The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12. All images: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Should you look across the begin line of practically any ultramarathon, particularly these with a big required gear checklist, you’re in all probability going to see lots of people carrying the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 ($165), and for good purpose. You’ll additionally discover iRunFar’s Editor-in-Chief, Meghan Hicks, becoming all the pieces she wants right into a earlier model of this vest for a three-day fastpack by the Italian Alps that concerned stays at refugios every evening. Along with taking this vest out on lengthy days, I continuously shove two delicate flasks and a windbreaker in and exit for regular on a regular basis coaching runs with it.
It’s a vest that may do all of it.
When Salomon up to date this vest, it wasn’t stunning to see that the modifications have been principally refinements as a substitute of main overhauls, as a result of why repair what isn’t damaged? This 12-liter vest has been a go-to selection for a lot of as a result of it comfortably carries loads of gear when wanted, however it wears equally effectively with only a set of flasks within the entrance pocket and a windbreaker within the again. In brief, it’s a fantastic do-it-all vest for many who don’t need a pack for each event.
Salomon dialed in lots of the main options of this vest within the earlier model, together with a pocket format that gives ample storage, quick access to gear, and group alternatives. For essentially the most half, the pockets are unchanged each on the entrance and the again of the brand new model of this vest. Its stretchy materials can nonetheless maintain all the pieces however the kitchen sink, and it seems like its precise capability exceeds 12 liters. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the earlier model of this vest in our 2023 Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 assessment. The pack is gentle, with an precise weight of 8.7 ounces (246 grams) for a dimension medium with out the 2 included Salomon 500-milliliter delicate flasks.
Whereas the bones of the vest have stayed principally the identical, Salomon has made upgrades in some key areas, together with the supplies, the pole attachment system, and the rear pass-through pocket. They’ve additionally modified just a few smaller issues, like shifting the important thing clip from the entrance shoulder into the primary pocket, eradicating the little baggie-thing that was within the aspect pocket that the iRunFar group might by no means discover a use for, and making small changes to bungee places.
This vest is available in each a unisex and ladies’s model, and I examined the unisex for this assessment. Previously, many feminine testers at iRunFar have most well-liked the unisex model, and it looks as if Salomon has modified up the brand new ladies’s model to extra carefully mirror the unisex by way of pocket placement and format.
The flexibility and performance of this vest have earned it a prime spot in our Finest Working Vests information.
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Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Building and Match
A entrance view of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
The match of the brand new Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 is actually the identical because the earlier model of the vest. The Sensifit development hugs the physique with out feeling overly constrictive.
One of many standout options concerning the match is that it doesn’t really feel like it’s worthwhile to have it overly tight by the chest space as a way to maintain it from bouncing. In truth, the small bungees over the sternum are skinny and stretchy sufficient that they will’t bodily be overtightened. The M-shaped entrance bungee system, which is product of a single strand, hooks onto two quick-link clips and adjusts with a single pull-through clip. Of all of the hydration vests I’ve tried, that is essentially the most seamless design I’ve used, and it avoids having to fiddle with small clips when fingers are drained and chilly. It’s equally as straightforward to unhook the bungees from the clips as it’s to hook them on.
Salomon upgraded the liner materials of the pack, each on the again of the pack and on the shoulder straps. The mesh materials on the again has a lot greater perforations than earlier than, growing its breathability. It’s additionally a bit softer than the earlier model, which is a plus because the older materials had a repute for being a bit scratchy, particularly if worn subsequent to the pores and skin. Salomon additionally removed the nylon inside panel within the bladder sleeve to extend the general breathability of the vest. Which means should you’re utilizing a bladder with this vest, it would solely have one layer of mesh between it and your pores and skin, so any liquid will warmth up quicker than earlier than. The inside materials mesh of the shoulder straps can also be totally different and as soon as once more delicate towards the pores and skin.
The again of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12, with poles within the up to date carry system.
The great thing about this vest is that it matches simply as effectively when it’s absolutely loaded down with a day’s value of meals and kit because it does if you’re simply going out for a few hours and have to take some water, diet, and possibly a jacket. Compression bungees on the aspect safe a great deal of any dimension and are straightforward to regulate with pull-through clips which can be accessible with the pack on.
Different optimistic modifications Salomon made to this vest embrace a key clip that’s now conveniently and safely tucked into the rear pocket as a substitute of on the entrance shoulder, a location that previous iRunFar testers didn’t like.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Storage and Hydration Choices
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 entrance pocket configuration, with hydration bottles.
