Photobiathlon becomes even more comfortable with SALOMON's trail running shoes "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" and backpack "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG."

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Photography is both a hobby and a job, and jogging is also a part-job in terms of health management. I wondered if I could combine these two, and so I started photobiathlon, which involves running through the forest, taking photos of wild animals I come across, and then running again. I tried SALOMON's THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX and ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG for this hobby, and found them extremely comfortable, so I'd like to share my experience with you all

What are SALOMON's "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" and "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG"?

SALOMON's "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" (photo: left) and "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" (photo: right)

I want to run around in the forest with a super telephoto lens on my back!

In Hokkaido, where I live, a short walk through the nearby forests is enough to encounter wild animals and birds such as Hokkaido deer, Hokkaido squirrels, black woodpeckers, long-tailed tits, and kingfishers. As a photographer and writer, if I could, I would love to stroll through such fields every day with my large, heavy super-telephoto lens in hand

However, you can't make a living just by taking photos of wildlife, and I can't devote time to taking photos every day. However, as a self-employed person who works remotely, if I'm not careful I can easily become obese and have health problems, so I think of jogging as part of my job in a sense, and I've been making a conscious effort to keep it up lately

At that time, I suddenly had the idea of ​​"Why not just put a super telephoto lens on my back and run?" - a photobiathlon method in which I would run through the forest, take pictures of any wild animals I spot, and then run again.To make this easy, I introduced the combination of the OM SYSTEM professional camera "OM-1" - which is tough, compact, excellent for super telephoto photography, and offers high cost performance - and a super telephoto lens

I was enjoying a fairly good run using the OM SYSTEM professional camera "OM-1" and super telephoto lens, but what made it even easier and more comfortable were SALOMON's trail running shoes "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" 24,200 yen (tax included) and running backpack "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" 18,700 yen (tax included)

Recommended points

• (THUNDERCROSS) High cushioning that allows you to run 30 seconds per kilometer faster than usual
• (THUNDERCROSS) 5mm lugs that grip the ground even on frozen forest roads covered with fallen leaves
• (THUNDERCROSS) GORE-TEX provides warmth and protection even in rain and light snow in temperatures close to freezing
• (ADV SKIN) Waterproof fabric roll top that can be adjusted to fit the lens length
• (ADV SKIN) 10 pockets and 2 large compartments for excellent storage capacity
• (ADV SKIN) Large capacity of 15L, but extremely lightweight at just 320g

Points of interest

• (THUNDERCROSS) It uses highly waterproof Gore-Tex, so it can get a little stuffy
• (ADV SKIN) The chest strap that fastens in front of the chest is made of thin elastic

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

I want to photograph the Hokkaido squirrels and wild birds I encounter while releasing the happiness hormone serotonin

The scene in the photo unfolds every day in Aoba Park in Chitose, Hokkaido, where I live. OM SYSTEM OM-1 + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14

As a photographer/writer, I spend most of my time writing at home when I'm not taking photos or testing for reviews. This time is longer than I expected, and being stuck at home alone can easily lead to a lack of exercise. Also, because I don't meet people, it's a work environment where my mental state can easily go down

For this reason, I try to jog as often as possible. At first, I started jogging to lose weight, which I could call my life's work and hobby, but the main reason I started jogging was that I realized that running not only helped me lose weight and become healthier, but also made me more mentally stable. For some reason, when I run every day, I feel more positive and less likely to get depressed

I was curious, so I looked into it and found that jogging at a comfortable pace releases serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, and dopamine, which brings joy and pleasure. I'm not an expert, so I don't understand the complicated details, but when I run continuously, I can clearly concentrate on my work more positively than when I'm not running, I don't gain weight even if I eat a certain amount of my favorite foods, and I sleep better. It seems that one of the reasons I sleep so well is because serotonin, the happiness hormone, helps produce melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep

In other words, as someone whose job involves writing manuscripts, which is often influenced by my mood, I consider running to be part of my job, because even if it means jogging for just one or two hours a day, it ultimately increases my work efficiency

As a result, I arrived at my current style of running through the forest paths in Aoba Park, where Hokkaido squirrels and wild birds live, with a super telephoto lens on my back

