I tested the Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack while running mountains across Colorado
A 15-liter capacity running pack with vest-style straps for trail running, hiking, scrambling, and other long days on the trail
October 1st, 2026
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Our verdict
The Black Diamond Distance 15 running backpack is a high-volume running pack for running, hiking, and ultralight fastpacking missions. If you need to carry more than a traditional 6-10 liter running vest but want the same vest strap design, the Distance 15 is the way to go.
I tested the Distance 15 in the standard Black Diamond version—made with recycled nylon ripstop—as well as the norda collab version, made with Ultra 100 Ecopak material. I used each version while mountain running, peak bagging, and hiking on high-alpine trails in Colorado. These two versions are the same except for the exterior material. The norda collab version costs $100 more than the standard version.
The Distance 15 handles heavier loads and bulkier gear—think a puffy jacket, emergency bivy, lunch, running poles, extra water, or all of the above plus more. The vest straps allow you to access everything you need without taking the pack off. Each strap has three pockets, plus a fourth zippered pocket on the left strap for a smartphone. The back of the pack also has drop-in pockets for folding running poles. It doesn’t come with any hydration bottles or a bladder, though it is compatible with such items.
Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack
Men’s/unisex
Women's
Black Diamond x norda collab
Men's
Women's
The biggest drawback of the Distance 15 pack is that, other than the two drop-in pockets for running poles, it doesn’t have many exterior pockets on the backside. I can fit both of my Black Diamond FKT poles into one of the drop-in pockets, though. So I use the other drop-in pocket for a jacket. If you have running or trekking poles with wider handles, though, you’ll have to open the cinch top to grab your jacket or other items you have stashed inside.
This is one of my favorite packs for long days in the mountains. If you’re looking for a higher-volume running pack for long days on the trail, scrambling, peak bagging, and mountain running, the Distance 15 is a great option.
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Black Diamond Distance 15 specifications
Price: $200
Volume: 15 L
Weight: 11.6 oz (men’s), 11.1 oz (women’s)
Strap type: Running vest straps with two sternum straps
Back panel: 3D mesh
Hip belt: None
Closure: Cinch closure with clip
Water carry: Two 500 mL soft flask pockets, hydration sleeve (flasks and bladder not included)
Shoulder strap pockets: Four pockets per strap
Exterior pockets: Two drop-in pockets for folding running poles
Bottom pocket: No
Waterproof: Water-resistant materials without taped seams
Main body material: 87% recycled nylon, 7% polyethylene, 6% recycled polyester
Pocket mesh material: Diamond stretch mesh shoulder strap pockets
Variants available: Black Diamond x norda collab 15 L version
Made in: Philippines
Comparison table
| Running Vest | MSRP | Men's Weight | Women's Weight | Gear Capacity | Hydration Included | Exterior Pockets | Reservoir Slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Distance 15 Men's Women's |
$200 | 11.6 oz | 11.1 oz | 15/ 15 L | None | 7 | ✅ |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15 Unisex |
$250 | 12.1-12.8 oz | N/A | 15 L | None | 9 | ✅ |
| Ultimate Direction Fastpack/ FastpackHer 20 Men's Women's |
$165 | 20.8 oz | 19.8 oz | 23.0/ 23 L | None | 8 | ✅ |
| Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack Unisex |
$188 | 20.6-21.6 oz | N/A | 23-28 L | 2 flasks | 11 | ✅ |
| Nashville Pack The Cutaway 30 Unisex |
$220-470 | 13.4-15.4 oz | N/A | 31-37 L | None | 10 | ✅ |
Best for
Running and hiking long distances
Peak bagging and mountain running
Desert running and fast hiking with longer water carries
Mountain biking and bikepacking
Off-trail alpine running and hiking
What we liked
Great vest pocket design that makes all your gear easy to access without stopping
Carries decent water loads plus gear well
Fits tight to the body so it doesn’t bounce when moving fast with lighter loads
Shoulder straps are comfortable after 10 hours on the trail
It feels locked onto your back when running and scrambling
What could be better
External drop-in pockets for running poles are the only pockets on the back
How we tested
I tested the men’s/unisex Black Diamond Distance 15 running backpack for several months during the summer in both the standard nylon ripstop version and the norda collab version. I wore it while running, fast hiking, scrambling, and on adventures that mixed running, hiking, and scrambling.
