Salomon  Advanced Skin 12 Set Hydration Vest

I have Nathan and Osprey products including the new VaporKrar12L vest (which is indeed super well thought out and handy--as you'll read, though, I've come to prefer the Salomon). I like each for its strengths, but had not found the perfect balance of features for my needs for self-supported training runs and longer events over 20 miles. I ran with a team member at a 22.5 mile event who was wearing the Salomon Advanced Skin and her input provided with my own try on put it high on my list, but I remained price shy. In planning a backcountry trip on which I planned to run trails solo, I needed room for safety items I don't regularly carry, including my inReach and canister of CounterAttack bear spray, along with survival blanket, rain gear, some extra protein bars and all the usual stuff. I couldn't comfortably fit it into my VaporKrar (which I otherwise love), where items like the bear spray and inReach would be immediately accessible for emergencies. The Advanced Skin 12 handles it all, with my iPhone and inReach riding comfortably and securely in the right dump pocket and the CounterAttack in a perfect cross-draw position nestled against the soft flask pocket in the left dump pocket--I can reverse that, but I prefer a right-handed cross draw and this works. I ran with both 17 oz. flasks and a 1.5L Osprey Hydraulic hydration pack in the back, inside the insulated carrier provided. It will accomodate a 2L pack, but I like the way the 1.5L rides in the insulated holder. Extra socks, LifeStraw, shell and rain trousers, safety blanket, whistle, Black Diamond Z trek poles, a couple of first aid items, head lamp, Gerber utility tool and protein bars, all rode perfectly, secure, tight, 100% comfortable. Zero rubbing, poking, chafing, imbalance, etc. I am 5'8", 165 lbs. with a 40" chest and at first I thought the M/L was too tight, but on further adjustment found it rides perfectly and fits like a glove. As the team runner I spoke to on the trail said, it really does fit like your own skin and you can readily forget it is there. When I grabbed it by the hanging strap or shoulders, it felt heavy in my hands--the load bearing design is so good, once on the weight fully loaded feels negligible. As I drew down fluids, the pack's expandable materials followed the contracting hydration pack and flasks to hold the items firmly in place without bouncing. I secured the Z poles with the provided strap on the top right shoulder and tucked the bottoms into one side of the kangaroo pocket--running 24 miles and 3400' vert never thinking about them when not deployed. The entire system effectively molds itself to your profile and moves with you--there is no sense of lateral or up and down movement or bounce while running. I can foresee hanging enough stuff off this vest, you may find points at which you are aware and/or can feel the items, but with the gear I had it was a pleasure to run in. I reached my right index finger back to the CounterAttack every mile or so, and it was always exactly where I'd put it ready to draw. Same, same when I reached for my iPhone or inReach. As much room as it seems to have, the external pouches all keep the gear where you put it. By contrast, if you choose to go light or remove items, the material in the external pockets elastically contracts back into a more compact streamlined position. I think the volume and load bearing capacity of this vest relative to fit and feel are unparalleled. I did not even use the zip pocket on the back. I have no doubt I can add some additional first aid, insulating top (My NanoPuff will stuff right in the main compartment) and Kammock with no issues. This is the first and only pack that's solved ALL my issues for the long trail runs. I do find, as others have commented, the soft flasks require extra care to replace in their pockets, but the benefit of their ability both to mold to the body and around gear placed in the dump pockets over the top of them, while collapsing down as you drink from them, far outweighs that minor issue. The design intent for those flasks, by the way, is that you'll stretch them up to drink from the valves without drawing them--the vest rides high. If an issue, fit it out with separately purchased Hydrapack soft flasks with extended bite valve straws cut to preferred length and you will never have to remove the flasks on the run. I continue to use and appreciate my FireBall and VaporKrar for local trails and longer road training where I want to carry a hydration pack, but the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 is my go to when carrying the extra safety and survival gear warranted on longer self-supported trail runs requires a larger volume vest. Approaches perfection IMO. Love. It.

Fit is always a matter of preference. What feels good for one person, might not for another. I felt the "XL" generally fit like a M/L. I thought perhaps it was just me and my build, however, a couple of days after receiving the vest I happened to see a YouTube review. The individual in the video was 5'9" and weighed 145 lbs. He purchased the M/L and wished he had purchased the XL. I understand the vest is designed to be snug and, again, fit is a preference, but this was just way too tight. The way the vest straps work was a pain. I couldn't imagine fiddling with them in the middle of the night after running for hours. The closure system on the ultra line appears to be much better. Lastly, the bottles. They leaked, badly. The mouth opening was also way too small.