Salomon Adv Skin 12 Review

Salomon’s Adv Skin 12 has long been one of the most recognized running vests on the trail. Back in 2019, GearJunkie’s Sean McCoy lined up for the Leadville 100 with the vest strapped on.

One hundred miles later, he finished without a single hot spot or hint of chafing: high praise for a pack worn through one of the toughest ultras in North America. The vest stayed comfortable, stable, and useful over monstrous hours on some of Colorado’s burliest trails.

Six years later, McCoy still has that same pack in his gear closet, and it’s going strong — a rare claim for a piece of running gear that’s seen that much punishment. Each generation of this running vest has refined the details without altering the DNA that made it a hit: a close, body-hugging fit, intuitive access to hydration, and smart, durable organization.

Now, Salomon has released its latest update to the Adv Skin 12.

In short: The Salomon Adv Skin 12 ($165) continues its legacy by delivering a comfortable ride over big miles. The original vest debuted more than a decade ago, evolving from Salomon’s S/Lab line in 2012. The updated Advanced Skin 12 that McCoy tested at Leadville in 2019 cemented its status as a fan favorite. Now, the 2025 iteration brings thoughtful refinements: Salomon lightened the overall design, added a stiffer back-panel fabric to cut down on bounce, and enlarged the mesh perforations for better airflow.

I tested the women’s-specific version, which mirrors the unisex model’s updates but adds a more contoured chest and narrower shoulders for an even better fit. The result is a cooler, lighter, and more supportive evolution of one of trail running’s most trusted vests.

Salomon Adv Skin 12 Review (2025 Update)

The Adv Skin series first launched more than a decade ago, quickly becoming the vest you’d spot at trail races and ultras around the world. McCoy called the 2019 version one of the most comfortable and stable vests he’d ever worn, and that still holds true today.

While I didn’t toe the line at Leadville, I tested the new women’s-specific version over 2 months in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley and San Juan Range. I used it for everything from quick evening runs to big alpine days that pushed my mileage, vert, and carrying capacity.

Having logged plenty of miles in the older model, I noticed right away how this one felt lighter, cooler, and more stable, all while keeping the comfort and functionality that defined the line.

Fit and Stability

The Adv Skin 12 has always been defined by its fit, and that’s still where it outperforms nearly everything else on the market. McCoy praised the way the vest “hugs the torso evenly, eliminating bounce even when fully loaded.” I can confirm that’s still true, though Salomon has subtly tweaked the materials and shape to make it feel even better.

The new model’s Sensifit construction is slightly firmer but no less comfortable. It stretches just enough to move with your breathing and stride without ever feeling loose or floppy. I ran with full flasks and a puffy with snacks stashed in back, and the pack didn’t budge.

There’s none of that shoulder tug or shifting weight that plagues some competitors. And, bonus: none of the extra straps slapped at my arms while moving. It’s a small thing, but it matters.

The biggest change is the rear center panel. It’s now made from a stiffer, less stretchy fabric. That means you can’t overstuff it the way you could in the past, which is a change. But, it also means the load sits closer to your spine, and the back panel doesn’t sag when fully packed.

McCoy described his older version as “snug and bounce-free,” and the 2025 update feels even more locked in: smoother, more balanced, and better at distributing weight during long descents.

The unisex version still fits an impressively broad range of body types, while the women’s-specific model refines things further with a more contoured chest area and narrower shoulders. I tried the women’s version and appreciated the extra breathing room across the front harness.

Brilliantly Intuitive Storage

McCoy raved about the pocket layout in his original review, calling it “brilliantly intuitive” and noting how everything sat exactly where he needed it mid-race. That holds true, though Salomon tweaked a few things to make the updated pack even more efficient.

The two front flask sleeves are perfectly placed: low enough to stay stable and high enough to drink from on the move without breaking your neck. Beneath those are stretch mesh pockets that easily swallow gels, electrolyte packets, or a phone.

