Review: SALOMON XA 25/35: Travel lighter, go further. Amazingly "runnable" fastpacking backpacks

Fastpacking backpacks, which boast lightweight and highly functional features, are a field that has seen a wide variety of models from various brands recently

Fastpacking is an activity that combines the essence of running and hiking. For that reason, a variety of manufacturers with different characteristics, from full-scale alpine brands to those focused on running and racing, and ultralight hiking brands, are releasing a variety of unique models, each proposing their own unique fastpacking styles. In that sense, it's no exaggeration to say that it's the most interesting field right now

the XA series released this summer by SALOMON , a leading trail running brand and one of the manufacturers most enthusiastic in recent years about developing fastpacking products .

Last season, SALOMON released a groundbreaking model in this category called the OUT series the XA series is like a sibling, similarly aimed at those who enjoy agile long hikes, but which responds to different styles and types of needs in the details. I'll introduce what kind of backpack it is, along with my impressions after trying it out for myself.

Key Features of the SALOMON XA Backpack

The XA series is a lightweight, fast-packing backpack designed for running, combining the high mobility of running vest-style backpacks with runner-friendly usability while retaining the comfortable carrying comfort and versatility of the OUT series released last year. The vest-style design, with its compression and strap structure that fits snugly to the body, ensures a stable and comfortable fit even when carrying a heavy load. The shoulder straps, numerous functionally placed external pockets, and various ingenious attachments allow you to access most of your gear without having to take off the pack, making it a must-have for all speed hikers who want to keep going. The lineup includes the XA 15, XA25, and XA35, depending on capacity. (Testing was mainly conducted with the 25L model.)

Here is ◎

• (Despite being ultra-lightweight) A high level of fit and stability that you will feel especially during intense activity
• Various pockets on the shoulder straps (despite being super light)
• Easy to open and close the luggage compartment and operate the compression

This is what I'm curious about

• The back is not as breathable as I expected given the design
• There are too many drawcords strung around, making it a bit cumbersome

Item Appearance

SALOMON XA 25 main specifications and reviews

Detailed Review

Quick-drying and comfortable back system

First, let's look at the overall appearance and comfort of carrying the bag

The shoulder straps are entirely made of 3D Airmesh, a three-dimensional honeycomb mesh. The pocket fabric is also mostly mesh, allowing air to pass through easily from any direction, making it quick-drying (see photo below)

The back of the shoulder strap is made of breathable 3D Airmesh

The back of the bag is made with 3D Airmesh, just like the shoulder straps, and is designed to be highly breathable (see photo below)

However, the perfect fit at the back (see below) also narrows the way for moisture to escape, which is a bit of a problem as it doesn't offer excellent breathability when you sweat a lot. It might be better to have a larger air vent between the back and the pack

The back is made of the same 3D Airmesh as the shoulder straps, ensuring a certain degree of breathability

The back has a wavy EVA foam pad placed behind the mesh, which provides moderate cushioning and helps maintain the shape of the back panel (see photo below). Furthermore, this pad can be removed from the hydration pocket, which not only reduces weight but also improves breathability

The back pad is removable

The actual weight was 432g (S/M size main body). The removable back foam pad weighs just 17g, so if you remove it, the weight can be reduced to a minimum of 415g. Considering a backpack that can hold up to 30L, has many pockets, and is also seam-taped, this weight is considered quite light

Excellent fit and stability that makes you forget you're wearing it

Unlike mountaineering backpacks, which use a rigid frame and suspension to shift the weight closer to your waist, this backpack has a vest-like structure, with the shoulder straps and back sandwiching your chest, supporting gravity with your entire upper body. As SALOMON has always been known for, this model fits your body so snugly that it's hard to believe it's a hiking pack, yet it flexes to accommodate your movements, allowing you to move comfortably the entire time you're wearing it. This comfort is achieved through SALOMON's signature proprietary fitting technologies, Motion Fit and Sensifit

The shoulder straps are wide and voluminous, and their large surface area gently envelops you. This is because they are not simply flat, but have a three-dimensional shape that fits securely from the shoulder to the front

The left and right shoulder straps are secured with an elastic cord (see photo below). Pulling one point applies tension across a wide area of ​​the chest, making it extremely smooth. Then, secure it with the cord lock for quick adjustment. This cord lock is exactly the same as the "quicklace" used in SALOMON shoes. Once tightened, it's difficult to loosen, and loosening it is a natural, one-touch operation

The cord on the front can be adjusted by pulling one point to apply tension to the entire bag

The shoulder straps and the main body are joined with a two-pronged design, inherited from the OUT series. This reduces the amount of force needed to tighten the straps, distributing the weight evenly and preventing the bag from swaying side to side, acting as a suspension. A simple waist harness extends from below, firmly preventing the bottom of the bag from swaying

The connection between the shoulder strap and the main body is split into two parts to distribute the load

One of the two sections is made of stretch material, allowing it to move with your body and improve the fit

Stretchy fabric for improved movement

The body shape is designed to make it easier to move the center of gravity to the upper back

The excellent fit is also due to the bag's shape. When laid flat and empty, it is trapezoidal, or in extreme terms, V-shaped. This is because there is less luggage at the bottom and more luggage towards the top, which raises the center of gravity. This high center of gravity allows the weight to be placed on the upper torso rather than the waist, which stabilizes the luggage and relieves strain on the shoulders. The large opening makes it easier to put luggage in and take it out

When laid flat, you can see that it gets smaller as you go down

Compression function that instantly tightens the pack while standing and dramatically reduces movement

Personally, I loved the compression feature in the OUT series. This the XA series . In fact, it's even simpler and more functional. When the contents are less than the maximum capacity, the luggage moves around inside the backpack, causing it to shake. However, this bag uses drawcords that run throughout the entire backpack to compress the pack evenly, improving the fit and making it less likely to shake. What's more, applying the compression is very simple; just pull the cords on the sides (around your sides) while wearing the bag.

