I have a nathan waist pack that I use on my longer runs. I cinche it up really tight around my waist and by the first mile I don't even feel it anymore. I used to use a hand bottle but it got annoying to be carrying something for hours on end.

Where do you carry your water, Gatorade or whatever . . . waist, hand or back?

Why do you prefer it there? I have forever used a waist belt but it moves around a lot and loosens often. What is your preference?

If I take water, it's in a Nathan fuel belt or a Nathan water backpack.

A fuel belt should not move when running - the hips are the most stable position for person who's running but, if you have the wrong size belt or if it's not tight enough, it can flop around. I grabbed the wrong fuel belt (the one from when I was 195 pounds) for my Half last week and, yup, they flop around!

My backpack is for looong runs in adverse conditions. I was running >12 a couple of years ago in 75º+ and I needed the backpack.

Bottle in the hand.
No thanks.
I'm never going to race with a water bottle so I'd never train that way.
I've got a water belt that holds 4 bottles of 8 oz each. If I wanted just a little water, I'd fill a couple of bottles.
I don't want to throw off my stride and balance - yes, it's only 8 oz (that's the average fill level for a 16 oz bottle) but it's a half pound I have to compensate for 1.4 times every second (85 SPM at LD pace). Why put my body through that when I'm never going to do that during a race?

If you want a size large Nathan fuel belt, I've got an extra one! :-)

I read in Rodale's Walking, that even light weight in the hand can lead to injury.

If I'm going more than 6-8 miles I take a little Nathan water bottle. I hold it in my hand and rubberband my GUs/sportbeans to it. I dont mind running with it, the strap basically holds it on by itself.

If i need to carry liquids, I generally go or waist/chest. If I need it my pack is the Camelbak Ultra LR

Hand is really bad for form and can lead to injury.

Do you have a source for this? I've seen studies that show no ill effect and there are many world class ultra runners that use hand-held bottles.

I have used the fuel belt for 5 years. Never has bothered me any, although i wish the pouch could hold more

I use all 3 in various settings-- Nathan handheld for shorter trail runs in the summer to have an emergency stash of water for the dog, and I also use them for all trail races, as most of the ones here require you to carry a small amount of water and do not supply cups (yay!). I have no issue whatsoever with using them. Mine quickly became an extension of my arm. I use a waist belt for longer road runs, but I rarely do those anymore due to finding my passion on the trails. It also bruises my hips after a while. I use the Ultimate Direction AK race vest for any long (20+) or very high elevation trail runs, when I need to carry a light coat, extra food, iodine tablets, etc. I love it!

I bought an amphipod water belt, it holds 4 little 8 oz bottles of water. Can't use the belt, no matter how tight I get it or where I place it, it flops. I carry those little yellow bottles in my pockets. I look ridiculous, but I don't care. This is what works for me. I don't drink course fluids either. I've carried a bottle in my hand for a few miles at a time too, but I don't care for that.

Does anybody use those Camelbak thingies? If so, are they very heavy and do they move about much?

I have used a CamelBak and a Nathaan hydration pack for running. I currently use the Nathaan minimist..

The main weight of them really depends on how much water you put in them. I have CamelBaks that will hold up to 3L (for mountain biking, no way I would run with that). My Nathaan running pack that I use holds around 1L but I have only filled it all the way up once while doing long run mid summer.

They are awesome during the summer if you load them with ice, it keeps the water cooler and longer than a bottle. And for a while you have a nice cool spot on your back.

There are several things that will bother you if you are not used to them:
1. They will move around if you don't have the straps set right
2. If you leave air in the water pouch it will slosh. Turn the pouch upside down and suck all the air out, makes a world of difference.
3. You can get "soggy back" from the pack. Especially on long runs when it is hot.

I have run with and without the pack and I just like the convenience of the pack for water and storage.

I have a fuel belt that has two 6 oz. water bottles on it for longer runs. If it's getting upper 70s or higher I'll take along a 16 - 20 oz water bottle or Gatorade. I typically finish this off by mile 8 and dump it in a trash can on my long run route. I can't stand carrying something in my hand the second half of the run when you're more likely to be tired. It's a distraction to me. The remaining 6 oz water bottles on the belt are really more about psychological comfort than actual hydration. It's been 80+ here lately before sunup and I fill them mostly with crushed ice. It's all melted by the time I drink it but it tends to still be a tad cool and that feels nice.

Hand is really bad for form and can lead to injury.

Do you have a source for this? I've seen studies that show no ill effect and there are many world class ultra runners that use hand-held bottles.

I want to say I read it in an article by Justin Trolle. That said I don't have it handy.

I use the cambelbak waste belt. Holds a 21 oz bottle on my back and carries my keys and gels. It's a pain in the *kitten* when the water bottle is full, but when it's half gone, I hardly notice the belt is there. I definitely need my hands free for running, especially if I'm taking my dog. I've looked into camelbak backpacks and apparently they are tough on a runner's back because the water bounces more?

I have an ifitness 2 bottle belt. I like the belts because you can add more and more bottles when needed.

For longer runs I wear a fuel belt from running room. But it does get loose.
I do not like running with hand held bottle........throws my gait off and tires my carrying arm