Salomon Active Skin 8 W Set Pack Review

Specifically designed to accommodate a woman's shape, the Salomon Active Skin 8 W Set Pack has a snug, wrap-around fit that contours to the female physique. Using Sensifit technology, the pack provides a comfortable, balanced fit around a woman's upper body, preventing unwanted bounce while adapting to her natural stride and movement. The new asymmetrical bottles are positioned to rest below the bust rather than over it to improve breathability and avoid unwanted pressure and weight across the chest. An ideal companion for the novice trail runner, this reliable and budget-friendly pack also features dual stretch straps in the front that curve in closer to the neck to allow for easier fastening and a better range of arm motion.

The pack offers 8 liters of storage capacity for extra clothes and gear and includes two soft flasks (amounting to 1 liter of hydration) with the option of holding a 1.5-liter reservoir (not included) in the back. There is ample storage on the front and back to securely carry essential items (nutrition, clothes, gear, phone, keys, and more) for up to a half day's worth of running.

Kaitlin: "The pack fits very close to the body, with very little extraneous movement. The straps, which curve in closer to the neck and in front of the chest, made securing the fasteners easy and created better range for my arms to move without any rubbing. Additionally, the opening on the straps came up at the right height, just over my lats, to prevent chafing in that area."

Liz: "I'm a big fan of the Salomon Women's Pack designs! They snugly hug my body for a bounce-free and chafe-free running experience (even when weighed down). The chest strap design and stretch mesh along the sides allow the pack to move with your body and keep you from feeling restricted when you breathe."

Kaitlin: "All the front pockets are in easily accessible spots on the front of the pack, and there are many storage options. I would change the left side zipper pocket to zip up instead of down to close. As it is, there is a risk of things dropping out more easily while you are accessing the pocket on your run. Additionally, the right front open mesh pocket has a small opening at the bottom, which seemed odd. I believe it's part of another feature, but it made me wary of putting smaller items in that pocket. The backpack portion has a pocket, key strap, and bungee cords for even more storage options."

Liz: "I am amazed by how much I can fit in this pack! Although the non-stretch nylon material of the Active Skin Pack's rear pocket doesn't allow it to be overstuffed (like the more accommodating material in the Advanced Skin and Sense Pro), there is still plenty of room in this version for anything you would need for a multi-hour to day-long trail run. I also love the layered front pockets that allow easy access to a phone or nutrition."

Kaitlin: "These flasks are easy to drink out of and have enough volume that I wouldn't need the addition of a reservoir in most cases. I appreciate that the bulk of the flask sits below the chest, allowing the pack to fit more comfortably and securely. Given the narrow opening, they might be harder to fill when racing, but they are fine for daily training. The taste of plastic does not go away with use, but I think that's standard for all hydration packs. I do wish there was a slightly higher fixture on the straps to snap the top of the straw back or that the straw was shorter."

Liz: "The women's-specific bottles in the Active Skin Pack really work. They are shaped to accommodate a women's chest and lie flat against the body without bouncing. The wide mouth is easy to clean and fill, and the straws offer easy hands-free access to hydration. The only issue with these bottles is that the straws are very long and will most likely need to be trimmed to the runner's desired length."

Kaitlin: "There was some light fraying of the elastic loops on the pack, but the overall construction, zippers, and fasteners are high quality and won't break with regular wear. The fabric on the backpack doesn't have a lot of give, so the capacity is limited, but the material is durable."

Liz: "While the materials of this pack aren't as technical or high quality as the Advanced Skin or Sense Pro models, the pack is still very well made and durable. I foresee this pack lasting a very long time."

Kaitlin: "The Active Skin Pack has all the necessary features and a great, comfortable fit at a very reasonable price. It is going to fulfill the needs of most people looking for a daypack."

Liz: "This pack takes the fit and technologies of Salomon's highest level running packs and makes an affordable version that doesn't compromise on performance. While the materials aren't as high quality as the other two packs in the series, and there isn't quite as much accommodating stretch, this pack is hard to beat at $100. Those looking for incredible value won't be disappointed."