Salomon Advanced Skin 12 Review: A Refined Update to a Favorite Hydration Vest

Introduction

The Salomon Advanced Skin 12 has been a go-to hydration vest for many trail runners, and the latest version arrives as a subtle update rather than a full overhaul. That is a good thing, because the previous model already had a well-earned reputation. After testing the new version, including on a hot multi-day traverse, the short answer is that Salomon has managed to make a great running vest even better.

Who This Vest Is For

The Advanced Skin 12 is a running vest designed to fit and feel like a piece of clothing rather than a bulky backpack. It comes in five sizes from extra small to extra large, and the “12” refers to 12 liters of storage spread across cleverly placed pockets on the front and back. It suits anyone from a 10K trail runner to someone tackling 100-mile ultras who needs accessible storage and comfortable hydration on the move.

At 293 grams, it is light on the shoulders, and the fit is snug and precise. A tester around six foot one with a 38 to 40 inch chest found a medium to fit just right, though it is always worth checking the official sizing chart before ordering.

Main Strengths

The strongest change is the construction. The new materials feel thinner and lighter, and the vest is noticeably more breathable, which was clear when running on a hot day. It also fits well straight out of the bag with no unwanted movement.

Salomon has added an extra stretchy stuff pocket at the top of the back, giving another handy spot for a waterproof jacket you can grab quickly if the weather turns. The main zipped back compartment remains generous, ideal for mandatory race kit such as waterproof trousers, a survival bag, a warm base layer, or a first aid kit. The outer coating is water repellent rather than fully waterproof, so a dry bag for essential kit is still recommended. A clever bungee system lets you cinch down the main compartment when it is not full, and a large lower-back stuff pocket runs under the main compartment for easy access to a jacket from either side.

Front Storage and Hydration

The front layout carries over largely unchanged, which is no complaint: it was already well thought out. You get two large stuff pockets for nutrition, gloves, a buff, or a head torch, plus two good-sized zip pockets that double the accessible storage. The handy rubbish bag on the right side is back too, keeping sticky gel wrappers away from the rest of the pack.

The vest ships with two 500ml soft flasks with wider openings, making it easier to drop in electrolyte tablets or mix a drink compared with older narrow-neck bottles. These are not the firmer-based speed flasks, which is welcome news for anyone who has experienced rib cage irritation on longer runs. Small bungee cords clip over the top of each bottle so they do not slip down as they empty. Two small top pockets hold odds and ends like salt tablets, one housing an included emergency whistle, though neither is especially secure for valuables.

For hydration style, front bottles remain the practical choice: easier to monitor fluid intake, simpler to refill at checkpoints, and easy to mix water in one flask and electrolyte in the other. A bladder can still be carried in a dedicated rear compartment with a nice insulated sleeve to keep water cool, and it is one of the better bladder setups around because you do not have to empty the main pocket to reach it.

Fit, Comfort, and Breathability

Salomon’s Sensifit technology gives a snug, precise fit with high comfort and stability, and it cuts down the chances of chafing on long runs. Internally, a honeycomb construction uses two thin mesh layers with a breathable foam insert between them, creating a small cavity between body and vest for increased airflow and improved breathability.

The elasticated sternum strap with quick-link adjustment clips in, pulls tight, and locks with a single toggle, and the clips move up and down the adjustment rails so the fit is fully customizable to your body shape.

Things to Consider Before Buying

With running poles increasingly popular, Salomon has added multiple carry options. The vest remains compatible with the Salomon custom quiver via two fabric loops on either side, and a customizable bungee and cord system lets you reposition straps to stow poles on the lower back or down the front. It may take a few minutes to figure out the configuration, but carrying poles on the front, within easy sight and reach, is now genuinely practical without stopping to remove the pack.

Two small caveats: the price has increased to £140 in the UK, up £15 from the previous version, and the included whistle is basic, fine for compliance but not something you would want to rely on in a genuine emergency. The two small top pockets are also not the most secure, so keep valuables elsewhere.

Buying Advice

If you already own the previous Advanced Skin 12, the lighter feel, better breathability, extra top pocket, and repositioned seam that makes the side pockets far easier to reach add up to a worthwhile refresh. If this would be your first hydration vest, it is a very safe choice: it handles any distance from 10K to 100 miles and above, fits comfortably out of the bag, and offers some of the most accessible storage in the category. Take good care of it and it should hold up as a solid long-term running investment.

Conclusion

Salomon set out to improve an already excellent vest, and it has pulled it off. The new Advanced Skin 12 is lighter, more breathable, better organized, and more versatile with poles, with only the higher price counting against it. For trail and ultra runners in the market for a do-everything hydration vest, it remains one of the best options available.