Salomon
ADV Skin 12
9.0Excellent
12L race vest for trail and ultra hydration.
From € 160
Comparison
Salomon ADV Skin 12 vs ADV Skin 5
ADV Skin 12 and ADV Skin 5 share Salomon race-vest fit. The 12 prioritises ultra/trail kit volume; the 5 stays lighter for race and long-run days that do not need 12L.
- Expert comparison
- Data driven
- Updated 1 September 2026
- Running Packs & Vests
Salomon
ADV Skin 5
9.0Excellent
5L race vest with twin 500 ml soft flasks — enough for gels, phone and jacket without the ADV Skin 12 bulk; trades rear volume for a lighter bounce-controlled fit on trail, ultra and road longs.
From € 145
Decision guide
When each shoe is the better buy — by training mix and conditions, not overall score alone.
Bottom line
Choose ADV Skin 12 for ultra/mandatory-kit days; choose ADV Skin 5 when you want the same race fit with less bulk.
Context-dependent — capacity need decides, not a universal winner.
Salomon
Choose ADV Skin 12 if…
- You need ultra/trail kit volume.
Salomon
Choose ADV Skin 5 if…
- You want lighter Salomon race-vest carry.
Key Differences
Capacity
ADV Skin 12: 12 L listedADV Skin 5: 5 L listedFrom structured capacity specs.
When each wins
Context winners by session type — use these with the decision guide above, not as a universal ranking.
Long Runs
ADV Skin 5
Enough flasks without 12L bulk.
Ultra
ADV Skin 12
More kit volume for ultra days.
Trail Running
ADV Skin 12
Extra storage for layers and poles.
Marathon
ADV Skin 5
Lighter race carry when kit lists stay small.
VSValue
TIE
Kitletics value scores are too close to call on current catalog pricing.
Specs
| Spec | ADV Skin 12 | ADV Skin 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (L) | 12 | 5 | — |
| Total Hydration Capacity (ml) | 2500 | 1000 | — |
| Weight (g) | 270 | 230 | ADV Skin 5 |
| Fit / Sizing | Unisex | Unisex | TIE |
| Bounce Control | High | High | TIE |
| Race-Required Gear Capacity | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Race Suitability | Trail, Ultra | Trail, Ultra, Road | — |
| Included Flasks | 2 | 2 | TIE |
| Included Flask Volume (ml) | 500 | 500 | TIE |
| Bottle Capacity (ml) | 1000 | 1000 | TIE |
| Flask Pockets | 2 | 2 | TIE |
| Bladder Compatible | Yes | No | — |
| Reservoir Compatible | Yes | No | — |
| Reservoir Included | No | No | TIE |
| Phone Storage | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Pole Attachment | Yes | Yes | TIE |
| Breathability | High | High | TIE |
| Quiver Compatible | Yes | No | — |
| Sizing | XS–XL (verify current chart) | XXS–XL (verify current chart) | — |
| Size Range | XS–XL | XXS–XL | — |
| Fit System | SensiFit + Quicklink | Sensifit custom dial / sternum straps | — |
| Storage | Multiple front and rear pockets for flasks, gels and mandatory kit | Front soft Flask + stretch stash, rear zip compartment | — |
| Front Storage | Twin soft Flask pockets + stretch snack pockets | Twin soft Flask sleeves, gel loops, phone Capable stretch | — |
| Compression Carry | — | — | — |
| Rear Storage | Main zip + stretch rear stash | Main zip compartment for jacket/layer | — |
| Pockets | Front flask/gel, rear main, side stash | Multiple front stretch + rear main | — |
| Race Bib Features | — | — | — |
| Helmet Carry | — | — | — |
| Water Resistance | None | Water Resistant | — |
| Reflectivity | No | Yes | — |
| Whistle | Yes | Yes | TIE |
Current Prices
Regional prices · Netherlands
Prices last checked: 12 Sept 2026. Offer updates do not mean the editorial comparison was re-reviewed.
Top Alternatives
Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0Pick Race Vest 6.0 over ADV Skin 12 only if classic UD front-pocket race layout for gels and flasks is the weekly gap. Race Vest 6.0 is ultra / trail training; ADV Skin 12 stays trail training / ultra. Cost of the switch: limited rear volume for multi-day adventure packing.
Nathan VaporAir 2a same-role peer is the fork: VaporAir 2 (Lightweight race vest with soft-flask front pockets for road and trail long runs.) versus ADV Skin 12 (12L race vest for trail and ultra hydration.). Spec split — peer weight 220 vs source weight 270.
Salomon XA 15a same-role peer is the fork: XA 15 (15L Salomon trail running backpack for long dirt days — more structured rear volume than…) versus ADV Skin 12 (12L race vest for trail and ultra hydration.). Spec split — peer weight 450 vs source weight 270.
Nathan VaporAir 4.0ADV Skin 12 vs VaporAir 4.0 is not a score swap. VaporAir 4.0 wins when a lighter option and 8L capacity covers race kit without jumping to a 12L adventure vest beat stable race fit across long trail days. weight sits lower on VaporAir 4.0 (241 vs 270).
Nathan Pinnacle 12a same-role peer is the fork: Pinnacle 12 (Bladder-focused 12L Nathan vest for long trail and adventure days — reservoir-first hydra…) versus ADV Skin 12 (12L race vest for trail and ultra hydration.). Spec split — peer weight 320 vs source weight 270.
CamelBak Zephyr ProZephyr Pro is on the ADV Skin 12 alternatives list for a same-role peer. Zephyr Pro brief: ~11L CamelBak race/trail vest combining Crux reservoir compatibility with front flask opt…. ADV Skin 12 brief: 12L race vest for trail and ultra hydration.. Extra peer cue: ~11L covers layers and mandatory kit without a 15L run-hike pack. Peer spec: weight 340.
UltrAspire Alpha 6.0Shared use-case alternative
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