breaking the norm light and nimble salomon trail running backpack

First time participating50kilometer trail race (Yangxian100) relying on having run multiple marathons, thinking50kilometers would be easy. Due to insufficient preparation, underestimating the race, and only bringing aUDdouble350ml water bottle waist pack, with a total of700ml of water, which was not enough to last until the next supply station. Fortunately, there were mountain springs along the way. The waist pack was not very useful; if tightened too much, it squeezed the stomach, and if too loose, the bottles would shake noticeably. The long-term friction increased with distance, and after running for several hours, my waist was chafed badly. Imagine running with a tight belt. Although I achieved second place in the men's 50 km group, it was only because I drank mountain spring water along the way. The process was torturous, and I doubted my life. A professional trail backpack is a must for peace of mind.

Picked up two bamboo sticks as trekking poles along the way.

Learning from this race, and to better enjoy future races, I bought a professional trail backpack,Salomon S-LAB SENSE ULTRA 8SET. This model also has a5Lversion,8liter version with a tag price of061498, with double500ml soft water bottles. The color is Beyond Blue, and the design of theS-labseries by Salomon is very attractive.

ThisSalomon 8Ltrail backpack belongs to Salomon's top-tier laboratoryS-labseries, featuring minimalist design and extreme lightweight at only125grams. To achieve this lightweight, unnecessary designs like support bars, padding, and zippers were discarded, retaining only essential functions and storage space.

The vest-style design comes in different sizesXL M S,just choose according to your usual clothing size.

The entire pack uses elastic quick-dry fabric, which is good for expanding storage space.

Compared to another Salomon5Ltrail backpack, the only difference is that the main compartment on the back has two extra folds. This clever design adds3Lof space.

There are a total of13storage spaces, easily accommodating mandatory gear for a 100 km trail race.

ThisSalomon 8liter trail backpack uses lightweight double elastic straps, much thinner than the non-elastic straps of the previous generation. This change, though subtle, improves the experience as the elastic straps better accommodate chest expansion during exercise.

The adjustable buckle allows for tightness adjustment based on load, keeping the pack snug during movement. Trail races often require a safety whistle to prevent accidents, but such small items are easy to lose. ThisSalomon 8Ltrail backpack comes with a small whistle fixed on the left chest.

For lightweight design, only the front chest water bottle compartment uses double-layer coarse fiber woven fabric for shock absorption and breathability, preventing the water bottles from shaking and chafing the skin during long-distance runs. The back uses breathable mesh fabric, which is good for heat dissipation when empty, but may be less effective when fully loaded.

Comes with double500ml bite-valve soft water bottles. The bottle compartment has a fixed strap, and the soft bottles are of good quality with no odor. However, the screw thread only has two turns, making it difficult to tighten, which could cause mistakes in a race.

ThisSalomon 8Ltrail backpack has ample storage space. The main compartment can hold a jacket and a windbreaker but not a water bladder. Personally, I find water bladders impractical as they are inconvenient to fill and heavy, and you can't tell how much water is left. The solution is to carry an extra soft water bottle. Depending on the race length and elevation, decide whether to fill the spare bottle. For races with frequent supply stations, double500ml bottles are sufficient.

Watch a video to see how much this backpack can hold.

The lower secondary compartment can hold a spare thermal shirt. The side pockets can hold a headlamp, phone, power bank, energy gels, and bars. Food items can be placed in the front pockets for easy access. The elastic fabric has good expandability, and the main and secondary compartments have anti-slip silicone strips to secure items. I don't like the silicone strip design; it's fine for the main compartment, but the secondary compartment usually holds small items likeGPSchips and spare headlamps. If you fall, small items might get lost. A zipper design would be perfect!

The bottom of the pack has trekking pole attachment points, but you need to bring your own Velcro straps to secure the poles. It can also be used to hang a race number.

There are reflective strips on all sides.

ThisSalomon 8Ltrail backpack has been used by the author for three months, and overall, I am very satisfied. The fit is excellent, and there is no noticeable shaking during exercise. Surprisingly, if only the front water bottles are used and the main compartment is empty, there is noticeable shaking. The solution is to tighten the straps or put items in the main compartment to balance the front and back.

The storage pockets are well-designed and convenient to access during exercise, especially the outer pockets of the water bottle compartments, which can hold a lot due to the elastic fabric.

It can hold mandatory gear for a 100 km race.

In densely wooded trails, it may get caught on branches but does not tear easily. However, don't expect it to be very durable. The backpack is breathable, but keep items dry. Use ziplock bags for clothing and electronics.

Originally intended to use it for theMarch 4thNanjing Laoshan100km trail race, but couldn't make it that day, so I couldn't test its performance after running100km, which is a bit regrettable.

Summary

Advantages:This is a racing trail backpack with extreme lightweight design (125grams), elastic fabric, strong expandability, ample storage space, good fit, and comes with a safety whistle.

Disadvantages:The front chest strap tends to come off (solution: tie an extra knot), the soft water bottle cap is hard to tighten, the fabric's tear resistance could be improved, and it's a bit challenging for races over 100 km.

Recommendation:Recommended for elite runners seeking performance and extreme lightweight. Not recommended for trail running beginners or those who run for fun, as it only has8liters of space, not enough for snacks, drinks, beer, sunflower seeds, mineral water, sausages, roast duck, roast chicken, hamburgers, beef, chicken legs, meat sandwiches, etc.