I tested the Distance 15 while running and hiking in the mountains of Colorado all summer. I summited several 14,000-foot mountains, ran trails through Colorado’s Sawatch range, and also used it as a daypack for hikes and bike rides. On any outing where I would be on the trail for more than 3 hours, especially above treeline, I carried the Distance 15 because it holds more layers in case of an emergency. I often wore a puffy jacket I packed in this high-volume running backpack while I ate lunch, which I also carried to the top of the mountain inside the pack.
I am 5’9”, 165 pounds, with a 37-inch chest. I tested the Distance 15 in size medium. A size medium fits chests between 31.5 and 39.5 inches, but I definitely wouldn’t get a large, even though I’m near the top end of the medium’s range. When running downhill with a lot of food, water, or layers, and using all 15 liters of internal volume, I can cinch the vest straps down enough so the pack doesn’t bounce, and I wouldn’t be able to do that with a size large.
So far, I’ve used this pack for over 200 miles, with a fair amount of bushwhacking, off-trail travel, and scrambling. They both look almost new, though with some dirt and salt. I also tested it alongside other similar models in our Best Fastpacking Backpacks, Best Running Backpacks, and Best Running Vests guides.
Performance in the field
Carry comfort and load stability
The Black Diamond Distance 15 pack feels comfortable when you’re running. When loaded to its volume capacity, the shoulder straps distribute weight across your shoulders and chest, so they stay comfortable all day. If you have it loaded with a lot of water, it isn’t as comfortable. However, I wouldn’t expect a running backpack without padded shoulder straps to feel that comfortable when loaded with 4+ liters of water.
When heavily loaded, it bounces as you run, especially when running downhill, but it’s comfortable enough even if you have to hike until you drink some of your water. If you use the Distance 15 when it isn’t full, it’s very comfortable. It has a side compression cord, so you can cinch it down to keep your gear from bouncing.
Pocket accessibility
The Distance 15 has three pockets on each shoulder strap, so you can reach everything you need without taking the pack off. It has a soft flask pocket, a larger drop-in pocket that stretches over the top of the water bottle pocket, and a smaller drop-in pocket where the shoulder straps are sewn into the pack. It also has a side-access zipper pocket on the left vest strap for storing your phone (it fits my Google Pixel 10 with a MagSafe tripod attached, for example).
It also has two drop-in pockets on the back of the pack. These pockets are designed for folding running poles on either side, but I can fit both of mine in one pocket. That leaves the other drop-in pocket available for other gear, such as a rain jacket. However, if you put small items in the drop-in pocket, it can be hard to dig them out. I thought I had lost my extra electrolyte pouch for an entire day once, only to find it when I emptied the pack when I got back to the trailhead.
Water management
The Distance 15 has a pocket on each vest strap for a 500 mL softflask running bottle. It also has a sleeve for a hydration bladder inside the pack. These pockets hold the bottles securely while running. I’ve never had a bottle bounce out of the pocket or fall so deeply into the pocket that I can’t quickly access it, either.
It’s difficult to remove the hydration bladder when the pack is full, but that’s common with internal hydration bladders. The drop-in pockets on the back of the pack are the right size to hold a 1-liter Smartwater bottle or extra soft flasks, too.
Fit and adjustability
The Distance 15 comes in three different strap sizes to fit different chest circumferences: Small (26.5-33.5 in), medium (31.5-39.5 in), and large (35.5-44 in).
The women’s Distance 15 runs smaller overall. Size small fits 23.5–29.5 in, medium fits 26.5–33.5 in, and large fits 31.5–39.5 in. The women’s version also comes in the norda collab version along with the standard ripstop version.
The vest straps have two flat sternum straps you can tighten or loosen with ladder-lock buckles. The bottom sternum strap is elastic, which helps keep the pack comfortable while securely locking it onto your shoulders and back. The top strap is thin and soft nylon webbing. You can overtighten this strap since it doesn’t stretch, but I never found that to be a problem.
Packability and compression
The Distance 15 has a zig-zag cord along both sides that lets you compress the pack when you don’t have it stuffed full.
The top closes with a cinch cord. On top of the cinch closure, you hook the top of the main pack body to a piece of flat elastic with a g-hook. The system lets you compress the top of the pack to keep the load lower, which makes it feel more secure and less likely to bounce around behind your head.
Durability
The Distance 15 is a very durable pack. I’ve used the nylon ripstop and the 100D Challenge Ultra (UltraWeave) version each for roughly 200 miles so far, running, hiking, and scrambling in alpine conditions, often scraping the pack against rocks as I edge along cliffs, and it still looks almost new.
