Salomon ADV Skin 12 Race Flag Unisex Hydration Vest - Black/White - M

I love the Salomon Adv Sin 12, its my favourite pack. I have had 4 of these packs. The comfort and space especially upfront is unmatched against other running pack brands. There are a few small things I would change though about this pack - I would have the chest strings changed back to straps as I have had the chest strings snap twice on two of my previous packs. That being said, Salomon have been amazing about replacing my packs. I also think the whistle either needs to be on a longer string so that it sinks into the pocket deeper or have it clip in place as when running it tends to bounce out the pocket and rattle against the bottle cap. The pack could also do with some elasticized/clippable hooks at the top and bottom of the front of the pack to better secure ... MoreI love the Salomon Adv Sin 12, its my favourite pack. I have had 4 of these packs. The comfort and space especially upfront is unmatched against other running pack brands. There are a few small things I would change though about this pack - I would have the chest strings changed back to straps as I have had the chest strings snap twice on two of my previous packs. That being said, Salomon have been amazing about replacing my packs. I also think the whistle either needs to be on a longer string so that it sinks into the pocket deeper or have it clip in place as when running it tends to bounce out the pocket and rattle against the bottle cap. The pack could also do with some elasticized/clippable hooks at the top and bottom of the front of the pack to better secure poles. These are just my thoughts on some improvements for the next generation. If Salomon gets this right, they won't have any competitors in the running pack field :)

Best vest yet!

This is my fourth vest, and the best by far. Echo to most other reviewers’ pros, and adding my favorite features: 1) Pockets: Well placed and super secure. I can get to 90% of what I need on a long day without taking it off, which is a first. 2) No bounce: This vest has the least movement of any vest I’ve used. It’s snug and close fitting without constricting, and is comfortable across my chest. I’m on the cusp of a S and M (34C), and the S is perfect over a thin layer, with room for more layers as needed and no chafing. No swishing when it’s not full, no noise or load shifting. It’s easy and intuitive to pack to distribute weight appropriately (see: awesome pockets). 3) Soft flask design and placement: I can drink from these without removing them, which alleviates ... MoreThis is my fourth vest, and the best by far. Echo to most other reviewers’ pros, and adding my favorite features: 1) Pockets: Well placed and super secure. I can get to 90% of what I need on a long day without taking it off, which is a first. 2) No bounce: This vest has the least movement of any vest I’ve used. It’s snug and close fitting without constricting, and is comfortable across my chest. I’m on the cusp of a S and M (34C), and the S is perfect over a thin layer, with room for more layers as needed and no chafing. No swishing when it’s not full, no noise or load shifting. It’s easy and intuitive to pack to distribute weight appropriately (see: awesome pockets). 3) Soft flask design and placement: I can drink from these without removing them, which alleviates awkward fumbling to get them back in the pocket after a quick drink. Two other notes: it can be warm on the back, but that’s been my experience with every vest. I’d also recommend viewing Canice Harte’s YT video on how to use the pack - that helped me figure out how to thread/connect my non-Salomon bladder when I needed it.

Good Concept, Doesn't Quite Work for Me

I wanted a high-capacity pack that would allow me to carry my street clothes home from work and go the distance for my ultra marathoning. This pack almost works me, but there are a couple things that annoy me, and I will be returning it.The good:+Capacity: I love the pocket configuration on the back--the stuff pocket on top, the huge zippered "trunk" and the "tube" pocket that runs along the bottom.+Anti-Bounce: I like the system with the elasticized retaining straps. Even fully loaded, there wasn't much bounce+Water Bottles: I love the system of soft flasks that you carry up front.+Fabric: The fabric is lightweight and just feels good.The bothersome:- Water Retention Straps: After 5 hours of running over two work outs, the anchor for one of water bottle ... MoreI wanted a high-capacity pack that would allow me to carry my street clothes home from work and go the distance for my ultra marathoning. This pack almost works me, but there are a couple things that annoy me, and I will be returning it.The good:+Capacity: I love the pocket configuration on the back--the stuff pocket on top, the huge zippered "trunk" and the "tube" pocket that runs along the bottom.+Anti-Bounce: I like the system with the elasticized retaining straps. Even fully loaded, there wasn't much bounce+Water Bottles: I love the system of soft flasks that you carry up front.+Fabric: The fabric is lightweight and just feels good.The bothersome:- Water Retention Straps: After 5 hours of running over two work outs, the anchor for one of water bottle retention straps disintegrated. There's an elastic band that fits around the bottle lids and anchors to the vest that keeps the water bottles from bouncing out of their pockets. At some point, the stitching for one of the anchors came undone and a bottle was left to bounce free. Manufacturing defect, I presume.-Front Pockets: My gripe with the front pockets is how they extend from the front to around the side, causing things to kind of bounce to the rear and settle directly below my armpits. I run with my elbows tucked in fairly close to my body, and I hate the feeling of stuff getting between my arms and my body. If you run with your elbows out, this may be less of a problem for you.

