question about hydration packs / waist packs for running

littleittybitty

I am starting to run longer distances outside and I NEED to be able to have water breaks. I have looked at both camelbaks and waist packs but I like to buy a product that other RUNNERS have tested. Low or no bouncing, a pouch big enough to carry a small phone/keys plus water.

What do you use or do you have any recommendations?

GRKaters

I hate running with something around my waist. It throws me off completely. The water bottle I use on longer runs is a 12-oz handheld Amphipod bottle; it has a key/Gu pocket that works just fine. If I'm running on my own and carry my phone, I wear a jacket or pants with suitable-sized pockets for it. 

 

astragrl23

I don't like to carry things in my hands, so personally I like having a waist pack.  I have the Nathan speed IV hydration belt.  It has room for 4 10oz bottles.  Most of the time I only carry two bottles, but I like that I can carry a Gatorade and a water.  I don't find that it bounces.

blndsnbrdr

I have the Nathan Speed 2 waist pack. I like it. I don't exactly enjoy having to carry around water, but it gets the job done and isn't super annoying.

I have noticed it changes my gait a little bit. Well, technically my mom noticed my gait change when she went biking along on one of my runs. My left leg swings out more when I have my waist pack on, but that is because I wear it so that both water bottles are on one hip - less bounce.

I got mine on Amazon - link

shorty20

I also have the Nathan speed 2 and got it off of amazon.  Like pp, I don't particularly like carrying it around, but I get very thirsty when I run, so I need to be able to have water with me.  I really don't notice that it's there most of the time.  It doesn't bounce if I make sure it's tight enough, and I put a bottle on each side of my hips with the pouch in the middle, so I don't think it changes my gait at all b/c the weight is evenly distributed.

I don't like carrying things in my hand when I run either, so I can't do a handheld.  I have a Camelbak hydration pack, but I only use it when I ride my bike.  I tried using it while running once, and the water sloshing around got on my nerves.

Auguri

blndsnbrdr:

I have the Nathan Speed 2 waist pack.

I have the Nathan Speed 2, as well and really like it.  I don't really notice a difference in my gait and I barely notice it when I run.  I can't stand having something in my hands and I had some chafing on my arms with the camelbak, so this was my best option for hydration.

KatiesCats

I also hate having things around my waist.  I carry an Amphipod 20 oz. bottle.  I got 20 instead of 12 because I figure I can fill it up only 12 ounces if that's all I want, but I can fill it to 20 (as I did for today's 8 miler) if I want more.  I like it a lot, and since I got the insulated one, it stays colder longer and doesn't sweat on my hands.  It also has a small pocket that I could fit my Nano, keys, ID, etc into.

I took it on my run today with OSULori and we shared the 20 oz of water and it was just right!

abvernon

another Nathan speed waist pack person. I hate having things in my hands and honestly, I really don't notice much when I run when I ahve something around my waist.

Last week was my 8 mile run and it was perfect. There is a packet for your key and gu. Oh and i chew gum when I run and it has helped ALOT for the cottonmouth I get sometimes.

GL!

KWales

I also have the Nathan 2! I love it. Supposedly it fits a woman just right. It doesn't ride up or down (my boyfriend has a different one that I've tried and it just was not made for a woman's shape - it kept wanting to ride up to my waist).

FWIW, I have 37.5 inch hips (not tiny) and he got me a small- I was skeptical as it seemed tight, but it's perfect once you stretch it around.  Doesn't budge and is not uncomfortably tight either.

branny

I love my fuel belt.

4 bottles - I carry 2 or 4 depending on distance.  It holds 2 Gus and my keys .  

AugustBrideCO

Thanks for asking this!  I need to buy some sort of hydration belt ASAP.  I decided against a camelback because one of the biggest reasons I need it is so I can give water to my dog, and I don't think it's as easy to pour out from a camelback.  I also don't think a handheld bottle will work because I already have my dog's leash in one hand and want the other hand free.  The Nathan belts look good though!

littleittybitty

Signature test! It wont change

shannie11

I also use the nathan hand held water bottle.  It let's me have my water and I can carry my gu and my keys.  I had originally bought the one that went around my waist and realized I did not like something weighting me down,  The handheld one lasted me through my half marathon.  I didn't need to stop a water stations and I had two gu's on the course.

benozzy31

Thanks for posting this!  I'm getting ready to move up to marathon distance (gulp) and I've trained with a 20oz Nathan handheld for my halfs, and relied on aid stations during the course so I didn't have to race with it, but I tested a few belts and packs at the LRS and nothing seemed to work.  I tried my husband's that hold's 4 bottles, and same thing, it doesn't sit right on a woman's frame.  I'll have to give some of these other ones a try...