ProView – Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack

The oddball of the bunch. Is it a vest, a pack, or an overbuilt seat pad? The answer, unexpectedly, is all of the above. This pack has quickly become what I grab first for the majority of my missions.

The distance I had covered was much less than the distance I had yet to cover. My feet ached, my heart rate was high, and then the sky broke open with a torrent of unexpected rain. Still, the next 13 miles of running through Oregon’s alpine forests and rocky peaks were the best yet, and I had the Black Diamond Distance 15 to thank.

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After a series of long-distance runs consistently boiled down to a lack of necessary gear, I decided it was time to invest in a running pack. The fit of some other options didn’t suit me, and I knew I would be seeking missions with the potential for scrambling, climbing, and even snow travel. In came the Distance 15 to carry my concerns away, and that it has.

The runs have become longer, the missions more demanding, and time after time I find the Distance suiting my desires better than any other pack in the arsenal. It’s essential to travel light and fast while never sacrificing essentials like food, water, and navigation. Thus, an earnest running pack becomes less of a luxury, and more of a necessity. For me, the Distance 15 is consistently the only pack I consider.

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Features

The Distance 15’s design shows what it was purpose-built to do: create seamless interchangeability between long-distance running and alpine missions. A large synch and clip top entrance makes for efficient packing and gear retrieval. Internal pockets improve the organization as well. Side compression straps compress gear, improving wearability, and hold piolet shafts in place. Two metal dogbones on the front of the pack secure your picks but can be finicky with some pick heads, and near impossible to use with frozen fingers. Two trekking pole carry sleeves extend down either side of the pack, making pole retrieval extremely easy. Four synch-ready front pockets, plus two zippered front pockets, allow for an absurd amount of gear to comfortably fit upfront on longer runs. Various subtle additions such as an in-pocket whistle and keychain clip further reflect the full attention to detail in every inch of the pack.

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Fit/Durability

In hybrid running packs like the Distance 15, fit and durability tend to go hand in hand. I’ve found the Distance to fit like a second shirt, assisted immensely by elastic chords on either side that help the pack to hug you. Buy the wrong size, though, and the pack has the potential to feel either floppy or eager to slide up your side. I initially picked a pack that was too small and found it would shift up my back, making for a much less comfortable run.

The Distance 15 hasn’t shown a single sign of durability concern aside from the top carry loop tearing off abruptly while I was carrying some gear on a run. Unexpected and disappointing, but overall not a fair reflection of the pack’s durability after more than a hundred miles of use in extreme environments. I expected to see the elastic vest material fall apart, but it still looks and feels new. 

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Performance

Pushing this pack to its limit actually forced me to get creative. Long distance runs, and a series of moderate scrambles proved that the Distance performs at a high level. It’s lightweight, durable, and form fitting even with gear, so where might it falter? Its biggest challenge came on a climb up Mt. Hood with freezing conditions and unwavering wind. Several of the elastic portions of the pack froze, making it hard to adequately tighten for fit, or even open the lid to get at my extra layers. I’ve also had the pack let in some water despite its waterproof rating, but only in very heavy rain. Aside from during a few extreme conditions, the Distance performed exceptionally in every environment it was put in. 

Friendliness to Earth

Black Diamond has become an active steward of the outdoors through advocation and engagement. However, there is little to no indication that sustainable systems are actively employed in the production of gear like the Distance 15.

The Final Word

The Distance 15 is the perfect companion pack for long days running or scrambling in the alpine. A strong set of features that allow the pack to fit into a range of activities, plus performance to match, make the Distance 15 a compelling choice. The top handle and elastic could be improved to handle more extreme conditions and use, but little else clearly needs to be improved.

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Shop the Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!