The OM SYSTEM weighs just over 2kg and allows for a maximum super telephoto equivalent of 1,200mm

The photo above shows the OM SYSTEM OM-1 + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 2x Teleconverter MC-20. This size allows for ultra-telephoto shooting equivalent to 1,200mm

Telephoto lenses, which are considered standard lenses for photographing wildlife and wild birds, are 500mm and 600mm lenses for full-frame 35mm cameras, and professional prime models weigh around 3kg, and professional cameras from the SLR era had camera bodies weighing around 1.5kg

Being smaller than the average Japanese male, it was too heavy and too big for me to carry while running. However, while it's too late to bulk up, digital cameras offer a lightweight and compact system. As I mentioned in my previous post, "Lightweight and compact are the best for outdoor activities! Photographing pikas at Mount Hakuun and Mount Higashi-Nupukaushi-Nupuri over two consecutive days with the OM SYSTEM OM-1 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS," the Micro Four Thirds OM SYSTEM's 600mm-equivalent M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO (market price around ¥350,000) is ultra-lightweight, weighing just 1,270g (excluding tripod mount) or 1,475g (including tripod mount). Even when combined with the OM SYSTEM's high-end professional model OM-1 (market price around 220,000 yen), weighing just 511g, the total weight is just under 2kg. Even when combined with the super telephoto zoom M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS (market price around 150,000 yen), weighing 1,120g (excluding tripod mount) / 1,325g (including tripod mount), the total weight is still under 2kg.

You might even encounter the ever-popular long-tailed tit at Aoba Park in Chitose City. Photographed with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO + M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14

I enjoy photographing wildlife and birds using the versatile and cost-effective M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS, as well as the slightly more luxurious but bright M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, which offers excellent image quality, and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14 (market price around 25,000 yen), which provides better telephoto performance at the expense of a slightly slower aperture, at an equivalent of 840mm F5.6, or the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 2x Teleconverter MC-20, a 2x teleconverter, at a 1,200mm equivalent F8.0

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14 weighs 105g, and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 2x Teleconverter MC-20 weighs 150g, so even carrying an 840mm equivalent F5.6 or 1,200mm equivalent F8.0 lens together with a high-end professional camera body weighs just over 2kg. I personally like to put these in my running vest and run through the forest looking for subjects, taking photos, then starting again, photobiathlon style

If you carry it tightly against your body in a running vest, the Micro Four Thirds OM SYSTEM is light enough and large enough for even a petite person like me to run with, and I think even women can enjoy photobiathlon-style shooting. Shooting with a 35mm full-frame camera can be quite difficult, but with the compact and lightweight Micro Four Thirds, it can be enjoyed easily, even in terms of cost

SALOMON's "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" offers excellent cushioning, weather resistance, and grip

SALOMON "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" 24,200 yen (tax included). There are three color variations, including two other colors in addition to the model shown in the photo

You may be wondering what I'm talking about, but my goal in running is to promote the secretion of the happiness hormone serotonin. Of course, it would be nice if I lost weight, gained muscle strength, or became faster as a result of running, but in a sense, I say that running is part of my job, so the important goal is to create a mental and physical environment that allows me to work with a positive attitude and mental stability by secreting the happiness hormone serotonin

Therefore, for me, the biggest risk is injury from jogging. I run for mental stability, so I want to avoid physical injury and the damage it causes both mentally and physically. That's why I run as leisurely as possible to minimize the strain on my knees and other parts of my body. Also, I don't have enough muscle strength as a runner, and I'm heavy, so I try to select shoes with as much cushioning as possible

The chevron lugs are made of All Terrain Contagrip rubber, which is 5mm deep and provides grip in all directions, improving traction on soft surfaces such as muddy roads and slush

However, the jogging course in Aoba Park, where you can encounter wild animals and birds, is, of course, an unpaved forest road, and in this season from autumn to early winter, it is not uncommon for fallen leaves to pile up on top of snow, and the road itself to be frozen. For this reason, you need shoes that provide good grip even on rough roads

In Hokkaido in December, temperatures can drop below 0°C all day long, making it quite common to jog in temperatures below freezing. Fallen leaves are also common, so it's important to have jogging gear made from waterproof and weather-resistant materials that will keep you warm