The front zip pockets are still there for keys or smaller valuables, but Salomon moved the key clip from the front strap to the main rear compartment. Personally, I love this small change since it is less likely you’ll lose your car keys while running.

The rear pass-through pocket (the “kangaroo pouch” that allows you to grab a jacket or snack from either side) is now slightly smaller and angled. At first, I worried it would be harder to use, but in practice, it’s the opposite. I can reach in more easily without contorting my shoulders, even with some non-flexible joints.

McCoy noted in 2019 that the rear storage “made accessing gear mid-race simple,” but I’d argue this redesign is even better for on-the-go access.

Salomon also cleaned up the rear zip pocket, which still fits a bladder or rolled-up jacket but now feels a bit more secure thanks to that new, stiffer material. It doesn’t bulge or flop around when filled, especially on long downhills when everything feels tighter and less jostly.

Breathability and Weight(lessness)

McCoy tested his original pack in the heat of Colorado’s high-altitude summer, running the Leadville 100 in full sun and noting how “the vest stayed surprisingly comfortable through the hottest miles.” Dare I say that Salomon managed to improve upon that?

For 2025, Salomon removed the inner nylon liner that once sat inside the bladder sleeve. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference. Air now moves more freely between your back and the pack, and the vest feels noticeably cooler and less sticky during sustained climbs. On long runs in Aspen, I found that moisture dried faster, even on a sweaty human such as myself.

This update also sheds around 50 g of weight, or just shy of 2 ounces (1.7 ounces, if we’re being precise). That’s not a lot of weight, and I don’t believe it’s directly noticeable when you’re holding both vests in your hands.

But when it’s on, the pack still feels light. It doesn’t weigh you down or cause shoulder cramps when your body begins to tire. Maybe it’s the placebo effect, but the redesigned Adv Skin 12 feels like even more of a featherweight than it did in the past.

Long-Term Durability

McCoy’s 2019 pack is the best durability test case. Six years later, his original Adv Skin is still running strong, and he notes that it is still his favorite. That kind of lifespan sets the bar high for this update.

The 2025 version uses a softer liner on the back panel and shoulder straps, along with mesh that has noticeably larger perforations. The softer feel is a comfort win, but the key durability question is whether that more open mesh can hold up to abrasion and tension.

After weeks of testing, I didn’t see fraying, stretching, or loose threads, even after scraping against sandstone and hauling a full load. The stitching around the flask sleeves and rear pocket held firm, and the new strap mesh didn’t pill or lose elasticity.

We both found the older mesh to be surprisingly durable, but the 2025 version takes a beating even better. In an admittedly extreme test, I had a mouse chew through one of the front pockets, but the tear hasn’t spread.

Between that and McCoy’s vest still alive after 6 years of heavy use, it’s safe to say Salomon nailed the blend of stretch and toughness. Sure, my pack has a small hole thanks to the mouse — but that’s just bad luck, not poor durability.

Room for Improvement

The biggest tradeoff with the new design is the stiffer rear panel. The less-stretchy material limits how much you can jam inside, especially if you’re used to treating the Adv Skin 12 like a bottomless pit (hi, it’s me). In the old version, you could stuff in an extra jacket, gloves, and a kitchen sink without much issue. Now you’ll need to be more intentional with how you pack.

The upside, of course, is that the shape holds better. The back doesn’t sag, the weight sloshes even less than before, and the load feels more stable overall. For me, that’s worth the trade. But if you routinely use your vest for fastpacking or heavy alpine missions, you might miss that extra give.

Final Thoughts

More than a decade after its debut, the Salomon Adv Skin 12 still sets the standard for running vests, and the 2025 update reminds us why. McCoy’s Leadville-tested pack proved its mettle over 100 miles of rough terrain. The fact that it’s still hanging in his gear closet 6 years later speaks volumes about its durability.

This new version feels like the natural evolution of that legacy: lighter, cooler, smarter, and even more stable. Bottom line: the best pack keeps getting better and better.

For trail runners, ultrarunners, and mountain adventurers alike, the Adv Skin 12 remains the one to beat.