The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 ($160) is a frequently-seen hydration pack at any path race and ultramarathon, and after placing it to the check over many miles and a few years, we agree that its status is nicely earned. In reality, we love this pack a lot that we named it one of the best large-capacity hydration pack in our Finest Hydration Packs information.
This pack is a little bit of a Swiss Military knife in relation to its options. It has a low sufficient profile that it sits comfortably when empty however expands to carry sufficient gear for all-day adventures. This flexibility makes it an incredible selection for path runners and ultrarunners who need to put money into one pack that can go the gap and work simply as nicely throughout a shorter or well-supported race because it does on a day-long jaunt into the mountains.
Salomon’s sensifit development creates a comfortable match that hugs the physique with out feeling too constrictive through the use of supplies which are breathable and stretchy. The 12-liter capability consists of 11 totally different pockets. The pack can maintain three liters of fluids with two 500-milliliter smooth flasks in entrance and a bladder within the again. We suggest utilizing the Salomon bladder if you wish to go in that path or experimenting with the bladders you have already got available.
The pack is available in each unisex and ladies’s-specific sizing, becoming chest sizes from 23 to 45 inches.
With a listed weight of 367 grams with the included smooth flasks, the pack is impressively gentle, given its capability. From a supported 50-kilometer race to a 12-hour solo mountain run, this pack could have you coated with out weighing you down.
Store the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Unisex Working VestStore the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Ladies’s Working Vest
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12. All pictures: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Development and Match
The Sensifit development of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 places stretch supplies in key areas to permit for a really safe match with out the pack feeling overly tight or constrictive. The mix of the stretch materials panels and the adjustable elastic twine chest closure permits for full chest enlargement when respiration and makes it straightforward to tighten and loosen the vest on the fly to accommodate modifications in gear and fluid hundreds, retaining all the pieces safe with no bounce.
The pack wraps across the physique in a real vest-like vogue, and the one adjustment level is the elastic chest cords. This M-shaped twine has quick-link clips with one pull-through bungee adjustment to tighten and loosen all the pieces shortly and simply. I’ve discovered this method to be extraordinarily comfy and permits for full chest enlargement with out feeling overly tight. The one adjustment level makes it easy to make small changes as you add or subtract gear, meals, and water. I actually appreciated this within the later phases of lengthy occasions when my mind and fingers had been drained and clumsy. The twine attachment clips are straightforward to make use of with chilly fingers.
The pocket materials is a stretchy mesh that lays flat in opposition to the physique when empty however expands to suit a powerful quantity of drugs. The listed capability of this pack is 12 liters, however I’d enterprise to guess that the true capability is a couple of liters extra. It appears like it could possibly carry far more than a few of the different similarly-sized packs we’ve examined through the years. The mesh lining is comfy and wicks sweat nicely, although I discover it a little bit scratchy immediately in opposition to the pores and skin and like to have a shirt on beneath it. There’s a nylon internal panel between the hydration bladder sleeve and the principle pocket designed to guard in opposition to moisture. Sadly, it additionally tends to entice warmth and improve sweating fairly a bit. This was one of many solely gripes we had in regards to the pack.
The pack is available in unisex and ladies’s-specific suits and presents sizing from XXS to XL. The ladies’s model has distinct design variations and a a lot totally different match. The ladies’s-specific model options shorter, wider flasks that sit decrease on the chest and makes use of consuming straws. The straws are fairly lengthy however could be trimmed right down to your ideally suited size. The pack sizing relies on the measurement across the largest level of the chest, with the ladies’s-specific match starting from 23 to 40 inches and the unisex match starting from 32 to 45 inches. There’s a good quantity of sizing overlap between the variations, so it’s actually as much as private choice which one you select. I personally favor the unisex match as I just like the smooth flasks driving a little bit increased up, and I don’t actually like utilizing flasks with straws.
The twine system for the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Storage and Hydration Choices
This pack has 11 pockets unfold between the entrance and the again for a pleasant steadiness of safe storage and easy-to-access areas. The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 pocket setup is taken into account best-in-class by the crew at iRunFar, largely due to the various stretchy compartments that broaden impressively to stash gear on the fly.
