Salomon Advanced Skin 12
So I’m currently using the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 as my primary running vest. To give you background I own the Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT and the Cotopaxi Veloz Hydration Pack 6L along with experience with some non-runner specific hydration packs from Source and Camelbak.
The SAS12 is my current preference, strong preference, for any supported run longer than an hour or two. The worksmanship in my particular model is good, (is it worth $175? that’s subjective) the feature set is good and the functionality is also good.
The fit is great for me although I’m at the edge of usability due to my #superclydesdale status. I have a 45″ chest and I have to loosen the chest straps almost all the way. I’m also 6″-4″ so verticallity is a little shy.
Honestly for me it needs to have about 2″ more width and height but I am pretty far outside the bell curve on both width and height for distance runners so I accept what I cannot change.
The kangaroo pockets in front and back are great, I wish my FKT had them.
The back pouch is okay, the FKT in my opinion has more storage options.
You know if I could get the webbing from the FKT and the kanagaroo pouches from the Salomon along with a bit more material I’d be far closer to having a perfect vest for me.
The chest pockets are decent, I’d prefer one of the ones on the left strap zipper closed or have a key ring hook. The one of the right should be moved up about 2 inches. Right now the pocket descends behind the water bottle and into the water bottle pouch. Makes it a bit of a pain to fish something out that’s small if you have a full bottle in the pouch.
The material is very smooth and comfy and the fit is very good. The first time I wore I took it out with 2 liter bladder and full bottles up front and the lack of felt bounce was wonderful. With a similar set up with my FKT I do have to occasionally adjust things as it rides up a bit on me over time.
The side pockets work better for me than the FKT, my Pixel 2 XL fits vertically in it just fine and keeps it close at hand.
Capacity is good, you can stuff a surprising amount of stuff in the vest.
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