10 Best Hydration Belts Reviewed & Tested
By Ryan Sabin
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Searching for Hydration Belts? Check out the best Running Belts for Hydration, Pros & Cons and what to be aware of before buying them online or in a store.
The average American walks around every day with a deficiency of the most important substance there is for us humans, water.
We are not under pressure in our daily lives to be fully hydrated and our bodies are not required to work at maximum efficiency during most daily routines. A day at the office does not place a need to be fully hydrated at least not in the short term. But even in none physically demanding jobs if we maintain a habit of constantly being under hydrated we will eventually feel the impact on our physical and mental performance.
Running, especially long distance or at competitive levels does absolutely require us to maintain a constant level of hydration to the point that we need to carry water with us, hence the need for hydration belts. The actual function of a hydration belt is consistent, regardless of the brand name and this is why brand suppliers invest in research to produce innovative hydration belts with extra functionalities, capabilities, and designs which will enhance running performance. Here we present the best options in terms of performance, functionality, comfort, durability, water carrying capacity and value for money.
Enjoy and select a hydration belt to add to your prized personal running kit!
- Nathan Trail Mix
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Our rating - SpeedFit Holsters
- Price: See Here
- Fitletic
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Our rating - Dura-Comfort Technology
- Price: See Here
- CamdenGear
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Our rating - Adjustable Velcro Strap
- Price: See Here
10 Best Hydration Belts
1. Nathan Trail Mix
The material is of course quite light, and like essentially everything Nathan makes it wicks away sweat like a charm. It's 15-Percent lighter weight than its previous iteration.
Storage
There is a small pocket to help you leave no trace, or to stash whatever it is that you need stashed. It has an external pocket and zippered pocket to keep your phone, keys, food and any other valuables safe and secure. It also features two shock cords with an easy-pull tension lock for jacket or gloves.
Fit
Its monofilament 20-Percent stretch belt stretches around your body for the perfect bounce-free ride. It fits waist sizes 26"-42" waists, and some think it should hug the hip better as it tends to slide a bit while you run.
Bottle Capacity
The Trail Mix allows extreme ease of access to water with holster style holders for two 10 oz water bottles. Its ergonomic, tension-molded holsters complete the ensemble, keeping the bottles in place and easy to access.
Durability
This is quite durable and made with quality materials, there haven't been any reports of wear and tear that we could locate.
Just enough stretch for a bounce free run
Zippered pouch has external pocket for smaller items
Has elastic cords on each side for carrying items such a light jacket
Adjustable fit
SpeedFit Holsters provide easy, one-handed access
Reflective trims
Some thought that the bottle holsters could be a bit more secure
Careful not to pinch your lip when closing the water bottle
2. Fitletic
It weighs in at 7 ounces. They've added a pouch and a bottle and you don't seem to notice a weight difference from the previous version.
Storage
The storage has an upgraded enlarged pouch that now fits iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, & other large phones. It also has an interior pocket that provides storage.
Fit
The Dura-Comfort Technology ensures that it won't be bouncing, riding up, or chafing while you run. Its ultra soft dual-adjustable waist belt. It has silicone grippers that help prevent bounce. It comes in the following sizes: S/M (24 – 34 inches/61 – 91 cm), L/XL (35 – 42 inches/73 cm – 102 cm). It has two exterior energy gel loops for on-the-fly access.
Bottle Capacity
It is equipped with two quick draw bottle holsters as well as two flasks (each 6oz) that have quick flow race caps. They are BPA free and dishwasher safe, but be aware that carbonated liquids may cause leakage.
Durability
It is extremely durable and we couldn't find any complaints about the where and tear of the fabric.
Upgraded enlarged pouch
Dura-Comfort Technology ensures no bouncing, riding up, or chafing
Adjustable, soft waistbelt
Two quick draw bottle holsters
Silicone grippers prevent bounce
Integrated race bib toggles
Reflective accents
Interior Pocket provides storage
Adjustable band
Loops specifically hold energy gels
Some suggest bottles last longer if you hand wash them
Bottles may leak when full
3. CamdenGear
It weighs in at 5.6 ounces, and is snug & lightweight.
Storage
Its pouch is large enough to fit most cell phones, but it might be a bit snug for those that have big cases for protecting your phone. The belt also has 4 elastic straps which are great for hanging and storing things such as gloves, and keys.
Fit
It fits waist sizes up to 43". It has velcro straps that let you adjust the fit so it will fit nicely without bouncing.
Bottle Capacity
Its a good sized volume at 6oz per bottle. It's best for short to medium length runs.
