Anyone use a fuel belt (or any kind of water-carrying belt)?

[froglegs]

I'm at the point with my running where I need to be carrying fluids. I hate carrying a water bottle in my hand, so I'm thinking about getting a fuel belt or something similar. I am short (5'-2.5") and I wonder if my arms will hit it. Does anyone use one, and do you like it?

[nonsmoker3]

I use a camelback waist belt. i really like it, especially for warm weather because you can put ice in it. It was $14 from Performance Bike.

The fuel belts just seem wierd to me.

[baskingshark]

My husband runs with an amphipod waist belt - the bottle is slightly flattened and it sits fairly flat against your back

[limewave]

I can NOT stand having something around my waist when I run. I have a water bottle with a strap that goes around my hand. But, DH has a fuel belt and really likes it.

[Andrea]

I have a Nathan water pack that goes around the waist that I'll sell to you. I decided after I used it a couple of times that I wanted something larger, so I went to a back back. It's the pulse- you can see here: http://www.nathansports.com/our_prod...ion/pulse.html

I'll sell it for $30 shipped!

[Grog]

I've tried running with a small camelback. No success for me. I really hate the sloshing of water in such a big container, plus I only need a few sips of water during the whole run, I never run in the heat. I don't think I'd be happy with the water-bottle style either.

I've ran carrying only one flask of water. It's not big (it's the size of a gel flask but actually comes from the drugstore travel containers section) but it's just enough water for my needs. It was a bit slippery, would have been better with a bit of rubber around it. I might modify it. Because it's small it's also light, and when it's empty it goes in my jersey's rear pockets (I go on long runs with cycling jerseys).

I've said that all I want for Christmas is a fuel belt, and I think Those Who Give Gifts have. I'll let you know how it works out!

[HillSlugger]

I didn't like running with a hydration pack (waist or back) because I didn't like the swinging and slapping of the hose. I use a Nathan Angled Waterbottle Pack. I hated the bottle that came with it but a standard bike waterbottle fits fine. The pocket is fairly small, just large enough for ID, keys, and possibly a small cell phone.

[Grog]

Has anyone tried this?
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20317

[froglegs]

Wow... so it sounds like there are a lot of different opinions. I guess I'll have to just try something and see how it goes. Thanks everyone!!

[Shiraz]

I run with a waist belt similar to the Nathan Angled water belt called Ultimate Diections Access. I love it! I have tried about everything and have found that the belt is stable not too heavy, I have a key clip and a place to stash gels and cell if needed. I also have a cranky hip / back and have not had issues with it.

[froglegs]

A couple days ago I found myself at a sporting goods store. They didn't have much in the way of waist packs, but they did have an Outdoor Typhoon on sale for $12, so I bought it. It is a very simple 2-liter backpack. This morning I took it on its maiden voyage, a hilly 6 mile run. It was comfortable and did its job quite well. Of course I have no frame of reference and I'm sure there are better hydration packs out there, but for the price (and the fact that I picked it up on a whim) I wasn't really expecting much, and I am quite pleased.

I do have one complaint though - no pockets. None. I was hoping for a place to stick a gel or cell phone or something but there is nothing, just the main compartment for the water bladder, which is impossible to access while running. Oh well, I'm sure I can find a way to work around this.

[Jolt]

I didn't like running with a hydration pack (waist or back) because I didn't like the swinging and slapping of the hose. I use a Nathan Angled Waterbottle Pack. I hated the bottle that came with it but a standard bike waterbottle fits fine. The pocket is fairly small, just large enough for ID, keys, and possibly a small cell phone.

I use one of those as well, and I don't have any problem with it getting in the way of my arms etc. (I'm short too). And yes, the fact that it fits a regular bike water bottle is a plus.