The inside of the main pocket has a weather-resistant coating, but the pocket is not waterproof. The Naked Running Band is available in 12 sizesthree times as many as are available for other, similar waistbandsfrom about 28 to 39 inches. If you need to tote water, the squirt-capped SPI H2O Companion bottles (sold separately) fit the band securely. The two stretchy flap-topped pockets are not weather resistant. The central zipper on the pocket and its barely big-enough size made it really hard for us to get an iPhone 8 Plus in and out. We were amazed at how securely it stayed in place when we loaded its three pockets with a smartphone, cards, keys, two gels, and Nakeds soft Running Flask (sold separately), which holds 500 mL or about 17 ounces. The pockets synthetic fabric wicks sweat well, which should keep you cooler, but it isnt water resistantcontents can get a bit soggy. The single pocket, which measures approximately 8 inches by 4 inches, stretches to fit extra-large phones with enough additional give for you to squeeze in keys and cards. The belt is designed to fit up to only a 44-inch waist, a smaller maximum than for most of our other picks; our 49-inch-waist tester wasnt able to put it on. Adjustable belts with dual hydration bottles. Nathan is known for its high-quality hydration products for endurance athletes. Both belts need to be put on over the head or by stepping into it. The Zipster Lite also feels less heavy than the original Nathan Zipster Belt, which weighs just over an ounce. The Amazon best-selling Urpower Running Belt seems cheaper than most belts weve tested (because it is), and in our experience one water bottle leaked badly until we got the cap on just right. The belt rode up a ton, with the heavy part of the pack dropping in the back. Made of stretchy mesh or spandex fabric, waistband-style belts have flat storage pockets all around, sandwiched between layers of the fabric. The FlipBelt always felt light on, but it suddenly feels much heavier even in hand compared to the Zipster Lite. Running belts come in two main styles: adjustable belts and continuous waistbands. Its the ideal product for runners or cyclists looking to get in some miles without worrying about needing pockets or how they will carry light gear. SPIbelts bottles (sold separately) affix securely to the belt with large hooklike clips. Adjustable-belt designs comprise at minimum a single zippered pouch and rely on a buckled band that makes them quick and easy to put on and take off. The Amphipod Profile Lite High Five-K Belt was hard to adjust and rode up. Secondarily, gear such as water bottles and gels should be easy to stow and access on the run. Once Amy got the pair situatedjust inside her hip points with the pocket to the backshe had no issues with bouncing or sloshing, nor any unpleasant pressure from the inch-wide band or the bottles hooks. Does anythingthe belt or its contentspoke or sit weirdly? We also spoke with a representative at Nathanas well as with Kim Overton, the founder of SPIbelt, and Reid Grott, senior accessories buyer at the running shoe and apparel retailer JackRabbitto get an idea of the most-sought attributes in a running belt. The single stretch-fabric pocket can hold a large phone (the SPIbelt website says that includes an iPhone 12 Pro Max or a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra), cards, and keys. Like other waistband-style belts, its not adjustable. A running belt provides the most convenient, lowest-profile, and most ergonomic means of carrying your stuff when you go for a run. Our runner-up pick, the Nathan Adjustable-Fit Zipster, has a zippered pocket with a weather-resistant coating, and the SPIbelt Performance Series, which we recommend as another good belt, is made of weather-resistant fabric. Its two 6-ounce water bottles are smaller than those of our two-bottles pick (10 ounces each) and not as high quality. You clip it onno stepping into it, as you have to do with waistband stylesand adjust it to fit above or below whatever layers of clothing youre wearing that day. The soft, optional Running Flask doesnt leak and compresses as you sip. It was comfortable to run in, too, whether it was full or holding just a few items. The Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt is similar to the Naked Running Band but not as user-friendly: The pockets arent as versatile nor are the pull loops as easy to grab, and the belt can bunch up in back if that pocket is empty. This stretchy belt has three pockets: a roughly 8-by-3-inch zippered one flanked by two flap-topped ones measuring about 6 by 3 inches. A great running belt should fit securely so that it doesnt bounce, ride up, shift, or otherwise become a nuisance to the wearer. The bottom line when it comes to extra gear is that [it] has to completely disappear from the runners consciousness. A phone armband might suffice, particularly if you use Bluetooth headphonestheres no cord to one side that might cause unnatural neck or shoulder grippingbut if you feel any uneven soreness in those muscles after running with an armband, the armband could be affecting your form. We also eliminated belts that didnt claim to hold large smartphones, such as plus models in the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy lines. Fit: Comfort is key. So measure correctly when it comes to sizing. When it was tightened appropriately, our testers experienced very little, if any, bouncing, whether they wore it on the front of the body or the back. The clip closure is also a bit more finicky than the buckle of our top pick, as it occasionally caught when we took the belt off or put it on. And larger-waisted runners can purchase a separately available belt extender, which adds up to 12 inches of length. In addition, the bottles on this Nathan belt dont interfere with your arm swing, a problem we encountered with some similar belts. During both short and mid-distance runs, this running belt felt invisible on and didnt budge at all. Because its top and bottom elastic