RUNNERS - Water Belt Question

ardeornellis

What kind of water belt do you use and why do you or why do you not recommend it.. I am running my first half in December.. I want to carry water on my long runs, but not sure which to buy... Help please..:)

AZTrailRunner

For runs of 45- 90 minutes I use a single-bottle holster (by Nathan products). I've been doing this since '97. If you tighten it snug enough you don't even notice it there (no sloshing). (mine is black)




For longer runs (90+min) in the heat I prefer my Camelbak Octane LR. No sloshing with that either.

chuckyp

Not a water belt per-se, but I wear a Camelbak Octane LR. It's a backpack but has a 70oz lumbar reservoir which is comfortable to run with. And of course the extra space to carry other stuff you might want. I use it for my longer runs and trail running.

chuckyp

Geez JR, we're sharing a brain tonight.

AZTrailRunner

Geez JR, we're sharing a brain tonight.

haha... beat you too it.

neuro316

I have a Fuel Belt, and it works pretty well and is comfortable, though if I were looking to buy a new one I might go with a Nathan belt. The Fuel Belt bottles are a good size, but I found it hard sometimes to get them in and out of the elastic holsters. Also the pocket that comes with the belt is really small (you can fit your keys and a Gu pack, but not a cell phone). You can buy extra pockets to attach to a Fuel Belt, but I didn't really want to spend more money.

ardeornellis

Yall are funny.. I was just looking at Nathan products as a friend had recommended them.. The Camelbak looks uncomfortable to me.. I am thinking I will use a belt for the half and when I train for a marathon I will need to go to something that holds more water.. Right now, I take a bottle of water and a gel pack to my half way point before my run so it's there when I get there.. That's getting a little old though..:) Thanks so much for yall's suggestions..

Elizabeth_C34

I third the recommendation of the Camelbak Octane.

ardeornellis

So.....yall would use the Camelbak for a half marathon???

AZTrailRunner

So.....yall would use the Camelbak for a half marathon???

I would (and have) used it for my long training runs. While I've seen countless runners use every hydration combination available in a race, from carrying nothing up to Double-bottle hip belts or Camelbacks, I personally use my single-bottle belt with the peace of mind that the race will have aid stations should I run out.

ardeornellis

OK, thanks.. I want to have what I need, but no overkill.. I don't like any more "baggage" than necessary... My HRM chest strap gets on my nerves..LOL..

meagalayne

I used to use an ultimate direction belt with a clasp in the front but switched to FB brand in September and I must say I'm not thrilled. The velcro on the belt has ruined all my performance shirts. Functional yes, but a real bummer if you ask me

butters1

bump for later

rybo

I use an amphipod belt. It can hold up to 4-10 oz bottle. & it has a front little pocket. I sits very well on me and doesn't bounce.

Kimblesnbits

I think camel backs are WAY comfortable and more convenient because you just lift the straw and drink rather than lift a bottle out of a belt and drink...but then again I've never tried the belts...they just seem more uncomfortable.

jeffrodgers1

Depends whether I'm training or actually running an event.

When I am training I use a Fuel Belt with 4 - 6 oz bottles for intermediate runs of 5-10 miles. I wear a Camelbak for longer runs (greater than 10 miles). My Camelbak holds 2 litres of water.

For shorter runs, I don't bother with water and run unencumbered.

When I am in an event (half or full marathons), I prefer to run unencumbered and rely on the water stations every mile or two.

I usually have a waist pack on with my supplements like Nuun, Sport Beans, or Gu Chomps.

Jessica68

I'm perfectly fine with my Fuel Belt and I did buy the extra pocket and use the small one for my keys & inhaler and the pocket that I bought holds lots of Gu's maybe 6-8. I have no problems with the (4) bottles but I've been running with this belt for over a year now. I keep 1 bottled filled with water and the others with Gatorade G2. I'm very routine that the one filled with water always goes in the back, right side holder. I use it to pour on my sweat towel to wipe my face down & arms and the back of my neck on hot summer Texas days.

atsteele

I probably wouldn't use a water belt on a half marathon... but for the marathon I used a two bottle "fuel belt". It didn't move. (With my four bottle fuel belt, it tends to jump up and down when I run because it's so heavy, I guess.)