On top of that, I don't have enough muscle strength as a runner, and I'm quite heavy, so I also carry a camera and lens on my back, which weighs around 2kg, so high cushioning is essential. I selected SALOMON's "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" trail running shoes to meet these requirements

Before I started using the "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX," I would alternate between the Salomon "XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX" and "SENSI RIDE 3" depending on the weather, temperature, course, and mood. However, when jogging on a forest trail just over 4km in temperatures just below freezing while carrying a camera and lens, the "XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX" felt a bit overkill in terms of foot protection and lacked cushioning. Meanwhile, the "SENSI RIDE 3" isn't a GORE-TEX model, so it lacks waterproofing and weather resistance, and it can feel a bit cold in sub-freezing temperatures, but there were many occasions when I preferred it for its cushioned sole

THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX provides extremely high cushioning thanks to the highly cushioned Energy Foam that is placed in sufficient thickness

In a sense, THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX seems to have the best of both worlds, with the highly cushioned Energy Foam placed in a thick enough sole that even when running with a running backpack containing a camera and lenses, there is less strain on the knees and soles of the feet. I'm always afraid of injury, so I run very slowly to minimize impact, but with THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX, I feel like I can run safely even at a pace about 30 seconds faster per kilometer than usual

Since I'm carrying lenses and cameras, a fall not only injures me physically, but can also damage my equipment. Therefore, it's one of the things I want to avoid the most. Unfortunately, the course I run on to photograph wildlife is covered in fallen leaves, followed by snow and ice. The THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX All Terrain Contagrip rubber provides 5mm of grip in all directions, and the chevron lugs, which improve traction on soft surfaces like mud and slush, provide a firm grip on the surface, so I never felt like I was slipping or panicking while jogging. Furthermore, while it's understandably stuffy in the summer, the GORE-TEX construction allowed me to run comfortably in near-freezing rain and light snow, down to around -3°C, without getting wet or cold

Because it's a low-cut model, it would be difficult to run with a camera and lens on the snow-covered forest roads of Aoba Park in Chitose City, Hokkaido, during the full-blown snow season, but in the intervening season, the THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX will make it possible to enjoy a leisurely jog in the below-zero temperatures for photobiathlon. Personally, I recommend these shoes for jogging around freezing temperatures, which is easier than summer, so I definitely recommend giving them a try

We recommend the SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG to anyone who wants to ride with their camera, lenses, and other gear

The large-capacity yet compact SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" is priced at 18,700 yen (tax included)

I'm not sure if it's appropriate to bring up Adidas' catchphrase in a review of a SALOMON item, but I really like the catchphrase, "All you need is the desire to run." The great thing about jogging is that as long as you have the desire to run, you can do it anywhere, anytime

However, for an average person like me, this desire to run disappears very easily. For example, in my case where I live in Hokkaido, it's not uncommon for the temperature to already be around freezing in December, and without some decent cold weather gear that's easy to move in, my desire to run quickly fades. Also, while it would be great if you were in an environment where you could run comfortably with just light clothing like running shorts and empty-handed, most people would probably run with at least their house keys, smartphone, and some loose change

If the money or keys in your pocket start rattling around or your smartphone starts flapping and shaking, your desire to run will quickly disappear. You started running to feel good, but if running is uncomfortable, your desire to run will disappear

For this reason, I prefer to use a running backpack that fits snugly to my body when I run. In fact, I own three running backpacks, including the SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" that I recently introduced, but my overwhelming favorite is the SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG."

It has a large capacity of 15L for a running backpack, so the main compartment on the back is quite large

It's not that other running backpacks are bad, but rather that the two running backpacks I purchased earlier helped me understand what I need in my ideal running backpack

10 pockets and 2 large compartments for excellent storage capacity

It depends on what you carry when jogging, but I personally like at least six pockets on the front shoulder harness, ideally large ones. The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG is equipped with a whopping eight pockets on the shoulder harness: two large zippered waterproof pockets, two large pockets large enough to hold 500ml soft flasks, two large mesh pockets, and two smaller mesh pockets

