Black Diamond Distance 15

Overall, this pack is one of the best packs I have ever owned, being that it is incredibly versatile and adjustable with no lack of features.

So that's the black Diamond distance 15 and it's a smashing success from Black Diamond.

It is small/light enough to lay flat in a carry-on but large enough for all of my purposes. I have used it as a hydration pack while cycling, miscellaneous day hikes, spring mountaineering, and trail running. I did also look at the Matador and Mystery Ranch options but found the Distance 15 more comfortable overall and able to handle a surprising amount of weight effortlessly. It was replacing a Marmot ultralight option that felt like I was wearing a plastic grocery bag with straps.

I also miss is a large front pocket, preferably stretch a la palante/zpacks/etc. I have owned and sold an HMG 2400 (too many frills and too big for my use), HMG summit (no side pockets for water, uncomfortable with thin shoulder straps), Black Diamond Distance 15 (did not like the size and vest style backpack) and will sell my palante robic v2 soon (would like gridstop, an internal pocket for foam pad and preferably one zippered pocket). I am eyeing a gridstop MLD burn or hell 27 for the what they say about the straps and considered a 25L UD fastpack but dont want vest style straps.

I use a Black Diamond Distance 15 and like it, though it's 2-4 oz heavier than other vests in its weight category and traps a bit more heat. I would buy the soft bottles last.

I personally would use a Black Diamond Distance 15 for all-day runs with little/no resupplies. Dedicated front pockets that fit my phone and satellite communicator, bottle pockets can hold all other popular soft flasks except maybe Salomon’s, good pack compression, wide adjustability, etc.