This has to be the most creative comment about the lighting 😂 My apologies, I've been putting a lot of effort into making my reviews better so hopefully the new ones are much clearer 🙂
In Australia any competitive trail run over 30km has a pile of mandatory gear required and the 8L vests really strain to carry it, so the 12L is essential for longer runs. I stepped up to the 12L as it has been an amazing advance in comfort for carrying everything. I run with x4 500ml flasks rather than using a back bladder. 2 in the regular flask pouches for electrolytes and then 1 with plain water on each side in either the front or side kangaroo pouches. Nil issues in access or discomfort. So for me biking or 30km and under is the 8 L and anything over 30km is always the 12L.
I imagine the heat in Australia really adds to the strain on the pack with the extra water. We have pretty extensive mandatory kit lists in the U.K. but we don’t get the extreme heat so we can get away with carrying slightly less. I just complete a 200 mile ultra in Wales with the advanced 12. There’s no way I could have got through it with the active 8. I really needed the extra function of the 12
FYI, instead of cutting off the wrapper/trash pouch found on the Adv Skin 12, just take a needle & thread and sew/tack it down inside the pocket. U can also just use fabric glue to secure the pouch. The issue with the pouch is that it's free/loose inside the stuff pocket... so when you remove you hand, the stupid interior pouch tends to come out with your hand. It's actually a useful pouch for storing sticky trash so I'd prefer to keep it instead of cutting it off
It’s been so long since I cut it out I forgot that thing existed 😂 Yeah it is possible to sew it in or glue it however, I tried safety pinning it before cutting it out and even with it sitting in there snug I still caught my hand! For me I think cutting it out was the right choice but this is a great alternative if you’d like to keep it! I do see the benefits of stuffing your sticky wrappers in there 😊
Yeah I think the sizes are a little different between packs! My new strategy is to buy a purposely oversized pack and use all the draw strings to pull it in!
Hi Bob. Thanks for the comparison review, it was very helpful. I have been looking at the Adv 12 for a while now and it's inevitable I'm going to buy one soon. I was feeling reasonably secure in ordering a small but your review has made me think twice. I am a small to medium in a t-shirt, 5' 6" tall and around 9 and a 1/2 stone with a chest measurement around 38 inches which is right on the upper bound of the small and right on the lower bound of the medium. If it wouldn't be too personal a request it would be very informative to know your measurements for a comparison. I'm thinking now that I should be going with a medium.
Hi Stephen! Glad the video helped! I’m more than happy to share measurements! I am 5’ 8” (9” on a good day) and weigh 75.8kg (11.9 stone) and my chest is 39 inches! Right so I would recommend the medium! The small is great when only putting a couple things in it however if you use the reservoir or bottles and then buy a jacket and leggings in the pack plus food it does start to get quite tight! I really struggled on my latest race to get all the mandatory kit in! The race did have a lot of kit mind! However I do believe you will have a better experience with the medium and it will be a more versatile pack with the extra room! Hope this helps!
Perfect review just all the info I needed. Thanks for elaborating on the pitfalls of sizing. At 88 cm chestwise to this is exactly the boundary between XS and S and I will opt for the larger "S" now! When winter skiing I prefer a warm jacket on, adding to my circumference anyways.
Great review. I have the 8 (which I love BTW) and am looking at the 12 for the poles storage aspect. I have a quiver but tbh it’s a PITA to use. I want something that’s a no fuss easy access store/retrieve system. Thoughts ?
Right so for the poles the adv 12 is really good! They attach on the front beside the soft bottles which is really handy! It is still a bit of a pain in the arse but much better than a quiver in my opinion
@@BobThomasUltra I actually made my ADV 8L connect my poles like this too. One pole either side and I added a cinch bungee to the bottom to hold them in place. Have not tried them on a run yet but they are defo more accessible and won’t catch my arms whilst stored. Cinch is at the bottom and I use the upper loop for the handle side of the pole.