In my case, I carry my smartphone, earphones, a small amount of cash in a Ziploc bag, my car and house keys, pocket Wi-Fi, and my OM SYSTEM compact digital camera TG-7 (when I'm not carrying my interchangeable lens camera) in separate pockets to prevent them from bumping into each other, so I need at least five pockets. And if I want to leave some extra space, I'll need six pockets. With this gear, I can just about fit the items I normally use for jogging, and I can run comfortably without my items shaking or flapping around too much

I try to keep my luggage to a minimum when jogging, but I still need to bring a certain amount of luggage, such as a smartphone or pocket Wi-Fi

It was quite difficult to find a running backpack that could comfortably store this minimum amount of luggage, but in my case, I also had a rather unusual request: I wanted to be able to store a super telephoto lens equivalent to 600mm or more and a camera attached to it in the main compartment on the back

Running backpacks are not designed to carry precision equipment like cameras or lenses, so they do not contain any cushioning. For this reason, I roll up a relatively inexpensive outdoor silver mat, attach a bottom, and create a cylindrical cushioning material, which I then use to store my telephoto lens and camera in my running backpack

As shown in the photo, the super telephoto lens + OM SYSTEM OM-1 are placed in cushioning material made of a silver mat attached with duct tape and stored in a SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG."

Adjustable waterproof fabric roll top for a secure fit and no shaking

I thought there wouldn't be any major problems if I packed my camera and lenses in a running backpack with some cushioning, but I actually encountered two problems with conventional running backpacks that I didn't realize I had until I actually started running

One thing that happens, although it doesn't happen every time, is that when you put a camera and lens in your running backpack and run, the camera and lens will shake from side to side. If this shaking synchronizes with the zipper on the main compartment of the running backpack, the opening of the running backpack can open. I've personally dropped my camera and lens because of this. It's a big problem

The second problem is that if the size (mainly the length) of the main compartment of a running backpack matches the length of the lens, camera, and cushioning you put inside, there will be little shaking while running.However, if the camera or other items you put inside are too short compared to the length of the main compartment, there will be space inside, making it more likely to shake, and increasing the risk of the zipper opening

I was looking for a running backpack that would solve these two problems by being able to fit my telephoto lens, camera, and cushioning, but I couldn't find one on the internet. While information about the size and capacity of running backpacks is available, you can't really know if your lenses and camera will fit until you actually try them out, and there are very few running backpacks that have a main compartment that doesn't have a zipper closure and provides sufficient capacity. Living in a regional city in Hokkaido, like me, it's extremely difficult to examine the entire lineup of running backpack manufacturers in person

The Salomon Store Sapporo Experience Base is a direct store of SALOMON. It is an experience-based store where you can try out running shoes

However, while searching online for a running backpack, I discovered that there is a SALOMON store in Sapporo called the " SALOMON Store Sapporo Experience Base ." Thinking that they would have most of the products, I went there with my camera, lenses, and cushioning materials. From among almost all of SALOMON's running backpacks, I chose the SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" as the item that met my requirements.

It has a large main compartment large enough to store an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, an OM SYSTEM OM-1, and even cushioning material, yet the main compartment doesn't open with a zipper, but with a dry bag-style roll top. This means you don't have to worry about the camera or other items shaking inside causing the zipper to open. This is a major advantage. What's more, because it's a roll top style, you can adjust the length of the main compartment by adjusting the number of rolls to suit the length of the lenses stored inside. For someone like me who enjoys photobiathlon, this is truly the ideal running backpack

The main compartment opens and closes in a roll-top style, which means it closes securely and its overall length can be adjusted, which is great

Although it has a large capacity, it has a very sophisticated and compact design, so when you spot a Hokkaido squirrel on the forest path in Aoba Park and take out a set of 840mm or 1,200mm equivalent lenses and camera from your back inside the SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG", many people are surprised and say, "You can fit an ultra-telephoto lens in such a compact bag!"

