Salomon ADV Skin 5 Hydration Vest Review

Salomon holds a strong corner of the hydration vest market, landing at the top of our running vest reviews year after year. The ADV Skin 5 checks all the boxes, with accessible, easy-to-organize pockets, a comfortable fit, and a 5-liter capacity that holds water, trekking poles, snacks, and a spare layer. I've long been a fan of the 12-liter model, and this season is my first with the more streamlined 5. I'm happy to report the updated harness has a closer fit than previous ADV Skin packs, and the pockets are all easy to use and well placed. The pack doesn't breathe quite as well as others I've tested, but overall I'm impressed with the design, fit, and convenience, and use it during trail runs or hikes where I mostly need water and snacks. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best running hydration vests and packs.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Carrying Capacity
• Weight 
• Ventilation
• Pockets and Organization
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition
   

Performance

Comfort

The Salomon ADV Skin 5 is one of the most comfortable running packs I've worn, and it helps that the smaller capacity makes it hard to overload while keeping bouncing to a minimum. The carrying capacity is distributed fairly evenly through the front harness and back drop pockets, so it feels nicely balanced even on bumpy descents if you pack smart. The design is body-mapped, with cushioned mesh through the back, stretch material at connector points, and smoother material on the front harness. The wider mesh on the back has more airflow thanks to the larger surface area, and I'm very happy with the front material since I wear a tank top and have had abrasion issues with other packs with rougher front mesh—not so with the ADV Skin 5. 
 

The shoulder straps are ergonomic and snug without feeling constricting, which I was happy about, considering the ADV Skin 5 only comes in unisex sizing. They did update the SensiFit harness this year, with a deeper Y-shape that doesn't impede range of motion while still allowing the pack to be filled to capacity. It doesn't rub under my arms, and sits nicely on my upper back between my shoulders. The back collar does sit a little high, and I can feel the material rubbing against my neck on longer outings, but this hasn't been a big issue, especially compared to packs that sit too high for me, like Osprey's Duro LT. 
 

Carrying Capacity

With 5 liters of capacity, the ADV Skin 5 is an ideal running pack for moderate-length trail runs and shorter hikes where you just need water and snacks. Five liters might seem small, but I've found the overall design, storage placement, and stretchy mesh pockets make it feel larger. I carried my phone, the two soft flasks, a windbreaker, three gels, and two bars on a recent trail run, with room to spare. The hooked back drop pocket can hold a 2-liter reservoir (not included), and the front harness fits two 500-milliliter soft flasks (included), plus snacks and a phone. The smaller size means this won't be the best option for all-day outings or ultras with long stretches between aid stations, but you can always consider the ADV Skin 12 for a step up in capacity.
 

Weight 

The previous version of the Salomon ADV Skin 5 was on the heavier side at 8.8 ounces, but the newest version impressively drops the weight to a much more competitive 7.2 ounces. This is identical to the two-liter-larger men's Arc'teryx Norvan 7 (the women's version is only 5.8 oz.), and 0.5 ounces lighter than Salomon's own Sense Pro 6. Still, there are lighter options on the market, like the 6.2-ounce TNF Summit 5L Run Vest, though options like this will be much more minimalistic. The extra weight of the ADV Skin 5 reflects a slightly busier, bulkier build than the most streamlined options, and some people might consider it a bit overbuilt, even with the recent weight drop. The dense mesh and strong, abrasion-resistant materials help with durability, but this contributes to added weight. I don't personally notice an extra ounce in my running packs, but this could be a ding for true gram-counters.
 

Ventilation

Ventilation and temperature management fall a little short here, and I found myself sweating out under this pack even on moderate days. The ADV Skin 5 is more built up than the most streamlined vests, which contributes to trapping heat. And while the padded mesh back panel provides cushion and breathability, it's not quite as effective at dumping heat as the material on the Nathan Pinnacle Pro. The shoulder harness does have a smoother mesh that wicks sweat efficiently, and the deep incuts under the arms ensure my armpits never get boggy. 
 

Pockets and Hydration 

The ADV Skin 5 has a good number of options for both front and back storage, especially considering its small capacity. The slide-in front pockets are quite stretchy and have two openings (top and back), and I could fit bulkier snacks in here. These pockets also have additional elastic supports along the outside which help prevent items from falling out. There is one zippered front pocket that fits an iPhone 15 and extends around the side, but my concern here is keeping other valuables in the same pocket. When I pull my phone out, I'm liable to drop my car key or a credit card, so I'd love to see one more zippered pocket for anything I won't be accessing while on my run. Otherwise, the deep drop-pockets in the front hold the newly redesigned, tapered soft flasks, and they're held in place well with adjustable shock-cords. I've never had an issue with the flasks falling out or sliding down, and I love the new shape that helps me stash them quickly after refilling. 
 

