Gregory Jade 28 vs Black Diamond Distance 15
Quick take: The Gregory Jade 28 carries more (28 vs 15 liters); the Black Diamond Distance 15 is lighter (0.79 vs 2.63 lbs).
| Spec | Gregory Jade 28 | Black Diamond Distance 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $200 |
| Rating | 4★ (53) | 4.7★ (11) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 28 L | 15 L |
| Weight | 2.63 lbs | 0.79 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by Gregory | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Women's fit, one size | One size |
| Material | 400D polyester ripstop | 90% nylon with 10% Dynex shell |
| Back Panel | Ventilated suspended panel | Dynex body material |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
Gregory Jade 28
- ✓28 L is the largest women's daypack here, covering long days that a 22 L pack cannot.
- ✓400D polyester ripstop is the most durable fabric of any daypack in this comparison group.
- ✓A suspended ventilated panel rather than contact foam.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓The women's fit is a distinct construction in Gregory's line, not a colourway of the Zulu.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty.
- ✓Better suited to shoulder-season loads than the lighter 20-24 L options.
- ✓Pairs with the Zulu 24 LT as a direct men's counterpart for couples buying together.
- ✗At 42 oz it is the heaviest women's daypack in the comparison group by a clear margin.
- ✗$200 is expensive for a daypack, above the Osprey Sirrus 24 at $190.
- ✗No torso adjustment.
- ✗Gregory publishes no maximum load figure.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗Only one volume could be confirmed with a current price.
- ✗gregory.com blocks automated access, so pricing rests on a single gear-media source.
- ✗The weight makes it a poor choice for fast-moving days.
Black Diamond Distance 15
- ✓12.7 oz for a pack with a genuine vest harness is very light.
- ✓Dynex blended into the shell adds tear resistance well beyond plain nylon.
- ✓Vest-style construction keeps the load from bouncing at running pace.
- ✓Black Diamond's alpine pedigree shows in the attachment points and simplicity.
- ✓Small enough to disappear under a running pack of layers.
- ✓Widely available with a mainstream brand's warranty and returns.
- ✓Holds shape better than soft running vests when partly empty.
- ✓Well suited to skimo and fast winter days as well as summer running.
- ✗$200 for 15 L is the worst price-per-litre of any pack in this catalog.
- ✗15 L is genuinely small for anything beyond a fast half-day.
- ✗No frame or support structure of any kind.
- ✗No published maximum load, though the construction implies very little.
- ✗Vest harnesses fit a narrow range of torsos well.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets, unusual at this price.
- ✗Not a general-purpose hiking daypack despite the price.
- ✗Overkill for anyone not actually moving fast.