Salomon  S/LAB Adventure 20 Hydration Vest

Bottle loop ripped off within 25km of my first run using this vest. Given the price and an expectation of decent quality from S/Lab products this is just rubbish. Aside from the actual damage, the bottle pockets generally are a bit too big for the provided bottles, so even on the side that didn’t break, the bottle slips free of the loop when less than full, and falls into the pocket, but has the potential to bounce back out once it is free of the securing loop. The tensioning cords at the top are quite nice but there is nowhere to secure the excess, so they get in the way at the front. And there is nowhere decent to store poles, and no way of getting them stored without taking the bag off. I had high expectations, but it isn’t up to the job.

I bought the Adventure 20 for a 3 day trail run on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Japan. The 20L pack fit all that I needed for three days (although I stayed in inns, so no need of camping gear). I had about 10 pounds of clothes, food and drink each day, and the vest always felt comfortable. I don't have any rain so I can't comment on how water resistant it is, but I would always have my clothes wrapped in waterproof compression sacks.

I used this pack for a 220 mile non stop ultra marathon. I absolutely loved it, the access to your gear via the central rear zip is fantastic, especially in the middle of the night when exhausted it just makes your life easier. Great back side pouches for poles, doesn’t have the quiver attachment which is a shame. The front zipped pockets are not stretchy but the they feel huge. It’s a little heavier than my ADV skin 12 but the weight distribution in my opinion is far superior to anything I’ve used before, I even wore it on a red hot day with nothing underneath and received no chaffing. Love it.

I really like this vest but was dissatisfied with the fact that it fell apart my first run. Despite the elastic bottle loop unfastening I have enjoyed it so far. 10 miles with a couple thousand feet of climbing with down layers in my pack. Used all the pockets, too.

I was testing it for more than a month for different types of runs, including lots multi days runs in the mountains. I think this is one of the best vests with more volume on the market. Pockets are amazing, fit is good.

Salomon designers, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, start making smaller chest circumference packs again (xxs). There are so many petite women athletes who need good running vests (especially multi-day packs like this one). I love my SLab Ultra vest, but need something with more volume for fast packing. Can you all please make your packs in all sizes????

I’ve only run about 60km in this pack, but so far I absolutely love it. I find it fits very similar to my ADV Skin 12. It is made from a different material that isn’t stretchy, so I can’t say yet how that will hold up to long term abuse yet. It is a little pricey, but so far it seems like a worthwhile investment.

I’ve been waiting for this trail running pack for those longer distance runs. My only complaint is it’s a little tight in the chest. I got the largest size possible too which is disappointing…

I wore this for a very long ultra in the Alps for which there was lots of mandatory gear. Perfect volume volume and excellent fit. Storage is configured in a useful way.

Best pack/vest I’ve ever owned! Versatile and great for hiking or trail running. So well designed and practical. Highly recommend 👍🏼👍🏼