I tested the previous version of the nylon ripstop Distance 15, and the new version is the same material. That older pack is now four years old and is still going strong. It has no tears or rips, and I wouldn’t expect the new version to fare differently. The newer version’s ripstop fabric has Dynex fibers woven into it. Dynex is a high-strength and light ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material similar to Dyneema.
Features
15-liter volume and three size options
The Black Diamond Distance 15 holds 15 liters of gear. It also comes in 8- and 22-liter versions, as well as a women’s version. Each version comes in small, medium, and large. Each size fits a range of chest circumferences: Small (26.5-33.5 in), Medium (31.5-39.5 in), and Large (35.5-44 in).
Running Vest-Style Straps
The Distance 15 has running-vest-style chest straps. It has two sternum straps made of flat elastic (bottom) and nylon webbing (top).
Rigid Foam Back Panel
The Distance 15’s back panel is rigid foam and isn't removable. At first, I thought this foam was too stiff to fold, but after packing the pack into an overnight backpacking pack to use as a summit bag, I found I could fold it. After doing this several times, I don’t notice a permanent crease in the back panel when wearing it.
Cinch Closure
The Distance 15 has a cinch closure with two pieces of flat elastic that make a V-shape and hook onto the top of the pack body. You can cinch this V-shaped elastic closure to secure the pack's contents.
shoulder strap pockets
The running vest shoulder straps have three pockets each—a soft flask bottle pocket, two snack pockets you access from the top, and a smaller envelope pocket under each armpit. The left shoulder strap has a side-access zipper pocket large enough for a smartphone.
Drop-in Z-pole pockets
Two long, narrow pockets on the back of the pack let you carry your running poles. I can fit two Black Diamond Z-poles in one of these pockets, leaving the other open for a jacket or other items.
Piolet carry
The Distance 15 has hardware to carry two ice axes on the back of the pack.
Shoulder Straps with Stitchless Edge Taping Technology
The shoulder straps don’t have stitching along the edges, which makes them more comfortable and helps prevent chafing.
Recycled Nylon Ripstop with Dynex Main Body Material
The Distance 15 is made with recycled nylon ripstop material reinforced with Dynex, a UHMWPE fiber similar to Dyneema.
Sustainability
The standard Distance 15’s main body is made with 87% recycled nylon material.
On Black Diamond’s Sustainability Page, they state the following objectives they plan to meet by 2030:
1. Achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emission intensity
2. Achieve 50% of products comprised of preferred materials (defined as materials that have a smaller carbon footprint than their original counterpart)
3. Improved product longevity through the highest quality, most durable, best-in-class products
4. Major advancements in circularity and extended useful product life through the BD Re-Route program
5. Become a certified B Corporation
Should you buy the Black Diamond Distance 15?
Buy if:
You want a high-volume running backpack, for long days on the trail.
You’re looking for a mountain running and hiking pack that can carry a lot of layers and food.
You want a durable pack for scrambling, fast hiking, and trail running.
You’re a peak bagger who needs to carry a lot of gear and a climbing helmet in a running vest-style pack.
Skip if:
You need a running vest, but don’t need 15 liters of volume because you only carry water, snacks, and a jacket.
You’re looking for a fastpack for overnight adventures and want to carry 20+ liters of gear.
Where to buy the Black Diamond Distance 15
The Black Diamond Distance 15 is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% rewards for members.
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Summit Club members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
norda
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the manufacturer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return due to a defect.
Advice on where to buy
In general for apparel and gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI.
Similar running backpacks and vests
Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack vs. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15 Running Vest
MSRP: $250
Capacity: 15 L
Included hydration: None
Women's-specific fit available: No
Weight: 12.1-12.8 oz
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15 is the peakbagging pick in our fastpacking backpacks guide. It costs $50 more than the Black Diamond Distance 15 and weighs about the same amount. Overall, we like both the Distance and Pemi a lot because they occupy the “Goldilocks” zone between smaller-volume running vests and larger-volume fastpacks. They’re both extremely durable, comfortable, and capable of carrying larger loads for mountain running, winter trail running, and scrambling.
The Pemi and Distance packs have a very similar vest pocket design, but the Pemi has a side-access zipper pocket on both shoulder straps, while the Distance has a zippered pocket only on the left shoulder strap. The Pemi’s main compartment uses a roll-top design and has a vertical zippered pocket on the side of the pack that lets you access the main compartment without undoing the roll-top closure.
