People are weak to the word "all-purpose". I hope I can do anything from one to two, three to two, or anything from two to anything. The same goes for outdoor gear. If you can use one gear for a variety of activities, you'll have less luggage to carry and it won't cost much money. It's true that you can use it as a combination if you want to use it, but it can sometimes feel an inconvenience. Outdoor activities have different requirements and functions required for each gear. Climbing gear is for climbing, and trail running gear is for trail running after all.
However, the backpack called Distance 15 that we will introduce today may be a gear that embodies the term "all-purpose" that everyone admires. We've carefully reviewed how versatile it is.
table of contents
Rough features of distance 15
Black Diamond 's Distance 15 is a new type of backpack that combines running elements with a durable backpack for climbing and scrambling, Black Diamond's specialty. This hybrid bag is highly durable and can handle scratches on rocky areas, is simple yet has a rich functionality, and maintains fit and mobility even when driving, making it a high level of perfection in all aspects.
Recommended points
- Fitting height similar to a running bag
- Durability to scratches with rocks etc.
- High functionality beyond simple appearance
Points that interest me
- The back and shoulder straps are quick-drying, but be careful not to get wet.
Item appearance
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official capacity (main unit) | 15L |
| Official weight | S=392g, M=394g, L=396g |
| Actual measured weight | 421g (M size) |
| material |
|
|
Shoulder harness
Inside the main unit
|
|
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Features and shapes
It has a very simple shape like a climbing bag or an attack bag, and the main body has no external pockets and is a very stylish shape. The main fabric is made of ripstop fabric made of 210 denier PU thread, with tear strength of 10 times that of iron. This fabric extends to the top of the body and acts as a rain cover. This fabric is not only durable, but also waterproof so you don't have to worry about it even if it rains a little.
The main body is made of high-strength lipstop nylon fabric. There is no rain cover and is covered with the main panel.
The body is very simple, but the shoulder harness is developed based on a running bag, so the shoulder strap has a deep pocket, a wide, highly storable pocket, and both straps have a zippered pocket at the top, for a total of six pockets.
The bag itself does not have pockets, but like a trail running bag, there are six pockets in total, three on the shoulder straps, one on the left and the other.
The top pocket is deep so you can easily fit a 500ml plastic bottle. The lower pocket is relatively large, so you can store things like a food, smartphone, or compact digital camera. Even a thin windshell can be stored by rolling it up. If you can store this much, you'll likely be significantly less necessary to open your backpack while you're on the move.
The shoulder harness pocket can hold behavioural food and bottles like a running bag.
The zipper pocket on the top has a gusset and stretchy, so it can hold more things than it looks. It's convenient if you put gel, food, trash, etc. in it without worrying about it being removed. There is a whistle in the right pocket.
The zippered pocket at the top has more storage capacity than it looks, making it easier to put in small items that you use frequently but don't want to drop. There is a whistle on the right.
The back panel features a BD.dry™ vapor barrier back panel, making it less likely to get stuffy and comfortable to carry. Even if it gets wet, sweat won't seep into the inside of the bag, so there's no need to worry about the contents. It has a slightly stiff foam back panel underneath the mesh fabric, making it sturdy.
The back panel uses BD.dry™ to keep your back comfortable without steaming.
There is no rain cover, and it is designed to simply fasten the panel that extends from the main body with a hook.
There is no rain cover, and you can simply fasten the panel that extends from the main unit with a hook.
The access to the interior is also very simple. If you remove the hook and hold both ends and pull it, it will open completely. Rather than instantaneous, you can open it at the same time by opening the lid.
Accessing the inside of the main unit is at the same time as opening the lid, making it stress-free!
Fit and mobility that is comparable to the running bag
As it is based on a running pack, there are many ways to improve fit. First, the shoulder strap. The top is slightly thinner, but as you go down, it becomes thicker, wrapping around your body and creating a crowded fit.
The shoulder strap is made of see-through mesh fabric. It's quite breathable.
Drawstring is used to connect the shoulder harness to the main body, and by narrowing it down, it reduces the distance to the body and responds to a variety of movements, improving fit and mobility.
Drawstring is used to connect the shoulder harness and the main body to improve the fit.
Simple yet thought out highly functional
There are pockets on the left and right sides of the main unit where you can store Black Diamond Z poles. It is made to store Z poles, so it's a great pocket for those who use it. It can fit in trifold or stretchy poles from other manufacturers, but be careful as it may not fit if the grip is thick. This pocket is made to fit the length of the pole, so it is quite deep and can hold bottles and small items, but it can be quite difficult to take them out, so it's best to consider it for poles.
