Black Diamond Distance 15 vs Mystery Ranch Tower 47

But you can do this by making sure whatever vest or pack you get has certain features that you want: large dedicated phone pockets, some "extra" capacity at a minimal weight gain, etc. I used a Black Diamond Distance 15 vest when I was run commuting, and also for most of my long runs because the compression works well at closing up the pack if I'm using only a bladder in the back.

I wish it had strap retention bands so the excess isn't flopping around. Easy fix for me, I just used some tape. And would be nice if the waist belt was stowable. As far as an EDC bag, if you work outside for a living then yeah, for commuter to work in a city, go with one of their smaller ones like the urban

I'm a 39 to 40 size chest and pretty much I always wear medium and these straps got flex which is important. I love it when you have stretchy straps f...

The pack is unable to stay tight to the frame. The biggest annoyance with this is that you CANNOT access anything in the pack without loosening up multiple side straps. If Mystery Ranch would simply make points of contact to keep the back of the bag itself attached to the frame independently of the compression straps this bag would be untouchable! But since you can't secure it to the frame it's hard to get the load to distribute as it should on your body. I really really really want to like this pack but I'll most likely just sell if after this season

But when I took the pack deep into the journey, the little issues really became significant. Some minor fixes could send this pack into the next level of performance, akin to a UD Fastpack but more nimble and minimal. The size, at 15L, is PERFECT for a multi-day unsupported run (20L is too baggy). But the poorly designed details, as I said, start causing problems when things get more serious

I spent two years searching for something as comfortable and spacious as a hiking backpack but wasn't willing to get a typical one because the material most likely wouldn't hold up. Finally after repeatedly coming back and looking at Mystery Ranch they released this.

I'm 5'6 and 135 with not much of a chest. I got the XS and it's perfect! Room to cinch or uncinch. I have a competitors womens vest and had the trail vest/pack they do. The issues I had with the trail vest were solved by this bag completely (and by my dog chewing the zip so I had to replace it)and I feel like the fit is more comfortable than the race vest!

If this conformed to carry-on size limits, you can be sure they'd say that, and loudly. They don't. As others have said, given the proportions it's almost certainly taller than the rules allow -- perhaps by as much as 5-7 cm.

It feels like I am running in a super comfy vest, not a backpack loaded with extra layers

The options for adjustments are perfect allowing me to get a great fit and seated perfectly along my back and shoulders, I hate packs that hang low because that unsettling center of gravity gets tiring after a while. On the other hand it is easy to adjust the straps on the move which is nice because if anyone has ever worn a pack for an extended period of time, then you know how nice it is to loosen, tighten, and switch to sling mode here and there to help free up spots on your back that get too hot over time because even with breathable material like that present on this pack, the bottom line is that there is still weight pushing material along your back and you will still get hot depending on how long you wear the pack. The primary harnesses are thick and comfortable, even when I loaded the pack for weight I didn't feel anything digging into my shoulders. I'm used to seeing red marks on my shoulders with other packs and this comfort is something I'm not used to