro spikes or lightweight rain gear... So I feel I need to give it five stars. BUT - sadly the sizing is laughably small. So this one is bagged up and heading back. I'm nowhere near the size of the reviewer who self described as "NFL lineman" sized - but at 61', 220 pounds, and reasonably fit - the "L" is just not going to do it. If BD were to make a legit XL or XL/XXL - I'd buy two. (think the Nathan Vapor Air 2 Lite 1X-3X sizing - not even near my favorite design, but an ideal fit for me) If it fits you, this is likely a great choice for an ultralight hydration oriented pack with more and better thought out load capacity than the typical hydration vest.

spindrift246446 s
2 out of 5 stars

July 25, 2023

One Step Forward, Two Back

I have used the Distance 15, v1 and v2 as my go-to bag for all of my long runs including a self supported 100 miler, Moab 240, and the Last Annual Heart of the South 326 miler. Unfortunately due to design changes I will not be using the v3 pack but instead the Salomon advanced skin 12. The Distance 15 v3 updates the front pockets well but as many have mentioned should be uniform and have zip pockets on both sides for uniform distribution. The biggest issues are in the actual fit. The back weight distribution is narrower which is nice but, it is also lower which increases the probability of chafing if using the pack for running. In addition the elimination of being able to tighten the stapes to the pack in a lateral adjustment has made the bag useless for running if between sizes. I am 5'10" 135 and a small cannot be adjusted sufficiently to actually want to run with the pack due to unnecessary bouncing and rubbing. Sadly, all they needed was similar adjustments as across the chest on the straps connecting to the pack and the bag would have been the best on the market. Unfortunately, as mentioned the pack is not usable for me for running and I will be switching brands.

Distance R.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Originally reviewed on blackdiamondequipment.com