Salomon S-Lab Sense Tank and Short Review

Ready to head out on the trails in the Salomon S-Lab Sense range

A vest is a vest and shorts are shorts, right? Wrong! The world of trail running offers the runner an almost impossible decision when trying to choose the right shoes, clothing and apparel. With a whole host of great brands producing fantastic products for both athletes and recreational runners, just how do we choose the best kit for our adventures and hours spent out on the trails? In this brief review, I hope to enlighten you on why you might want to part with your hard-earned cash to kit yourself out in the Salomon S-Lab Sense tank and short.....

The S-Lab Sense range:

The Salomon International athletes have worked together with the developers at Salomon's S-Lab to create the brand new S-Lab Sense range. Already highly popular with trail runners across the globe due to the prestigious S-Lab Sense 3 Ultra and Sense 3 Ultra Soft Ground shoes, the Sense range has grown in the last few months with the introduction of clothing. 

Highly influenced by world-class Salomon athlete, Kilian Jornet, S-Lab Sense is focussed on natural running, with "Freedom to move in the mountain; no interference between you and your environment". Check out the full Winter 2014 range HERE

As light as a feather!

Salomon S-Lab Sense Tank:

When you first see this running tank-top, you are immediately surprised at just how light it actually is. A top that scrunches up to almost nothing, the tiny postage packet it was delivered in felt like Salomon had forgotten to put the item in the bag! 

The extremely breathable and odour resistant Cocona fabric is ultra-lightweight and comfortable to wear. The laser-cut holes in both the front and back panels allow excellent ventilation for long runs in warmer climates. 

Laser cut holes for better ventilation and breathable Cocona fabric

The tank is an active fit with flatlock seams. Down the side of the top are mesh ventilation panels to allow greater breathability where it is most needed. When holding the top up to the light, you can actually see straight through it, as seen in the picture below:

Ultra lightweight and breathable

Salomon S-Lab Sense Short:

It came as another great surprise when I received my next, seemingly empty package from Salomon. Floating around somewhere in the air contained within the sealed parcel was the Salomon S-Lab Sense short. Salomon state that, "Sense minimalist running shorts are so light you won't feel them when you run". I couldn't even feel them in the bag!

Anti-chafe inner, laser cut ventilation and pockets in the waistband ideal for long runs

The active fitting AdvancedSkin ActiveDry fabric with MOTIONfit technologies is highly breathable, again with laser cut holes front and back to allow an almost racing-car-like cooling system. The air flows through the fabric and in the holes at the front, is directed along the contours of the body and finally flows out of the laser cut holes in the back. They contain an inner-brief, along with two large pockets (one on the front and one on the back) and two smaller side gel pockets neatly incorporated into the elastic waistband, to allow slightly longer runs without the need of a backpack or waist belt. These shorts are definitely 'Designed For Freedom'!!!

Here you can see the fabric and laser cut holes up-close

Conclusion:

Why do I love the Salomon S-Lab Sense range so much? It matches perfectly with my philosophy on trail running. Minimalism allows us to run naturally, leaving us feeling free and unhindered, allowing us to explore. You don't notice good gear when you run, it just works with you as you would want it to. I have never felt so free, almost naked, as I do when I run in the Salomon S-Lab Sense range. Very impressed!

Happy running everyone,

CavemanClarke