I appreciate that you didn’t just rattle off the specs and marketing statements. The experiential take is much appreciated as is seeing the pack get loaded with some gear. 👍
Thanks for the review and solving the mystery of the front pockets. Did not realize that the little pull cord slides into a slot to secure the opening and hold it somewhat closed. Mine came today and there’s no instructions or diagrams that explain the features - at least that I could find online. This thing looks perfect for my needs - hike commuting where I live and super lightweight pack for scrambling when I can get to the mountains. Question - any idea what the little plastic dogbone is for that is inside the main compartment just below the exit hole for the hydration pack tube? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks again, great job on the review.
Ah, the dogbone holds the hydration bag. But I also found another feature. Inside the front zippered pocket on the right side, there is a tiny emergency whistle. Wife wouldn’t let me try it at full blast, so no idea how loud it really is. Beats having nothing. Very cool pack.
@@rjohnson5120 I'm glad you figured it out (you are correct that it is for the hydration bladder). The Distance 15 is a really good pack for hiking and mountain adventures, I'm sure you will enjoy it!The whistle is a pretty cool feature as well! Thanks for watching!
I have been searching for a pack to fit between my running vest (UD Ultravest 3.0) and my 36L full-feature Osprey pack. Specifically, I need a bag to accommodate shoulder-season layers and emergency supplies (i.e. more robust spend-the-night equipment) and low-tech alpine gear (simple axe, AL crampons) while staying small and light. This looks like just the solution. I love the zippered inner pocket w/ leash, which provides so much peace-of-mind, and the elastic locks for the front pockets look like an incredible solution. Psyched!
Your video has given me some answers. I'm however still puzzled by the lid design. The top flap seems too lose unless the pack is loaded to maximum capacity. To use this while running, having "no bounce" is kind of essential. I can fix this with some creative use of a sawing machine, but I must surely be missing something... Any idea's?
I totally understand your confusion. The lid design is actually super stable. With the strap at the top as you can see at 3:32, the hook that straps into the loop on the lid keeps it from flailing period. I've never had the the strap come undone while running, even when the pack was barely loaded. Also from my experience the lid doesn't bounce around all that much, and if it has for me I haven't noticed it because of how light the overall lid is. So to answer your question in short, you shouldn't have to worry about the to lid being to loose or bouncing around because the strap design works really well. If you are super serious about getting no bounce whatsoever, I guess you could tighten the elastic strap all the way down, although it is very hard to do that. Hope this helps!
hey, did you multipitch with it ? Im thinking about getting one for that purpose. One question: since it's a vest style pack, does the weight when fully loaded distributed also along the hips or just the shoulders? thanks
According to Black Diamond's website their backpacks are made in Asia and distributed to sellers in Europe. Sorry for the slow reply and hope that answer's your question!
Nice review! One question; how is this pack to run with when it's not full? Does it stay in place or does it bounce around a lot? Need to replace my Salomon ADV Skin 12, I love how it fits comfortably whether it's full or I'm just carrying a few things. Durability just has not been as good as I would have hoped, so I'm inclined to buy something different.
Sorry for the delayed reply, hope it's still relavant haha. The pack does boune a bit when it isn't totally full but its barely noticeable depeding on what you are carrying in the pack. I find it works well no matter how much or how little I load into it. Hope this helps.
@@ToNewHeights LOL, that's fine. I ended up buying it late last fall and using it over the winter. I did notice the bounce, which wasn't that big a deal in the winter (moving a lot more slowly). I did end up buying another Salomon pack in the spring, though, so I now own both!
Excellent review! What soft flasks are you using? Have you found them to stay secure as that seems to be one of the main issues with this pack? The Black Diamond brand ones are nowhere to be found/purchased.
Thanks for the support! I have two Hydrapak 500ml (17oz) soft flasks, and so far for my experience they stay in fairly well. If the flasks are completely full, they do tend to be a little bit more unstable, but after sucking down a little bit of the water it's totally fine. I bought these flasks at the same time as the pack, having the same problem as you with not being able to find the BD ones...
Not directly. You kinda have to lean down or lift the shoulder strap up to your mouth to drink, which while I wish I didn't have to do that, it's not that big of a deal. Most soft flasks like the one I showed in the video actually come with a "straw lid" that you can use instead of that, and from my experience it works really well.
I appreciate that you didn’t just rattle off the specs and marketing statements. The experiential take is much appreciated as is seeing the pack get loaded with some gear. 👍
I really appreciate that feedback! Thanks for watching!
Great review! BD has never disappointed and this seems like another winner in their line up.
It totally is a winner!
Thanks for taking the time to make this! Really helped me find the pack I needed.
Absolutely! I'm glad it helped!
Just got the ski centric Cirque 22, pretty smart design, these packs.
For sure, Black Diamond is by far the most intuitive in all of their designs of any company I've seen.
Doesn't look too bad either. Might get this one as well
Thanks for the review and solving the mystery of the front pockets. Did not realize that the little pull cord slides into a slot to secure the opening and hold it somewhat closed. Mine came today and there’s no instructions or diagrams that explain the features - at least that I could find online. This thing looks perfect for my needs - hike commuting where I live and super lightweight pack for scrambling when I can get to the mountains.
