I want to ride in the mountains comfortably even in the winter! SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15 & CROSS RUN review that brings you the true value of tough trails

During the cold winter, when even going outside can be a hassle, many people end up cutting back on their running

But once you actually try running, you'll find that there are fewer people around, you don't sweat as much, and the air is fresh, so it's so pleasant that you'll think winter is the best season

However, to fully enjoy these benefits, you need to do a little more preparation than usual: what to wear when running in winter

Even if it's cold, if you wear warm clothes that won't make you cold at the beginning of a run, you'll find yourself getting hot within 10 minutes and wanting to take them off right away. Of course, it's also a matter of personal preference, as some people dislike the cold at the beginning of a run more than the heat in the middle of a run

In any case, to comfortably ride a winter trail run, it's important to have highly functional clothing and gear that will help alleviate the cold at the start and keep you comfortable while you're running

So this time, we'll be reporting our impressions of running in Salomon's latest running pants, " CROSS RUN ," and backpack, " ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15, " which were released this fall and winter to help you run comfortably even in winter, after actually running in them on a low mountain course.

General features

ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15

This trail running backpack offers reliable weather protection even in harsh winter and bad weather conditions. Based on the excellent fit and mobility of the company's best-selling ADV SKIN Vest, it boasts a 15-liter capacity that's just right for the winter months when you need to carry more. It also features a water-resistant, dry-bag-style main compartment and pockets to keep out snow and rain, as well as waterproof zippers, allowing you to store your items safely and conveniently in any season and in any conditions, helping you to move around comfortably

Recommended points

• High fit and stability
• Various front pockets
• Designed for cold and water resistance with a dry bag-style compartment (3000mm HH waterproof fabric) and an extended trim for easy access in cold or rainy weather
• Easy to open and close the cargo area and compress

Points that interest me

• Breathable and quick-drying
• weight

CROSS RUN

These technical pants are perfect for running year-round and in cold weather. The hybrid construction, featuring a stretchy woven upper and a tapered knit from the knee down to the hem, creates a gender-neutral, slim silhouette, a comfortable fit without feeling restrictive, and exceptional freedom of movement. Highly breathable and quick-drying, they keep you dry while you're on the move. Ample storage is also available, with an adjustable elastic waistband, hand pockets on both sides, and a back zip pocket. Made from recycled fabrics

Recommended points

• Lightweight and stretchy fabric for excellent ease of movement
• A sophisticated silhouette with minimal flapping
• Moderate breathability and quick drying
• Elastic waist with adjustable drawcord
• Ample pockets

Points that interest me

• When worn in the harsh winter, this alone does not provide enough wind protection and warmth

Main Specifications and ratings

ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15

CROSS RUN

Detailed Review: ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15

Tough structure that can withstand cold, rain and snow

Trail running backpacks designed for spring through autumn generally focus on lightness, a comfortable fit, breathability, and quick-drying properties, so weather resistance and durability are often secondary. In contrast, this backpack is based on the construction of a typical running hydration vest, but its primary feature is that it is designed to be comfortable to use in all conditions throughout the year, including rainy and snowy weather, not just in the fine weather of spring through autumn

For example, the fabric is made of water-repellent ripstop nylon, and there is a dry bag-style compartment made of waterproof fabric on the back. Furthermore, the seams are sealed to prevent water from seeping in as much as possible

Additionally, the zippers throughout the pack are waterproof, providing excellent weather resistance. Light rain will keep the contents dry, and you won't have to worry about water seeping in if you place the pack on snow

The main compartment has a simple and lightweight roll-top entrance. It opens wide for quick access and is highly airtight, reducing the risk of water intrusion

Based on the best-selling ADV SKIN, it offers excellent fit, mobility, and stability

I've always thought that the key to comfort for a vest-style backpack that supports the upper body over a wide area is how evenly that "surface" fits the contours of the body and how flexibly it responds without shifting or shaking as you move. In that sense, the ADV SKIN series, which is renowned for its superb fit, stability, and ease of movement created by SensiFit™ , delivers the comfort you'd expect from a backpack.

The shoulder straps are wide and voluminous, with a three-dimensional shape that fits securely from the shoulders to the front, gently enveloping you with its wide surface area. The shoulder straps are also made with elastic cord, and the tightness can be adjusted in one place with the same cord lock as the quicklace used in SALOMON shoes (see photo below). Unlike belt-type straps, they don't feel tight around the chest during intense exercise, and I like the exquisite tension that allows for easy breathing

The fabric that comes into contact with the skin is a three-dimensional honeycomb mesh fabric that is placed all over the body. The mesh provides moderate stretch and good breathability at all times

It has two layers of coarse mesh fabric and stretchy fabric on the sides of the body

The sides of the body are made of highly stretchable fabric, so even when you twist your body or move your arms, it follows your movements perfectly, providing excellent stability

The underarm area is made of stretchy fabric for improved responsiveness to movement

Larger capacity than it looks, with easy storage capacity for easy access

In winter, we tend to carry a lot of things, such as warm clothes, insulated bottles, and even chain spikes. Many people find that a capacity of 10 liters or less, which is usually used for day runs, is not enough. However, this model's roll-top design allows it to be expanded from 11 to 20 liters, making it highly flexible and suitable for use all year round

The main compartment is designed so that the base area increases as you go up, and the center of gravity is positioned high near the shoulders

The V-shaped design of the pack widens as it moves up, raising the center of gravity and concentrating the weight around the shoulders for a more stable ride

