Salomon S/Lab Set Pack Review
Updated: February 27, 2024
Ultra-specific race pack for running with speed, comfort, and efficiency.
Likes
- Easy access to bottles and essentials
- Ultralight vest with high-quality materials
- Comfortable fit with no bounce
Dislikes
- Not bladder compatable
- Price
What's New
The Salomon S/Lab Ultra Set Pack is an ultra-light running pack for racing and training at the highest level. This pack comes in a 10L volume storage capacity and includes two 500-ml S/Lab soft flasks for hydration. The Sensifit construction enhances next-to-skin comfort, balance, and breathability in a lightweight package. The Quick Link sternum strap system offers quick pack adjustments and is made with elastic for improved breathability during high-intensity runs. This race vest features ample storage for easy access to essentials like flasks, gels, nutrition, apparel, etc. In addition, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Set Pack is custom quiver compatible, providing convenient and stable carrying for your poles.
The Bottom Line
The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack redefines performance standards in ultra-running gear. Designed by ultra-running champion François d’Haene, this vest is exceptionally lightweight and comfortable, allowing you to focus solely on your run without feeling weighed down. With a multitude of easily accessible storage pockets for your essentials and high-volume hydration flasks, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra is the perfect companion to help you conquer your most challenging trail adventures while barely noticing its presence.
Our In-Depth Look
Fit/Comfort
Grace: "The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack is a unisex pack. I am 5'6" and 114 lbs, in between sizes XS-SM for women's-specific packs, and the XS in the S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack fits like a woman's SM. Over the sternum is a thin bungee cord that expands and contracts as you breathe, making it comfortable yet secure. I didn’t have any issues with bounce, and the elastic sternum straps let me easily adjust. The material is extremely thin and surprisingly durable; paired with the secure fit, it really does feel like a second skin."
Pack Storage
Grace: "Salomon's S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack is an ultra-specific race vest that offers enough storage for a couple of hours, making it sufficient to get from aid station to aid station during an ultra marathon. The pack carries all the essentials with easy access to its pockets. On the front are two holster pockets for the flasks, and right below them are two additional holsters for gels, other food, a headlamp, etc. There are also two small zipper pockets (one on each side for added storage). Lastly, there is one stretchy back compartment, perfect for carrying additional layers of clothing but unsuitable for a bladder. I used this pack for two races, a 50k and 50 miler. For both races, I found it easy to carry all my nutrition, had easy access to all my essentials, and was able to quickly switch out my food, gels, and soft flasks at the aid stations. One thing I noticed that might be a downside for some runners was that this pack doesn't have a phone pocket. If you race with a phone, you could put it in the big pocket in the back, but you would need to remove the pack to access it. I don't typically have my phone on my person when I race, so this wasn't a deal breaker for me."
Hydration
Grace: "This pack includes two 17 oz soft flasks in the front pockets, which provide plenty of hydration for a couple of hours of running. The bottles are quick and easy to remove from the pockets and refill. The elastic loops under the bottle cap help keep the bottles upright once empty. This concept worked pretty well; I had one or two instances where the elastic loops came off the bottle cap, and the bottles sunk into the pockets. One design I would have loved to see would be something similar to the bottles in the Nathan Pinnacle 4L Hydration Vest, which have straws that go right to your mouth and the bottles have a plastic back panel built-in to keep the bottles upright no matter if they are full or empty. I think if I use a pack for my next race, I would use the Salomon S/Lab but with the Nathan bottles."
Quality
Grace: "This pack is well-designed and uses the highest quality materials. I didn't find any weak points in the material or construction. I was initially concerned that the elastic sternum straps would be too thin and not secure enough to prevent bouncing, but I hardly noticed them when I was running. I was extremely impressed with how thin and breathable the material was while also being highly durable."
Value
Grace: "The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack is an ultra-specific racing vest, made to go fast and far and carry the essentials. This pack is a bit of a niche product that will appeal most to the person looking to cut every gram from their racing kit. Given that it is a $200 pack specifically designed for racing and incapable of carrying a bladder, it is expensive for someone like me who uses the same gear I train in. While I am on the fence about the price, the S/Lab Ultra 10 Set Pack is ultralight and efficient, and I really liked it for my faster runs (ranging from 8-16 miles) and the two ultras I used it for."
