Those Black Diamond Distance Packs we all know and love – they just got even better. We were stoked to have been a part of that process and even more stoked that the packs we use almost every single day, are now even more dialed to perfection. A few small things that needed tweaking, got tweaked, while a couple of things missing, got added.

We first reviewed the Distance Packs in 2019, which means, we’ve now been using them for four years of running, ridge scrambling, work, climbing and skiing. We’re in the mountains at least 330 days a year and have some serious time in them.

Of course pack design, fit and functionality is personal and this is all my opinion, but the very things we wanted modified jived with the designers thoughts to get version 2.0 even better.

For 2023 and beyond, all of the Distance Packs are now available in women’s specific cuts and sizing. Each pack comes in small, medium, or large for both men’s and women’s sizing, which means six sizes per pack. 

Meet the 2023 Black Diamond Distance Packs.

Black Diamond Distance 4 Liter

The smallest pack in the line up, which is our  go-to for most standard trail runs, saw the biggest changes.

The 4 liter became more of a vest than a tiny pack with the introduction of all new material. An entirely breathable construction with elastic mesh on the sides makes for the perfect combination of stretch with minimal bounce. Overall, the design remains similar with these main features: 

• A zippered pocket on the top of the back for what you want securely locked away. The zipper now has a non-locking pull to avoid seizing up from salt.
• Below this zippered pouch is a wide compression stowaway sleeve accessible while wearing the vest by reaching back. This is home for your windshell or thicker layer.
• Big improvements were made to the cockpit and the front shoulder strap pockets.
  • The sleeves now fit tall, skinny Hydrapak 500ml soft flasks to spread out the weight and bulge, and ride higher on the strap for less bounce.  Also, all BD Distance 4 liter packs come with 2 new custom BD/Hydrapak 500ml soft flasks.
  • A large zippered mesh pocket is on the left shoulder strap over the soft flask sleeve, perfect for food and drink mixes
  • Two additional pockets round out the cockpit design and hold everything from gloves, neck tube, food, arms, etc… 
• No more edge taping makes it more comfortable around the seams.
• Good things that stayed the same: Z-Pole carry system, bladder sleeve, and dual sternum straps.

Black Diamond Distance 8 Liter

If you get only one Distance Pack, although each has its place and purpose, it should probably be the 8. It’s the most versatile size and ideal for most every trail, mountain, or peak run. As a photographer always carrying a bit extra, so it’s certainly my go-to pack. 

This is what’s new:

• The water bottle sleeves are now much higher and the Hydrpak soft flasks are tall and skinny 500ml bottles to spread out the weight and bulge. The higher bottles are much easier to drink from while on the fly. Note: the 8, 15 and 22 liter packs are not sold with soft flasks, but BD/Hydrapak 500ml soft flasks are available online. 
• The OTF (On The Fly) Z-pole carrying system for quickly getting the poles out of the way without taking the pack off has been added, but don’t worry, the side sleeves for poles are still there too!
• Removal of the previous version’s ice ax carrying system. The idea behind this is that if you need an ice ax, you are probably using the 15 liter pack anyway. Agreed. 
• Removal and redesign of the harness shock cord adjustment system on the sides. Now the pack’s shoulder strap and harness is entirely fixed. The size of the pack you get becomes more important to match your size.
• By losing the shoulder strap adjustment system, room opened up for more compression carrying sleeves, a welcome addition, and overall a much better and more comfortable design.

Ongoing Features:

• The side pole carrying sleeves easily swallow your poles, even when the pack is full, and prevent the poles from bouncing around and getting caught on things
• Adjustable compression cord that keeps things solid while moving quickly
• Two soft water flask pockets (500ml) on shoulder straps
• Two large pockets on shoulder straps for clothing, windshell, food or smaller soft flasks
• Two small side pockets on the side of the harness system
• One large zippered mesh pocket
• The colored packs allow for things to be easily found inside – it’s not a black hole.
• Customizable sternum strap positions
• Interior valuables pocket
• Interior hydration bag sleeve
• Bomber, water repellent body material with UHWMPE fibers in the ripstop, which are 10x stronger then steel per weight! This is the same fiber BD uses to build their quick-draws and dog-bones for climbing. 

Black Diamond Distance 15 Liter

The 15 has been our pack for cold, summit runs like a winter run up Mt. Whitney, Alps’ multi-day running tours like the Via Valais, and even run/climb combo days. More than the other Distance Packs, it’s the most innovative pack as it combines a climbing style pack with a running harness, which allows for the same combination of use, running and climbing. It’s clearly a direction many packs are going now as gear gets lighter and smaller packs without hip belts can be used.

Here is what changed:

• The water bottle sleeves are now much higher and the Hydrpak soft flasks are tall and skinny 500ml bottles to spread out the weight and bulge. The higher bottles are much easier to reach for drinking while on the fly. Note: the 8, 15 and 22 liter packs are not sold with soft flasks, but BD/Hydrapak 500ml soft flasks are available online.  
• The OTF (On The Fly) Z-pole carrying system for quickly getting the poles out of the way without taking the pack off was added.
• Redesign of the harness that removed the shock cord adjustment system. Now the pack’s shoulder strap and harness system is entirely fixed. The size of the pack you get becomes more important to match your size.
• By losing the shoulder strap adjustment system, room opened up for more compression carrying sleeves, a welcome addition and overall a much better and more comfortable design, just like on the 8L.

Ongoing Features:

• The side pole carrying sleeves easily swallow your poles, even when the pack is full, and prevent the poles from bouncing around and getting caught on things
• Adjustable compression cord that keeps things solid while moving quickly
• Dual ice ax carrying system with one hand access
• Two soft water flask pockets (500ml) on shoulder straps (one each side)
• Two large pockets on shoulder straps for clothing, windshell, food or smaller soft flasks
• Two small side pockets on the side of the harness system
• One large zippered mesh pocket
• The colored packs allow for things to be easily found inside – it’s not a black hole
• Customizable sternum strap positions
• Interior valuables pocket
• Interior hydration bag sleeve
• Bomber, water repellent body material with UHWMPE fibers in the ripstop, which are 10x stronger then steel per weight! This is the same fiber BD uses to build their quick-draws and dog-bones for climbing. 

Black Diamond Distance 22 Liter

This is an entirely new pack for 2023 and a very welcome addition to the lineup. Suddenly, the Distance line has a pack big enough for fast packing, use as a climbing pack and even ski mountaineering. 

For Alps’ multi-day trail running tours like the Via Valais, Via Grischuna or Tour du Mont Blanc, this is the ideal pack for most people.

The integrated side pole sleeves continue to be part of the design for the 8, 15 and 22. This is where the poles go until you need them the first time, and then they’re right at hand. Later, the Z-Pole carry system can be used for on the fly on and off the pack access.

• A compression sleeve is built into the back of the pack and is the perfect place to store a wind shirt, top layer, or to dry out whatever needs drying as you do laundry during a multi-day tour. This sleeve also houses two hidden bungee straps to attach the handle of ice tools. 
• The harness has two large zippered mesh pockets on the front.

In summary, Black Diamond’s quality is shining through, as are bits and pieces taken from their innovative climbing designs. Purebred trail runners are going to gravitate to the 4 Liter vest as a performance piece, while mountain runners and more all around mountain athletes will appreciate the 8, 15 and 22 Liter packs for their versatility, simplicity and durability. BD has hit a grand slam with this line up – choose your size(s) and put it to use. 

By Dan Patitucci