Good with a few drawbacks

One of the better running vests I've had. 12L is the perfect size for long days in the mountains, but can be used fine for short hot runs too.Pros: the tightening system is one of the more comfortable ones I've had, and is stable and keeps the back from bouncing around. Ample pocket space. I can fit first aid necessities, water filter, snacks, a puffy + packable wind layer, gloves and at least 2L of water at the same time. I actually find the fit as a woman a bit more comfortable than the lady specific version Salomon makes. This fits at the natural waist whereas the women's one sits more around the chest.Cons: The hydration reservoir sleeve is really narrow. Wait...it's almost like they made this pack only compatible with the Salomon reservoirs, SMH. That said, ... MoreOne of the better running vests I've had. 12L is the perfect size for long days in the mountains, but can be used fine for short hot runs too.Pros: the tightening system is one of the more comfortable ones I've had, and is stable and keeps the back from bouncing around. Ample pocket space. I can fit first aid necessities, water filter, snacks, a puffy + packable wind layer, gloves and at least 2L of water at the same time. I actually find the fit as a woman a bit more comfortable than the lady specific version Salomon makes. This fits at the natural waist whereas the women's one sits more around the chest.Cons: The hydration reservoir sleeve is really narrow. Wait...it's almost like they made this pack only compatible with the Salomon reservoirs, SMH. That said, I can squeeze a 1.5L Osprey bladder in here it's just not an easy maneuver and I'll probably figure out something else for races in the future but it's fine for not time constraint situations.Also I find the straps for the poles inconvenient. They fall on the back but it's just not easy to pack and store the poles when you're moving onto the back and they fall out easily without taking the time to synch the cords right. It's just not handy and easy to use.

Great Weight Distribution

Well Built Vest. I've worn this vest for several hundred miles and the large fit me well and I wear a size 42 jacket. I like the adjustability and weight is distributed well. There's a liner in the bladder area I removed so that my body heat would not be retained as much. I use the 0.5L soft bottles in the front and love the accessibility. The spout is reachable without removing the bottles. Also, I like the stretchy cargo areas that are easy to use and hold a ton. Food, phone, TP, etc.

Great pack, awful tasting & probably toxic bottles

The large model fit well as a 6'1 175 lb male. Worked very well as a daypack for an 8 mile hike with an extra water bladder and mess kit. Comfortable straps/backing and easy stretchy compartment for stuffing a light windbreaker. The mesh is susceptible to rain but the pack works well enough that I would be glad to use it as a go-to daypack. The bottles are another story. Their label says 55% polyurethane, 35% polyoxymethylene, and 10% silicone. Despite cleaning with soap, they produce such a foul taste that it's difficult to choke the water down. Seriously it was like 10x as strong as the taste of garden hose water and not in a fun way. This taste is really unwelcome when you're strained on a hike and next to crystal clear streamwater. I honestly wanted to just ... MoreThe large model fit well as a 6'1 175 lb male. Worked very well as a daypack for an 8 mile hike with an extra water bladder and mess kit. Comfortable straps/backing and easy stretchy compartment for stuffing a light windbreaker. The mesh is susceptible to rain but the pack works well enough that I would be glad to use it as a go-to daypack. The bottles are another story. Their label says 55% polyurethane, 35% polyoxymethylene, and 10% silicone. Despite cleaning with soap, they produce such a foul taste that it's difficult to choke the water down. Seriously it was like 10x as strong as the taste of garden hose water and not in a fun way. This taste is really unwelcome when you're strained on a hike and next to crystal clear streamwater. I honestly wanted to just tough it out but gave in and was pretty unhappy about it. I looked up these chemical components and I'm not sure if it's the chemicals themselves or the quality of this particular manufacturer. I've used polyurethane & polyethylene Platypus brand bladders and those actually have a no taste guarantee. I suspect this particular bottle material was chosen to fit snugly against the body and be durable, and perhaps the price, but the tradeoff is not worth it and in my opinion makes the whole package unusable. If I can't find suitable 500ml replacement bottles I plan to return the pack, even though the pack itself I think is really great. The only improvement I can imagine so far would be including a little compartment and waterproof cover as I've seen on some Osprey packs.

