Black Diamond Pursuit 25 vs Black Diamond Women's Distance 15
Quick take: The Black Diamond Pursuit 25 carries more (25 vs 15 liters); the Black Diamond Women's Distance 15 is lighter (0.79 vs 1.59 lbs).
Which one to buy
Black Diamond prices both at $199.95, and the Pursuit 25's harness is borrowed from the Distance running line, so the family resemblance is real. The use is not. The Women's Distance 15 is a 360 g vest pack for running and fast hiking, with shoulder straps shaped for shorter torsos in three sizes. The Pursuit 25 is a conventional hiking daypack with 10 L more room, a dedicated hydration pouch with a reservoir clip, and two published torso sizes, 16-18.5 and 18.5-21 in.
For walking a full day with layers, food and a reservoir, the Pursuit is the right pack. The Distance 15 has no frame or hipbelt and only fits a long day if you carry minimal layers. What it offers is speed: at under half the Pursuit's weight, it's the one that won't bounce at a run.
A woman who runs her trails gets more from the Distance 15's shaping than from the Pursuit's extra room.
Black Diamond Pursuit 25
For day hikers who want a running-style fit with room for a full day's layers and a reservoir, in a published torso size.
Black Diamond Women's Distance 15
Suited to women who run or move fast on trails, especially with a shorter torso, and carry little.
| Spec | Black Diamond Pursuit 25 | Black Diamond Women's Distance 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $199.95 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 25 L | 15 L |
| Weight | 1.59 lbs | 0.79 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Sized S/M 16-18.5 in / M/L 18.5-21 in | Sized S/M/L; shoulder straps shaped for shorter torsos |
| Material | 96% recycled nylon / 4% recycled polyester | Body fabric not detailed on the listing |
| Back Panel | Breathable back panel (frame construction not stated by the maker) | Mesh back with vest-inspired suspension |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Black Diamond Practical Product Lifetime Warranty against defects | Black Diamond Practical Product Lifetime Warranty against defects |
Pros & cons
Black Diamond Pursuit 25
- ✓The Continuous Fit harness comes from Black Diamond's Distance running packs, so it is built to stay put at speed.
- ✓Two torso sizes (16-18.5 and 18.5-21 in) are more than most 25 L daypacks offer.
- ✓Body fabric is 96% recycled nylon.
- ✓Dedicated hydration pouch with a reservoir clip.
- ✓Lifetime warranty against defects.
- ✗$199.95 is at the top of the 25 L daypack range.
- ✗No raincover and no published load rating.
- ✗Store variant weights (740-760 g) are a little above the 720 g page figure.
Black Diamond Women's Distance 15
- ✓360 g makes it one of the lightest 15 L packs listed.
- ✓Shoulder-strap shaping for shorter torsos, in three sizes.
- ✓Part of the 2026 Distance redesign, with a lifetime defects warranty.
- ✗$199.95 for 15 L with no frame or hipbelt.
- ✗Black Diamond does not publish fabric or hydration details for it.
- ✗Too small for anything beyond a long day with minimal layers.
Black Diamond Pursuit 25 vs Black Diamond Women's Distance 15: common questions
Can the Women's Distance 15 work as a hiking daypack?▾
For short, light outings. At 15 L it fits a long day only with minimal layers, and with no frame or hipbelt the whole load rides on your shoulders. The Pursuit 25 is built for full hiking days.
Which one fits a shorter torso?▾
The Women's Distance 15's straps are shaped for shorter torsos, across three sizes, though Black Diamond doesn't publish the ranges. The Pursuit 25's smaller size covers 16-18.5 in.