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Why are they so expensive compared to every other brand?
Do they do anything that others don't?
Think I paid about £50 for my osprey backpack so would have thought something with less material would be cheaper.
What else are people going to get fleeced for spend their money on in running...?
Same applies to biking I guess.
Our local independent outdoor shop specialises in end of line and discontinued stuff. My wife picked up a Salomon running vest including 2 soft flasks for £15! Previous season RRP was £110. The shop owner had a box of them so my wife tipped her fell club off and they were all sold within the hour! Just shows the mark-up...
It's always aonjie packs I see on runners in the hills round here
If Salomon's packs are anything like their shoes they will fall apart fairly quickly.
Well, not all Salomon packs are top end, and not all Osprey packs are cheaper, the Osprey Duro 15 vest RRP is £150
And Salomon is hardly alone in the S Lab price bracket either, I see loads of Ultimate Direction kit out locally. Never used Salomon packs tbf, they might be amazeballs.
For what it's worth we have at least 5 running vests in the house. The Ultimate Direction is the one that gets used most, by a long way.
Some stuff costs more, some doesn’t. Some stuff is amazing at what it does, some isn’t. I had a 15 quid Karrimor running pack that was, quite frankly, perfect for the job. It was light, reflective, had enough storage, pockets, etc for a day of running and was really well made. The only thing I did not like about it was the noise the zip pull made when you ran.
I loaned it to a friend and never got it back, which still annoys me.
We've a Salomon running Rucksack that's over a decade old and just works. Been used for MTB and Munro's on a kids back.
I have a Salomon vest, Adv 5 I think. It's great, really light, soft and stretchy. I've tried most different brands and the Salomon was most comfortable. It's been used several times a week for a couple of years, still in great nick.
I also have an inov8 ultra pro vest, which is better for carrying more weight (kit list for events), as it has more structure. The stretchy ness of the Salomon becomes apparent when it's overloaded. Good running vests are not cheap, but in my experience if you're going to use it a lot / for long distances, they are worth the extra cost. Try a few on.
I had one of the osprey duro vests, wasn't great. The hip pockets were tiny, would only just fit a buff in. Not much useful storage apart from the back / pack section. Sold it a few years ago.
I thought you meant their running vests https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/s-lab-nso-2.html#color=46590 and https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/s-lab-nso-tee-w.html#color=38919 which are ridiculously expensive.
However when you mean their Race Vests you'll find that they're priced at about the same as their competitors. They are overpriced compared to say Karrimor or Kalenji, but then the same comparisons between budget and premium kit can be made across all sports.
Salomon also have loads of UK based dealers, where you don't pay full RRP or the postage you would ordering direct..
I'm surprised they are shipping to the uk via their website as they previously weren't post-B****T
What would be good for someone who gets got easily and needs a size small or extra small? (5ft5 59kg)
I like my decathon one. Fraction of the price of the big brands
Just shows the mark-up…
Not at all, mark up may be no differebt to other brands. This was a clear out.
It's brand nonsense tax, see Apple, Oakley etc also
https://harrierrunfree.co.uk/collections/race-vests
These Harrier ones look relatively decent value, although you have to factor in the cost of a couple of flasks which are not included.
Anyone know of one that's minimalist with zipped pockets for a phone that I can access without removing the vest, and space for 2 small soft bottles. Only need space for an extra layer so 5l max. He zipped phone pocket is important. Unless the phone is very secure somehow.
I've just got an OMM Ultra Fire 5 which....
Edit, sorry, zipped phone pocket, need to check that
My requirements are similar. Current shortlist as follows:
Montane Gecko VP+ or VP5+
Salomon Adv Skin 5 (they also seem to do cheaper and more expensive similar sized ones, the active and sense)
The Harrier one I mentioned above
Ultimate Direction race vest 5.
The OMM one mentioned directly above (downside is the included flasks are smaller than 500ml although it will take bigger ones).
Inov8 also do one but pretty spendy.
The OMM vest looks pretty nice. I see there are different versions and on one the main back pocket is removable which looks ideal. The side has adjustable straps too. I think that might be an older design but looks more versatile.
Edit. Only the newer version has zipped pockets.
