People are weak to the word "versatile." Two things are better than one, three is better than two, and we all wish we could do everything. The same goes for outdoor gear. If you can use one piece of gear for a variety of activities, you'll carry less luggage and it will cost less. Sure, you can use it for multiple activities if you want, but sometimes it can feel inconvenient. Different gear has different requirements and functions when it comes to outdoor activities. Climbing gear is for climbing, and trail running gear is for trail running
However, the backpack we are introducing today, the Distance 15, may be the gear that embodies the term "versatility" that everyone aspires to. We have taken a closer look at its versatility
table of contents
Distance 15's main features
Black Diamond 's Distance 15 is a new type of backpack that combines Black Diamond's specialty of durable backpacks for climbing and scrambling with running elements. Highly durable enough to withstand abrasions on rocky terrain, simple yet highly functional, and able to maintain a comfortable fit and mobility even while running, this hybrid bag is highly refined in every respect.
Recommended points
- Fits like a running bag
- Durability against scratches from rocks, etc
- High functionality beyond simple appearance
Points of interest
- The back and shoulders are quick-drying, but be careful not to get them wet
Item Appearance
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Specifications and reviews |
|---|---|
| Official capacity (main unit) | 15L |
| official weight | S=392g, M=394g, L=396g |
| Actual weight | 421g (medium size) |
| material |
|
|
Shoulder harness
Inside the main unit
|
|
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| mobility | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Storage capacity | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★★★ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed Review
Features, shape, etc
It has a very simple design like a climbing bag or attack bag, with no external pockets on the main body, making it very stylish. The main fabric is made of 210 denier PU ripstop fabric, which has 10 times the tear strength of steel. This fabric extends to the top of the main body and acts as a rain cover. This fabric is not only durable, but also waterproof, so you don't have to worry about light rain
The main body is made of high-strength ripstop nylon fabric. There is no rain cover, and it is covered by the main panel
The main body is very simple, but the shoulder harness part was developed based on a running bag, so the shoulder straps have deep pockets, wide pockets with good storage capacity, and zippered pockets at the top on both straps, for a total of six pockets
There are no pockets on the bag itself, but like a trail running bag, there are six pockets in total, three on each side of the shoulder straps
The top pocket is deep and can easily fit a 500ml PET bottle. The bottom pocket is relatively large, so it can hold snacks, a smartphone, and a compact digital camera. You can even fit a thin wind shell in it if you roll it up. If you can fit this much in, you'll likely need to open your backpack less often while on the go
The pockets on the shoulder harness can hold snacks and bottles, just like a running bag
The top zipper pocket has a gusset and is stretchy, so it can hold more than it looks. It's convenient for storing gels, snacks, trash, etc. without worrying about dropping them. There's a whistle inside the right pocket
The top zippered pocket has more storage capacity than it looks, making it perfect for storing small items you use often but don't want to lose. There is a whistle on the right
The back panel is made with a BD.dry™ vapor barrier back panel, which keeps the bag from getting too stuffy and comfortable to wear. Even if the bag gets wet, sweat won't seep into the interior, so you don't have to worry about the contents inside. The back panel is made of a slightly firmer foam material under the mesh fabric, providing a firmer feel
The BD.dry™ back panel keeps your back dry and comfortable
There is no rain cover, and the design simply involves a panel extending from the main body and fastened with a hook
There is no rain cover, and the panel that extends from the main body is simply fastened with a hook
Access to the interior is also very easy. Just remove the hook and pull on both ends to open it all the way. It doesn't open instantly, but rather opens at the same time as opening the lid
Access to the inside of the unit is achieved by opening the lid, so there's no stress!
Fit and mobility that rivals that of a running bag
As it is based on a running pack, there are many ingenious features to improve the fit. First of all, the shoulder straps are slightly narrow at the top but get thicker towards the bottom, creating a snug fit that hugs the body
The shoulder straps are made of see-through mesh fabric, which is highly breathable
The part connecting the shoulder harness to the main body uses a drawstring, and by tightening this part, the distance to the body is shortened and it can accommodate various movements, improving fit and mobility
A drawstring is used to connect the shoulder harness to the main body, improving the fit
Simple yet well thought out with high functionality
There are pockets on both sides of the main body that can store Black Diamond Z-Poles. They're designed to accommodate Z-Poles, so they're a welcome addition for those who use them. Other manufacturers' tri-fold or stretchy poles will fit, but be careful, as they may not fit if the grip is too thick. Because these pockets are designed to fit the length of the poles, they're quite deep, and while you can fit bottles and other small items inside, it can be quite difficult to access them, so it's best to think of them as being for poles only
A pocket that fits a Black Diamond Z pole perfectly
There are zigzag cords on the left and right sides of the main body. The cords themselves are not elastic, but they can be tensioned, so you can use them to hold in your clothes when you take them off, or to compress your luggage when you don't have much luggage
There are zigzag bungee cords on both sides, which serve to hold your clothes in place and also to compress the bag itself
It's a small feature, but there's a small recess on the back of the panel where you can put small items, like a light or something you don't need right now and want to put away, but you'll definitely need later!