Here's the link to what I use: http://www.amazon.com/FuelBelt-Helium-2-Bottle-Belt/dp/B002OLX33Y

jacksonpt

I have a fuelbelt with 3 fuelbelt flasks. It works, but I've never been able to get used to it/comfortable having it on. If I have to carry something, I put 2 of the flasks in my back pockets. Soooo much more comfortable and just as easy/convenient.

DisneyMommy

I use a Nathan like the one pictured way above only different color. I've used it since 2008 and for the most part it worked great. But then I lost 40+ lbs. Now I can't make it tight enough that it will stay tight when I run. Even if I take the water bottle out and carry it (defeating the purpose of the belt!) it will eventually loosen over time. So what I've done now is safety pin it so it will stop loosening up on me. I thought about switching to Nathans belt that has the velcro and comes in sizes but I'm currently between a small and medium since I wear them pretty low on my waist, so neither fits real well.

Schwiggs

I have an amphipod hydration belt with 4 bottles (came with 8 oz bottles but I bought their 10 oz ones because I tend to need a lot of water when I run longer distances). I like it because it's pretty customizable. You can add any of their "modules" to the belt. Also, the bottles clip in pretty easily. My one complaint is that the bottles can come off sometimes if you don't make sure they're secure, and I've lost a few of them this way.

KimertRuns13_1

I use a Nathan handheld for half marathons. I find that between that and the water stations set up that I have enough hydration. My hubby uses an amphipod belt with 2 bottles.

mlb929

I just got the Nathan Trail belt, it has two water bottles and a bit larger carry pouch, as well as bunge's that you can hook things into. I used to have an Ampiphod handheld, but found my running for is better w/o the hand held. I hold my arms different and don't use them for hillwork as well w/o it.

stubbysticks

bump

maemiller

i use a camelback flo pak. its a waist pack that has its own bladder. had the backpack and it hurt my shoulders during my run. i dont like fidling with bottles and i dont like hearing that sloshing sound when the bottle is almost empty. love the pockets it has and you cant even tell you have it on

easfahl

I'll checking in on this one as more people chime in...

alair1980

I use a Nathan water belt with two bottles (I lost my 4 bottle one :grumble: ) I know people who have the fuelbelt and a lot of them struggle with trying to put the bottles back in, especially on colder days when they have gloves on.

For longer runs and trail running I use a Salomon XT Wings 10+3 Vest.

Flyntiggr

I've been using the amphipod 2-bottle belt for a couple of weeks. So far, the jury is still out for me. I have an hourglass figure, so my belt has a tendency to slid up as a run. I don't like it cinched around my waist, as it makes me nauseous, but too loose and it bounces around A LOT. I have a nathan single bottle belt too, and got the amphipod because the Nathan bounced a ton unless I cinched it so tight around my waist that I looked like a damn sausage! The amphipod doesn't move as much, but it is totally not flattering.

Nikstergirl

I have a Nathan 4 bottle belt I used a lot this summer/fall while training for my first half. Loved it but now I think I need a smaller size (smiles!) and I wouldn't mind getting a 2 bottle one for winter. The pocket in the four bottle one is big enough for my iPhone and some sport beans and a key which works out great. During my race I relied only on the water stations and that was plenty for me. I tend to come back from even 12 mile training runs with water left over, so I figured I'd be ok and I was (granted, it was cooler than some of my summer runs). It was suggested at my running store to try them on and fiddle with getting the bottles in and out so you get a feel for which model works best for you. I'm sure I looked silly jumping up and down in my jeans that day, but it was worth the time I took trying them each on. The belt on the Nathan products is slightly stretchy and the velcro is super large and strong so it holds in place really nicely.

Just my experience (which is limited).

gavini

i used a belt for a while but it didnt seem worth the effort since it didnt carry that much water, i switched to a camelpak 70 oz version and have liked that for training runs. i once wore it in a marathon but will never do so for any event again since you can always get water at plenty of aid stations in a race (part of what i am paying for) and i got annoyed by carrying the extra baggage and feeling a little restricted and/or chaffed by it

ardeornellis

Thanks so much! This is great advice!