The verdict: Buy it if you race distances with mandatory kit lists, you want a vest that carries 12 litres without bouncing, and you are prepared to size it carefully rather than guessing. Skip it if your longest runs are under four hours, where a 5 litre vest carries everything you need and weighs less, or if you have a deep chest that Salomon's cut has historically not suited.
Salomon Advance Skin 12, 12 Litre Hydration Trail Running Vest, Black
~$181
A 12 litre trail running vest with more than ten pockets, two 500ml soft flasks included, reservoir compatibility and a 247g empty weight.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Capacity | 12 litres |
|---|---|
| Empty weight | 247 g, or 323 g including accessories |
| Pockets | More than ten, including two front flask pockets and two front stretch zipped pockets |
| Included hydration | Two 500 ml ULTRA soft flasks |
| Reservoir | Compartment takes a 2 litre reservoir, not included |
| Fit system | Sensifit wrap with a Y-shaped back construction |
| Extras | Trekking pole holder loops and a safety whistle |
| Approx. price | Around $181 |
Specifications above come from Salomon's published specifications for the Adv Skin 12. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Twelve litres is the capacity that clears most mandatory kit lists, including a waterproof, a spare layer, gloves, a headlamp and food, without cramming.
- The Y-shaped back construction spreads load across the shoulders rather than hanging it off the neck, which is what stops a loaded vest from sagging late in a race.
- Over ten pockets means you can put things where your hands go rather than where the pack allows, and the two front zipped stretch pockets are where the phone and the salt live.
- Two 500 ml flasks are included, which is around $40 of kit you do not have to buy separately.
- Pole loops and a whistle are built in, which quietly satisfies two more mandatory kit items.
Where it falls short
- Fit is everything with this vest and Salomon's sizing is not forgiving. Too large and it bounces, too small and the front straps dig. Measure your chest and read the size chart rather than ordering your shirt size.
- The included flasks sit high on the chest, which some runners find rubs on the collarbone with a heavy load. This is the most common chafing complaint on the Salomon vest line.
- A 2 litre reservoir is not included, so if you plan to run bladder rather than flasks that is another purchase.
- Twelve litres is more vest than most runners need. If your races are 50k and under, you will carry an empty back pocket for hours.
- White or light colours stain permanently with a single gel spill, which is trivial and also unavoidable.
- Mesh vests wear at the shoulder seams over hundreds of hours. Treat it as a consumable across several seasons rather than a lifetime purchase.
What owners report
Owner reports on the Adv Skin line have been consistent for years: when it fits, people describe forgetting it is there, and when it does not fit, they describe chafing at the collarbone or under the arm. There is very little middle ground, which is why so many reviews open with sizing advice. Pocket layout and the number of pockets draw near-universal praise, and the flasks that come in the box are usually mentioned as a genuine saving.
Durability reports are reasonable rather than outstanding. Mesh abrades and stitching at high-load points gets mentioned after heavy seasons. Nobody seems to complain about capacity, and a fair number of owners say they should have bought the smaller model for the racing they actually do, which is worth hearing before you spend.
Where it fits with the rest of your kit
The size question is the one to answer first, and race vest 5L vs 12L covers it directly. If you are still deciding whether to carry a vest at all, hydration vest vs handheld is the earlier question, and hydration bladder vs soft flasks settles how you carry the water once you have chosen. The whole field is in best running vests, with the Osprey Duro 15L and the Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6L as the nearest alternatives either side of it. How much you should actually carry is a number, not a feeling, so use the sweat rate calculator and the ultra fueling calculator to work it out, then the drop bag planner for what stays at the aid station.
Who it suits
- Hundred kilometre and hundred mile racers with mandatory kit lists.
- Runners on long unsupported days where twelve litres is genuinely used.
- Anyone who wants flasks and reservoir capability in one vest.
- Pole users, since the pole loops are usable while moving.
Who should skip it
- Runners whose longest efforts are under four hours, who should buy the 5 litre version and save the weight and the money.
- Anyone unwilling to measure and size properly, because a badly fitted vest of this type is genuinely uncomfortable.
- Runners who have chafed on Salomon's front strap layout before, since the cut across the line is broadly similar.
Alternatives worth considering
Salomon ADV Skin 5 Set (All Gender)
~$150
Around $30 less for the 5 litre version of the same vest, with the same fit system and flasks included. For anything up to about a 50k, this carries everything you need with less fabric and less weight. Most runners who buy the 12 would have been happier with this.
Check price on AmazonOsprey Duro 15L Men's Running Hydration Vest
~$165
Around $16 less and it includes a 2.5 litre reservoir rather than flasks, which the Salomon does not. Slightly larger at 15 litres and a little heavier. Buy it if you prefer drinking from a hose and want the reservoir in the box.
Check price on AmazonNathan Pinnacle Race Vest, 12L Hydration Pack with 1.6L Bladder
~$110
Around $70 less for the same 12 litre class with a 1.6 litre bladder included. The fit is less refined and the fabrics less pleasant over very long days, but for a first long-distance vest it saves real money and it does the job.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
What size Salomon Adv Skin 12 should I buy?
Measure your chest and use Salomon's size chart rather than assuming your usual clothing size. The vest should sit snug enough that a full 12 litre load does not shift when you run downhill, without the front straps pulling into your chest. If you are between sizes, most runners do better going down, because the sternum straps have adjustment range and a loose vest bounces. Try it loaded, not empty, before you commit.
Adv Skin 12 or Adv Skin 5: which do I need?
Count what your races actually require. If you have a mandatory kit list with a waterproof, spare layer, gloves and a headlamp, you want 12 litres. If your longest runs are under four hours with aid stations, the 5 litre version carries flasks, gels, a phone and a shell, and weighs less. Our race vest 5L versus 12L comparison walks through the capacity maths in detail.
Does the Salomon Adv Skin 12 come with a bladder?
No. It includes two 500 ml soft flasks for the front pockets, and it has a compartment that accepts a 2 litre reservoir which you buy separately. Many ultrarunners run flasks only, because they are easier to refill at an aid station and you can see how much you have left. If you prefer a hose, budget for the reservoir when you compare prices.
Why does my running vest chafe on my collarbone?
Usually because full flasks are riding high and the vest is slightly loose, so the flask edge moves against the same spot thousands of times. Fixes in order: tighten the sternum straps, move the flasks lower in their pockets, put the heavier items in the back rather than the front, and apply an anti-chafe balm before you start. If it still happens with a correctly sized vest, the cut is not right for your chest and no amount of adjustment fixes that.
How long does a running vest last?
With regular ultra use, expect a few seasons rather than a decade. Mesh abrades at the shoulders, elastic loses tension and stitching at high-load points is the usual first failure. Rinsing it after salty runs and drying it out of direct sun extends the life meaningfully. Treat a race vest as a consumable and inspect the shoulder seams before a big race rather than discovering a tear at mile forty.
Keep reading
- Race vest 5L vs 12L
- Hydration vest vs handheld
- Best running vests
- Osprey Duro 15L review
- Sweat rate calculator
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.