The main storage has a roll-top entrance. While this generally has the drawback of being difficult to open and close, there is a dry bag-style compartment right next to it that is easily accessible via a waterproof zipper, so you can store items you need to access quickly, such as a hydration bladder and rain gear, in this compartment (see photo below). This means that the disadvantages of the roll-top style are not a concern at all. The storage is highly airtight and insulated, so it is not prone to freezing in the cold. However, I was a little concerned that this slightly hindered ventilation at the back

By the way, the hydration setup method is the same as the ADV SKIN series, but it's smarter than other backpacks. Instead of pulling the hydration tube out from the top, it passes under the armpit inside the shoulder harness, so the tube naturally lines up with your mouth, making it easy to drink and preventing the tube from dangling (see photo below)

Plenty of external pockets for easy use on the move

The storage area has the greatest impact on the usability of a running pack. However, having more storage space is not always better, but having too little is also inconvenient. It is important that the storage space is just the right size in the right place, and that it is smartly placed so that you can access it quickly while standing, even while on the move

The ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15 has four pockets on each side of the shoulder strap. From the top, there is a mesh pocket, a pocket for a soft flask, a large zipper pocket, and a large mesh pocket (see photo below).

The small mesh pocket at the top can hold small gels or tablets, and the left mesh pocket holds an emergency whistle (see photo below)

The soft flask pocket is narrow and deep, so it fits a genuine Salomon 500ml flask perfectly (see photo below). It also has a sturdy elastic cord to prevent it from falling out. Incidentally, the opening of the pocket has a large trim, making it easy to access even when wearing gloves in the winter

The large zippered pocket provides some water protection, making it convenient for storing items you don't want to get wet, such as gloves, sweat wipes, and smartphones. The outer mesh stretch pocket is convenient for storing gels and snacks (see photo below)

The shoulder straps have two drawcords, one on top and one on the bottom, that can be used to secure trekking poles. This allows you to do so without having to take off your pack, minimizing time loss and stress while on the move

There is also a large mesh pocket on the front (side), which is convenient for storing gloves, beanies, etc

Interestingly, although there are entrances on both sides, they are actually connected at the bottom, so you can tuck your rain jacket inside and then reach around the back to quickly take it out in an emergency (see photo below)

Finally, the drawcord on the outside of the front can be used to compress the pack when you have little luggage, and is also useful for securing poles when you won't be using them for a long time, such as on the approach

Detailed Review: CROSS RUN

Ideal silhouette and comfort for running

From spring to autumn, you can stay active without feeling cold by wearing only shorts or a combination of running tights and shorts, but as winter approaches, the wind blowing against your lower body can feel cold even on low mountains. That's where long pants come in handy

I personally don't like wearing exposed leggings in winter because, although they are comfortable to run in, the cold wind makes me feel like the heat is being sucked directly from my skin, which is why I prefer to wear pants (even over leggings) in winter

However, it's hard to give up the benefits of spats - a comfortable fit without flapping. In that sense, what I liked most about the CROSS RUN is its smart design, which combines the ease of running in spats with the comfort of pants. The tapered silhouette around the ankles creates a beautiful leg silhouette, while the moderate roominess around the hips and thighs creates a relaxed, natural fit. As for the size, this may be because I have a slim waist and long legs (height 176cm, weight 64kg), but when I chose it just right for my waist, it ended up being a little too short. I think it's acceptable if it's a little short.

The upper is made of a woven fabric that is firm yet stretchy, while the area from the knee down to the ankle is made of a hybrid fabric that combines knit, which has excellent fit and stretch. Both have a smooth surface, making them easy to move through (see photo below)

Stretch and draped for outstanding ease of movement

During trail runs, where your lower body moves quickly and vigorously, even the slightest resistance from pants can be a concern. In that sense, these pants provided almost no complaints about the mobility required of pants for such intense movements. It's fair to say that they met all of these requirements at a high level

The S size is super light, weighing just 178g, and thanks to the roomy rise and high elasticity of the 4-way stretch, there is no feeling of tightness when wearing them, and there is almost no stress even when bending and stretching your legs

Furthermore, clever three-dimensional cutting, such as the gusseted crotch located under the crotch, prevents any tightness or roughness even with large movements, allowing you to lift your legs high on rocky terrain without hesitation

The waist is made with flat elastic for a better fit, and can also be adjusted with an elastic cord, allowing for a comfortable fit to a wide range of body types

When I actually ran in them, I found that the tapered fit from below the knee to the hem prevented any flapping, allowing for safe, quick, and nimble movement. They were also extremely breathable, preventing heat and humidity from building up. Even during the warmer days of the day, they were comfortable and didn't get stuffy

However, on the other hand, it's important to note that these pants aren't particularly strong against the cold, wind, or rain (I assumed they were for winter because they were released in the fall and winter). While they are breathable and quick-drying, you can't expect them to be windproof or water-repellent, so I recommend bringing inner tights for warmth and windshell pants or rain pants for wind and rain protection

Easy-to-use pockets without compromising the smart design

There are left and right hand pockets on the front, and a zipper pocket on the back, providing ample storage for convenient use while relaxing or running

Summary: Recommended for people like this

The backpack and pants introduced here are both new items for autumn and winter, but that doesn't mean they should be thought of as just for winter. Rather, I feel they are suitable for people who want to use them comfortably throughout the year

The ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15 lightweight, water-resistant, and durable, making it a well-rounded, sturdy backpack for trail running, but it also has features that make it suitable for use in tougher situations such as speed hiking and scrambling.

On the other hand the CROSS RUN is a pair of pants that are quite thin, lightweight, and highly breathable and quick-drying for winter, so if you're wearing them on their own, the best seasons are spring and autumn when it's not too cold. In the cold seasons, pairing them with tights underneath will provide just the right amount of warmth and breathability, making them comfortable to wear all year round.

For product details and inquiries, please also check the SALOMON official website

   

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