Black Diamond

Distance 4L Hydration Vest

Comfortable and light

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

Xs

Fits well! Light and comfortable!

I won't buy from Backcountry again

Size Bought:

XS

Height:

5' 10"

Weight:

130

This thing is a piece of crap. I'm very annoyed I have to pay $7 return shipping, when the quality of this pack is so poor Backcountry has no business selling it. I own a Black Diamond Distance 4L Hydration Vest from another retailer. It is soft, very high quality. This came with yellowed bottles, and the weirdest VERY rough edging all along where the vest touches your skin. I never write reviews, but this thing is that bad. Do not buy.

Pretty good vest

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

M

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

170

Pros: The Z-pole carrier system is awesome, very nice idea. I like my poles out of the way and it is easy to get them in/out. -Decent storage in the big pouch behind, certainly enough space for a half day worth of food/supplies. Cons: The bottle holders are mesh, seem like they are going to rip. Hard to get bottles in/out. -the designated zipper pockets on chest straps are barely big enough for an iphone SE. any phone bigger won't fit. seems like the seems will tear eventually shoving the phone in there. -not enough zippered pockets(only 2), just lots of open mesh pockets, stuff falls out.

Great fit

This is my 3rd attempt at finding the right vest for ultra distance trail running. This vest hit all my requirements. I was looking for something with trekking poles storage without stopping/removing the vest and that I could still manage to utilize after fine motor skills have started to deteriorate due to too much time on trail. Longest run with this do far was only 4 hours, but poles can be taken out/stowed on the fly and seem to ride well. Only complaint so far with the pole storage is the excess bungee on the shoulder strap bounces annoyingly while the poles are stowed. I also wanted a vest that had ample storage that could also be reached without removing the pack. I’ve found with other vests, if I can’t reach my nutrition without removing the vest I’m significantly less likely to consume it. This vest has so many accessible pockets. I can store two soft flask, snacks and phone in the front, more snacks on the side and a wind shell in the rear/bottom pouch that can all be reached while running. And there’s the top zippered compartment for anything you don’t need immediate access to. It’s great. Previously I’ve detested vest wearing. This fits/rides so well that I find myself throwing it on for even 10-15 miles runs because I can easily bring my phone, wallet, keys and some snacks and not even notice I’ve got them. The fit and adjustability is just right. Like others have said, getting full flasks in/out (both the BD ones that come with it and UD ones as well) can be tricky. I’m looking at it as glass (flask?) half full and appreciating the fact that the bottles are unlikely to fall out when trying to move quickly through technical terrain. If you’re looking for a new vest, this is the one you want. Edit after a full summer of use and a couple ultra distance trail races… Still loving the fit and feel. The ability to store and remove poles without taking the vest off is great. However the seams have started to come apart. For the price, I’d like this to be a vest that lasts more than one season of use. I’m thinking it will make it through the fall but I’ll be in the market for a new vest again in the spring. Love the vest but the durability just isn’t up to par.

I like this pack a lot. I have taken it on hour long runs as well as longer 5+ hour runs and it has provided a comfortable platform to hold my hydration, nutrition and electrolytes. My only grip is that it only has two chest straps and when I carry a lot of water, I need a third to tighten it down enough to feel comfortable. I scabbed an extra strap off an old pack and am happy as could be. UPDATE: I liked this pack but it did not hold up! Already has rips at the seams.

Very light comfortable vest. Have taken it on 2-3 hour runs and no rubbing or discomfort whatsoever. Great for carrying snacks, keys, phone, water etc. Really like the trekking pole feature as well. Only reason why i gave it 4 stars is if you completely fill the water bladders they are very difficult to get into their designated pockets. Wish they had made the pockets just slightly bigger. Really is a joy to wear/run in though.

Great Minimalist Vest

I've only used the vest a few times thus far. Super comfortable and lightweight. I fell in-between M and L. I'm glad I sized down to the M! I would have likely had to tighten the L completely down. It max fits a 1.5L hydration bladder. One thing I would add to this product would be a zipper to the hydration sleeve component. Also, I don't really use poles all that much. So, I can't speak to the pole storage component!

Perfect Ultra-light Hiking Pack

Perfect amount of storage and water capacity for most hikes that require warm/rain gear and water etc. Really nice design and ultra functional bits.

Very bad experience

Bought to use with distance z poles for trail running The water bottles are great, but they are way too difficult to get in and out of the vest The vest tore the first time I used it The bottles fell out twice I love the poles, but this vest has some serious flaws. Even the trekking pole storage system is severely flawed.

Terrific running vest

Product is very comfortable and well thought out. Good pockets and storage and stays close to the body while running.