Fuel Belt/ Water Bottle/ Hydration Pack reccomendation

[wellesleyprincess]

Hi Everyone!

Now that I'm upping my training runs and am often gone for 45 minutes (and probably soon an hour),I think I want to get some sort of water that I can take with me. I'm still focused on a 10k, but then will be working towards a half-marathon, so it really only needs to be about 16 to 22 oz. Also I really don't like carry things in my hands.

Also to further complicate things, if it's one of the waist pack styles, it probably needs to be able to adjust small (or even a kid), as I only have a 25 inch waist.

Any reccomendations?

 

[twoWDWfools]

I have an amphipod belt. The adjustment is velcro and the bottle holders and pouches are removable. This let me buy a belt that has enough holders for a half but can remove ones if doing shorter distance.

 

[dsnyfan21]

As stated before I am a big Camelbak Flash Flo kinda girl. I love it because you can fill the bladder with as little or as much (mine up to about 32 oz) with water or whatever you want. It has an outside zipper pocket that can hold stuff like I put my cell phone, lip balm, sunscreen stick, gels, sports beans and sometimes my camera. It does go around the waist so you are hands free. It can be adjusted with the main strap and the two support straps, just cut off the extra length. It has a tube that hooks up to the waist and then you just put it up to your mouth and bite on it to release the water. I love it!!!

Here is a photo:

During races I keep to a minimum, I use the LD shorts from Race Ready, they have 5 pockets along the back side. I also have a spibelt that I have used, Very small but stretches out and can hold a cell phone, id, gel, lip balm for me.

Here is a photo of the Spibelt - it also comes in a great lime green color!! (I have one.)

Good luck finding what works for you.

 

[joan4mickey]

I just got my amphipod 2+ this week and have yet to use it. I got it from Zombie runner dot com. They actually have several different kinds. I got 2 bottles and plan to fill one with water and the other with propel. It also has a small pouch that will fit house or car keys and ipod.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

As stated before I am a big Camelbak Flash Flo kinda girl. I love it because you can fill the bladder with as little or as much (mine up to about 32 oz) with water or whatever you want. It has an outside zipper pocket that can hold stuff like I put my cell phone, lip balm, sunscreen stick, gels, sports beans and sometimes my camera. It does go around the waist so you are hands free. It can be adjusted with the main strap and the two support straps, just cut off the extra length. It has a tube that hooks up to the waist and then you just put it up to your mouth and bite on it to release the water. I love it!!!

Here is a photo:

During races I keep to a minimum, I use the LD shorts from Race Ready, they have 5 pockets along the back side. I also have a spibelt that I have used, Very small but stretches out and can hold a cell phone, id, gel, lip balm for me.

Here is a photo of the Spibelt - it also comes in a great lime green color!! (I have one.)

Good luck finding what works for you.

is this heavy around your waist?

 

[dsnyfan21]

Well, of course the more water or whatever you put in it will make it more heavy, nothing I couldn't get use to. Also, as you drink the water it gets lighter. I just couldn't hold anything in my hand and I didn't like fumbling with the bottles. I like the little hose thing that you just put in your mouth and bite on. Also keeps the water prety cool, doesn't get real warm. I use this for anything over 7 miles.

Tracy

 

[laxdef69]

I have gone through Camelbak (the kind on your back, not around your waist and found it MUCH too hot (but great on a bike!))...to Amphipod...I accidentally tore off the elastic bottle retainer, and so lost the bottle...to a Fuel Belt.

I have the 4 bottle Helium model and take it on runs over an hour. Absolutely LOVE this, since the weight is distributed around your waist...rather than at your back like the amphipods, I find it much more comfortable.

http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/4_bottle.html

mine doesn't have the elastic over the front bottles, but thats kind of cool...

just my .02.

Mike

 

[Duanerice]

I have a 4 bottle Amphipod. I only use 2 for shorter runs but can add 2 more if I am running out in the middle of nowhere. It is very comfortable. I do like that I can add and remove bottles very easily. Not sure what kind Mike had but I don't wear my bottles in the back. These are the smaller 8 oz bottles you can move around on the belt. http://http://www.amphipod.com/8400/8400.html

I love it. For the marathon I used it to carry GU and took 1 bottle with me that actually came in handy.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[DianeL]

We have a few team members who use the SPIbelt and everyone I've talked to has always had great things to say about it.

To add on to Duane's GU/amphipod you can use the pouches to hold the gel but Amphipod also has a smaller flask meant for gels. I've done both. I would say to experiment with the gel flavor/brand with the flask. i have a hard time with chocolate in it regardless if it's Cliff or GU but have had an easier time with PowerGel Caramel. For DL I just took the GU chocolate in the pouch, sort of depends on my mood and what I want to lug.

I too like the Amphipod for the ability to add or subtract what I want on it. For DL I carried a bottle in a Nathan holder and used the amphipod belt to hold my camera (used a Caselogic case added on) and the pouch for my gel. Could have tossed my phone in there too but I had my phone & room key in my bottle holder.

If using the pouches for Gel/food be careful taking things out mid race. Susan pulled out a gel and another gel fell out and I don't think she was aware of it at the time and was therefore lucky her room key didn't fall out also. If I toss my ID or room key in my pouch I tend to put them in a snack ziplock because when i've done that i usually have tossed in some cash for post race

Happy Training!!!!