Durability
Most users stated it lasted a good amount of time and is made with quality materials.
Velcro strap is adjustable
Large pouch for storage
Very Comfortable
4 elastic straps great for hanging storage
Lightweight & snug
Two 6oz Bottles
Not best for thin waisted persons
Some found the excess strap bothersome
4. Adalid Gear
I'm not sure the exact weight, but it is in the lightweight category and ergonomically designed.
Storage
It has a large zippered pouch that can fit your phone, music or other accessories within the dimensions of 6.7" x 3.5", and it comes complete with separate inner pockets for storing smaller items.
Fit
The fit is soft, lightweight and adjustable. It fits snug without moving around too much or causing discomfort.
Bottle Capacity
It comes complete with Two 10oz Water Bottles to fuel your run.
Durability
It is water resistant, and can withstand light rain, but not recommended for down pours. There haven't been any complaints of wear and tear and this item should be quite durable lasting a long time.
Soft & lightweight
Will not bounce, ride up, nor chafe
Adjustable
Leak proof bottles
Reflectors so others can see you easily
Removeable race bib toggles
Large zippered pouch with separate inner pockets
Hand wash only
Difficult to find replacement parts
5. Fuelbelt R30 Revenge
Weight
It's a lightweight belt that will get you through your run easily.
Storage
It comes with a fully adjustable waistband with a velcro locking mechanism that's easy to cinch up. You can use a one-handed draw and replace the water bottle quickly. It has a front pocket with a zipper for storage. It has bottle lock cords that assist in keeping the bottles secure while you run.
Fit
Its molded holsters provide a quick and easy in out motion. Although new, the Revenge will fit any preexisting Fuelbelt products. The size and capacity options are generous here as well, so you can get it in effectively a customized size. It's extremely comfortable, and has a reduced-bounce featuring custom holsters and grips.
Bottle Capacity
It comes with three 7oz bottles with other options also available.
Durability
It was manufactured to fit past, present and future FuelBelt bottles, and it holds up well.
Reduced-bounce fit
Designed to carry all types of FuelBelt bottles
Patented cord securely locks the bottle in place
Reflective accents for safety
Adjustable elastic waist
Removable race pocket with zipper
Highly Breathable & keeps sweat away
Leak proof & Dishwasher safe
Has race bib clips
The three bottles all in one place on the belt can wear unevenly
Somewhat difficult to replace bottles
Belt is narrow for some users
6. CamelBak Arc 2 Run
It is very lightweight, weighing in at just 0.56 pounds.
Storage
It has a pouch to store your phone in and additional smaller items. Some wished that the pouch was larger in size.
Fit
It fits really well, not sliding around or adding much bounce while you run.
Bottle Capacity
The design of the bottles is quite remarkable. The bottles are mounted in quick-access cages, and easy to slip in and out. They are self-sealing, have Jet valve technology, they’re leak-proof, lightweight, easy to apply pressure to, and BPA-free. They come complete with a simple two step flex-and-twist release system. Two 10 ounce Podium Arc water bottles included.
Durability
Highly comfortable and durable this is sure to last you a long time as it's made with quality materials.
Two 10 oz Podium Arc water bottles included
Quick-access cages
Self-sealing Jet valve on bottles
Leak-proof bottles
Easy to squeeze bottles
Bounce-free
Flex-and-twist bottle release system
Storage area for phone & keys
Some felt the weight was distributed unevenly when carrying full bottles
Some users wanted a bigger pocket
7. Salomon Hydro 45 Iron
It is very lightweight weighing in at just 0.35 pounds.
Storage
It has a small external zipper for storage.
Fit
Most users found it quite comfortable, not too big or too small, but a few users did find the narrow belt a bit uncomfortable.
Bottle Capacity
It comes complete with a 3D 20oz bottle & 4D bottle holder. It is stable and versatile.
Durability
This highly durable Salomon product has an Airvent system that protects you from moisture while you run. It also resists rippage, and is waterproof. It's mesh material allows for good breathability.
Adjustable belt
1 zipped external pocket for storage
3D 20oz bottle & 4D bottle holder
Very Comfortable
Form Fitted
Works great in cold weather
Stable & Versatile
Airvent system protects you from moisture
Mini ripstop, & waterproof
Mesh allows for good breathability
Some did not like the narrow belt
Difficult to put bottle back in at the 45 degree angle
Lava Activ
Don’t be surprised when you forget that you have this belt on. It doesn’t weight very much.
