I used to be excited to strive the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack. My first expertise with Salomon a number of years in the past was a working pack. Since then, I’ve tried a number of gadgets together with sneakers, gear, and extra. I’ve all the time appreciated their packs as a result of they actually preserve the runner in thoughts and don’t make them cumbersome and cumbersome.
Salomon hydration vests have all the time delivered when it comes to efficiency, and the ADV Pores and skin 5 is not any exception. As somebody who lives in a dry, sizzling local weather and logs loads of path miles, I’m all the time on the lookout for a vest that may carry what I would like with out bouncing in all places…particularly in the summertime. Enter the ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack: a smooth black and white model of their best-selling 5L vest, constructed for race days, mountain adventures, and something in between.
Earlier than attempting the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack, I had a couple of questions:
Is the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack snug? Sure, in actual fact, it’s really some of the snug packs I’ve tried. It actually does disappear off your again.
Is the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack for ultramarathons? I believe it’s possibility relying on how a lot stuff you need and the way lengthy the race is. You’d doubtless want a pack that may maintain extra for a 100K, however for a 50K it’s in all probability sufficient.
Can you utilize the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack for street working? Sure, I do assume it’s possibility for those who desire a backpack as a substitute of handheld or waist belt. (There isn’t any proper or unsuitable reply there, simply no matter feels good to you).
Now, learn an sincere evaluate of the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack.
Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack Fast Info
Finest for: Path working, marathon path races, runs as much as 60km
Quantity: 5 liters
Weight (vest solely): 203 g
Weight (with equipment): 281 g
Dimensions: 38 x 28 x 1 cm (L x W x D)
Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack Match and Consolation
One of many causes the ADV Pores and skin collection is so common is the match. You don’t have to fret about it bouncing round…which is big. Salomon calls it “Sensifit,” and whereas that appears like advertising and marketing lingo, it does precisely what it claims: hugs your torso with out feeling restrictive. The material is breathable and tender in opposition to the pores and skin, and even throughout lengthy runs within the desert warmth, I by no means felt prefer it was suffocating or inflicting further sweat buildup. I’ll sometimes get overheated with packs that really feel too heavy or cumbersome. A pair weeks in the past I ran in Las Vegas the place the beginning temp was 85 and I by no means overheated.
The adjustable sternum straps slide up and down so you’ll be able to fine-tune your match whether or not you’re layering up in cooler climate or working shirtless in the summertime. I’ve worn this with all the pieces from a sports activities bra to a light-weight shell, and it’s by no means shifted or chafed. Hooray for no chafing…which all the time my prime precedence in packs.
That is a type of “put it on and neglect it” vest and that’s precisely what you need in a working pack.
Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack Storage and Pockets
For a 5L vest, the ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack has quite a lot of pockets. You get:
Two entrance stretch pockets (every suits a 500 ml flask that’s included)
Two decrease entrance stash pockets (splendid for gels, salt capsules, or trash)
A safe zip pocket on the left chest (suits keys, ID, or a small diet bar)
A again kangaroo pocket (might be accessed from both facet…nice for gloves, hat, or an additional flask)
Predominant rear compartment (flat however stretches for layers or bigger gadgets like a light-weight jacket)
Considered one of my favourite options is the quick-stash functionality of the again pocket. It’s simple to succeed in behind mid-run and stuff in a pair of gloves or seize a gel. It’s not big, however it’s well-designed and doesn’t bounce when loaded correctly.
Is it sufficient house for a 50-mile extremely? Most likely not. However for races as much as 50km, marathon-distance path runs, or supported occasions, it’s fairly good. I’m not working greater than a few hours, so it has all the pieces I would like.
Hydration System
The Race Flag Pack model comes with two 500 ml Salomon tender flasks that sit excessive on the chest. The brand new flask design is barely shorter, which prevents them from flopping round as a lot when partially empty. I appreciated how simple it was to drink from them with out eradicating them from the pockets. All through the years, I’ve had points with packs the place bottles flop round or simply straight-up fall out throughout a run. The ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack doesn’t try this.
You additionally get a sleeve within the again that may accommodate a 1.5L hydration bladder (bought individually). Personally, I’m a bottles-over-bladder runner for shorter stuff, however it’s good to have the choice for longer adventures. My husband has used it a few instances for mountain biking with a bladder and has been fairly proud of it.
All the pieces stays in place. No sloshing, no bouncing. Simply fast entry to hydration whenever you want it.
Value:
At $145, the Salomon Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack shouldn’t be low-cost however it’s additionally not the most costly pack on the market…it’s proper within the center. It’s value it for those who’re on the lookout for a light-weight pack that disappears off your again.
Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack Conclusion
The ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack takes all the pieces that labored from earlier variations: light-weight really feel, sensible pocket placement, and safe match and provides some delicate upgrades that make an actual distinction on race day. However actually, it’s good for any shorter coaching run. It’s not an enormous overhaul, however that’s a part of what makes it nice: it’s a well-loved vest that simply retains getting higher.
In case you want a hydration vest that may deal with 2 to 4 hours of working with out weighing you down, this is likely one of the higher choices on the market. I don’t know why however I’m all the time stunned once I discover a pack that actually disappears off your again.
Who Ought to Purchase the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack
Path runners doing runs as much as 60km
Runners preferring bottles over a bladder however need the pliability for each
Anybody on the lookout for a minimal, bounce-free hydration pack
Who Ought to Not Purchase the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack
Runners who want greater than 5L of storage or plan to hold cumbersome gear
Minimalists who simply need a handheld or waist belt
Finances-conscious buyers (at full worth, it’s not the most affordable possibility on the market)
You should buy the Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Race Flag Pack right here and see all gear opinions right here.
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Questions for you:
What’s your favourite working pack?
Are you coaching for any path races?