Hydration Pak vs Hydration Belt

[networktek]

Hi Everyone just wanted to get everyone thoughts on Hydration Pak vs Hydration Belt?
right now im running with a Hydration belt now but find on 10+ mile runs i need more water,
right now training for the WDW Full Marathon but wanted to see if any one runs with a hydration pak and what they think of them?

 

[bumbershoot]

I use a Nathan pack. I need a good amount of water still, and one shoulder is hinky enough that it cannot be relied on to grab a water bottle from its side. If I accidentally cause that shoulder pain it's really not fun. So I can't use a belt. I feel a little silly with the pack, but it helps me.


ETA: mine is the Intensity, which is female-specific and holds 2 Liters. The only issue I have had with it is that the "bladder" bounces off the little clippy thing and sloshes around noisily. I've got to Macgyver up a fix for that b/c it is highly annoying. One of the front pockets I put a smaller thing of very concentrated electrolyte drink (I just take extra water when I drink some of that) and then various beans and bloks. The back zippered pocket holds ID, money, keys, etc.

Should also metnion that I have a sensitive stomach and system, and the Dasani usually offered (especially at Disney races) does not agree with me, since it's just local-to-the-bottling plant, filtered, water. So for me it's not a matter of *want* but a matter of "unless you want stomach issues to ruin this run, drink your own spring water that you bring in". If I had a less sensitive system, or when I'm running less than a half and in cooler weather and could trust the course water, I'd just carry my 20oz camelbak bottle in my hand and take extra if/when I came across it.

 

[jmasgat]

I have a camelback (40 oz, I think)and a Nathan 2 bottle belt (20 oz). I use the belt for runs up to about 10-12 miles, and I'm fine(Assuming the weather is not too hot).

When I trained for a fall marathon during the summer, I also found I needed more water, hence the camelback. It has its good and bad points. The one I have is woman-specific, yet it still seems I can't quite get it snug enough to suit me. And it nly has a chest strap, so that means it bounces a little.

If I were you, I would try various brands/sizes of packs and find one that fits your body type and fluid needs. I wouldn't go for anything over 40-50 oz though.

One final comment: when I race marathons, I bring my belt and just use a combo of my own water and water/fluid on the course. Any race over 5-10k, I run with a belt. Sometimes you just want water when YOU want it, not when there is a water station nearby. So having a small quantity keeps me happy.

 

[networktek]

Thanks every one for all the info.

 

[derekleigh]

I currently run with a Nathan belt that holds two 9 oz bottles. I only wear it for half marathons or simply when my shorts don't have pockets (the belt is sans bottles). I've found it to be great with my longest run with has been a 15-miler. However, I've been conditioned to run on an empty stomach and hydrate in 5-mile increments. Soooooooo, I guess I'm not really a good example.

I do have friends that use the camel backs and they love them. However I have seen some half and full marathon events ban camelbacks on course.

 

[Nole95]

I run with a belt that has four 8 ounce bottles. I think it is a Nathan. That works fairly well for me during training runs.

During races I still use the belt because I like to drink my own Powerade in two of the bottles with water in the other two. If/when that runs out I just use whatever is on the course.

The belt also has a good pocket to store gels, a key, ID, etc.