Small items such as lights can be stored here. Be careful not to drop them when opening the compartment
The inside of the bag has a zippered mesh pocket and a deep pocket for a hydration pack. It's best to put valuables in the zippered pocket
Two internal pockets: a hydration sleeve and a mesh zippered pocket
The bottom of the pack is equipped with a sleeve and loop for securing ice axes
There is also a sleeve at the bottom of the main body for storing ice axes, making it suitable for all seasons
Actual impressions after using it
As a four-season scrambling/climbing pack, it's made with durable fabric and has the bare essentials in a simple design. While this would make it just a regular bag, what makes it unique is that it incorporates elements of a vest-style running bag. Trail runner Joe Grant (a big fan of mine) was also involved in the development, which shows that a lot of effort was put into the running aspect of the pack
As expected, the fit is very good, as it is based on a running bag. The shoulder harness is wide, stretching from the chest to the waist, giving the feeling of being wrapped around the body. It has a secure fit similar to that of the domestically produced trail running bag, Pargo Works' RUSH. In addition, the shoulder harness and the main body are connected by a rubber drawcord, which, when tightened, prevents the main body from shaking even during vigorous movements, providing a greater sense of stability
The back panel uses a BD Dry Vapor Barrier back panel, which prevents your back from getting too sweaty even when you're moving around a lot. However, it's not designed to let moisture escape, so your back will get wet if you move around a lot. However, the quick-drying material means it's not too uncomfortable, and it's designed to prevent water from seeping into the interior of the bag, so you can rest assured. The shoulder harness in particular is made of a see-through mesh material, which provides good breathability and rarely gets wet with sweat. However, the pockets on the shoulder harness, except for the left zipper pocket, are attached directly to the mesh fabric, so you need to be careful when putting items you don't want wet
The zipper pockets are different on the left and right sides. The left pocket has nylon fabric attached over the mesh fabric to prevent water seepage
The main body is a top-loading type, where you put your luggage in from the top, close the panel on the main body that doubles as a lid, and fasten it with a hook. Opening and closing the main body is very simple; just hold the panel and pull the drawstring to close it, and conversely, pull the panel and the main body to open it. Although it was originally designed for activities that require little taking in and out of luggage, it has been designed to reduce stress even when doing those few actions
It only takes a moment to close the device
The 15 in this Distance 15 refers to the bag's capacity. This 15L capacity is perfect for a variety of activities, from packing all the gear a climber needs for the approach to the rock face to using it as an attack pack from base camp.
However, 15L capacity may be too much for some activities. Especially when using it for trail running, which is likely to involve carrying a lot of luggage over long distances, the drawcord on the side of the main body acts as a compression strap, so even with a small capacity, the contents stay stable and don't move around
Summary: Recommended for these people
As the bag's concept suggests, this is a versatile backpack that can be used seamlessly and effortlessly across four seasons for a variety of activities, from scrambling and climbing to day hikes and trail running. It's a climbing bag that successfully combines Black Diamond's specialty climbing bags with running elements
Certainly, there are packs specifically designed for each activity, and they are of course highly user-friendly. However, if you can use it for both activities, that's the best option. However, the Distance 15 goes beyond that and is so well-made that it feels like it was made specifically for each activity
Despite its simple appearance, the bag offers excellent storage capacity and ease of use, allowing you to carry it without stress during any activity. Even when using the full 15L capacity, the fit is excellent, making it ideal for trail running and fastpacking
For those who are forced to leave their luggage in a locker at the station and set a route that returns to the same place on a day trail run, this bike can be used comfortably even with more luggage than usual, and it allows you to set a route freely without being bound by a start and finish, so it is definitely worth using for everyday trail runs
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