Cheers mate! Yeah I think unless you’re going over 100 miles the Active 8 takes the top spot! My next race is the Wild Horse 200 South in April! I’m not running the VOGUM but I will be there on the day either running a checkpoint or filming 🙌
I've been too afraid to put my phone in the pocket. The material looks too delicate to handle the corner of a heavy phone, banging up-n-down repeatedly. Has yours held up? I've read some reviews where it did not.
If you would have asked this a few weeks back I would have said it’s absolutely fine! However, recently my phone split the left zip pocket and fell out! I was running on grass so it was fine! I’ve done a lot of miles with my phone in the pack and I don’t treat it kindly. I don’t know exactly how many miles I’ve done in it but I’d guess it’s over 1000 miles before anything split! For context it was an IPhone 11 and I used to really jam it in and wedge it in the pocket to try stop it moving about. This may have added to the stress to cause the tear. For extra security if you put your phone in a dry bag you can clip the bag to the pack so even if the pack splits the phone will not fall.
@BobThomasUltra thanks for the response. I guess I was correct in assuming the material wouldn't hold up. I've been carrying my phone in a separate fanny pack-type holster.
My Active Skin 8 pocket zipper is busted, after about 3 months of 5 days/week use. I've been keeping my phone there. Nothing else. The day it gave in, it even felt like it closed properly. The zipper moved along as usual, but obviously the teeth didn't take. Lost the phone. Amazingly, someone saw it laying on the ground, and hollered across a ravine...... I've been running along fine-red-dust trails, down to the Mediterranean (as in salty...) ocean. Then swimming. Then putting the vest on and running back. So it has been repeatedly caked in salt and fine dust. I have washed and soaked it often, but not after every run. I'm not sure repeated salt and dust caking, is part of the testing protocol of these very light zippers. Personally, I'd happily accept a few more grams and Euros to get some more obviously burly zippers. But I'm not ultra running and carrying the weight for 100 miles, which seems to be the market Salomon is targeting.... Regardless: Be mindful that, while no doubt of good quality, these things are built to a weight.
You can go smaller for a marathon. Personally I wouldn’t as I think the smaller the pack the less versatile it becomes. However, even if you get an 8 or a 12 the bulk/weight comes from what you put in it. They’re both super lightweight packs when empty or packed very light. The 8 especially is great for packing super light and not even noticing you have it on. Hope this helps
Unfortunately there’s no way to connect poles to the active 8. You can probably add some loops to the pack to slide the poles in however as standard there’s nowhere to attach poles.
I was gonna mention mandatory gear, I have just bought the 12 as I’ve been using a 12 for fell running, but the 8 might make a nice edition for those days your just carrying your wallet and keys
No each is a different line of pack from Salomon with separate features. The Advanced and Active. The numbers 8 and 12 are the volume the packs can hold. You’ll notice they also make Active 5, Advance 10 and Advance 15 which are different volume packs in each line
@@BobThomasUltra well I get that they are different models, but I am pretty sure one is the older version, one the newer hence the different logos. But they are doing that in a very confusing way that is For sure
Darkness, imprisoning me, all I can see is the Salomon logo, I cannot live, I cannot die…
This has to be the most creative comment about the lighting 😂 My apologies, I've been putting a lot of effort into making my reviews better so hopefully the new ones are much clearer 🙂
It’s frustrating not being able to see anything since it’s so dark. At least the things you’re saying sound legit.
Apologies for the lighting! I’m working on improving my product reviews! Hope you still got something out of it!
In Australia any competitive trail run over 30km has a pile of mandatory gear required and the 8L vests really strain to carry it, so the 12L is essential for longer runs. I stepped up to the 12L as it has been an amazing advance in comfort for carrying everything. I run with x4 500ml flasks rather than using a back bladder. 2 in the regular flask pouches for electrolytes and then 1 with plain water on each side in either the front or side kangaroo pouches. Nil issues in access or discomfort. So for me biking or 30km and under is the 8 L and anything over 30km is always the 12L.
I imagine the heat in Australia really adds to the strain on the pack with the extra water. We have pretty extensive mandatory kit lists in the U.K. but we don’t get the extreme heat so we can get away with carrying slightly less.