A pocket that can fit a Black Diamond Z pole.
There are zigzag cords on the sides of the main unit. The cord itself is not stretchy, but it can be applied to tension, allowing you to hold off clothes and compress when you don't have much luggage.
There are zigzag bungee cords on the left and right. It also uses the compression function of the body for holding clothes in place.
It's a small feature, but there is a small depression on the back of the panel so you can put small items there. I don't use lights anymore so I want to keep them away, but I'll definitely use them later! Is it to put something like that?
Small items like lights can be stored here. Be careful not to drop it when opening it.
The inside of the main unit also comes with a zippered mesh pocket and a deep pocket for storing hydration packs. It is best to put valuables in a zippered pocket.
There are two internal pockets. Hydration sleeves and mesh zipper pockets.
The bottom of the main body is equipped with a sleeve and a loop to secure the ice axe.
There is also a sleeve at the bottom of the main body for storing ice axes, making it suitable for four seasons.
Impressions of actually using it
This scrambling climbing pack can be used for four seasons, enhancing the durability of the fabric and simplifying the minimum required functions. However, at that point, it would become a regular bag, but this distinctive feature is that it incorporates the elements of a vest-shaped running bag into it. Trail runner Joe Grant (I'm a big fan personally) has also joined the development team, indicating that he is putting a lot of effort into running elements
As expected, it is based on a running bag, and the fitting is very good. The shoulder harness is taken from the chest to the waist, giving it a feeling of wrapping your body. It has a secure fit like the RUSH of PergoWorks, a domestic trail running bag. In addition, the shoulder harness and the main body are connected by a rubber drawstring, and by tightening it, the main body is less likely to shake even when moving violently, making it even more stable.
The back uses a BD Dry vapor barrier back panel, and the back is less likely to get stuffy even when you increase your exercise. However, since the structure is not designed to escape from stuffiness, the back will become wet if you exercise more. However, the material is quick-drying, so it is less discomfort and is made to prevent water from submerging inside the bag, so you can rest assured. The shoulder harness in particular is made of a transparent mesh material, so it is breathable and rarely gets wet with sweat. However, the shoulder harness pocket is attached directly to mesh fabric except for the zipper pocket on the left, so be careful when putting in items you don't want to get wet.
The zipper pockets are different on the left and right sides. On the left is nylon fabric on top of the mesh fabric to prevent water from getting in.
The main body is a top loading type, and the luggage is inserted from above to close the panel of the main body, which can also be used as a lid, and fastened with a hook. At this time, opening and closing the main unit is extremely simplified, and it closes by holding the panel and pulling the drawcord, and on the other hand, it opens by pulling the panel and the main unit. Although it is originally intended for activities that require less loading and taking out luggage, it has been designed to reduce stress even with the few movements.
It's also a moment to close the unit.
This distance of 15 is the capacity of the bag as is. This 15L capacity is exquisite, and it is designed to be used in a variety of activities, such as packing the tools climbers need to use to approach rock walls, or using them as attack backpacks from base camp.
However, the capacity of 15L can be large depending on your activity. Especially when using it for trail running, it is likely to be used for long distances where there is a little more luggage, but by narrowing the drawcord on the side of the unit, it can be used as a substitute for compression, so even with a small capacity the contents will remain stable without shaking.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
As the bag concept is, this versatile backpack can be used seamlessly and comfortably in a variety of activities, including scrambling, climbing, day trips, and trail running, in four seasons. This is probably a climbing bag that combines the running elements with Black Diamond's specialty climbing bag.
Certainly, there are packs dedicated to the activities, and of course they are made to be extremely convenient. However, if it can be used in combination with other applications, that would be better. However, this distance 15 goes beyond the boundaries of dual use, and is so complete that it seems that each activity is made specifically for it.
Despite its simplicity, its storage capacity and ease of use are set to be extremely high, allowing you to carry it on your back without any stress. It also has a very good fit even when using the full capacity of 15L, making it perfect for trail running and fast packing.
For those who have had to set up a course that leaves their luggage in the station locker and return to the same location on a day-trip trail run, you can run comfortably even if you put more luggage in than usual, so you can set up a free course that is not tied to the start and finish, so it will be worth using it even for regular trail runs.
