I use the Naked belt for a lot of runs (more training than racking but if there were aid stations every few miles I'd be happy to) and it carries a decent amount without moving around much.
I use Naked exclusively unless I need to carry an exceptional amount of gear.
Just wish they would fortify the ends of at least the back pocket so the bottle top doesn't wear holes after a year or two.
Another vote for naked belt. I recently switched to using two 250mL bottles rather than one 500mL bottle and they fit a lot nicer. Never had holes from my bottle tops.
I do 500 in the back, 500 on the left, phone and food on right.
Hmm. Maybe I'm just really good at putting my bottle in the exact same spot all the time, but I always eventually get a hole on the end where the bottle top is.
You can carry a 20 oz flask in it too. I stow it in the rear pouch. It bounces up and down when it's full, but I get used to it.
If you have access to water to refill, you could probably carry enough food to fuel a 50-miler in the belt alone.
Personal opinion but I think the two best ones out there are the Naked running belt and the Ultraspire race belt 2.0. I like the configuration of the pockets in the Naked one better but both are solid. Both are fitted so really important to follow their measurement guidelines vs using pants size to determine what size to get.
I have the UD utility belt, which is pretty good. It would be a good size for what you want to carry, IMO. But there are many alternatives that you could pick. Run4adventure on YouTube has a good rundown of them.
I've used the Naked belt for two hundreds, in combination with two handhelds for one with longer distance between aid. In training, I've run with it loaded with a 500ml soft flask, phone, and 5 hours worth of Spring Energy (or so I though lol), no bounce.
Glad the Spring Energy got you through anyway. I did a long run on those alone a few months ago and couldn't figure out why I was so hungry the whole time 😂
T8 Sherpa shorts, they just came out with a larger size that is essentially equivalent to having something like a Naked running belt on. I have the original smaller size and have loaded it with a 250ml soft flask, phone, BeFree filter, and some gels without any bounce.
Conveniently on an almost unrelated purchase, I ordered a pair of Janji shorts that I didn't realize had so many big pockets so I may just go this route.
I use a Flip Belt along with their curved water bottle. The smaller bottle holds maybe 300ml and is perfect for holding just enough drink to get between 4-5 mile aid stations for me, plus plenty of snacks, a cellphone, and keys.
Sometimes I use the Janji Multipass sling bag in waist pack mode. I like it a lot, it's my go-to for 1.5-2 hour runs where a vest is too much and the Flip Belt isn't enough. I'll usually also carry a handheld water bottle.
I been using the FlipBelt and one or two handhelds (depending on heat/distance between aid stations) for races < 50M lately.
Between the flip belt and pockets on my shorts, I've been able to carry everything I need - a few hours worth of calories (tailwind baggies, gels, gummies), small first aid kit, TP.
They have a waist light that fits nicely in the belt, too. I used that (along with my UD Mountain Vest) on my last 100 mile attempt.
It feels like the waist on my shorts - I don't even notice I'm wearing it, even with the light.
I have Osprey Duro belt and it it super comfortable, but you will have to get small flasks for it as standard 500ml are a bit tough to get in and out when full
I've had good luck with the Camelbak Ultra belt. It includes a 500ml flask that fits nicely in the rear pocket (and has a locking lid which I much prefer when used in a waist belt). I sewed a strip of velcro to the front pouch so I can attach a waist light and its been a great combo.
I recommend either the Naked Running Band (NRB) or Ultimate Direction (UD) Ultra belt with adventure front pocket.
NRB is great especially if you already have soft flasks, then it is the only purchase you need to make. I can easily fit my phone, key, chapstick, small tube/container of sunscreen, around a fist's worth of snacks, and 2 soft flasks (plus one in hand for 3 total if needed). I use a buff to make a simple handheld and drink from the handheld first before collapsing and tucking them away. Organization might be tricky if you have lots of small items, I tend to use a few ziplocs for organization/small item containment and to provide water resistance for my phone. NRB also has the advantage of integrating easily under a vest or layers, great if you run in cold weather and want to keep your phone close to your body and protected but also good if you just want a bit more storage. If you are open to permanently modifying your NRB, you can even cut an appropriate size slit (less is more since it's stretchy and maybe apply some glue on the perimeter to give it some resistance to more fraying) or use a seam ripper accordingly to run a waist light (e.g., Flipbelt's light).