Plus it's super lightweight

The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG has plenty of pockets and a fairly large 15L capacity for a running backpack, but it actually weighs just 320g. When I bought my first running backpack, I chose a minimalist one with a very small capacity, even though I wasn't planning on participating in any races. Despite weighing only 100g less, I often ended up carrying groceries while jogging, which I regret. The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG, on the other hand, has ample capacity, so I stopped by a supermarket that sells delicious fish during a jog and ran home with a box of sashimi still on my back. The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG is convenient for everyday use, as it's lightweight, compact, and spacious

The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG is incredibly useful for everyday jogging and photobiathlons where you run through the forest with a camera on your back, and it would be very hard to find anything better. It's a running backpack I really like and would recommend to many people, but the only thing that bothers me is that the chest straps that fasten the left and right shoulder harnesses in front of the chest are made of thin elastic cord. Having experienced the thin elastic cord stitching on a running backpack from another company not being able to withstand the pulling force and coming off, I'm a little concerned about the durability of this part. However, after using it for a few months now, I haven't had any particular issues, so maybe I'm just worrying too much

Summary: SALOMON's "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" and "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG" will boost your desire to run

Salomon Thundercross GTX Trail Running Shoes in Olive Night/Black/Alfalfa (473834)

created by Rinker

¥19,360 (as of 2026/02/18 22:11:43, according to Rakuten Market - details)

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• Rakuten Market
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(e) Salomon ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON 15 / Advanced Skin Cross Season 15 [Trail] [Running] [Trail Running] [Mountaineering] [Trekking] [Unisex] [Running Vest] [Echo Plaza]

created by Rinker

¥18,700 (as of 2026/02/18 22:11:44, according to Rakuten Market - details)

• Amazon
• Rakuten Market
• Yahoo Shopping

SALOMON trail running gear that will give you the confidence to run recklessly

I was running through the forest, which was already covered with a thin layer of snow, with my camera and lens on my back, and it felt really good

While riding along the forest roads of Aoba Park in sub-zero temperatures wearing SALOMON "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" boots with a camera equipped with a super telephoto lens mounted in my SALOMON "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG," familiar faces who were also photographing Hokkaido squirrels and wild birds commented, "I can't believe you want to ride with a camera and lens."

As a runner, I can't help it if I feel like running, but for me, running surrounded by nature and photographing wild animals feels good (probably also releasing the happy hormone serotonin...). However, if you look at it objectively, running through a frozen forest with several kilograms of luggage on your back could almost be considered a punishment in a sense

Even so, I regularly enjoy photobiathlon, running, taking photos, and then running again, carrying my M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO and OM SYSTEM OM-1 lenses in my SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG and wearing SALOMON THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX shoes, because each piece of equipment strongly supports my desire to run

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO and OM SYSTEM OM-1 lenses, which enable ultra-telephoto photography in a compact size, produce beautiful, satisfying photos. The SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG securely holds your gear, encouraging you to ride. Furthermore, the SALOMON THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX provides excellent grip and support, creating a bouncy ride. This makes riding on frozen forest roads a joy in itself

For me, the purpose of running is to stimulate the secretion of serotonin and improve my physical and mental state. For me, the cold, heat, foot and knee pain, and discomfort of my luggage swaying around all act as enemies, dampening my desire to run. Running gear that protects me from these foes is crucial, and I plan to continue incorporating various items to suit different situations and circumstances. For now, I believe the SALOMON ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG and THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX are my best companions for photobiathlons, where I run through the forest carrying my OM SYSTEM OM-1 and telephoto lens. While those who want to run with a camera and telephoto lens may be in the minority, those interested should definitely give it a try. It feels amazing

For details and purchasing information on SALOMON's "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" and "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG," please see here

For more product details, the SALOMON official website and check out "THUNDERCROSS GORE-TEX" and "ADV SKIN CROSS SEASON RACE FLAG."

Chitose Saito

A former editor of a monthly camera magazine, he became immersed in the outdoor lifestyle of campervans and car camping while pursuing Hokkaido's spectacular scenery and wildlife. He is currently a photographer and writer who travels all over Hokkaido with his wife and two-year-old son, capturing and writing about everything he experiences, from cameras and lenses to outdoor activities, camping, child-rearing, PC gadgets, cooking, and even dieting. For OUTDOOR GEARZINE, he plans to write a variety of articles, primarily for the "QOCL (Quality of camping life) Improvement Committee," which aims to improve the quality of life while camping and in a campervan

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