Storage
It’s very easy in use. The pouches for the bottles are really big so you can easily store the bottles there. There’s special zip for the additional pouch to make the access easier. Now you can be sure that your keys or credit card won’t get lost during running. Producers also suggests that it’s great pocket for larger smartphones like 6s, 7s. This additional pocket doesn’t affect your comfort.
Fit
This product is great because you can adjust it to you needs. There are adjustable straps that are made from high quality material. It’s not Velcro. Bottle holder isn’t very heavy and there are also straps. Bottles stay in place even if there’s a lot of bouncing. The grips are specially contoured to provide more comfort. You can also put gel packs or energy bars there. There aren’t any sizes, you adjust it individually.
Bottles
2 x BPA-Free 300ml bottles will be great for the longer runs. The water doesn’t have strange taste when you drink it from these bottles.
Durability
This one is made from Neoprene. This is high quality material that is soft but durable at the same time. It should last for as a long time no matter if you take part in marathons or you just simply run. There’s warranty on this product.
high quality and durable product
very soft and lightweight
great bottle holders
The belt sometimes tends to slip down from the waist
Becko
Becko brand is aware that runners don’t like heavy stuff to carry with them. This is the reason why this belt is so lightweight. Great weight for marathons, especially if you need two bottles of water.
Storage
Two pouches for the bottles and one pouch for your belonging such as keys, cards and etc. The pocket is quiet big as it’s 18x10 cm. There are even layers to separate your keys from the phone.
Fit
There’s anti-slip waistband that helps the belt to stay in place while running. This waistband is also stretchable. We can’t talk about any chaffing or skin irritation here. The material is breathable so it shouldn’t leave sweaty spots on your clothes.
Bottles
There are two 170ml BPA-free water bottles will be great to provide right amount of hydration. It’s very easy to open the bottles and drink even if you need to run.
Durability
The belt is quiet durable and you can enjoy it for a long time. However, some buyers said that they had problem because sometimes the bottles leaked. All in all, the product seems to be quiet durable.
This has reflective mark to keep you safer during night run
Bottles are easy to use
Affordable
Although material is breathable, some buyers say that there was too much sweat while wearing this one
Avantree
We totally adore the design of this hydration belt because it’s not as bulky as the other products and that’s better for a runner. It is very lightweight and you will definitely forget that you’re wearing it.
Storage
This is the belt that have one of the largest pockets on our list and it’s fantastic because there’s even possibility to store your phone there but it really depends on the model. You can store there also other things like money, keys and etc. You can have your hands free and you don’t need to be afraid of pickpocketing.
Fit
As it’s made from nylon, this belt is quiet breathable and you don’t sweat that much when you have it on your hips. It is sweat resistant. It will be great for every type of weather.
Bottles
Unfortunately, the bottles aren’t included here. You need to buy them on your own which may be inconvenience for some of you. Avantree has special list of the bottles suitable for this hydration belt.
Durability
As this is high quality product, it’s normal that this will last long. There’s 6 months warranty if something is not okay.
The earphone outlet
Reflective edge for better visibility
Zippered pocket fits many smartphone models
There may be problems with choosing the best size
Water can be a bit of a pain though, if you’re not close to an easy source you have to haul it around with you. If you’d like to head out on a trail run you need a way to transport your fluids. Going for a longer distance? You’ll probably need to have a reserve on hand so you don’t run dry. There are a number of different strategies one could employ. One of the simplest and easiest to is find a good Hydration belt.
If the thought of strapping a water bottle your two to a belt around your waist seems like a funny thing to do, you’d be surprised the number of runners who do it. The designs of these belts have improved tremendously in recent years, and clever engineering allows a good amount of water to rest easy on a belt. One real perk of a hydration belts is that they are close to your center of gravity and hips (structural power points of the body). This minimizes sloshing and torque the weight of water might put on your body.
The Criteria We Used For Our Evaluation Of the Best Hydration Belts for Runners:
We’re not going to make you guess how we predicted or came up with these amazing top 10. We’ve gone through the features that most runners want to know about and compared thousands of reviews of running websites and users to give you the most accurate information. Below is the criteria we used in completing our evaluation:
Weight
No one wants to be weighed down when they run, but keeping hydrated is important. So finding that belt that is lightweight with all the right features is essential. We’ve got through and found the ones that are as light as a feather so you can run comfortably.
Fit
The best ones are adjustable. We are trying to avoid ones that are too big or too small in size. We want to focus on ones that will be comfortable as well. We’ve research and found the one’s that won’t slip or chafe while you run.
Bottle Capacity
How much water you need to intake is quite important. Will you need enough for a small, moderate, or a lengthy run? We will let you know how much fluid these bottles can hold.
