******
- Verified Buyer
I am female 5'5" 127#, bought the SM/XS Vest for running in Metador/Black on 8/17/18 and paid $134.96 with taxes on Amazon. The design is so well thought out. I think this red is the 2017 version, but I don't think there were very many major differences between the years and I got to save a few bucks. I only wore it a couple of times and I am so impressed. The vest doesn't come with instructions, so there are a lot of things to figure out... good thing there are several good youtube videos that does a good job at describing all the little loops and purpose of each thing. For example, there is a bladder hole through the vest for either the bladder hose looping over the shoulder and down OR around the waist and looping upwards towards your chest. I chose this vest because of reviewers comments about how comfortable it is AND it is amazingly comfortable. If you have ran with anything from water bottle belts or hydration packs not made for running, there is definitely some discomfort between them. I didn't really want to buy an extra bag just for running but the other hydration bag not only rubbed at my neck but also on my back giving me a thin scab. Another thing that happened with my other hydration pack is that my shoulders would feel very tired at the end of the run. All these problems were eliminated with this vest. I agree with other reviewers that after awhile, you forget you have it on. You definitely feel a little bit of weight when you start out because of the 2x 500mL soft flasks are filled in the front. After you start drinking the water from the flasks, you can't even feel them there anymore. As I deflated the flasks, I would cinch up my chest straps in one easy motion. The best part about the vest is all the pockets especially the large ones in the front and everything is within reach. I want to wear this vest even when I'm not on long runs because of the ease of use of the pockets to carry stuff. I found the flasks easy to use as well.I'm a bit of a gear nerd in rock and ice climbing, backpacking, and mountaineering so I'm very aware of how design in packs for its optimal use. Salomon has thought it all out.I am a muscular guy: 6'2", 218 lbs, with little body fat and do a lot of trail running. My biggest challenge is staying cool enough and hydrated enough, because my core temp heats up so easily and I sweat like crazy: When I overheat..I basically die - totally wipes me out. In the summer I usually use a fanny pack for water just so I can run shirtless to help with my body temp, but I am limited to how much water I can carry around my waist because of how fanny packs bounce all over the place when loaded with water.This vest looked promising. I can carry 2.5 Liters of water with it fitting nice and snug. The 500ml soft bottles in the front fit and work well and a 1.5 liter bladder in the back fits just fine. I used it for the first time climbing a local mountain range on an early, but warm summer morning..and had a terrible time with the vest being so warm - I know the materials are about as thin and vented as possible, but I seriously had a harder time because it raised my body temperature so much more compared to using the pain-in-the-butt-bouncy fanny pack.A few weeks later fall weather arrived with much cooler temps and this running vest is marvelous not dealing with warmer temps - I can run all day with it while carrying quite a bit of essential gear on the trails. Wore it without a shirt on a 13 miler and had zero chaffing from it - very impressed with that. I'm still learning how to access all the pockets while on the run without being an Houdini, and keeping things dry that I do carry from all the sweat my body puts out (by the end of a good run, the entire vest - I'm talking 100% of it AND whatever is in the pockets are totally soaked in sweat). I'll try dyneema fabric pouches to hold clothing or something similar while using this vest to keep things dry.So there ya have it: I knocked off a star because of how it DOES substantially raise my body temperature, but other than that its a great running vest. Looking forward to the cooler 9 months of the year using this vest!My favorite piece of running kit after my shoes! Amazingly comfortable and brilliantly designed. It is obvious that this was made by runners and has been iterated on repeatedly.An instruction manual would have been useful, as would a small clip for a key (there is a zippered pouch), and I reversed the connection for one of the two sternum straps for symmetry.Note that your hydration bladder selection will be limited by the hole available for the hose fitting. My Platypus Hoser wouldn't work, but my Platypus Big Zip does, though it points the wrong way for under arm hose routing.Very comfortable, but still chafes if worn without a shirt. The soft flasks are nice, but they take some work to get in/out of their pockets, and are difficult to drink from while running. My favorite part has got to be the way it closes in the front, which is extremely easy to adjust, even while running.I'm not a professional runner but I run a lot and this bag isn't holding up. Shouldn't have to pay for one every year. It should be a three year purchase.The fit is fantastic. The material is soft, stretches and fits well without rubbing or chafing. The straps are adjustable so you can move them wider apart. This is a good feature for ladies.What I don’t like...the straps are hard to hook. Also, it is hot. Even running in 35 degree temperatures, I felt too warm with this on. It comes with two water bottles for the front, but the rear water bladder is not included. I purchased the Solomon water bladder to go with it and ended up throwing it away just before a race because the mouthpiece was leaking a heavy stream of water.The vest is unique. Very confortable, really fitted if you choose the right size (i did so its great). A lot of improvements but a few less accesories like the whistle.Another thing that makes me really dissapointed is that Salomon ALLWAYS includes the soft flasks for this vests and i didn't recived not 2, not 1... just 0.I bought the vest specifically for an ultra I am running in July 2018. I have never used a vest before and wanted one that is big enough to hold the mandatory kit but light enough that I didn't really notice it.I have been using it with just the soft bottles on the front rather than the rear reservoir. This has been great and the water is sufficient to get me between feed/water stations.There are definately enough pockets on the vest to hold spare kit, water, food and keys etc. Once it's on and I start running I soon forget it's there. I tried it with just a vest underneath when it was hot last week and it rubbed a little so I wouldn't suggest using it without a tshirt on unless it's for smaller distances.The only slight criticism I have is that my kit gets wet when I sweat as it soaks through the vest and into my clothes. I tend to wear a jacket over it when it rains.I'm a UK size 10 with small boobs and the xs/s fits me, so if you've got a bigger chest you may need a slightly bigger vestThe removable inside of this pack - the bit that holds the bladder - is made of a different material to one I had purchased a few weeks ago off Amazon (with the same seller). I contacted the seller directly and was told they were from different seasons. One was considerably better quality than the other. I had naively assumed that the listing would be for the most recent version of the product, since it did not state otherwise (apparently they don't have to state otherwise). All this after I'd already had to send one back because the stitching on the inner part was ripped. Be careful ordering, as you may well be getting an outdated product. I will be avoiding this particular seller in future.I have had a lot of backpacks over the yeas and this one is by far the best regarding comfort. You will need to purchase the internal bladder separately which is a must have purchase to get the best fit and feel. The bag stores enough kit for 100 mile ultra but not enough for unsupported multi-day events.Fantastic lightweight hydration system!I also bought Salomon 1.5litre bladder.Often interchange the front 1 litre soft bottles with Lucozade bottles. Sometimes you need to play with their positioning so they don't bang your ribs. No such issues with the soft bottles.Great variety in easy accessible pockets, pouches.Stretchy enough yet strong enough not to break.Cannot recommend more highly ?Amazing running vest.Took a bit of getting g used to and it isn't perfect in every way, but I love it. Smashed a fee marathons with it so far and it's been faultless.Love the water carriers on the front. And all the pockets and the mesh. Doesn't get too hot really.