The entrance of the pack options two stretch mesh sleeves designed to carry the included 500-milliliter smooth flasks. On the unisex model, these pockets are longer and thinner, and it may be a little bit difficult to get the flask again into them whereas carrying the pack, particularly with gadgets within the overlying stuff pockets. The ladies’s match has shorter, wider flask pockets to accommodate the straw flasks that sit under the chest.
Overlying the flask pockets are two giant stretchy stuff pockets that may match a powerful quantity of small gadgets. I normally use them to carry gels or chews or a pair of gloves or buff in cooler climate. There are additionally two zipper pockets on the stuff pockets which are sufficiently big to suit a standard-sized iPhone, in addition to different small gadgets you may need to preserve safe and simply accessible. Rounding out the entrance storage are two small stretch mesh pockets on the highest of the shoulder straps, one in all which features a key clip. There’s an connected whistle that tucks away into the highest mesh pockets.
One of many entrance zip pockets on the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
The rear of the pack has a hydration bladder sleeve that sits in opposition to your again. A hydration bladder is just not included with the pack, nevertheless it does include a detachable thermal insulated sleeve that may match a 1.5-liter bladder. In the event you aren’t utilizing a hydration bladder, we suggest eradicating this sleeve each to avoid wasting weight and to extend the pack’s breathability in your again.
There’s a giant zippered pocket on the again of the pack that stretches impressively to suit gear. It has two compression cords that lock it down to enhance stability when loaded up. To be sincere, we’ve nearly by no means used these compression cords until we had been carrying some kind of odd-shaped heavy merchandise that bounced whereas operating. The stretchy softshell compartment materials alone held nearly all the pieces we’ve positioned on this pocket in place over tons of of makes use of of this pack.
Behind the principle compartment are two extra compartments close to the highest of the pack that dexterous of us can entry whereas carrying the pack. These are perfect for stuffing further clothes gadgets like a hat or jacket when not in use. Certainly one of these compartments holds a hydration bladder for those who select to hold one. There’s a stretchy pass-through pocket throughout the low again that’s straightforward to achieve with the vest on that may be a good spot to retailer a lightweight jacket or some greater snacks.
The pack comes with two 500-milliliter smooth flasks that sit within the entrance pockets on both aspect of the chest straps. For the unisex model, Salomon’s flasks are longer and thinner than some others, which might make them a little bit tougher to get again of their pockets as soon as taken out. Having gadgets within the entrance stuff pockets that overlay the flask sleeves makes this even trickier, nevertheless it does appear to get a little bit simpler with repeated use. A standard grievance amongst customers of the ladies’s model was that the openings on the flasks are a lot smaller than those on the unisex ones, which makes it tough to get electrolyte powders into them and clear them after use.
The rear of the pack can accommodate as much as a 2-liter bladder, although a 1.5-liter bladder appears to suit greatest. One tester discovered a 2-liter bladder she already owned labored superb if it wasn’t totally full, so we advise experimenting with no matter bladders you have got at residence on this pack earlier than dashing out and shopping for one. A hydration bladder isn’t included, so this can be an additional price on high of an already pretty dear pack. That is one thing to remember when looking for any pack, as most embrace smooth flasks or a bladder, however not normally each. This pack comes with a pleasant insulated sleeve that holds a hydration bladder, which is nice in each cold and hot climate to assist keep water temperature.
This aspect mesh panel is a part of the pass-through again pocket throughout the decrease again on the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 General Impressions
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 is a well-liked pack, and for excellent motive. At $160, it’s not an inexpensive piece of drugs, however its versatility and match make it a stable funding that can be utilized for a lot of sorts of races, coaching, and journey runs.
Members of the iRunFar crew have had this pack for a number of years and used it on tons of of runs. It has additionally been by no less than two dozen washes, and the pack is sustaining itself very nicely. We’ve had one soft-flask sleeve seam tear, nevertheless it was straightforward to restore with a fast, five-minute sew.
We love the stretchy supplies, easy-to-reach pockets, and snug-yet-comfortable match of Salomon’s Adv Pores and skin line and don’t have any qualms about utilizing this pack for all the pieces from a two-hour run from residence to a mountainous 100 miler. In case you are in search of one pack to put money into for all your adventures or need a comfy and expandable giant pack for lengthy days on the path, look no additional than this one, which we named one of the best large-capacity hydration pack in our Finest Hydration Packs information.
Store the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Unisex Working VestStore the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Ladies’s Working Vest
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A again view of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
