The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5. All images: iRunFar/Annie Behrend
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 ($145) has been with me for the reason that starting, and I used to be excited to see an up to date model launched this 12 months (2025). Over a decade in the past, the Adv Pores and skin 5 was the very first operating vest I ever purchased, and I ran that authentic one into the bottom. Beginning out with a Salomon vest set the bar excessive for all different vests I’ve used by way of consolation, match, and performance. I’ve since run in a number of Salomon fashions, together with the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12, Salomon Adv Pores and skin 8, and the Salomon Sense Professional 10. Nonetheless, the Adv Pores and skin 5 has remained my go-to for the whole lot from coaching runs to races. Throughout my fall 100 miler, I rotated between this new mannequin and the earlier one, which you’ll examine in our 2022 Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 assessment, swapping them out at help stations to attenuate transition time. Whereas the newest updates could also be delicate, they’re thoughtfully executed, refining an already wonderful vest with enhancements that improve each utility and sturdiness.
Should you’re solely going to put money into one operating vest, the Adv Pores and skin lineup makes a robust case for itself via its sheer versatility. Its considerate storage structure, comfy match, and adaptable hydration choices make it equally at house on brief coaching runs and all-day efforts. Whereas Salomon’s lighter Sense sequence excels in minimalism and luxury, the Adv Pores and skin fashions can accommodate each twin entrance flasks and a full bladder — an possibility that considerably expands their vary and practicality for longer or self-supported adventures.
This vest continues to carry a spot in our Greatest Operating Vests information for its versatility and performance.
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Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 Building and Match
A aspect view of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5.
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 continues to ship the streamlined consolation that has lengthy outlined Salomon’s operating vests. The pack’s second-skin really feel stays its best power. It’s stretchy the place it must flex, steady the place it wants to carry, and breathable all through. The sensiFIT development wraps easily across the torso with a smooth, elastic mesh that adapts to motion and physique form, conserving bouncing to a minimal, even when the vest is packed full.
The mesh lining the entrance straps has a tighter weave than the previous mannequin, undoubtedly lending to improved sturdiness on this higher-friction space of the pack. The adjustable zig-zag elastic entrance buckle system seems the identical because the final era, and the elastic cords may be moved up and down every chest strap to customise the match. Moreover, the strain on the cords may be simply adjusted on the go, making a tighter or looser match. The vest feels safe with out feeling restrictive, one thing that Salomon has actually perfected throughout all of the fashions I’ve worn.
Just a few design refinements fine-tune how the vest carries and performs. Most notable is the brand new Y-shaped structure throughout the again panel, meant to enhance stability and steadiness the load inside the principle compartment. The result’s a barely extra even distribution of weight that helps the pack keep centered as you progress via uneven terrain. Weighed on my kitchen scale with out a bladder or smooth flasks, it has an precise weight of 6.88 ounces (195 grams) for a measurement small. The supplies are mild but resilient, they usually have a PFAS-free water-repellent end that sheds mild moisture. The general development underscores Salomon’s knack for marrying technical efficiency with consolation.
The Adv Pores and skin 5 is unisex in its sizing and doesn’t have a women-specific mannequin, a change from the earlier model of the vest. This pack is on the market from measurement XS to XL to fulfill the wants of a variety of physique sorts and sizes.
The again of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5.
The Salomon measurement charts suggests the unisex small is suitable with a chest measurement of 36 to 38 inches. With my present chest measurement of roughly 33 inches, I notice — on reflection — that blindly reverting to the pack measurement I used to put on was an oversight on my half. My first unisex Adv Pores and skin 5 pack from a decade in the past was a small, however as packs have developed over latest years, so has sizing. Diminishing chest measurement additionally simply appears to be a actuality of my present mother period. Use the sizing charts!
Because of the stretchy materials and front-adjustable cords, I can cinch the dimensions small down significantly and obtain a safe, comfy match. That mentioned, after my latest 100 miler, the course photographer did gently ask, “Have you ever ever thought of attempting a smaller pack?” Whereas motion will need to have been noticeable to onlookers, it by no means felt distracting to me, and I made it via coaching lengthy and racing onerous unscathed.
Chafing has been uncommon for me in Salomon packs, however on the few events it has occurred, it’s been alongside one aspect of my neck once I’ve carried only one flask and inconsistently loaded the entrance straps. This appears unbiased of pack measurement, because it has occurred in each the dimensions small Adv Pores and skin 5 and the dimensions additional small Sense Professional. When each flasks are loaded, I’ve had no points, and mates utilizing the identical vest report no chafing in any respect — so maybe it’s merely an occasional “me” situation.
Total, the Adv Pores and skin 5’s adaptable match and deliberate design proceed to make it some of the comfy and confidence inspiring vests I’ve worn.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 Storage and Hydration Choices
A have a look at the redesigned prime pockets of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5.
The Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 presents 5 liters of storage capability for all of the necessities you may wish to carry alongside. In comparison with the earlier model, the principle rear compartment has seen a couple of delicate design tweaks. The highest opening is barely smaller, which possible helps forestall gadgets like jackets from shimmying out. Salomon eliminated the shallow pocket close to the highest of the principle compartment, one thing I truly miss, as that pocket made it straightforward to seize small gadgets from the again with out eradicating the pack. In the meantime, the horizontal pass-through pocket on the base of the pack now has extra angled openings. This will likely barely scale back total capability in that zone, however it additionally makes accessing the pocket on the transfer simpler.
Up entrance, the small pockets on the prime of the straps have been redesigned and are actually way more practical than earlier than. The outdated model featured openings that ran alongside the whole interior edge, virtually inviting contents to flee mid-run, so I not often used them. The brand new iteration overlaps its material layers in a method that retains contents safe, and I may comfortably match a couple of gels or different small gadgets on all sides. The first storage pockets on the entrance stay largely unchanged. The zippered pocket on the left stays my go-to spot for valuables like keys, AirPods, or a bank card — something I completely don’t wish to lose. The remaining entrance storage is often filled with snacks.
For hydration, two included 500-milliliter smooth flasks match securely into the entrance pockets. The up to date flasks have a flattened higher edge that lies extra comfortably towards the chest, and small bungee loops maintain them upright as they empty, conserving them from slouching into the pockets. A bladder sleeve sits inside the principle rear compartment and simply accommodates 1.5 liters of fluid — although a bladder isn’t included with the vest. A small material loop on the left entrance strap helps route the hose, conserving it from bouncing round.
In apply, the updates make on-the-move entry smoother and maintain group intuitive, reinforcing why the Adv Pores and skin 5 stays my go-to coaching and racing vest.
Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 Total Impressions
The highest pocket of the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5.
It’s straightforward to see why the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 5 is billed because the model’s best-selling operating vest. The considerate steadiness of consolation, adaptability, and storage versatility makes it a reliable selection for a variety of efforts. The supplies really feel sturdy but forgiving, the on-the-move entry is easy, and the match may be dialed in to attenuate bounce and ship all-day consolation.
For these in search of extra storage capability, the Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 presents the identical match and performance with ample room for the necessary gear required in longer or extra self-supported occasions. For notably petite runners who might discover unisex sizing a problem, the ladies’s particular Adv Pores and skin 12 is price exploring, because it supplies a extra contoured match whereas sustaining the identical hallmark mix of consolation and utility that defines the sequence.
Salomon has set a excessive bar with the Adv Pores and skin 5, and, actually, with each operating pack I’ve examined from them. You possibly can load them up, head out the door, they usually merely disappear. They do their job properly, which is why this vest, and others from the model, may be present in our Greatest Operating Vests information.
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