Brand: Salomon
Category: Backpacking Gear
Recommended by Casey Rowan, Trail & Ultra Runner — Bend, OR
Highlights: durable, warm
The Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest is your ultimate companion for long-distance trail running, offering a perfect blend of hydration and storage. Its innovative design ensures you stay comfortable and focused on your performance, no matter the terrain. 1. Spacious 12-liter capacity allows for efficient storage of hydration, snacks, and essential gear. 2. Customizable fit with an adjustable harness system to reduce bounce and enhance stability during movement. 3. Comes with two lightweight soft flasks, providing easy access to hydration without the bulk of traditional bottles. 4. Multiple strategically placed pockets for organized storage, ensuring quick access to your essentials on the go. 5. Constructed from breathable, moisture-wicking materials to keep you cool and comfortable during intense runs. 6. Reflective detailing enhances visibility in low-light conditions, making it ideal for early morning or evening adventures. 7. Unisex design accommodates various body types, ensuring a secure fit for both men and women. The Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest is designed for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts seeking efficient hydration and storage solutions during extended runs. It excels in diverse environments, from rugged trails to urban settings, making it suitable for athletes of all skill levels. Ideal for training sessions, races, or weekend adventures, this vest is versatile enough for year-round use, ensuring you remain prepared in any season or condition.
Price: $165
- Who it's for
- Runners tackling ultras from 50K to 200+ miles who need substantial storage without sacrificing a vest-like feel. Also suits long training runs, FKTs, and mountainous outings where mandatory gear and extra layers must be carried.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the secure, low-bounce fit, intuitive pocket layout, and durability across years of hard use. One note flags it runs slightly warmer than minimal vests due to the added coverage.
- Worth noting
- Sizing matters — at least one host flags this explicitly, and one petite host (5'2") confirms XS fits well. One host reports fitting a 3L reservoir despite the listed 2L capacity, a useful data point for long stretches between aid stations.
Casey Rowan's review
Big enough for a full day out with layers and a filter. My go-to for anything over six hours.
Recommended by Casey Rowan, Trail & Ultra Runner
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest for?
Runners tackling ultras from 50K to 200+ miles who need substantial storage without sacrificing a vest-like feel. Also suits long training runs, FKTs, and mountainous outings where mandatory gear and extra layers must be carried.
What do experts say about the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest?
Hosts consistently praise the secure, low-bounce fit, intuitive pocket layout, and durability across years of hard use. One note flags it runs slightly warmer than minimal vests due to the added coverage.
What should you know before buying the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest?
Sizing matters — at least one host flags this explicitly, and one petite host (5'2") confirms XS fits well. One host reports fitting a 3L reservoir despite the listed 2L capacity, a useful data point for long stretches between aid stations.
What does Casey Rowan say about the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest?
Big enough for a full day out with layers and a filter. My go-to for anything over six hours.
Why does Casey Rowan recommend Salomon?
Casey Rowan recommends the Salomon Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest for backpacking gear. Big enough for a full day out with layers and a filter. My go-to for anything over six hours.
Is the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest a good backpacking gear?
Yes — Casey Rowan recommends the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest by Salomon as their backpacking gear pick. Big enough for a full day out with layers and a filter. My go-to for anything over six hours.
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View Casey Rowan's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
18 experts recommend the Salomon Adv Skin 12 Hydration Vest.
Cody Poskin, Professional Ultrarunner and Hopeless Romantic
Solomon owns the pack game. Plenty of room in this guy for multiday races, but also perfect for a Sunday long run outing. Integrates perfectly with their quiver as well to store your poles.
Recommended in Broken Arrow 46K
Fits gear, calories, and two 500ml flasks or a reservoir for 6–12 hours of high-alpine mountain running.
Recommended in Mountain Running Carrying Systems
I use this for most hikes as well as trail races. It fits great on all frame types, many pockets, no chafing, my favorite! I'm 5'2" and XS fits great!
