Black Diamond Pursuit 6 Waist Pack Review

Bottom Line

The Black Diamond Pursuit 6 is great for all-day adventures that warrant packing more than just a little water and snacks – think peak-bagging, scrambly hikes, and long bike rides. 

Designed as a lumbar pack, the Pursuit features a well-designed harness that’s both breathable and comfortable. The main compartment is large enough to fit a jacket, gloves, and a full day’s worth of snacks. Two water bottle pockets make it easy to stay hydrated, and a water-resistant zipper on the main compartment means your gear will stay protected in light to moderate rain.

The Pursuit 6 is a nice option for minimalist adventures that don’t warrant carrying a full daypack. It’s also great as supplemental storage on backpacking trips or when hiking with dogs or kids. The lightweight build isn’t sufficient for trail running – our fanny packs gear guide includes other options that work better – but the Pursuit 6 fits exceptionally well into many other use cases.

How We Tested

We covered more than 200 trail miles with our Black Diamond Pursuit 6. We summited 14ers with the pack, took it on scrambles in Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, brought it on trail runs, and even carried it on a 72-mile backpacking trip along the Colorado Trail.

Comfort

Black Diamond is well known for making high-quality, mountain-ready gear, and their Pursuit 6 carries the torch. We were immediately struck by the comfort of the Custom BD Continuous Fit harness, which features a wide waistband with wraparound mesh. The larger surface area helps spread out the weight of heavier items and water bottles. The straps are easily adjustable to fit a wide range of waist sizes, and they stay securely in place on the move.

Designed as a lumbar pack, the Pursuit 6 wears best on the lower back. Though it’s easy to swing around to the front for gear access, we wouldn’t recommend using it as a sling bag – it’s too awkward and unwieldy. 

The large capacity fits water, snacks, and a light layer and gloves. It does bounce with significant weight, so you’ll want to be mindful when packing (and probably avoid it for running). Overall, it’s great for fast-and-light day hikes and scrambling missions, as well as to supplement easy-access storage on backpacking trips.

Durability

Constructed with durable nylon and polyester, the Pursuit 6 proved very tough when exposed to abrasive surfaces. We spent a good deal of time scrambling in the Flatirons above Boulder, Colorado, which are known for destroying gear with their rough, microcrystal-laden surface. After multiple outings that included squeezing through chimneys and other features, we couldn’t find any sign of damage. Even the outer mesh pocket was in perfect shape – a testament to the pack’s impressive durability.

Features

The Black Diamond Pursuit 6 has a range of features that make it more versatile than the average fanny pack. The main compartment is easy to access via a water-resistant zipper, which keeps belongings protected in light to moderate rain. Dual water bottle pockets with compression bungees allow for secure hydration storage. And the ventilated mesh harness minimizes sweat on warm days while providing all-day comfort without pain points or chafing.

The only feature that gave us issues was the G-hook-secured exterior pocket, which is only secure when the main compartment is fully loaded. The G-hook buckles tend to fall off and flop around, rendering the pocket largely useless. We would’ve preferred to see either a more aggressive G-hook or a more elastic stretch-mesh design that doesn’t require hooks at all. 

Organization

The Pursuit 6 offers thoughtful, sufficient organization without feeling overly complex. Inside the main compartment is a zippered pocket with a key clip, a stretch-mesh pocket at the opposite side, and a large open area between. This design makes it easy to store something bulky like a jacket in the middle without sacrificing a place for valuables or snacks. 

The dual bottle holders at the sides allow for quick and easy hydration while on the move. Rounding out the storage is the front mesh pockets, which we covered in the Features section above. 

It almost goes without saying that the pack feels bulky when filled to the brim. Additionally, utilizing both water bottle holders makes the main compartment difficult to unzip, impeding access to other gear. We still consider the Pursuit to be very well organized, but it’s something to consider if you plan to carry two bottles frequently. 

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Pursuit 6?

The Black Diamond Pursuit 6 is a dream for all sorts of adventures. The ability to carry a jacket, gloves, and water bottles make it appealing for quick outings in the mountains, scrambly day hikes, bike rides, and even backpacking trips. The harness is breathable and comfortable to wear all day, and the pack is weather-resistant enough to keep sensitive items protected in surprise storms.

That said, the Pursuit 6 is unapologetically large and bulky. It verges more on overbuilt than streamlined, making it poorly suited for everyday use and more casual outings. At the same time, the lightweight design is too bouncy for actual running. But if you stick within its wheelhouse – which is admittedly broad – the Pursuit 6 won’t disappoint.

What Other Fanny Packs Should You Consider?

Looking for something a little different? Below are some alternatives that still offer quite a bit of storage. For more favorites, check out our guide to the best hiking fanny packs.

Osprey Tempest 6 / Talon 6 Review: If you like the 6-liter capacity but want more structure and less bounce, the Osprey Talon / Tempest 6 is a top contender. It’s substantially heavier and less weather-ready than the Pursuit, although we like the addition of hipbelt pockets.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Review: If you’re willing to step down in capacity, the 2.5-liter Versa is a very high-quality design. It’s comfortable to wear in several orientations – including as a sling bag – and made with light-but-strong Dyneema that’s also waterproof.

Cotopaxi Bataan 3L Review: A solid all-rounder with 3 liters of storage, the Bataan is competitively lightweight for its capacity. It’s in an entirely different class than the Pursuit, but it’s affordable and spacious, which is very appealing for everyday use and casual outdoor outings.