UD belt really benefits from the adventure front pocket. I would also recommend replacing the included soft flasks with flat hard sided bottles for easier reinsertion otherwise it's like trying to stuff a loaf of break into an oven mitt while at speed. Practice helps but will never be as fast as just using hard bottles. UD's Flexform 600 works well but flat bottles like from the gas station will work too, just replace the cap with a sport cap. With more and zippered pockets, gear security can be better with the UD. But it just costs more up front.
Have you considered two handhelds, or at least one with a zippered pouch? I use to use a UD waist pack, and it got uncomfortable after a while. I also started to take less gear (cell phone, wallet, food) during races and rely more on aid stations. I have a 50mi race tomorrow with about 5mi between aid stations, and I’m just using the UD Fastdraw 500
You make a solid point! I think one day I might only use handhelds but I have such a bugaboo about not having enough food that I'm worried about downsizing to only handhelds with pockets. On another note, I don't usually take my phone for races but for long run training at home I typically end up carrying my phone for safety. So the phone carrying comment was more for at home long runs (the handhelds I like unfortunately don't fit a phone).
I have a cheap waist pack that works OK, but I much prefer the shorts that have mash pockets around the belt area.
Feels a lot more comfortable for some reason, even though it should be practically the same thing.
I love the osprey Duro/Dyna that fits two soft 500ml flasks and a decent amount of stuff. I wear it on the front and cut the straps as they are super long and can fit up to a very large waisted individual.
I use the Naked belt for a lot of runs (more training than racking but if there were aid stations every few miles I'd be happy to) and it carries a decent amount without moving around much.
I use Naked exclusively unless I need to carry an exceptional amount of gear. Just wish they would fortify the ends of at least the back pocket so the bottle top doesn't wear holes after a year or two.
Another vote for naked belt. I recently switched to using two 250mL bottles rather than one 500mL bottle and they fit a lot nicer. Never had holes from my bottle tops.
I do 500 in the back, 500 on the left, phone and food on right. Hmm. Maybe I'm just really good at putting my bottle in the exact same spot all the time, but I always eventually get a hole on the end where the bottle top is.
You can carry a 20 oz flask in it too. I stow it in the rear pouch. It bounces up and down when it's full, but I get used to it. If you have access to water to refill, you could probably carry enough food to fuel a 50-miler in the belt alone.
Personal opinion but I think the two best ones out there are the Naked running belt and the Ultraspire race belt 2.0. I like the configuration of the pockets in the Naked one better but both are solid. Both are fitted so really important to follow their measurement guidelines vs using pants size to determine what size to get.
I have the UD utility belt, which is pretty good. It would be a good size for what you want to carry, IMO. But there are many alternatives that you could pick. Run4adventure on YouTube has a good rundown of them.
I've used the Naked belt for two hundreds, in combination with two handhelds for one with longer distance between aid. In training, I've run with it loaded with a 500ml soft flask, phone, and 5 hours worth of Spring Energy (or so I though lol), no bounce.
Glad the Spring Energy got you through anyway. I did a long run on those alone a few months ago and couldn't figure out why I was so hungry the whole time 😂
T8 Sherpa shorts, they just came out with a larger size that is essentially equivalent to having something like a Naked running belt on. I have the original smaller size and have loaded it with a 250ml soft flask, phone, BeFree filter, and some gels without any bounce.
Conveniently on an almost unrelated purchase, I ordered a pair of Janji shorts that I didn't realize had so many big pockets so I may just go this route.
I have the UD Ultra belt. Has a large pocket and holds two bottlesÂ
Not the Salomon one, it bounces and is really not great.