The Pemi also has an external UHMWPE stretch mesh pocket on the back of the pack for stuffing items you want to access quickly, such as a rain jacket. The Pemi also has an external water bladder sleeve, so you can remove and reinsert a bladder without unpacking everything in the main compartment.
The Pemi is made with ALUULA waterproof fabric and thermo-welded seams, so it’s very water resistant. This ALUULA fabric used on the Pemi’s main body is very similar to the 100D Challenge Ultra used on the Black Diamond-norda collab version of the Distance. The Pemi costs $50 less than the Black Diamond-norda collab version of the Distance.
We like the Distance and Pemi a lot, and think you’d be happy with either one. You can read our full review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15 running vest to learn more.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15 Running Vest
Black Diamond Distance 15 vs. Ultimate Direction Fastpack/Fastpackher 20
MSRP: $165
Capacity: 23.4 L men’s, 23.0 L women’s
Included hydration: None
Women's-specific fit available:
Weight: 20.8 oz men’s, 19.8 oz women’s
The Ultimate Direction Fastpack is another pack that’s similar to the Black Diamond Distance 15. The UD Fastpack is a ~20-liter pack, compared to the Distance, which can hold 15 liters of gear in the size we tested (though the Distance also comes in 22L and 8L versions). The UD Fastpack is available in women’s and men’s sizes, comes in 30-liter and 40-liter versions, and is the overall winner in our running backpacks guide.
The Fastpack and Distance have a similar pocket layout on the shoulder straps. The Fastpack has a stretch mesh pocket on the back and multiple pockets on the vest-style shoulder straps. The Fastpack has side water bottle pockets on each side, unlike the Distance. The Distance is more durable than the Fastpack and weighs 11.6 oz, compared to the Fastpack's 20.8 oz. But the Fastpack is also significantly less expensive than the Black Diamond Distance.
Ultimate Direction Fastpack/Fastpackher 20
men’s/unisex
Women's
Black Diamond Distance 15 vs. Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack
MSRP: $188
Capacity: 23-28 L
Included hydration: 2 flasks
Women's-specific fit available: No
Weight: 20.6-21.6 oz
The Outdoor Vitals Skyline Fastpack is the best budget pack in our fastpacks guide. The Skyline 30 comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The small and medium-sized packs have a 23L main compartment volume, while the large has a 28L main pack volume. The size small weighs 20.6 oz, and the large weighs 21.6 oz.
Compared to the Distance 15, the Skyline is better suited for overnight fastpacking because it can carry more gear. The Skyline also costs around $30 less than the Distance (if you’re an Outdoor Vitals member). The Skyline has UHMWPE stretch-mesh external pockets and similar shoulder-strap pockets as the Distance. The Skyline also has side pockets and a bottom pocket, unlike the Distance.
Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack
Black Diamond Distance 15 vs. Nashville Pack The Cutaway 30
MSRP: $300-470
Capacity: 31-37 L
Included hydration: None
Women's-specific fit available: No
Weight: 13.4-15.4 oz
Nashville Pack The Cutaway is another pack that’s similar to the Distance 15. The Cutaway is our favorite fastpack for adjustability in our Fastpacks Guide, and comes in 20L, 30L, and 40L sizes. It’s available in ALUULA Graflyte material, similar to the body material of the Black Diamond-norda Collab Distance 15.
The Cutaway has the most possible pockets accessible while wearing the pack. It has four accessible pockets per shoulder strap, a bottom pocket, and side water bottle pockets that connect to the rear mesh pocket. If your shoulders are flexible enough, you can reach into the rear pocket and pull out a jacket without taking the pack off.
The 30L Cutaway weighs about 15 oz, compared to the Distance, which weighs 11.6 ounces for half the volume. The Cutaway is significantly more expensive than the Distance, though. The pack body starts at $220 and can be more expensive depending on the material you choose. The vest straps cost another $125. However, because the vest straps on the Cutaway are sold separately, you can replace them. So even if you wear out the shoulder straps, you can replace them without replacing the entire pack. The Cutaway is also made in the USA.
Nashville Pack The Cutaway
Why you should trust us / About the author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in a converted camper van across the western United States. He has been running since he was a kid, and tests running backpacks, running vests, and fastpacks for Treeline Review, among other (and maybe all?) things running.
He has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs across the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, Hayduke Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice. Most of those trails were completed with a frameless backpack or fastpack.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or Instagram.
