SALOMON ADV SKIN 12 Hydration Vest Review

I've been a massive fan of the previous version of the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 hydration vest and it's been my go-to vest for a long time, so I wasn't sure how Salomon could improve on an already great vest but after testing is out for several weeks, here's my verdict. 

FEATURES

The Adv Skin 12 is a hydration running vest and it's been designed to feel more like a piece of clothing rather than a backpack. It comes in 5 sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL and it has 12l of storage volume that's made up of several cleverly placed pockets on the front and the rear of the vest.

REAR STORAGE

On the back of the vest you get the main zipped compartment which is perfect for stowing away the mandatory race day items that hopefully you're not going to need on the day (e.g., waterproof trousers, survival bag, warm base layer, first aid kit, etc.). It has a water repellent on the outer coating but it's not fully waterproof so I would always recommend to put your mandatory kit in a dry bag first.

Salomon have worked in a clever bungee system so you can reduce the volume of the main compartment when it's not needed.

On the lower back of the vest you get a large stuff pocket which runs right under the main compartment. It's really easy to access it using an opening from either side of the vest. I personally use it to store my waterproof jacket, however, this new version also has an additional pocket at the top of the vest - a stretchy stuff pocket which could be another great option to stow away your waterproof jacket for easy access.

For a safer night time running, the Salomon logo on the back of the vest is reflective.

FRONT STORAGE

The front of the vest has a very similar layout to the previous version and this is where you can keep all the things you might need to get to on your run (e.g., nutrition, gloves, multiwrap, headtorch, etc.).

The vest has two very big stuff pockets on either side of the front of the vest where you can fit loads of kit! 

I'm happy to see that Salomon have kept the really handy small rubbish pocket on the right hand side - I use it all the time and it prevents me from getting sticky empty gel sachets all over the vest.

On top of the large pockets, you also get 2 good size zipped pockets which pretty much doubles the storage volume on the front of the pack. They are perfect for storing the race day essentials for easy access as you're running along.

Moving up, you get the two pockets designed for Salomon soft flasks. The vest comes with two wide opening 500ml soft flasks which are more practical than the previous soft flasks because now it's easier to put in electrolyte tablets or powder. Inside the soft flask pockets you also get 2 little bungee cords to keep the soft flasks securely in place so they don't slip down the pocket as you drink fluid.

Moving up to the top of the vest you get two little side stuff pockets. They both house a bungee cord and the one on the left has an emergency whistle. I tend to use the little pockets to store my salt tablets; I wouldn't want to put anything valuable in them as they don't seem to be very secure.

On the front you also get the brilliant Quick Link adjustment system, so it's fully customisable to fit to your body shape and really easy to adjust while on the move.

HYDRATION SYSTEM

The vest has an insulated bladder sleeve and you can use the rear bladder compartment for hydration (you need to purchase the bladder separately as it doesn't come with the vest). I personally prefer the soft flask system on the front of the vest as I find it's easier to monitor how much fluid I'm actually drinking (or not drinking!) and it's easier to refill the bottles at checkpoints on race day.

COMFORT & FIT

When it comes down to the fit, Salomon have used their Sensifit™ technology that gives you a snug and very precise fit offering high levels of comfort and stability while you're running. It also cuts down on the opportunity of any chaffing and irritation, especially on a longer run.

On the inside of the back of the vest it has 2 very thin layers of mesh with a breathable foam insert between them. It creates a little cavity between your body and the vest which gives increased airflow and improved breathability.

CARRYING POLES

As well as having the option to carry a pole quiver, the new vest also has a few more new ways to carry your running poles. There are various straps and bungees placed on the vest that are fully customizable - you can take the bungees off and move them to different locations on the vest depending on where you want to carry the poles - on the lower back, on either side on the front or using a quiver. It took me a little while to figure the system out but here's a handy video from Salomon showing you how to do it.

CONCLUSION

Comparing to the previous version of this vest, the new vest feels a little bit lighter and more breathable. The extra stretchy stuff pocket on the top of the vest is a great addition - you can't have too many pockets, especially on race day when you need to fit in all the mandatory kit.

Salomon have moved the seam to the side openings of the lower back stuff pocket which makes it a lot easier to reach around and get into the side pockets. I didn't have an issue with this on the previous vest but now I feel it's a lot easier to access the pockets if you don't have a lot of flexibility in your shoulders.

I really like having the several options to carry the poles. I personally prefer to carry my poles on the front of the vest and it's great to have that option now.

So, have Salomon managed to make an already great vest even better? Absolutely! It's fitted really well straight out of the bag, it's super comfortable, doesn't move around, having the lighter construction makes it feel more breathable, and it has so many practical options when it comes to accessible storage. It really can handle any distance from 10k to 100+ miles.

If you are in the market for an update or if you're looking to purchase your first ever running hydration vest then I don't think you can go far wrong with the new Adv Skin 12. It's not cheap but if you take good care of it and look after it, it will be a great running investment.

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