(Almost) everything included in the Advanced Skin 12 from Salomon
24.9.2018
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
What characterises a good trail running backpack? It has room for all my equipment and I don't feel it. The Advanced Skin 12 from Salomon can do both. I tested it for you.
Normally, I don't take anything to drink with me on runs of up to two hours. Drinking enough fluids before and after the run is enough for me. But things are different this summer. The high temperatures for weeks on end are getting to me. And so, for the first time, I'm glad to have water with me.
The two front chest pockets offer storage space for two soft flasks, each with a capacity of half a litre. The "Advanced Skin 12" from Salomon is also compatible with a 1.5-litre hydration bladder, which must be purchased separately. This allows you to carry a total of 2.5 litres of liquid. However, the soft flasks at the front sometimes cause amused looks and the odd comment about "Bitty?".
Negative: In the summer heat, the water gets pretty warm pretty quickly. The flasks also give it a very unpleasant, artificial plastic flavour. Warm plastic water tastes disgusting, but in a pinch it's better than dehydration. I was unable to test the compatible hydration bladder as the Advanced Skin 12 includes the empty insulating sleeve but, as I said, the bladder has to be purchased separately. Why actually?
Designed for longer runs
With an empty weight of 276 grams, the Advanced Skin 12 is pleasantly light and fits very snugly, even with a heavy load. The total volume is 12 litres, more than enough for long distances. Today I simply packed the following:
- Rain jacket
- Cap and gloves
- Mobile
- Wallet
- Sports headphones
- Supplementary snacks
- Soft flasks (filled)
- Safety blanket
- Insulating cover (empty, for the hydration bladder)
To be honest, I only packed on the spur of the moment without giving it much thought. With a little planning and care, you'll certainly be able to fit a lot more gear into this trail running backpack. For example, lots of gels or bars. Even a light sleeping bag should fit inside when rolled up tightly. If necessary, you can also "survive" a day or two outside.
The compartments
The Advanced Skin 12 from Salomon offers a variety of compartments for a wide range of applications. You can access the various compartments from the top, from the back and from the side. Some are secured with a zip, while others, such as the kangaroo pocket, offer quick access to equipment from both sides. Many compartments are also accessible without taking off the backpack.
Negative: There is no waterproof compartment. You have to carry everything you want to keep dry in containers or plastic bags.
The rucksack is also equipped with a carrying system for poles. As I am not travelling in the high mountains, I am not testing this function. However, I am pretty sure that this also works perfectly.
Look and feel
It doesn't really matter what a device looks like. Doesn't it? "Cool thing you've strapped on there. Looks strong. Keep it up!" It's actually still cool when the driver of a small regional train rolls down the window while you're travelling and shouts something like that at you. Isn't it? Well, the cool look of the Advanced Skin 12 certainly doesn't hurt. However, it does matter how it feels when you're running.
I'm very pragmatic: anything I wear and don't realise I'm wearing is good. Of course, you feel that you have a rucksack on your shoulders at first. However, it lies very close to the body, even when fully loaded, and only slips minimally even under heavy loads. That's really great. It is important that you choose the right size. At 180 cm/77 kg, I opted for a Small/Medium, which is almost a little too small, but still just fits.
Accessories
The Advanced Skin 12 comes with two 0.5-litre soft flasks, an insulating cover for a 1.5-litre hydration bladder, a safety blanket and supposedly a rescue whistle. However, I have still not been able to find this with the best will in the world. It is supposed to be attached somewhere directly to the rucksack.
Here are the detailed specifications.
Conclusion
I've already written this elsewhere, but I'm happy to repeat myself: the people at Salomon know what they're doing. No wonder, they are the market leader in this field. What characterises a good trail running backpack? It's light, fits close to the body and doesn't slip, even with a heavy load. It has room for all my equipment and is always within easy reach. The Advanced Skin 12 easily fulfils all these requirements.
It's a shame there isn't a waterproof compartment. That would be a real upgrade. Speaking of water: I'm not a chemist, but I would be interested to know how many plastic particles it takes in water to make it taste like water. It's really gruesome and really unpleasant. However, this remains the only real negative and the fact that I can't find the whistle.
Recommended purchase? Definitely for runners who spend a lot of time in the mountains. You don't need a trail running backpack like this for jogging. It's like a "normal" rucksack. You don't take one with you on a two-hour stroll through the city, but you do on a mountain hike.
Come run with me on my author profile.
Addendum: Colleague Raphael Knecht has just informed me that I have a whistle and that the rescue whistle is integrated into one of the fans. Thank you. But you have to come up with the idea of blowing into the compartment first. There are things ...
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
