Its most notable feature is its contoured fit, which traces the curves of the torso better than most of the competition.

Salomon Active Skin 4 Review - Trail Running Shoes

We tested the Patagonia and our top-ranked Salomon side by side during a season of trail running in Hawaii, and the Slope Runner fell short in a few departments.

Keep in mind that no running vest is going to do away with it completely, but some will make your outing more comfortable than others. British Columbia-based Arc’teryx is known for designing premium and innovative gear for alpine environments, and their Norvan 7 running vest is no exception. These top-of-the-line models are the most “vest-like” here, with close-to-body fits and a plethora of easy-access pockets at the front and sides. But the TNF is the better value and the lightest of the bunch, making it our favorite minimalist race model of the year. Finally, it’s important to consider where the storage is located and how spread out it is, especially if you plan to carry bulky items.

ACTIVE SKIN 8 Unisex Running Vest with flasks included - SALOMON ACTIVE SKIN 8 Unisex Running Vest with flasks included - SALOMON

As the name suggests, the Endurance is built for races or fast, weight-conscious forays into the mountains, with a streamlined feature set and strong focus on comfort. Vest shape is also worth mentioning here, as it varies widely between models and can play a significant role in overall comfort on the trail. But if you’re willing to trade a little convenience and comfort, the QuickStart delivers a fair amount of bang for your buck.The Salomon Active Skin 4 is also compatible with a hydration bladder if you need extra fluid on your run. Most bottles are compatible with straws as well (the Nathan Pinnacle 4L even includes these), which bring the water close to your mouth like a reservoir hose. I’m a huge fan of Salomon running gear – I own a fair few of their running shoes, running belts and vests. As is the case with all outdoor gear, however, the lighter you go, the more sacrifices you’ll make in durability and comfort. We use cookies and other similar technologies to improve your experience, understand your usage and to personalize advertising as well as experience based on your interests.

ACTIVE SKIN 4 Unisex Running Vest with flasks included - SALOMON

We tested the Distance 4 back-to-back with our top-ranked ADV Skin 5 throughout an entire trail season, and still reach for the Salomon when given the choice. Black Diamond’s Distance 15 entered the mountain running world with a bang, bringing alpine-ready features to a lightweight vest design. These modern timepieces put the power of a GPS device onto your wrist, allowing you to track your movements, follow a preloaded route, or even navigate complex terrain—hands-free.They won't be able to fit ice cubes on warmer runs, and it makes adding hydration mixes challenging without a funnel. The ideal stepping stone in your hydration and trail running game on shorter distances, ACTIVE SKIN 4 is easy to use, comfortably wearable and super modular. Nathan is one of the biggest and most reputable names in running hydration, and they’ve put their best foot forward with the Pinnacle (which comes in both 4 and 12L capacities). But the good news is that most running packs still retain many vest-specific features, including snug fits, on-the-go-storage options, and compression straps for cinching down lighter loads. The ideal stepping stone in your hydration and trail running game, ACTIVE SKIN 8 is easy to use, comfortably wearable and super modular.