How to Choose a Running Hydration Vest

Carry everything you need for long trail runs in this generously sized Salomon hydration vest. It has plenty of pockets and an adjustable fit for stable comfort. 2 soft flasks keep water handy.
Imported.
View all Salomon Running Hydration VestsBest Use | Trail Running |
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Gear Capacity (L) | 12 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 732 cubic inches |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Reservoir Included | No |
Bottle(s) Included | 2 bottles |
Liquid Capacity (L) | 1 liter |
Liquid Capacity (fl. oz.) | 33 fluid ounces |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 9 + main compartment |
Weight | 8.7 ounces |
Material(s) | Body: 84% polyamide/16% elastane; lining: 100% polyamide; body insert: 88% polyamide/12% elastane; back body: 100% polyester |
Fits Chest | XS: 33-36 inches S: 36-38 inches M: 38-41 inches L: 41-43 inches XL: 43-46 inches |
BPA Free | Yes |
Dimensions | 41 x 29 x 1 inches |
Gender | Unisex |
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I read all the negative reviews and also watched several you tube reviews before deciding to go for it. Not sorry I did! This vest is so comfortable and well-fitting, you don't even notice it. It will easily hold all my "just in case" gear that you need here in Appalachia. The pockets and fittings seem very high quality. The 500ml flasks are awesome. There are no instructions on how to fit a bladder but if you route the tube through the interior hole in the bottom (as designed), it comes out in the back pocket and you can weave it under the loops on the side and tuck it down the elastic loops on the front - flawless and comfortable. Love this vest. ...Yes, I wish it had the stow pocket on the top but they removed it to improve the construction. Not gonna quibble. It's a great vest.
Bought this pack to train and race my first 50K and it was awesome. It fits great and holds everything I needed. I added a bladder to the main compartment for unsupported long runs. I do wish it had a better system for a bladder hose, but this is a small quibble. I especially appreciate the bungies for attaching my trekking poles. With a little practice, was able to put them in and take them out without stopping.
I bought the Salomon Adv Skin 12 for my R2R2R Grand Canyon run/hike. It was my first experience using a pack while running, and I couldn’t imagine another better option exists. This pack was great. It had lots of pockets for storing nutrition, zipper options for important items like my phone and ID, and comes with flasks for staying hydrated. It is super versatile for comfort and attachments (bought the quiver for my trekking poles). Although I’m a female, I chose the male/unisex option because my shoulder build is more masculine. I’m excited to continue to use this pack for future adventures!
I've purchased two of these and they both been highly disappointing - Elastic band holding the front water bottle snapped at the drop of a hat. Totally worthless. On the other one, I had a zipper tear in the front pocket rendering the pocket useless. I average about 20 miles per week with this vest.
Hi, we are sorry to hear this happened to you. All our products come with a 2-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects. We're happy to reassure you that a case has been opened to address your worries, and we're looking forward to hearing from you. Check your inbox!
I bought the ADV Skin 12 eleven months ago. I wear it for almost every run and would buy another immediately if something happened to this one. It’s comfortable and does everything they say. The only suggestion I have is a clip on the strap that holds the hydration bladder, the disc that is there now can slip thru the bladder slot. My work around is to wrap the bladder string that secures the slide/seal a few times around the disc, so really no problem. I don’t feed the bladder tube thru the blue holes, it works for me just to run it out the top of the bladder pocket.
I have am adv skin 5 from about 5 years ago. Great pack but wanted to move up to a 12 for slightly more room in back. Ordered last year's 12l version, there's no smooth tape over seams around neck so just trying it on could feel I'd get chaffing. Then this new 2025 version releases, they'd smoothed the seams but they've removed the top pocket and the little trash bag and side pockets so they've completely ruined everything that was good about it. Salomon was the absolute best pack and now they've got rid of all the best bits that made it. Had to return both, just going to keep my old 5l version until they release a vest that's worth buying again.
Thank you very much for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. As we are constantly looking to upgrade our models, this may bring about slight modifications in pocket location. In this case, the new fit technology has brought about a relocation of our compartments to improve the ergonomic functionality of the vest. Your review will be passed to our quality department immediately.
Very frustrated with Salomon. They took an amazing pack and ruined it. They removed so many fundamentally useful functions. For example the quick stow section at the top of the pack that you could use for rain jackets or your wind breaker is gone. That was so useful! The other big change was the access point to the large back pocket. It has been moved was back making it much harder to use and reducing its overall volume. I never rate products but this is the one exception. Such a frustrating purchase.
This is my second ADV Skin 12 vest, and I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a new running vest. It has so many pockets for whatever you might need to carry: snacks, poles, baguettes, bagels, phone, keys, soft flasks, the list goes on and on. It's easy to adjust with the elastic cord over the sternum, and it feels good whether there are full water bottles or not, a half dozen bagels in the back pocket or not. Overall, awesome vest, would recommend to everyone. I've only owned this blue one for a week, but I've had the black one for over a year, and it is as good as new after many very long runs in heat and cold weather.
Put this best through its paces mountain trail running and canyoneering in Utah over 5 days. I felt like I discovered a new feature each day. Pockets galore. Fit snugly but comfortably and felt light even when toting a full 2.5 liter hydration bladder.
Over the years I have owned multiple editions of the Salomon Adv Skin and in my view it has been the single best line of running vests on the market until now. I'm sorry to report that the 2025 edition is a downgrade. It is missing some of the features of previous editions, but more importantly it is not the same quality. After briefly testing my new Adv Skin 12 on a couple of local short mileage runs, I took the vest on an adventure trail running trip to New Zealand where "Quick Link" system failed me 2 miles into a 35-mile single day run on the Milford Track. Salomon has cheapened the quality of the plastic retention clips on the receiving side of the Quick Link cord and unfortunately they are now prone to coming loose and being lost while unfastening/removing the vest. After inadvertently loosing one of the retaining clips into the forest, I was fortunately able to improvise and refasten the vest using the one reaming retaining clip to complete my run, but this is a mission critical flaw that potential users need to be aware of (and one that Salomon needs to address). I returned my vest to REI and will continue to use my older versions for the time being.