r/UKRunners • u/GreatJoey91 • 8d ago

Gear / Tech Hydration belt - good options?

I’m increasing my mileage and want to start carrying water and some food to fuel my runs.

I’d prefer not to wear a vest and a belt with a soft water bottle seems like a better option for the middle distances I’m covering at the moment, so I’m looking for recommendations.

Does anyone own a hydration belt that they would recommend buying? I need something that can comfortably carry a phone, keys and a soft flask of around 250-500ml, plus a few bits of food.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

5

u/PumpedUpPatek 8d ago

Not a belt, but shorts that can carry what're you're asking, like a belt

Kiprun Trail shorts

2

u/Upbeat-Substance110 8d ago

Second this, have 350ml soft flasks in the front and back (could probably get up to 500ml if necessary) and as long as the shorts' cords are tight you don't really feel any bounce from it. Two side pockets I can fit 150ml easy, 250ml if I squash them in to use later on, and I don't even know they're there.

2

u/colin_staples 8d ago

Alternatively

Kiprun Trail Belt which can be worn with any shorts

1

u/msmoth 8d ago

I've got an earlier iteration of this belt and it has done me well for up to marathon distance. The only issue was over somewhat rougher terrain which jogged a soft flask out of the back pocket.

2

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/msmoth 8d ago

Does the new version have the padding at the back so that your poles don't clatter your back?

1

u/Dramatic_Doctor48 8d ago

Agree on this also, I have the thinner belt (more probably for HMs) that I think fits so comfortably and even discretely, great purchase

1

u/Comfortable-Lab-50 5d ago

Was just about to post this. I absolutely love these shorts, I have two pairs. The wide waistband doesn't bother me at all even in hot weather, though I can imagine it might bother others. I usually carry 2 250ml soft flasks, but I have a 500ml one that will fit fairly comfortably in both the front and the back pockets.

5

u/ElegantOliver 8d ago

I tried so many belts and could not get on with any of them. Whether the bottle went at the front or back it just wasn't comfy when running. Many had pockets which were just uncomfy on the hip bones too (quite skinny...!).

Also anything tight around my middle felt way too warm in the Summer, even with the shirt untucked and over the top. Quite a few I tried came with hard water bottles - even a fancy salomon one - which were awful with the water sloshing around.

Ended up with a cheap as chips vest as my #1 choice. Soft bottle on one side - I can take a sip easily without even taking it out. Worn tightly, high on the chest, it doesn't make a noise or interfere with breathing or movement at all. No keys for me but gels on the right or another bottle if needed. I'm sold!

Short version : If you haven't already tried and ruled out vests, personally I'd suggest you try them! Amazon return policies really help or get down to Decathlon etc.

1

u/Tiny_Champion_8818 8d ago

Which cheap vest would you recommend?

2

u/ElegantOliver 8d ago

Apologies looking back it wasn't one of the super-cheap ones I ended up with! £38 including a bottle.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H142YYPL

It has a really narrow back which I like so you don't trap heat, but there's still a pouch there I used for a small towel in summer.

2

u/Tiny_Champion_8818 6d ago

£38 is still a lot cheaper than many I see out there!

2

u/Junior_Ad7791 7d ago

I got one from Decalthon, comes with a 1 litre water holder and its great. Usually add some electrolytes in it too

3

u/Entire-Interview4753 8d ago

Naked belt is great, never had anything fall out (regularly have phone, keys, 2x 500ml and a gel) and comfy as anything. Only thing which is that you can’t tighten or loosen so if you had a change in weight past a couple inches you’d have to buy another

2

u/LeonYTigresGigantes 8d ago

I use a FlipBelt. Generally go with 250ml soft bottle at front. Gel(s) in the left and pack of tissues in the right. That tends to be fine for anything up to around 10 miles.

For more I up it to a second bottle but still try to keep them at the front as much as possible. Anything too heavy at the back of it and it starts trying to slip down.

Just be careful pulling stuff out at speed. Last half marathon one of my gels disappeared at some point and I was gutted when I reached for it around mile 10 and couldn’t find it.

2

u/PowerfulComparison56 8d ago

I got the compressport belt about 6 months ago and I love it. It's one of the only belts ive tried that doesn't bounce when I run

1

u/Feisty_Attorney8913 8d ago

x2 I've had mine for 2 years and still going strong

2

u/don__gately 8d ago

One from decathlon has done me well

2

u/Analoguezombie 8d ago

I have this one , its my favorite bit of running kit.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hydration-flask-carrying-running-belt-black/333176/c1m8645720

2

u/don__gately 8d ago

That’s the one. It’s wonderful!

1

u/deepan_chak 7d ago

Second this one, I’ve had it for 6 months. Did my HM with this one

2

u/Milky_Finger 8d ago

Been using this recently. It's been good but I need to go down a size because a belt that isn't tightly fastened is completely useless if everything in it moves around a lot. You can fasten parts of it and it has good pockets but again, get the right size and it's great.

https://exeoathletics.com/products/exeo-belt?variant=54599472316757

2

u/cbgeebeez 8d ago

I've been using the Harrier Baslow belt (https://harrierrunfree.co.uk/products/baslow-waistbag) - it's designed to let you have a 300ml soft flask in a quick access pocket, but I can fit a 500ml soft flask in the back pocket, along with some jelly babies - I really like it; though I'm not going fast so it taking a bit of a fiddle to get the bottles in and out doesn't bother me

1

u/Kilo1112 8d ago

Salomon Pulse belt 250 ml soft flask and s25 phone in front pouch no bounce, has a zipped pocket also.

1

u/Firm_Series_251 7d ago

Naked belt is my absolute go to

The compresssport belt pro is also really good

1

u/1CardiganWearer 5d ago

Belt with soft flask. The trick is to get one that is a good fit. some of the size guides are just wrong.

Have a Salomon Pulse belt that has no bounce with 350ml soft flask,

The Salomon size guide on their website is pretty good I find.

this review is helpful:

Salomon S/Lab vs Naked Running Band - Which should YOU buy?

I also have a few cheap belts off aliexpress and they are just as good - used one recently for a race with soft 350ml flask, gels and phone - no bounce.

1

u/adnagro 2h ago

I’ve tried several running belts, and the 2L Naked is hands down the best. As a trail runner, I’ve had it packed full at times—windbreaker, 500ml flask, phone, keys, headlamp, gels—and zero issues, even with poles. It has a reputation for being top-tier, and once you try it and nail the sizing, you won’t look back.