The bag can be compressed depending on the contents to improve stability

Simply pull the cords on either side of the bag to instantly compress the middle to bottom sections, preventing the contents from shaking

When you apply compression, it compresses instantly just by pulling the string

If you know where this cord is, you can adjust the compression level without having to put the bag down. Just by using this compression, you can improve stability and fit, and there is almost no stress while you are moving around

The only thing I'm not happy about is the way the drawcord is handled, which becomes a ring when it's compressed. If you don't fasten it somewhere properly to prevent it from dangling out, it can easily get caught on things in wooded areas, and it can be a hassle until you get used to it

You can apply uniform compression by simply pulling this area without having to take it off

Easy access, advanced roll-top main compartment

Now let's look at the storage system and other features

The main compartment has a simple and lightweight roll-top entrance. Its wide opening allows for quick access, but the roll-up buckle still requires a lot of effort. the XA series , the process is the same up to the roll-up stage, but you can skip the buckle and fasten it in one action.

The main compartment has a roll-top entrance

Once you have rolled up the opening, simply pull the central drawstring in front of you (see photo below). This will pull both ends of the opening, closing the opening easily and securely

When you pull the drawcord, the compression is applied all at once and the opening closes

To open it, just hold the cord lock and one side of the opening. It's the same action as opening a normal backpack. It significantly reduces the stress that comes with opening and closing a roll-top backpack

The roll-top entrance can be opened and closed in an instant, significantly reducing stress

Plenty of external pockets for easy storage

The main compartment has a large entrance, making it very easy to put things in and take them out, and it's easy to see inside from above. However, since there are no dividers and it's just one compartment, if you just throw everything in, you'll have to take everything out and organize it. However, since you can basically store most of the things you need while on the move on the shoulder strap, this may not be necessary

There is another large pocket on the front. Made of stretchy fabric, it is convenient for storing large items that you want to access quickly, such as rainwear tops and bottoms

The front pocket is large and made of stretchy fabric, so you can put bulky items in it

The main compartment has a zipper pocket for storing small items such as keys and valuables. This bag has a great sense of balance, being minimalist yet still providing the minimum level of convenience

The main compartment also includes a zippered valuables compartment

Of course, there's a pocket for hydration. It's located between the main compartment and the back pad, so you can access it independently and it won't get warmed up by body heat

The hydration bag is located between the main compartment and the back pad

Shoulder straps that incorporate all the convenience of a running backpack

The shoulder strap has four identical pockets on each side. The first, a small mesh pocket at the top, looks like it would be useful for storing trash. The left mesh pocket holds a whistle (see photo below)

The pocket at the top of the shoulder strap is convenient for storing trash and small items

The remaining three pockets are, from top to bottom, a pocket for a soft flask , a large mesh pocket , and a zippered pocket . The soft flask pocket is narrow and deep, so it fits the original 500ml flask that comes standard. The large mesh pocket can hold things like water bottles and snacks, as well as slightly bulkier items like gloves. The final zippered pocket is convenient for storing things you don't want to lose, like your smartphone (see photo below).

Including the top pocket, there are four pockets on each side, for a total of eight pockets, providing excellent storage capacity and convenience

Numerous functions that allow you to keep running without stopping in any situation

The roll-top design keeps out rain, the fabric is weather-resistant and durable ripstop nylon, the seams are sealed, and zippers are minimized, providing extremely high protection. The contents of the pack likely won't get wet in light rain or snow (though the front pockets and the mesh shoulder straps outside the main compartment will get wet, of course). The hydration pocket doesn't close, so water will collect inside when it rains, but there is a drain hole at the bottom to let the water out

In moderate rain, the water-repellent fabric allows you to continue using it without getting wet

However, it is not completely waterproof, so if you are using it in heavy rain, you will need a waterproof stuff sack or rain cover. As with anything, you should not be overconfident

The seams on the inside are reinforced with seam tape for increased waterproofing

The shoulder straps have two drawcords that can be used to secure trekking poles, one on each side. This allows you to work without taking off your pack, minimizing time loss and stress while on the move

Shoulder straps can hold folded trekking poles

Furthermore, when you are not using it for a long time, such as on an approach, there are drawcords on both sides for attaching poles, so you can secure it here by clipping it to the compression cord at the bottom

Summary: What activities is it recommended for?

Based on a trail running vest worn across the chest and back, allowing essentials to be accessed without having to take off the pack, this backpack maintains a high level of fit and stability even when loaded with the necessary gear for hiking and trekking. Last year's OUT series was also designed for fastpacking, but this model offers far more convenient shoulder strap storage. In this respect the XA backpack SALOMON 's signature vest-style trail running backpacks and the OUT series of fastpacking backpacks released last year. Even though it's fastpacking, this backpack is recommended for those who prioritize speed and comfort for extended periods of time with carefully selected, lightweight gear. While the XA 25 can hold up to 30L of luggage if you're planning on staying overnight, the 35L size would be a better choice. On the other hand, the 15L size is more likely to be used primarily for day trail runs rather than fastpacking.

It's easy to feel suffocated by the self-restraint measures in place. When that happens, grab some new gear, imagine using it, plan it, and wait for the exciting time

SALOMON XA Backpack Series Details and Purchase Information

For details on each of the XA backpack series, please check the official online store for the XA 15 SET , XA 25 SET , and XA 35 SET

   

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