I’d also add re the OMM that a large phone is uncomfortable in the chest pockets, certainly plenty of room in the zippered pocket for a phone but it sits awkwardly. I don't really use my phone in runs so wasnt really a factor as itll sit in the back in a dry bag.
Was able to try a few of these on today so thought I'd share my feedback for anyone looking at these...
Montane Gecko VP+ and VP5+ - very nicely made, snug fit and good pocket layout. Even the VP+ would accept an extra layer in the back pocket. Most fiddly front straps. The straps can be detatched on both sides and I'd seen reviews which commented about them falling off. One actually fell off in the shop when I was trying on the vest. It's a poor design and I think would cause me to discount these.
OMM trail fire and ultra fire - most simple front attachment - one buckle and one hook and loop. Pocket design fairly basic. Think the fabric used on the back of the ultra fire one could cause a very sweaty back in summer.
Salomon Adv Skin and Sense models - very nice stretchy fabric. Good pockets. Front attachment a bit fiddly but I think you'd get used to it. Very easy method to tighten/loosen.
Pretty tough to assess the fit of any of them without having full bottles. All of them had zipped pockets that would take a phone but hard to know how well they'd work with the bottles full.
Having seen all those I'm probably going to get a Salomon or take a punt on one of the Harrier ones.
I've just got the Harrier 10l one. Haven't been able to use it yet, but it seems well put together with plenty of pockets. Not sure about the phone pocket, but doubt I'd use that anyway.
The front straps on the Montane VP+ fell off on mine. They sent me some new ones with a different hook shape, but I’m not convinced but they haven’t fallen off yet.
Still not worked out what the little pockets at the top of the shoulders are for.
Im still debating which one to get. Anyone know if any of the above bests would take a large phone (6.7 inch)? I need it to be accessible so on the front straps, but also secure so it doesn't bounce out.
Like the look of the OMM Ultrafire with the large front pockets but 2 x 500ml might be a bit of a squeeze. It's not been mentioned above but Camelbacks circuit might be a good one with 2 zipped pockets. Just trying to find out if my phone will fit.
Anyone know if any of the above bests would take a large phone (6.7 inch)? I need it to be accessible so on the front straps, but also secure so it doesn’t bounce out.
My phone is the same size, I’ll take a photo or two tomorrow and post it up in the Ultra Fire pockets.
Been using a Salomon adv 4 vest for a year, roughly twice a week.
Super comfy and well thought out. Enough space for phone, snacks, water bottles, and waterproofs stowed in the back. Used it for Celtman last year and it worked well, however it is on the snug side if you need to carry first aid kit, hat gloves and several layers.
It seems to be wearing very well given its Salomon. I'm also a fan of the trail shoes but the tread does tend to wear quickly, though the vest is still as new
An phone that just occurred to me, is that I could just get a separate phone pouch and attach it to a vest.
The front zip pockets on the Montane VP+ are enormous and will easily take a phone.
Well I've ordered a Salomon Adv Skin Set 5.
If I decide I want a bigger one too I'll probably go for the Harrier 10 litre.
@mjsmke this is what a 6.7 phone looks like in the OMM Ultra Fire zipped pocket
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Id take a pass on that personally.
Thanks for posting that. It does look a bit tight. Think I'll go for the Montane VP+5
The montane VP+ was too big for me. Its quite a large back and for my small frame, it covered me and thought it would make me too hit. Also didn't like the velcro strap at the bottom. Thought it would wear out like most other velcro.
Ended up getting a Saloman Advanced Skin 5, which fits perfectly in a size small. Can also fit my 6.7 inch phone I the zipped pocket.
There are a few little bungee cords with hooks on the ends. One on each shoulder, one very long one in the main back compartment. No idea what they are for. There is a larger key clip in the back.
The bungee cords are to compress it down I think, and are probably totally unnecessary as it’s a stretchy pack, could also be for poles. There was a YouTube review that mentioned these
These are the bungee cords in the small shoulder pockets right at the top.
These are the bungee cords in the small shoulder pockets right at the top.
The bungee cords pop out of a little hole on the outside of the pocket. You then use them in conjunction with the bungee at the bottom of the front pockets to attach walking poles. It's as fiddly as it sounds! I watched a Youtube vid to get a better idea. Luckily don't use poles much.
The long one on the back is for another style of pole carrying, I just removed them all.