stays firmly in place, you cant spin this belt around easily, but the yellow ribbon pull tabs make the pockets pretty easy to open, even in the back. This belt has a nice, large zippered pocket and one mesh pocket that proved useful. We now recommend the Nathan Adjustable-Fit Zipster as our new runner-up. These are also weather-resistant. The belt also bounced a bit with a phone in the zippered pocket. Nathan Zipster Lite Review: How It Compares To The FlipBelt, Members receive ongoing support from certified coaches, race guides, videos, interviews with experts, and more, Nutrition for Runners: Carbohydrate and Protein Recommendations, How to Fix a Muscle Imbalance in the Legs, Couch To 5K: 8 Week Couch To 5K Training Plan, The Most Effective Protein Shake Routine For Runners. Continuous waistbands with single hydration bottles. The belt has plenty of storage for other stuff in its central multipocket pack, including a large-format smartphone, cards (inside a Velcroed pocket for security), keys, and gels or other food. The Nathan Zipster Adjustable-Fit Running Belt is a great Running Belt for its $30 asking price. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The FlipBelt is also reliable for not moving when on. (If you prefer a handheld option, however, we recommend the Nathan SpeedDraw Plus Insulated Flask.). An Amazon best seller, the Sport2People Running Belt consists of two long pockets and an adjustable elastic belt. Good for long-distance runners or always-prepared types, this nearly bounce-free waistband has a pocket, loop, and clip for stowing your stuffbut it costs more than most of our other picks. Any suggestions? Two bottles hold 16 ounces of water or sports drink (or 8 ounces of each), but if you need more, see our max-hydration pick. Weve been seeing a lot of misleading information surrounding runner nutrition, protein and carbohydrate intake, and the Running is a wonderful full-body strengthening exercise. (If youre concerned about your phone getting wet, consider popping your phone into a plastic bag before heading out in particularly soggy conditions.) The slightly stretchy band of the Nathan TrailMix Plus made it the most stable of the two-bottle belts we tested, a style designed for max hydration on the run. You can adjust the belt from about 25 to 47 or more inches, and it has no annoying dangling straps, unlike many such pouch-on-a-strap-style belts. How well does the belt fit when its holding an iPhone, three ID or credit cards, and house keys, as well as any filled water bottles? The thicker-than-most material can get hot, too. And the Zipster Lite does not disappoint. The belt stays just as firmly in place even when you dont have much in itthough if you dont often need to bring much, it may be too much belt. Its not necessarily the weight of the [handheld bottle or armband], but rather the change in posture and behavior as a result of the runners awareness of [them] that affects their run, explained physical therapist Alice Holland in an email interview. The Amphipod Profile Lite Breeze has a stretchy band lined with two silicone strips to help hold it secure; these strips also made adjusting the belt length tough for us, and the belt still bounced. As a semi-competitive runner (and someone who seldom leaves her apartment without her phone), she has tried umpteen running belts and waist packs and knows what makes a good one. This running beltlike the FlipBelt is not adjustable. It did great in its "The Best Running Belts" roundup where it was named its "Runner Up", which, in itself, makes it a product worth considering. The soft synthetic materials didnt chafe our skin, either. The soft-fabric Stashbandz is wider than many belts, and extra-large phones fit in its zipper pocket fine, but the zipper is inset with a small pull that gets lost in the fabric. What makes the SPIbelt better than many similar belts is that the band shortens and lengthens easily, even on the fly, with no dangling strap ends. Unfortunately, neither of our test phones fit into the pocket. As much as you may like to run free, hitting the road without keys, ID, and a smartphone isnt always practical: You might need to lock your house or car, you may want your ID and a phone on you in case of an emergency (or maybe you just want to listen to music or a podcast), and even if your shorts or pants have pockets, they dont always cut it. This makes it awkward to get on, but it isnt a big deal. Just like its name suggests, this is one ultra-light running belt that goes unnoticed throughout the run. The FlipBelt is made of lycra but has moisture-wicking properties. (If youd like a slightly larger belt that is built to withstand the elements a little better and to help facilitate more involved training, we like the SPIbelt Performance Series.) The pocket is roomy, but the adjustable straps are especially stretchyto the point that they feel like they could stretch out of shape much too quickly for our liking. The bottleseach capable of holding 10 ounces or about 300 mL of water or sports drinkslide easily in and out of the holsters, which flank a plenty-roomy compartmentalized pack that can hold an extra-large phone, cards, keys, and gels. The waistband-style Naked Running Band is our pick for runners who need added capacity, and if you want a belt with two water bottles, we think the Nathan TrailMix Plus is the best. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). But with all of that weight concentrated at the back (or front), the belt can bounce or slide up unless you wear it snugly around your bodys smallest circumference. We felt no chafing on bare skin in any scenario. Thank you for joining us on our mission to help runners reach their goals. Its plastic bottles seal securely; we experienced no leaking, yet we could quickly pull open the rubbery tops with teeth or fingers for fast sipping. It also covers a slightly narrower range of sizes. But the more you fill it, the heavier and more lopsided the belt gets, which could lead to its bouncing, shifting, or riding up. In our testing, we ran with the companys Running Flask (which is sold separately and holds 500 mL or about 17 ounces), our iPhone 8 Plus, two gels, three cards, and our keys (on the belts built-in hook), as well as a race bib on the front elastics and a rolled-up windbreaker through the back loops. As a result, it conforms to fit around the waist like a perfect fit. ", in "Daily Discussion (coronavirus-free) - Mar 28, 2020", in "Looking for some advice on some purchases. With no buckle, the band can be trickier to get into and out ofyou have to pull it up over your hips. This means runners can expect no chafing while wearing the Zipster Lite. Some consumers find it hard to get the right fit. Items like chapstick gels, chews, keys, money, ID and earbuds are stores perfectly without wearing the athlete down. (If youre unsure of your size, consider ordering two sizes and keeping the one that fits better. We struggled to figure out how to effectively access the bottle (it fell out for us once), particularly when it was full and didnt seem to fit well in the pouch. The material also features mesh paneling, making it breathable. A long-term tester reported: Its a little awkward when I try to put non-flat things in it like keys along with my phone, but its very low profile and doesnt bounce around at all once you dial in the fit.. If you're considering Running Belts in the $50 range, you might want to check out some better options. (She ended up tying them, awkwardly, in front of the belt buckle.) Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Also, the angled bottles stuck out past our sidesour hands hit them unless we modified our arm swing. We found that the bottom edge of the Ultimate Direction Comfort Belt curled under in the front, and the back bunched up if not filled with stuffbut if we filled it too full, it bounced a lot. There is also a key hook, a feature the Zipster Lite doesnt have. If youre looking for an adjustable fit with compartmentalization, the Nathan Adjustable-Fit Zipster has three separate pocketsone zippered, two flap-toppedand an adjustable strap that you secure with a clip that slides into the fabric loop at the end of the belt. The structured pocket of the Amphipod AirFlow Lite feels heavier and more solid when packed with a phone, ID, and keys than the softer pockets of other belts, and the super-stretchy belt cant prevent bouncing. The Nathan Zipster Adjustable-Fit Running Belt was loved by reviewers at Wirecutter (NYTimes), a highly trusted source that performs reliable in-depth testing. Writer Amy Roberts is a certified running coach (USATF and RRCA) and has reviewed gear for runners, from shoes to GPS watches, for Wirecutter. The bands are one-size-fits-most, with a wide size rangefrom about 24 to 46 inchesand their adjustability allows you to wear them with different thicknesses of clothing or on different spots on your body, as well as to tighten or loosen them while you run. The Naked Running Band wowed us with how much it could holdand hold stableon a run. That is until I started running with the Nathan Zipster Lite. You will be wearing this belt for a long time and the last thing you want to worry about during a run is discomfort, said JackRabbits Reid Grott. The loop for the bottle nozzle made it hard for us to get the bottle out and to re-hook it. Weve tested dozens of wearables to help you find the best one for your lifestyle, whether its an everyday smartwatch, a fitness tracker, or a running watch. Their feedback eliminated three more belts from the, er, running and solidified our four picks. The Zipster Lite shines when it comes to its pocket space. Just keep in mind that the more gear that is packed into these running belts, the bulkier they become. When it comes to running headphones, one size definitely doesnt fit allso we have multiple recommendations based on style, features, and price. Because not every runner has the same body shape or size, for our initial testing in 2018 and 2019, Amy Roberts distributed eight belt finalists to a dozen runners in New York City, including Wirecutter editor-in-chief Ben Frumin, who was training for a half marathon. Adjustable belts with one or more pouches. But the storage pockets run the length of each side with no dividers, and as a result items inside tended to migrate to the ends and become hard to reach. The lopsided weight and sloshing of a handheld water bottleand the need to grip itare more problematic. ", in "Where do you keep your phone while you run? Note too that the Naked Running Band costs more than most beltsparticularly if you also spring for a bottleand the company charges for shipping, though it reimburses the return costs for unwanted items. Order a couple of sizes and return whatever doesnt work for you. However, running with the Zipster Lite, I never had this concern because everything tucked in snug and secure. Its the most stable and comfortable two-bottle belt that weve tested. Also, smaller wearers may not be able to get a snug enough fit. When the dust settled, our final testing pool consisted of 31 belts from 17 manufacturers. And it keeps everything squeezed into one stretchy pocket, which means that if you need to pull something out mid-run, theres a chance other things might fall out, too. In the FlipBelt it defiantly goes noticed at first. ", in "Im looking for a waist bag that isnt too conspicuous but is compartmented and easy on the eyes. Light and breathable, it covers more area than the SPIbelt, but it is one-size-fits-most, fitting waists from about 26 inches to 44 inches (5 inches less than what we found the maximum of the SPIbelt Large Pocket to be). Does an adjustable belt fit snugly enough? Join lifelong runner, running coach, and mother of two, Whitney Heins, as she talks with experts in areas such as nutrition, training and physical therapy to share their insider knowledge so you can run your best & BE your best in the time that you have.
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