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 can carry loads of stuff and is an ideal vest for all-day adventures the place you wish to carry additional layers, security gear, snacks, and loads of water. Its pocket format additionally makes it excellent for lengthy races the place you wish to have quick access to all the pieces whereas on the transfer. With 12 pockets, this vest has a spot for all the pieces.
The entrance of the vest has the standard format of two flask pockets, particularly sized for the included longer and narrower Salomon 500-milliliter delicate flasks. Two top-loading snack pockets overlay the flask pockets and are product of stretchy materials, to allow them to maintain so much even when the opposite pockets are full. Over prime of those are zippered pockets which can be sufficiently big to hold a telephone. I typically use considered one of these pockets as a everlasting house for my chapstick, sunscreen, and anti-chafe cream. In addition they simply match a Garmin inReach for extra distant backcountry adventures.
Two small pockets sit on the highest of the shoulders, which I suppose might match a gel or one thing comparable. Nonetheless, I don’t discover them sufficiently big or safe sufficient to be helpful for a lot.
The again of the vest is dominated by a big predominant pocket with a vertical zipper. The perimeters of this pocket have a good bit of stretch, whereas the primary again panel is much less stretchy. This leads to a pocket that may increase to carry loads of gear, however it doesn’t bulge weirdly with the extra structured again panel. Salomon added a small additional pocket inside the primary pocket to assist with group. It’s excellent for protecting a hat and gloves separate from the remainder of your gear within the pocket. It’s additionally the brand new location of the important thing clip.
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 has an ample and safe telephone pocket.
Behind this predominant pocket sits a bladder sleeve that simply matches a 1.5-liter bladder however will begrudgingly maintain a two-liter bladder as effectively. The hose comes out from the highest of the bladder pocket, and there’s a hose information on the appropriate shoulder strap to maintain it from bouncing round. One of many small modifications Salomon made to this vest is altering the clip used to maintain a bladder from slipping down into the pocket. The brand new clip is smaller and simpler to string by the highest of a bladder than the earlier model.
Like earlier than, the vest has a mesh pass-through pocket on the underside. Salomon made the perimeters of the pocket greater for simpler entry, and the center of it’s wider as effectively. The result’s a pocket that may maintain extra stuff, and that each one that stuff is simpler to succeed in with the pack nonetheless on. The pocket is sufficiently big to carry a windbreaker, gloves, and a hat, however it’s additionally safe sufficient to carry onto valuable snack cargo.
Lastly, Salomon additionally refined the pack’s pole-carrying system by altering the angle of the bungees and placing the adjustment level on the backside of the bungees as a substitute of the highest. Which means you tighten the straps by knocking down as a substitute of pulling up, a a lot simpler manner of doing issues. You may also connect considered one of Salomon’s quivers to this pack should you favor to hold poles that manner. As somebody with out the shoulder mobility to make use of quivers, I admire how straightforward and easy the built-in pole carrying system is. Should you favor to drag on the bungees upward and from the aspect, it’s straightforward to change their route as effectively.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 Total Impressions
Meghan Hicks match all the pieces she wanted for a three-day fastpack (with refugio stays) in a earlier model Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12.
It’s at all times a bit worrisome when a model updates a well-loved product, however the latest Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 addresses lots of the annoyances of the earlier model of the pack with out altering any of its good options. It was a fantastic pack earlier than, and it’s solely gotten higher.
The upgraded inside liner supplies repair potential pores and skin irritation points whereas staying breathable and stretchy. Pockets galore carry all the pieces, and the 12-liter capability is sufficiently big for practically any required gear checklist for an extremely. Salomon has lengthy set the usual with the pocket format and general high quality of this vest, they usually listened to runner suggestions to make small however worthwhile enhancements with this one.
If I have been to personal a single vest that would do all of it, this might be it. It really works for all the pieces from European fastpacks, the place evenings are spent at refugios that present bedding and all it’s important to carry is a sleeping bag liner, to all-day outings with additional layers, first-aid package, and copious quantities of meals, to ultras the place your load might fluctuate relying on the time of day or size of time between support stations.
There’s a purpose this vest has been a mainstay within the extremely world and our Finest Working Vests information for a very long time, and this latest replace signifies that it’s going to in all probability keep there for a very good whereas longer.
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