Durability
Nobody wants one that’s not going to hold up that’s for sure! Some have pretty amazing features such as no-rip material which makes for great durability.
Extra Storage
This is one that is quite preferential, but nonetheless important. Do you need a huge pouch to store a huge phone and other running essentials or are you okay with a small one to just tuck your keys and ID in?
Bounce Factor
Bouncing of bottles can be quite annoying and irritating so we’ve checked these bottles and the reviews to find out which ones have a lower bounce factor than others.
Other Important Factors To Consider When Selecting The Right One For you:
Choosing the Best Belt
Flickr Photo Credit: rose buen
The challenge of picking a phenomenal belt that will be comfortable on your run can be simplified with just a few tips. You’ll want to check how many bottles, and how many ounces are held in each one, the way they fit and how comfortable they are, and how much storage they provide. Below we review each of these topics:
Bottle Types
How many bottles each belt allows you to carry is quite important. Every runner is different in how much water intake they’ll need for a run so knowing this information will become quite useful in choosing a phenomenal belt.
Water Consumption
How much does each bottle hold? Are you a person that typically drinks more water than other runners? These are things to consider when making your purchase.
Fit & Comfort
No one wants one that’s uncomfortable. That’s not helpful at all. You want to look at the waist measurements of them. You want to look for comfortable, breathable fabric. You’ll want them to be lightweight so you don’t actually feel as though you are carry items. Finally, you’ll want it to be easily adjustable so that you can get it to fit snug without sliding or chafing as you run. This will also reduce the bounce amount that you could get.
Storage
This definitely comes down to personal preference. You’ll need to think of the items you wish to store while you are running. Making a list of the things you normally run with is not a bad idea at all. Some people carry their phones, keys, ID, energy gels, ipod’s and more, while others just need a small compartment to stash their cash. You’ll also want to check to see how adequately the bottles themselves are held in place while you run.
How much Water should I drink?
Knowing how much to drink is an essential part of running. Let’s talk about the different intake amounts of before, after and during your run.
Before you Run
It’s so important to make sure you are getting enough fluids into your body to avoid dehydration. Consider increasing your water intake 3 days prior to your run. You can check your urine to ensure you’re getting enough into your system. It should be a pale color, if it’s not then you’re not getting enough. Avoid alcohol in the days prior to your race as well.
It’s running day! About an hour before your run, drink 16 ounces of water. You’ll want to wait till about 20 minutes before you run to consume another 4-8 ounces if you are worried about becoming dehydrated.
After you Run
When your run is complete you’ll want to rehydrate with 20-24 fl oz of water or sports drinks.
During your Run
You should take in 4 – 6 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes during your run. If you are a fast runner that can run faster than 8-minute miles you should consume 6 to 8 ounces every 20 minutes.
Sweat Test
You want to know exactly how much water you’ll need on your run? Take a sweat test. This will determine how much sweat is loss during your workout and how much water you need to take in. First, weigh yourself prior to your timed run, without any clothes. Then, when you are finished with your workout, remove your clothes and weigh yourself again. One pound of weight loss equals 1 pint of water loss (1 pound loss = 1 pint of water loss). You can make adjustments if the weather conditions are hotter, or colder or take another test to determine what it is in that type of weather as well.
For example: If you determine that on average you lose 2 pounds an hour while you run, then that would equal 2 pints or 32 ounces. This means you’ll need to consume 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes on your run.
FAQ
Q. How much hydration do you need while you’re running?
A. Check out our information above about taking a sweat test to determine an accurate amount of water consumption.
Q. Is it okay to drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages prior to my run?
A. It is not recommended at all. It could cause serious dehydration.
Q. Are there other ways I can improve my hydration?
A. Yes. there are hydration pills and other sources of hydration that you could look at as well.
Q. Is it better to invest in a running belt or to simple just hold your water bottle while you run?
A. If you plan on running long distance, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to invest in a belt.
Q. Should I drink when I’m thirsty?
A. Absolutely! There’s no question if you are thirsty your body is trying to tell you its time to hydrate.
Here are some sources we used while conducting our Research:
Sources
- , How To Choose The Best Hydration Belt For Running And Why You Need It, Hair styling website,
- , How to Stay Hydrated Before, During, and After Your Runs, Health information website, Mar 14, 2016
- , Running 101: Hydration During Running, Running informational website, Jun 10, 2014
- , Q&A: How Much Water Should I REALLY Drink on a Long Run?, Women's Health , Jul 03, 2014
- , Photo Credit Featured Image, Oct 21, 2016
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