 

[Cindylou]

Hi,

I've tried both camelbak and amphipod and just couldn't get used to the bouncing. I ended up with a hand held bottle which has worked out well. I really didn't think I'd like carrying anything in my hand, but with the adjustable strap I don't really have to hold on to it. I bought it a Road Runner Sports, but have seen them at other places. This is the one I have:

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/RRU912/RRS_Quickdraw_Plus_Hydration_Carrier

I recently bought a Spibelt and will try it out for the first time tomorrow. I'm hoping to carry my gels and sports beans in that. Thanks to the person who posted the WISH discount.

Good luck,
Cindy

 

[getnthinr]

I think what is obvious from these posts is that you really need to try some different solutions to see what you'll like. Have you got any local running buddies that can let you wear/carry some of these products and see what works best for you? (Even if you don't drink from them, just running a little ways with them will give you a pretty good idea of what works for you.)

I absolutely insisted I'd never use a Camelbak until I tried the FlashFlo waist pack. Like Tracy, it has made a believer out of me. I can use the front and back adjustable straps to make it sit motionless against my lower back, even when I run -- and it holds everything. Many others swear by the multi-bottle dealies -- the Fuel Belts and the like.

Kind of like shoes, I think you need to experiment to find what works best for you. Hopefully you can find some locals -- maybe even a running store that will let you wear one on the treadmill before buying.

Good luck!

 

[laxdef69]

Not sure what kind Mike had but I don't wear my bottles in the back.

This is the one I had...a 20 Oz bottle in the small of your back...nice for carrying 2 GUs if necessary, but I didn't much like the bouncing etc...and when the bottle bungee tore off, well that was sort of that for me.

http://www.amphipod.com/320/320.html

Good luck!

 

[Mooshu]

I too use the hand held bottle..the pouch holds 2 gu's, packed of asprin and my id & hotel key card.

Let me know how the Spibelt works for you..I saw that at one of the expos and almost bought it.

I hate when things bounce on me, so I only carry a camera when I'm doing a 1/2 marathon or less....and even then I carry it in my hand the whole way.

 

[Caseydilla]

I've tried many different hydration methods but my personal favorite is the Fuel Belt. It slides around the least, I like to clip my iPod to it, and my hands are free. I have a 2 bottle one(pink one below) and a 4 bottle one. I can stuff my Clif Shot blocks, chapstick and money in the pouch. The Fuel Belt works just fine on me as far as fit goes and I wear a size 1 in clothes. I just like wearing mine really low on my waist, almost to wear is sits on my hips. I feel like it slides around the least that way.

 

[cryssi]

I have the Nathan speed 2, which also has velcro. I got a medium so I could wear it on my hips, and I am a size 6. I was debating between that and the fuel belt that Casey has. I like it because it stays put with the velcro. I've found that it's not quite enough water for long runs on hot days, but if you will end up running by a water fountain on the really long runs, you will be fine. Since at the DL 1/2 there were water stops practically every mile, I think I only drank out of my bottles once or twice.

Anyway, here's the belt:

For the race, I also added the nathan small pocket to the front for my camera. I had my blackberry pearl and various cards in the back pouch. GUs went in my skirt pockets, but my friend had her iphone and 3 GUs in the pouch of the belt.

 

[Cindylou]

I tried the Spibelt today on my LR and it worked well. I had just one gel pack and a ziplock with pretzels and sports beans in it. It didn't bounce at all and was pretty easy to get into it.

Cindy

 

[TnTsParty]

I have the 4 bottle Helium model and take it on runs over an hour. Absolutely LOVE this, since the weight is distributed around your waist...rather than at your back like the amphipods, I find it much more comfortable.

http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/4_bottle.html

mine doesn't have the elastic over the front bottles, but thats kind of cool...

just my .02.

Mike

I have this same belt - mine has the elastic over the front bottles. I have used it on 3 runs - a 4 miler with only 2 bottles, and a 9 miler and 10 miler with all 4 bottles. I it - It fits tight and doesn't move at all.

I use to carry a bottle but it got to be too much for my arm (tended to keep it in the right hand only - felt wierd in the left - )
My normal long run route that I run with the marathon group has gatorade and water so I don't need to bring much with me - but I tend to not stop at the water stops anyway.

I agree that you need to get what is best for you. Good luck.

 

[Duanerice]

I use to carry a bottle but it got to be too much for my arm (tended to keep it in the right hand only - felt wierd in the left - )

WOW, I thought it was just me. I can't carry a bottle in my left hand. I try and the next thing you know it is back in my right hand and I didn't even realize it.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Since, I started the thread I thought I let you guys no the end result.

Despite my initial reluctance to handheld bottles after talking to the running store experts and quickly treadmill testing some of my friends the other day, I ended up with the Nathan Quick Draw. (and it's PINK!!!!) Since my long runs aren't going to get past 10 miles anytime in the next month or two it's going to at least be my starter pack. Once I switch into marathon/half marathon gear I think I may move up to the Fuel Belt 4 Bottle (of the ones around my waist I liked it best). Thanks for all the help!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I thought I'd add that I use Amphipod with 4 bottles and only take what I expect to use. My trick is that I do not wear it at my waist. I wear it at my hips. I can't take it around my waist, but low rise is fine. Hope you figure out what works for you as your needs increase.