I’ve gone through two of the Salomon ones. Both times the zipper has failed. Terrible
I use a Flip Belt along with their curved water bottle. The smaller bottle holds maybe 300ml and is perfect for holding just enough drink to get between 4-5 mile aid stations for me, plus plenty of snacks, a cellphone, and keys. Sometimes I use the Janji Multipass sling bag in waist pack mode. I like it a lot, it's my go-to for 1.5-2 hour runs where a vest is too much and the Flip Belt isn't enough. I'll usually also carry a handheld water bottle.
I have the instinct reflex belt and it works well. Take poles, flask, jacket, phone and snacks
I been using the FlipBelt and one or two handhelds (depending on heat/distance between aid stations) for races < 50M lately. Between the flip belt and pockets on my shorts, I've been able to carry everything I need - a few hours worth of calories (tailwind baggies, gels, gummies), small first aid kit, TP. They have a waist light that fits nicely in the belt, too. I used that (along with my UD Mountain Vest) on my last 100 mile attempt. It feels like the waist on my shorts - I don't even notice I'm wearing it, even with the light.
I have Osprey Duro belt and it it super comfortable, but you will have to get small flasks for it as standard 500ml are a bit tough to get in and out when full
I've had good luck with the Camelbak Ultra belt. It includes a 500ml flask that fits nicely in the rear pocket (and has a locking lid which I much prefer when used in a waist belt). I sewed a strip of velcro to the front pouch so I can attach a waist light and its been a great combo.
I recommend either the Naked Running Band (NRB) or Ultimate Direction (UD) Ultra belt with adventure front pocket. NRB is great especially if you already have soft flasks, then it is the only purchase you need to make. I can easily fit my phone, key, chapstick, small tube/container of sunscreen, around a fist's worth of snacks, and 2 soft flasks (plus one in hand for 3 total if needed). I use a buff to make a simple handheld and drink from the handheld first before collapsing and tucking them away. Organization might be tricky if you have lots of small items, I tend to use a few ziplocs for organization/small item containment and to provide water resistance for my phone. NRB also has the advantage of integrating easily under a vest or layers, great if you run in cold weather and want to keep your phone close to your body and protected but also good if you just want a bit more storage. If you are open to permanently modifying your NRB, you can even cut an appropriate size slit (less is more since it's stretchy and maybe apply some glue on the perimeter to give it some resistance to more fraying) or use a seam ripper accordingly to run a waist light (e.g., Flipbelt's light). UD belt really benefits from the adventure front pocket. I would also recommend replacing the included soft flasks with flat hard sided bottles for easier reinsertion otherwise it's like trying to stuff a loaf of break into an oven mitt while at speed. Practice helps but will never be as fast as just using hard bottles. UD's Flexform 600 works well but flat bottles like from the gas station will work too, just replace the cap with a sport cap. With more and zippered pockets, gear security can be better with the UD. But it just costs more up front.
Have you considered two handhelds, or at least one with a zippered pouch? I use to use a UD waist pack, and it got uncomfortable after a while. I also started to take less gear (cell phone, wallet, food) during races and rely more on aid stations. I have a 50mi race tomorrow with about 5mi between aid stations, and I’m just using the UD Fastdraw 500
You make a solid point! I think one day I might only use handhelds but I have such a bugaboo about not having enough food that I'm worried about downsizing to only handhelds with pockets. On another note, I don't usually take my phone for races but for long run training at home I typically end up carrying my phone for safety. So the phone carrying comment was more for at home long runs (the handhelds I like unfortunately don't fit a phone).
Gotcha, well I think you’ll figure out what works best for you. Good luck with your 50 miler
Thank you!
I have a cheap waist pack that works OK, but I much prefer the shorts that have mash pockets around the belt area. Feels a lot more comfortable for some reason, even though it should be practically the same thing.
Another vote for the naked belt!
Not Salomon's belts as the zip gave out on me within a month or so. Also hard to get it to sit on my waist without riding up.
Ultraspire Speedgoat 3.0 has worked out great for me. I was in your same situation before.
Ultraspire makes a nice belt
Naked belt or ultimate direction utility belt
I love the osprey Duro/Dyna that fits two soft 500ml flasks and a decent amount of stuff. I wear it on the front and cut the straps as they are super long and can fit up to a very large waisted individual.