I just complete a 200 mile ultra in Wales with the advanced 12. There’s no way I could have got through it with the active 8. I really needed the extra function of the 12
FYI, instead of cutting off the wrapper/trash pouch found on the Adv Skin 12, just take a needle & thread and sew/tack it down inside the pocket. U can also just use fabric glue to secure the pouch. The issue with the pouch is that it's free/loose inside the stuff pocket... so when you remove you hand, the stupid interior pouch tends to come out with your hand. It's actually a useful pouch for storing sticky trash so I'd prefer to keep it instead of cutting it off
It’s been so long since I cut it out I forgot that thing existed 😂
Yeah it is possible to sew it in or glue it however, I tried safety pinning it before cutting it out and even with it sitting in there snug I still caught my hand! For me I think cutting it out was the right choice but this is a great alternative if you’d like to keep it! I do see the benefits of stuffing your sticky wrappers in there 😊
Fantastic review thanks i won't state the obvious to improve it as you know already by all the comments. Nice work though
I’m glad the review was helpful! Haha thanks, yeah I’ve been working a lot on the lighting since! Appreciate it 🙌
At least two zipper pockets is a must on any vest imo.
That's fair. I find for the shorter runs I'm not too worried about two zippers but it's very useful for the longer distances!
Thanks for that, you convinced me to buy active skin 8.
Amazing! Hope you love it 🙌
Yeah. I'm a small t-shirt. The Adv Skin 12 small very tight on me, but the medium fits perfectly.
Yeah I think the sizes are a little different between packs! My new strategy is to buy a purposely oversized pack and use all the draw strings to pull it in!
Would have been good to see how much you could fit in each regard to things you may need to carry.
Waterproof layer - bivvi - food - meds
That’s a great idea and I wish I did this in the video! Thanks for the feedback it helps me make better videos in the future
Hi Bob. Thanks for the comparison review, it was very helpful. I have been looking at the Adv 12 for a while now and it's inevitable I'm going to buy one soon. I was feeling reasonably secure in ordering a small but your review has made me think twice. I am a small to medium in a t-shirt, 5' 6" tall and around 9 and a 1/2 stone with a chest measurement around 38 inches which is right on the upper bound of the small and right on the lower bound of the medium.
If it wouldn't be too personal a request it would be very informative to know your measurements for a comparison. I'm thinking now that I should be going with a medium.
Hi Stephen! Glad the video helped! I’m more than happy to share measurements!
I am 5’ 8” (9” on a good day) and weigh 75.8kg (11.9 stone) and my chest is 39 inches!
Right so I would recommend the medium! The small is great when only putting a couple things in it however if you use the reservoir or bottles and then buy a jacket and leggings in the pack plus food it does start to get quite tight! I really struggled on my latest race to get all the mandatory kit in! The race did have a lot of kit mind! However I do believe you will have a better experience with the medium and it will be a more versatile pack with the extra room!
Hope this helps!
@@BobThomasUltra Thank you man. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. Subscribed.
@@stephenstreet1045 No problem! I appreciate the subscription Stephen! Hope you love the vest 💪
Perfect review just all the info I needed. Thanks for elaborating on the pitfalls of sizing. At 88 cm chestwise to this is exactly the boundary between XS and S and I will opt for the larger "S" now! When winter skiing I prefer a warm jacket on, adding to my circumference anyways.
Great review. I have the 8 (which I love BTW) and am looking at the 12 for the poles storage aspect. I have a quiver but tbh it’s a PITA to use. I want something that’s a no fuss easy access store/retrieve system. Thoughts ?
Right so for the poles the adv 12 is really good! They attach on the front beside the soft bottles which is really handy! It is still a bit of a pain in the arse but much better than a quiver in my opinion
@@BobThomasUltra I actually made my ADV 8L connect my poles like this too. One pole either side and I added a cinch bungee to the bottom to hold them in place. Have not tried them on a run yet but they are defo more accessible and won’t catch my arms whilst stored. Cinch is at the bottom and I use the upper loop for the handle side of the pole.
great review bob, looks like the saving over £45 makes the 8 an obvious choice. Whats your next race? are you doing the vogum?
