Salomon Active Skin 8 Review [Ultrarunner Tested]

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Salomon Active Skin 8 (and Active Skin 4)

Our score8.7/10

• Capacity: 8 L (4 L for the Active Skin 4)
• Our measured weight: about 195 g
• Hydration: 2 x 500 mL soft flasks included
• Best for: Everyday training, from a 10k to a 50k

Bottom Line : About 85% of the ADV Skin's performance for a lot less money. The workhorse to train in.

Pros

• Shrinks for a 10k, expands for a 50k
• Twin elastic sternum cords don't restrict breathing
• Thicker fabric shrugs off trail abrasion

Cons

• Flasks sit lower, so you bow your head to drink
• No pole loops at all
• Holds sweat on humid days

Everyday Miles

This was the training vest. The Active Skin 8 compresses small enough for a quick 10k on the road, and it expands to hold nearly 10 liters of kit, food and water for a 50k trail race. One vest covered almost every run in the block.

The stretch fabric is forgiving, and the twin elastic sternum cords never restricted breathing. By our reckoning, it gives you about 85% of what the ADV Skin 12 does, for much less money.

The fabric is also a little thicker than the race vests', which made it more resistant to trail abrasion.

The Compromises

The flask holsters sit about 1.5 inches lower than on the ADV Skin series. You have to bow your head further to drink on the move.

There are no trekking pole loops. Carrying poles means buying Salomon's Pole Quiver separately and clipping it to the rear attachment points.

That thicker mesh back soaks up sweat and holds it longer on humid days than a race vest does.

Spec Sheet vs Our Test

• Capacity: 8 L listed. In practice it stretched to hold nearly 10 liters of kit, food and water.
• Weight: about 195 g on our scale.
• Hydration: two 500 mL soft flasks included; Salomon says it takes a 1.5 L bladder.

Should You Buy the Salomon Active Skin 8?

Yes, if you want one vest for most of your training and don't carry poles. For short runs only, the Active Skin 4 is the smaller version, on Amazon here. If you are racing 100 miles, step up to the ADV Skin 12.

Compare With

• Salomon ADV Skin 12: our best vest for 100-mile races.
• AONIJIE 5L: our best budget vest.
• CamelBak Zephyr Pro and Nano: our best vest for hot weather.

See all ten in our best hydration vests guide.

Our Testers

This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested by our ultrarunning team.

• Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
• Annie Brown, Tester. An ultramarathon runner, Annie tested our vests through 100k and 100-mile race preparation.
• James Brown, Tester. An ultramarathon runner, James ran the same block of self-supported mountain long runs, hot-weather tempo sessions and technical scrambles.