Not sure about it yet

So I typically trail run 5-10 miles a day. This bag is prefect for this! Super comfortable with the 2 soft flasks filled. The stretchy straps allow this bag to breath with you and I barely know I’m even wearing a vest!. Plenty of storage!However I went in my first 21 mile 3,000 foot run yesterday with a 2L bladder in the back, and the 2 flasks filled in the front. I felt the weight pretty bad on my back and shoulders. Maybe I just need to get used to it as I am no long distance runner, but a day later and my upper body is more sore than my legs.

Pretty fantastic!

Overall this is a fantastic vest! I'm an ultrarunner and purchased this because I needed something bigger for long, remote mountain runs. It's super comfortable, although it does get hot compared to other vests I've worn and your sweat stains totally show (easy to wash though). The nice thing is that I can wear it with no shirt on and it doesn't chafe. No issues with bouncing or chafing, even during a recent 50-miler that got pretty hot during the day. There are a ton of pockets, maybe even an overwhelming number of pockets that makes it hard for me to find things! Just need to figure out a good, consistent system that works for you.My only complaint is that the bladder compartment is pretty small and it can be hard to get your bladder in and out if it's not a ... MoreOverall this is a fantastic vest! I'm an ultrarunner and purchased this because I needed something bigger for long, remote mountain runs. It's super comfortable, although it does get hot compared to other vests I've worn and your sweat stains totally show (easy to wash though). The nice thing is that I can wear it with no shirt on and it doesn't chafe. No issues with bouncing or chafing, even during a recent 50-miler that got pretty hot during the day. There are a ton of pockets, maybe even an overwhelming number of pockets that makes it hard for me to find things! Just need to figure out a good, consistent system that works for you.My only complaint is that the bladder compartment is pretty small and it can be hard to get your bladder in and out if it's not a long skinny shape. I have to use a specific one with this vest. Sometimes I struggle with getting full bottles back in, too.Overall a great comfy vest that fits a ton of stuff!

Replaced all of my smaller packs

This vest has replaced all of my other smaller backpacks for everything from running/trail running, to normal day hikes, to sport climbing (in addition to a rope bag) to even a day bag for traveling or a technical fashion piece for shopping in the city as weird as that sounds. It’s so comfortable the water bottles are just as accessible as a straw. The added cordage on the back is easy to strap a puffy to for alpine runs. It’s got enough storage space for food for longer hikes too. My only downside to this bag is how hot it gets if you’re at a lower elevation, running for a long time, or in the sun. Running on snow in wind it’s a great amount of coverage. I usually throw my water filter in the bag for really long hikes and it just occurred to me that it may be the ... MoreThis vest has replaced all of my other smaller backpacks for everything from running/trail running, to normal day hikes, to sport climbing (in addition to a rope bag) to even a day bag for traveling or a technical fashion piece for shopping in the city as weird as that sounds. It’s so comfortable the water bottles are just as accessible as a straw. The added cordage on the back is easy to strap a puffy to for alpine runs. It’s got enough storage space for food for longer hikes too. My only downside to this bag is how hot it gets if you’re at a lower elevation, running for a long time, or in the sun. Running on snow in wind it’s a great amount of coverage. I usually throw my water filter in the bag for really long hikes and it just occurred to me that it may be the right size and thread to fit the bottles provided which would be cool.

Simply the best!

Can't go wrong with Salomon. I'm a small chested woman, and previously had a Nathan vest but could never get the front tightened enough with the two clips. I love the criss-cross design of Salomon's vests. I can easily adjust it while I run while my flasks gradually empty out, so it's always snug and never bounces around, all while being very breathable.I also went ahead and purchased the optional add-on 1.5L bladder for the back, which has been a lifesaver on my long runs this summer. I was able to cover over 10 miles before needing to refill in 105F degree weather.