Cheers mate! Yeah I think unless you’re going over 100 miles the Active 8 takes the top spot! My next race is the Wild Horse 200 South in April!
I’m not running the VOGUM but I will be there on the day either running a checkpoint or filming 🙌
Is the front zipper where you keep the phone waterproof? It looks like a mesh material with holes in it.
No it’s not waterproof! You’re correct in that it is a mesh pocket with a zip
I cant see anything. Its so dark your hintergrund
Thanks for the feedback! I’m working on improving the lighting
I've been too afraid to put my phone in the pocket. The material looks too delicate to handle the corner of a heavy phone, banging up-n-down repeatedly. Has yours held up? I've read some reviews where it did not.
If you would have asked this a few weeks back I would have said it’s absolutely fine! However, recently my phone split the left zip pocket and fell out! I was running on grass so it was fine! I’ve done a lot of miles with my phone in the pack and I don’t treat it kindly. I don’t know exactly how many miles I’ve done in it but I’d guess it’s over 1000 miles before anything split! For context it was an IPhone 11 and I used to really jam it in and wedge it in the pocket to try stop it moving about. This may have added to the stress to cause the tear. For extra security if you put your phone in a dry bag you can clip the bag to the pack so even if the pack splits the phone will not fall.
@BobThomasUltra thanks for the response. I guess I was correct in assuming the material wouldn't hold up. I've been carrying my phone in a separate fanny pack-type holster.
Yeah unfortunately, it’s one of those things where they try to make it as light as possible but that can create other issues!
My Active Skin 8 pocket zipper is busted, after about 3 months of 5 days/week use. I've been keeping my phone there. Nothing else. The day it gave in, it even felt like it closed properly. The zipper moved along as usual, but obviously the teeth didn't take. Lost the phone. Amazingly, someone saw it laying on the ground, and hollered across a ravine......
I've been running along fine-red-dust trails, down to the Mediterranean (as in salty...) ocean. Then swimming. Then putting the vest on and running back. So it has been repeatedly caked in salt and fine dust. I have washed and soaked it often, but not after every run. I'm not sure repeated salt and dust caking, is part of the testing protocol of these very light zippers.
Personally, I'd happily accept a few more grams and Euros to get some more obviously burly zippers. But I'm not ultra running and carrying the weight for 100 miles, which seems to be the market Salomon is targeting....
Regardless: Be mindful that, while no doubt of good quality, these things are built to a weight.
would you recommend something smaller for a marathon?
You can go smaller for a marathon. Personally I wouldn’t as I think the smaller the pack the less versatile it becomes. However, even if you get an 8 or a 12 the bulk/weight comes from what you put in it. They’re both super lightweight packs when empty or packed very light. The 8 especially is great for packing super light and not even noticing you have it on. Hope this helps
Hi. How can i attache Pole on Salomon Active 8?
Unfortunately there’s no way to connect poles to the active 8. You can probably add some loops to the pack to slide the poles in however as standard there’s nowhere to attach poles.
I was gonna mention mandatory gear, I have just bought the 12 as I’ve been using a 12 for fell running, but the 8 might make a nice edition for those days your just carrying your wallet and keys
The 8 is such a good grab and go pack! I often train with it and just throw my keys and phone in!
Then 4l is even better)
Would the active 8 be more suited for 60-100km runs?
Yes it would. The only time I would take the 12 over the 8 on a shorter ultra is if I wanted to carry poles.
Too much light 😁
aren‘t you comparing one older and one newer model??
No each is a different line of pack from Salomon with separate features. The Advanced and Active. The numbers 8 and 12 are the volume the packs can hold. You’ll notice they also make Active 5, Advance 10 and Advance 15 which are different volume packs in each line
@@BobThomasUltra well I get that they are different models, but I am pretty sure one is the older version, one the newer hence the different logos. But they are doing that in a very confusing way that is
For sure
3:50 too dark background man can’t see at all😂
Yeah I know! Have been working to improve this in my latest videos
200miles need how long to run ?
As in how long to train for it or how long to actually run it?