Question - any idea what the little plastic dogbone is for that is inside the main compartment just below the exit hole for the hydration pack tube? Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks again, great job on the review.
Ah, the dogbone holds the hydration bag. But I also found another feature. Inside the front zippered pocket on the right side, there is a tiny emergency whistle. Wife wouldn’t let me try it at full blast, so no idea how loud it really is. Beats having nothing. Very cool pack.
@@rjohnson5120 I'm glad you figured it out (you are correct that it is for the hydration bladder). The Distance 15 is a really good pack for hiking and mountain adventures, I'm sure you will enjoy it!The whistle is a pretty cool feature as well! Thanks for watching!
I have been searching for a pack to fit between my running vest (UD Ultravest 3.0) and my 36L full-feature Osprey pack. Specifically, I need a bag to accommodate shoulder-season layers and emergency supplies (i.e. more robust spend-the-night equipment) and low-tech alpine gear (simple axe, AL crampons) while staying small and light. This looks like just the solution. I love the zippered inner pocket w/ leash, which provides so much peace-of-mind, and the elastic locks for the front pockets look like an incredible solution. Psyched!
So glad you found the right pack! You won't be disappointed. Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much for doing this review - exactly what I needed to make a decision in purchasing
I'm glad it helped!
Your video has given me some answers. I'm however still puzzled by the lid design. The top flap seems too lose unless the pack is loaded to maximum capacity. To use this while running, having "no bounce" is kind of essential. I can fix this with some creative use of a sawing machine, but I must surely be missing something... Any idea's?
I totally understand your confusion. The lid design is actually super stable. With the strap at the top as you can see at 3:32, the hook that straps into the loop on the lid keeps it from flailing period. I've never had the the strap come undone while running, even when the pack was barely loaded. Also from my experience the lid doesn't bounce around all that much, and if it has for me I haven't noticed it because of how light the overall lid is. So to answer your question in short, you shouldn't have to worry about the to lid being to loose or bouncing around because the strap design works really well. If you are super serious about getting no bounce whatsoever, I guess you could tighten the elastic strap all the way down, although it is very hard to do that. Hope this helps!
Great easy to follow review . Fabulous! The big brother of the distance 8
Thank you for this great review! Is there a possibility you could review Millet Trilogy 15+ ?
Thank you for detailed look at this pack, I'm in the mid of decision but this looks like a winner.
Great review. Straight to the point. Love it.
hey, did you multipitch with it ? Im thinking about getting one for that purpose. One question: since it's a vest style pack, does the weight when fully loaded distributed also along the hips or just the shoulders? thanks
My favorite running pack by far. Very good review, thanks.
Thanks! It's my favorite too...
Hey so how was it for multipitch would you recommend it ?
PERFECT hybrid pack, I use it for everything i do on foot i the alps, even when i need crampons, ice axe and rope
Fantastic review 👍
Thanks for the great review
Hi Peter from South Africa,is the PAC made in the USA,if u review PACs ,Tel us were the made please
According to Black Diamond's website their backpacks are made in Asia and distributed to sellers in Europe. Sorry for the slow reply and hope that answer's your question!
Nice review! One question; how is this pack to run with when it's not full? Does it stay in place or does it bounce around a lot? Need to replace my Salomon ADV Skin 12, I love how it fits comfortably whether it's full or I'm just carrying a few things. Durability just has not been as good as I would have hoped, so I'm inclined to buy something different.
Sorry for the delayed reply, hope it's still relavant haha. The pack does boune a bit when it isn't totally full but its barely noticeable depeding on what you are carrying in the pack. I find it works well no matter how much or how little I load into it. Hope this helps.
@@ToNewHeights LOL, that's fine. I ended up buying it late last fall and using it over the winter. I did notice the bounce, which wasn't that big a deal in the winter (moving a lot more slowly). I did end up buying another Salomon pack in the spring, though, so I now own both!
Excellent review! What soft flasks are you using? Have you found them to stay secure as that seems to be one of the main issues with this pack? The Black Diamond brand ones are nowhere to be found/purchased.
Thanks for the support! I have two Hydrapak 500ml (17oz) soft flasks, and so far for my experience they stay in fairly well. If the flasks are completely full, they do tend to be a little bit more unstable, but after sucking down a little bit of the water it's totally fine. I bought these flasks at the same time as the pack, having the same problem as you with not being able to find the BD ones...
Hydrapak make the flasks for BD so easily interchangeable....
Great review!
I'm 70kg and 6.1 so hoping the medium will fit me too! How does this thing fair when only partly packed? In terms of bounce etc.?
They only have large size, I’m 5’10 is that too big for me? On the website it doesn’t specify the difference
You should be good with the large!
did they discontinue this pack? i cannot find it anywhere!
excellent review!
Thanks😊
Looking at some pictures, the flasks seem to sit a bit low. Can you drink from the flasks while wearing the vest?
Not directly. You kinda have to lean down or lift the shoulder strap up to your mouth to drink, which while I wish I didn't have to do that, it's not that big of a deal. Most soft flasks like the one I showed in the video actually come with a "straw lid" that you can use instead of that, and from my experience it works really well.
Is the bag waterproof???
Not waterproof, but water resistant!
Awesome review