My reservoir fit nicely into the back pocket, and the pack has an additional drop-pocket where you can fit a windbreaker. Finally, the stretch-mesh pass-through pocket on the back is great for additional layers. Salomon has also packed an impressive amount of external attachment points on the ADV Skin 5, ranging from more shock-cord loops above the flask pockets to several attachment options for trekking poles. You can also grab a trekking-pole Custom Quiver that's compatible with Salomon's vests, which is something I've been seeing in a lot of in video footage from recent multi-day races.
 

Build Quality and Durability

The ADV Skin 5 is made with a few different materials in a body-mapped design that optimizes comfort based on where the pack might contact your skin. The back of the pack has an updated Y-shaped design with strategic mesh along the sides for stretch, and an abrasion-resistant main pocket with a reflective logo. I haven't noticed any abrasion issues with the materials on the front or back, despite overgrown trails and a propensity for tossing the pack onto the ground during breaks. The mesh is stretchy but has enough strength in the fibers where I don't have any issues with snagging, and the stretch panels have 11% elastane—enough for stretch and shape retention without feeling constricting. 
 

Fit and Sizing

Salomon makes the ADV Skin 5 in five sizes, enough of a range to fit many straight-size body types. They do not offer this pack in a women's-specific model, but the unisex build has the updated harness that didn't feel too wide on my back, and the sizing is expansive enough where I don't feel like I'm making any fit compromises. I usually wear a women's medium/unisex small, and the small size vest fits me well. Salomon says to measure your chest diameter for the best fit, and the sternum straps make it easy to dial in from there. I have never experienced any range of motion issues or harness fit problems in this vest, but women looking for a more tailored fit (deeper S-curve straps and a narrower build) might prefer a women's-specific pack like the Nathan Pinnacle Breeze or Osprey Dyna 6. 
 

Other Versions of the Salomon ADV Skin 5

I tested the 5-liter version of the ADV Skin for this review, but it’s also available in a 12-liter version (8.7 oz.) for $165, which comes in a women's version as well (8.3 oz.). The women's has a narrower build and deeper shoulder harness curves to accommodate women-specific proportions. The 12-liter model also has dual zippered pockets on the front harness (as opposed to one zip pocket on the 5-liter) and a similar mesh pass-through pocket on the back. Otherwise, the two packs are fairly similar, save for a larger capacity in the back, which contributes to the additional liters. I use the ADV Skin 12 for all-day efforts when I need more food, a water filter, or when the weather calls for more layers. The packs fit and feel similar, though I do notice more bounce in the 12-liter when fully loaded since it has the same minimal elastic sternum strap closures. 
 

What We Like

• Thoughtfully designed with easy-access storage on the front and back.
• Newest design drops an impressive 1.6 ounces from the prior version. 
• Excellent fit and comfort with the redesigned harness, plus five size options.
• Minimal bounce, even filled to capacity with gear and water. 
• The 5-liter capacity is a perfect size for moderate trail runs, and can easily hold snacks, a phone, water, and a lightweight layer.

What We Don’t

• This pack isn't as breathable as others I've tested, and the back panel can feel sweaty. 
• The 5-liter version doesn't offer a women's-specific version like the 12-liter version does. 
• I'd love one more zippered pocket for cards and/or keys.
   

Comparison Table

*Editor's note: The listed weight is the base weight for the unisex or men's version, not including bladder or flasks. 
 

The Competition

The Salomon ADV Skin 5 is a versatile hydration vest that prioritizes a close fit and accessible, convenient pockets. The 5-liter capacity is perfect for trail runs where you don't need a lot of layers, and it holds a surprising amount for its size. It does feel a little more built up than other vests though, despite the recent drop in weight. For a more streamlined build, Salomon's own Active Skin 4 is a great bet. At $45 less than the ADV Skin, the Active Skin is an affordable option and it has similar pocket placement on the front harness. It lacks the ADV Skin's updated Y-shaped back, and the materials don't feel quite as premium, though I appreciate the addition of a rear zip pocket. The Active Skin 4 is also available in a women's version. 
 

For runners looking for a sleek, lightweight option, Nathan's Pinnacle 4L weighs just 6.1 ounces (without the bladder) and has a whopping 12 pockets. This is an excessive number of pockets for me, but people with a serious organization system will appreciate it. The Pinnacle has a similarly body-conforming fit to the ADV Skin, but the mapped mesh breathes well and feels more airy during hot runs. The downside to this pack is the hefty $200 price tag and the outdated-looking colorways. Otherwise it's a great option for gram counters and comes in a dedicated women's version as well. Lastly, Arc'teryx offers an incredibly sleek option with their 7.2-ounce Norvan 7, a smartly designed 7-liter pack that doesn't feel any larger than the others on this list. I reach for this pack when I don't need to carry a reservoir, as it's the only pack on this list that isn't compatible—the primary downside. However, I do love the two small hidden pockets (including one zippered) and the fact that it comes in a women's-specific model (which is only 5.8 oz.). 
Back to the Salomon ADV Skin 5 Review  See Our Running Hydration Vests Guide