The Running Thread - 2026

[Zutroy]

Looking for some running belt suggestions. I have been using a Naked Running belt the past couple of years. I loved the space inside the belt, but didn't like that it constantly rolled up and sometimes made it hard to get your fuel out. So looking for something that can hold a phone and up to eight or so gel packs.

Did you get the right size? Have you changed size since you bought it? When ordering, the site really emphasizes measuring your natural waist exactly and not using your pant size. I wear a Naked belt daily and have run a couple of marathons in it. I love it—no bounce, and I’ve never had to adjust it or have it roll up. It’s so comfortable that I don’t even realize I’m wearing it.

 

[FlyingDonut]

I bought a Naked running belt. I thought I followed their instructions on measuring. I got a piece of rope, put it around myself, and measured that with a tape measure. I ended up getting about 2 inches less than my usual pant size.

I got the belt and it's uncomfortably tight on me and feels like it'd roll up. Maybe it would be better on a run (it's tight enough that I've never tried it).

In related news, if anyone at Wine and Dine wants a size 4 naked belt... I might have one.

 

[accm]

I use a combination of shorts with big pockets, and a flipbelt when I need water. I got the flipbelt during the expo, so was able to try it on before buying. It doesn't move at all while I'm running, and I mostly forget I even have it on. I prefer the flipbelt to the handheld bottle, as the handheld ends up causing issues with my shoulder.

 

[jrsharp21]

I bought a Naked running belt. I thought I followed their instructions on measuring. I got a piece of rope, put it around myself, and measured that with a tape measure. I ended up getting about 2 inches less than my usual pant size.

I got the belt and it's uncomfortably tight on me and feels like it'd roll up. Maybe it would be better on a run (it's tight enough that I've never tried it).

In related news, if anyone at Wine and Dine wants a size 4 naked belt... I might have one.

This is why I am searching for a new running belt. The Naked belt keeps rolling up. On my long training run this past Sunday it got really annoying because I kept having to unwind the belt to try to get my gel packs out.

 

[PrincessV]

I know the most recent shoe talk has been in the MW thread, but this felt more appropriate here…

Interesting little blurb I came across today in a CNN article I got sucked into - something about some running coach’s top picks for high-stack shoes. I don’t know why I clicked on it other than morbid curiosity: high stack heights are the bane of my existence lol! But buried deep inside the story was a little side note about oh, but all of those enormous mounds of foam designs are for people who naturally walk/run heel first. If that’s a struggle for you - if you land mid- or forefoot - all that foam is going to cause problems.

Let me say that this is not news to me: it’s been exactly my personal experience as a forefoot runner. But it’s the first time I’ve seen anyone of some level of expertise actually say it. The validation was nice. Believe me, if I could make myself heel strike, I would: there’d be so many more shoe options open to me! But my body just does not do it.