Recommended in Trail Race Kit
Steven Kornhaus, Content Creator & Running Coach
Running in the Salomon Adv Skin 12 is a great experience and one of the most comfortable vests I have worn. The better materials around the trim, the upgraded zippers and plastic pull pieces are to grab, the new rear stowaway inside compartment and key attachment are all really nice and welcomed improvements!
Recommended in No Business 100
Such a comfortable vest for those long adventures. You can easily fit a bladder and two flasks, plus all the things in the back pack area.
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
Jeffrey Hammond, Foot Doc, ultrarunner, cool dad.
After trying multiple hydration vests over the years, this is the one I keep coming back to. I've tested at least four other options, and every time I found myself reaching for the ADV Skin 12 instead. The fit is comfortable, the front pockets are intuitive and easy to access while moving, and the zipper storage makes it simple to organize nutrition, gear, and essentials during long runs. The rear storage compartment is surprisingly spacious and easily holds mandatory race gear, extra layers, and other supplies for long trail adventures. I was even able to comfortably use a 3L reservoir despite the listed 2L capacity, which was a huge advantage during long stretches between aid stations. Whether you're training for your first ultra or tackling a 200+ mile race, this vest has proven itself time and time again. For me, it's the gold standard for comfort, organization, and reliability on the trails.
Recommended in Accessories Galore: The Little Things That Matter
Ben Corwin, Hutkeeper and mountain adventurer
The ADV Skin 12 is a classic larger capacity trail running vest that carries a lot well while running, and remains true to "vest feel" versus carrying more like a small pack. Generous pockets for snacks, bear spray, flasks, and spare layers. Be sure to size properly.
Recommended in Teton Crest in a Day
Mike McCalley, Endurance Athlete | Entrepreneur | Speaker
Storage, easy to access, incredibly durable.
Recommended in My Go-To Gear
martin martinez, Ultra Trail Runner | | Real-World Gear Reviews & Mountain Enthusiast
This is my go-to running vest for long training sessions and ultra-distance races. What I like most is the fit: it adapts perfectly to my body whether it is fully loaded or almost empty, without compromising comfort. It is also extremely durable. The rear pocket, positioned behind my back, is particularly useful during races because it allows me to take out or put away my windbreaker without wasting time. After so many hours on the trails, this is the kind of vest I know I can rely on.
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
You'll forget you're wearing it.
Recommended in Trail Running Kit
This is the vest I will be using for UTMB! Holds all the required gear without weighing you down and you can still access everything while running
Recommended in ✨CCC✨
Hayden Burdge, Personal Trainer, Hiking Guide
This is my tried and true running vest. I have tried dozens of different vests and this product is the best fitting one by far! I always keep coming back to it.
Recommended in Cocodona 250
I have used this vest for 2 years, and used the ADV Skin 5 before that. This vest has the best fit for limited movement on the run, and enough room to carry all the things I need!
Recommended in 10 Products I Actually Use
Allen Au, Exceptional Amateur
When you want no compromises on storage, but are willing for a slightly hotter (due to heat) ride, this is it!
Recommended in 2026 - Trail Season Kit
Rachel Bambrick, Ultrarunning coach & community leader
My choice in pack for races 100 miles or less
Recommended in IMTUF 100
Kelly Mulvany, Endurance Sports Coach and Athlete!
Hands down, the best pack out there. I use the 12 and find I have plenty of room for all my gear without feeling too weighed down. This pack moves with my body; no bounce and very little chaffing.
Recommended in Must-Haves for Trail Runners!
Emily Keddie, Ultra/Mountain Runner and Coach
The pack I've worn for the most races and speed records, the ADV Skin 12 has enough capacity for a well-thought out supported 200 miler, while being comfortable for 50k to 100M distances. Enough storage without being excessive, well thought out pockets, and secure zipper compartments.
Recommended in Trail and Ultra Running
