Salomon  Active Skin 8 Hydration Vest

I would give it a 3.5 of 5 starts. Love the ‘no slosh’ bladders and overall snug fit and various pockets / compartments to carry things. Bladders hold enough fluid for about a 10m run. Vest is overall a great design and I would recommend it to others. Some improvements: sizing chart is off. I have a 40” chest. Per the dimension guidance (foto #2) I ordered a Medium. However, the actual vest is very tight causing the bladders to be way off to the side (foto #1) making them hard to reach when running - I need to take both hands and pull the bladder towards my mouth to drink. Secondly, it’s pretty hard to get the elastic string inside the clasp. The clasp mouth should either be slightly wider, or have more of an angled bevel to help guide the string to its mouth. It takes about 3-4 tries to get the string inside the claps. Again, I do like the vest, but think these corrections would help.

I got this as a reward for meeting running goals this winter, and soon after buying it was in a car wreck in which I badly broke several ribs. This pack has been an absolute godsend in my recovery. I fill the included soft flasks with ice water, put soft ice packs in the reservoir sleeve and side pockets, and it supports and comforts my ribs with a gentle coolness. I will recover and take this pack on many adventures. I am 6'1” 200lbs, tried L and XL and found XL was perfection, with probably enough room to adjust down to my summer weight.

Felt I had to revise my review after returning the original vest and re-purchasing. Though it has the same name, Salomon has significantly upgraded various features of the vest, including the zipper that tore on my original. The zipper is now higher quality and operates more smoothly. They enlarged the enclosed pocket so now it can hold a big phone. They also redesigned the tube restraints on the shoulder strap to be more secure. I was a little nervous trading my gray version in for this "aloe" color, but it's still pretty close to gray and looks sharp. Thanks to REI for the warranty and to Salomon for the improvements.

I have loved this vest for 11 months. It fits so well that I wear it on most runs, even the short ones, because I can carry my phone, resistance bands, a first aid kit, and tote bags so conveniently. Hard paces are no problem. I usually use a bladder instead of the bottles, which is fine except for the indifferent drinking tube management. I wish the inside pocket zipped instead of just folding over, for more security. Finally, the reason for the 3 stars, is that while still under warranty, the outside key pocket zipper has separated from the fabric, so I'll be returning the whole pack (I had the same problem on a Salomon belt that used the same style zipper).

I bought my Salomon Active Skin 8 over a year ago and it is still going strong. I had to replace the bottles but that wasn’t a big deal and I have since added an Osprey 1.5L bladder. I recently loaded up the vest to use it in place of a hiking backpack and it was awesome! I managed to fit my Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket, a first aid kit, headlamp, snacks, beanie, tissues, Garmin InReach, Leatherman, keys, wallet, and the water bottle & bladder in it comfortably for a trail run/hike. The cinch works great, its hand washable and looks brand new every time, and I still believe the cinch closure & overall quality is superior to other brands’ offerings in this category. For the money you can’t go wrong with this vest.

I was concerned about the bouncy, but this was the perfect upgrade to my Osprey Dyna 1.5. The reservoir from my Osprey even works with this. The latching system for the reservoir is not the best, it does slip down, but I found that if I run my hose through it, it'll keep it secure enough. Since there's no place to put the mouthpiece I bought a magnetic clasp off Amazon and that has worked well so far. Spacious but doesn't have nearly as much pockets as I thought it would. I do love the chord cinching, though. It feels snug and secure without feeling like I'm suffocating when I try to take a deep breath.

I cannot express enough how much I love my Salomon Active Skin 8 Set running vest! From long trail runs to quick urban jogs, this vest has become an essential part of my gear. The lightweight design feels like a second skin, allowing for unrestricted movement and incredible breathability. The multiple pockets and compartments provide ample storage for hydration, nutrition, and essentials without feeling bulky. The adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit every time, minimizing bounce and maximizing comfort. Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or a casual jogger, the Salomon Active Skin 8 Set is a game-changer. Highly recommended!

I bought this vest in green on Sept 2 and have trained and run one 13 km race with it. I am 5'9" and bought the small. My advice is the snugger the better. I really like it and found it doesn't bounce when I'm running and stays in place. You can add a camelback if you are running long distances, but the two flasks it comes with are more than enough for my runs/training. I would recommend washing the flasks and nozzle thoroughly, as there is a lingering plastic taste when filling them just with water. I would highly recommend this vest.

This vest fits snug and doesnt bounce, shift, or rub. Holds plenty of gels and gear, the soft flasks are easy to drink from without removing. Came in handy on some 12-16 mile runs, I plan to bring this on my next marathon to reduce my reliance on chaotic aid stations.

I've been training with this recent purchase (F 31), and it's truly awesome, I bought the light blue one, size L. It feels like a light but functional hug that allows you to pack all the essentials for a long run (also short ones). There's room for the flasks, emergency kit, snacks, jackets, trekking poles, and more. Also, the flasks work really well — they’re easy to use during runs and simple to clean afterward. The whistle also works great. I'm really happy with this purchase and plan to use it for a very long time. If you are looking for a light and functional running vest, I would 100% recommend Active skin 8.