Black Diamond
Distance 22
8.6Very Good
22L Distance alpine/running pack for long mountain days and light overnights — more rear volume than Distance 15 while staying run-capable; still not a soft race vest.
From € 200
Comparison
Black Diamond Distance 22 vs Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20
Both sit above race-vest capacity for big mountain trail days. Distance 22 leans Black Diamond alpine-trail carry; Fastpack 20 leans UD vest-harness front access and roll-top kit changes.
- Expert comparison
- Data driven
- Updated 1 September 2026
- Running Packs & Vests
Ultimate Direction
Fastpack 20
8.8Very Good
Vest-harness day/fastpack (~23L) for long trail days and overnight kit — choose this when ADV Skin / Race Vest 6 run out of rear volume for layers, food and poles, not when you want a bounce-free race vest.
From € 175
Decision guide
When each shoe is the better buy — by training mix and conditions, not overall score alone.
Bottom line
Choose Distance 22 for BD Distance fit and alpine-leaning trail days; choose Fastpack 20 when vest-harness flask reach and UD pocketing matter more.
Black Diamond
Choose Distance 22 if…
- You want BD Distance carry for mountain trail / light fastpacking.
Ultimate Direction
Choose Fastpack 20 if…
- You want UD vest-harness Fastpack front access and roll-top kit.
Key Differences
BD Distance vs UD Fastpack layout
Distance 22: Black Diamond Distance alpine-trail pack patterningFastpack 20: UD Fastpack vest harness with roll-top mainBoth fastpacking-capable; harness and pocket philosophy differ.
When each wins
Context winners by session type — use these with the decision guide above, not as a universal ranking.
Long Runs
Fastpack 20
Fastpack layout suits long trail days without alpine emphasis.
Fastpacking
Distance 22
Higher Distance volume for overnight-leaning mountain days.
Trail Running
Fastpack 20
Vest-harness Fastpack for most big trail training days.
Ultra
Fastpack 20
Front flask access helps remote ultra training.
VSValue
TIE
Kitletics value scores are too close to call on current catalog pricing.
Specs
| Spec | Distance 22 | Fastpack 20 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (L) | 22 | 23 | — |
| Total Hydration Capacity (ml) | 1000 | — | — |
| Weight (g) | 400 | 590 | Distance 22 |
| Fit / Sizing | Unisex | Men | — |
| Bounce Control | High | High | TIE |
| Race-Required Gear Capacity | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Race Suitability | Trail, Ultra, Adventure | Trail, Ultra, Adventure | TIE |
| Included Flasks | 0 | 0 | TIE |
| Included Flask Volume (ml) | — | — | TIE |
| Bottle Capacity (ml) | 1000 | 1000 | TIE |
| Flask Pockets | 2 | 2 | TIE |
| Bladder Compatible | No | Yes | — |
| Reservoir Compatible | No | Yes | — |
| Reservoir Included | No | No | TIE |
| Phone Storage | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Pole Attachment | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Breathability | High | High | TIE |
| Quiver Compatible | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Sizing | S–L torso (verify current BD Distance chart) | S/M–M/L chest (verify current UD chart) | — |
| Size Range | S–L | S/M–M/L | — |
| Fit System | Distance vest harness with SETT edge taping and side compression | Infiknit / FastFlow vest harness with sliding sternum rails | — |
| Storage | 22L alpine pack with vest harness, soft Flask pockets, Z Pole sleeves and front stretch pocket | Roll Top main with full Side zip access; front bottle/flask pockets; side and rear stretch stash | — |
| Front Storage | Soft Flask holsters plus zip/stretch shoulder pockets | Twin front bottle/flask sleeves plus stretch harness pockets for phone, maps and fuel | — |
| Compression Carry | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Rear Storage | 22L main for layers, food and light overnight kit | Roll Top ~23L main compartment with side zip panel access | — |
| Pockets | Flask holsters, shoulder pockets, side stash, front stretch, internal zip | Front flasks, harness stash, side stretch, rear stretch, internal organization | — |
| Race Bib Features | No | No | TIE |
| Helmet Carry | No | No | TIE |
| Water Resistance | Water Resistant | Water Resistant | TIE |
| Reflectivity | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Whistle | Yes | Yes | TIE |
Current Prices
Regional prices · Netherlands
Prices last checked: 12 Sept 2026. Offer updates do not mean the editorial comparison was re-reviewed.
Top Alternatives
Black Diamond Distance 15a same-role peer is the fork: Distance 15 (15L alpine running backpack (not the Distance 8 race vest) — vest harness with real pack…) versus Distance 22 (22L Distance alpine/running pack for long mountain days and light overnights — more rear…). Source verdict cue: A 22L Distance alpine pack for bigger mountain day loads. Skip it when Distance 15 already covers y… Spec split — peer weight 330 vs source weight 400.
Osprey Talon Velocity 30Talon Velocity 30 is on the Distance 22 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Talon Velocity 30 brief: Men’s 30L Talon Velocity for heavier fastpacking and alpine day loads — step up from the…. Distance 22 brief: 22L Distance alpine/running pack for long mountain days and light overnights — more rear…. Extra peer cue: helmet and pole/axe attachments for technical alpine approaches. Peer spec: weight 980.
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 30Pick Fastpack 30 over Distance 22 only if true overnight fastpacking volume while keeping vest-style front access is the weekly gap. Fastpack 30 is fastpacking / trail training; Distance 22 stays fastpacking / trail training. Cost of the switch: overkill and warm for supported ultras or road longs.
Osprey Talon Velocity 20Distance 22 vs Talon Velocity 20 is not a score swap. Talon Velocity 20 wins when a same-role peer and osprey fit system dials torso length better than most race vests beat light for 22L — strong fast-and-light alpine overnight option. weight sits higher on Talon Velocity 20 (870 vs 400).
Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 20a similar peer is the fork: FastpackHer 20 (Women’s-specific Fastpack 20 sibling — same ~23L fastpacking role (overnight kit, layers,…) versus Fastpack 20 (Vest-harness day/fastpack (~23L) for long trail days and overnight kit — choose this when…). Source verdict cue: A vest-harness ~23L UD Fastpack when ADV Skin / Race Vest 6 run out of kit space. Skip it for flask… Spec split — peer weight 580 vs source weight 590.
Osprey Duro 15Duro 15 is on the Fastpack 20 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Duro 15 brief: Men’s 15L run-hike Osprey with Hydraulics reservoir support — for long trail days, advent…. Fastpack 20 brief: Vest-harness day/fastpack (~23L) for long trail days and overnight kit — choose this when…. Extra peer cue: hydraulics ecosystem matches Osprey hiking kits. Peer spec: weight 490.
Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0Shared use-case alternative
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