The Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set (bit of a mouthful!) running pack is here! I’m testing at least 4 running day packs for the Cape Wrath Ultra. See previous post for the other three. This is a First Look, and I’ll be broadcasting a First Run with it next Wednesday 7 Feb at 11:30am on my YouTube channel Wild Ginger Films. Subscribe to the channel and click the notifications bell now so you don’t miss out!

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set running pack

The Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set info says, “Motionfit Ultra-form fit, very precise; no chafing – skin friendly, lightweight, moisture management, cocona fabrics, sensifit construction, soft twinlink [chest closure system], 2 x 500ml speed spft flask included; washable at 30 deg C.”

• RRP £140 
• Weighs 205g (XS incl. bottles)
• Total capacity 10 litres
• Five sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

I like:
First thoughts – this is so, so, incredibly LIGHT. It scrunches up to absolutely nothing, and without the bottles weighs only 130g (not 125g as it says on the side, but each pack must vary slightly with stitching).

The Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set is incredibly light at 205g all in.

There are a great many pockets and they are all made of stretchy material. There are two main compartments on the back, one high and one low, without any zips to shut them so you can reach your hand right in and grab your waterproof or whatever gear you stashed in there.

The main two back pockets are stretchy but do not have zip closures

There are two side pockets with zips plus a stretch pocket in front.

The side zip pockets also have a stretchy pocket in front

There are stretchy side pockets under each bottle pocket, but will the items inside be easy enough to access with a full bottle above? There’s also a zip pocket on the right shoulder for a key or credit card.

Will I be able to access the pocket below the bottle when it’s full of water?

It’s also good to see that Salomon have changed the bottle design to a curved base, the ‘Speed soft bottle’, which seems like it will be easier to post into the pocket. It is very tricky on my old 2014 S-Lab Sense Ultra 3-set.

New ‘Speed soft bottle’ looks more bullet-shaped for easier pocket insertion

Salomon have also changed the chest straps, which is going to be interesting to try out. I must do a blog post on my previous Salomon pack to show you the difference, but they’ve moved to a bungee cord and pull now rather than a hook clip, which does look easier to operate with cold hands.

The whistle is a nice touch too as most races stipulate it as part of the mandatory kit.

Integrated whistle, always good on a running pack

Inside, the mesh looks comfortable and breathable.

Comfy mesh next to the skin/t-shirt

I’m not sure about:
The main two back pockets don’t have zip closures, so I’m thinking I’ll need to fill them relatively full so items don’t fall out. If kit is in dry bags it might slide out…but only if you were doing some extreme lurching around and maybe a cartwheel over the finish line!

There are no specific pole attachements, so we’ll see if the poles bash me on the head if I stow them in the main back compartment!

There are no adjustments for size as the pack comes in 5 sizes from XS to XL, but this could be a downside for someone in between…

On first impressions, the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set looks like it will be super light and hopefully fit comfortably. So on my First Run I’ll be testing this, and seeing whether all those stretchy pockets keep the gear inside ok, and whether I can carry poles with this pack.

My First Run assessment will be on Wild Ginger Films YouTube channel next Wednesday 7 Feb at 11:30am.

Transparency: Salomon sent me the S-Lab Sense Ultra 8-set so I could review it as part of my pack testing for the Cape Wrath Ultra race this May. I am not funded by any brand or magazine for this work. Thoughts are my own.

If you’d like to buy one of these packs, please do so by clicking on these links below. This means I get a few pennies at no cost to you. How better than to show your appreciation for my independent, honest reviews? 🙂 Thank you, Claire

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set Running Vest – SS18 – X Large

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set Running Vest – SS18 – Large

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set Running Vest – SS18 – Medium

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set Running Vest – SS18 – Small

Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8 Set Running Vest – SS18 – X Small