I started looking for a running belt after I became fully frustrated with armbands to hold my iPhone. I had purchased the Nathan HPL #020 Hydration Vest and replaced the bladder with a CamelBak bladder as several reviews commented on bladder issues. I love the vest, but for most of my runs it''s overkill, but I became familiar with Nathan''s propulsion harness designed for minimal movement while running. So when I saw the auto-cant design on this belt my interest was peaked.
I''ve had this belt for almost a month and I''ve done all of my runs since with this belt on with and without the flasks. I love this belt and almost forget I have on one. The most important thing interested people should be aware of is the sizing. I wear a 31/32 size waist, but taking heed of the single review at the time I measured my hips and found I needed to size up to the medium. Once the belt arrived and I tried it on, I was starting to worry I still had still gone too small, but after testing it out a bit I found it was fitted perfectly. The belt is suppose to fit a bit tight and it stretches, but since it fits on hips not your waist it does not interfere with your running you don''t notice it once you get use to it. Since the first review mentioned this belt is great for women, I wanted to note that I''m a male and this belt is NOT gender specific.
I am currently using the flasks to carry water, but they are called nutrition flasks and that''s what they are intended for. But they serve just fine for carrying water. The pouch is small, but the front mesh pocket really stretches and I found that my iPhone with a silicone case fits snuggly stretching the mesh over the top of my phone I don''t worry about my iPhone being damaged will using this belt. You could probably attach other items to the belt itself such as an iPhone case if you want to use the pouch for other things such as nutrition bars. The surface area of the velcro is huge allowing for size adjustment and confidence that it''ll stay on I have zero concerns regarding this fastening system. I have not used other running/racing belts so I can''t give you a comparison of one without the auto-cant feature but it does seem to do what it''s suppose to do keeping the belt comfortable on the hips while moving with you.
As for the volume of the flasks it''s not much (2 cups about 1/2 a Nalgene bottle). I saw some questions about trying to size the volume with distance, but this is the wrong way to go about this. You need to learn how your body uses water in different conditions and length of time. My longest run with this belt thus far was 12.3 miles on a gentle grade with an temp of about 50°F and moderate humidity and it was adequate. If I run this same course in +65°F on a drier day I''d want to take my hydration vest. I also hydrate well before and after any run.
You can order additional flasks as well, which can be good if you have a point along your run where you can swap out your spent ones.
This was third type of hydration "device" I have ever bought, and I am finally very happy with my purchase!
I first bought a normal water bottle type belt by the brand "Ultimate" that did not stay in place and jostled around when I ran. I could cinch it really tight to my waist, but not only did I look ridiculous that way, but it was also very uncomfortable and interfered with my breathing.
The second "device" I bought was a handheld water bottle by the brand "Fuel Belt". I had read positive reviews about palm-holders/hand-held bottles and how they feel natural while running. Not quite! Let me tell you how annoying they are on your long runs, when you just want to have relaxed arms, instead of sweaty palms from holding onto the nylon fabric.
I was going to give up and just deal with the hand-held bottle when I saw a full-page ad in my Runner''s World magazine about this Nathan Speed 2R waist pack. Searching around online, most retailers were $50, but somehow Amazon was offering it for $25. I figured I''d give it a try it looked pretty good and all the reviews were positive.
I tried it out for the first time today on a 6-mile run and loved it. It did take a little getting used to in terms of how low I wanted to wear it and how tight I should pull the velcro, but by the middle of my run, everything was comfortable and in place, and I can honestly say I am done shopping for a hydration device for runs.
Some things to know: I am a 5''5" woman and normally wear size 4 bottoms. Another reviewer around my size had mentioned she bought a Medium so I did the same, and I am happy with the size selection. I wound up wearing this belt just below my hip bones and it was very comfortable and didn''t move around. It was very easy getting the water bottles out during my run, too (I wore the bottles towards the back and the pouch in front).
The pouch is NOT very useful at all I fastened my key to the clip, that''s all. My cell phone and ID did not feel secure in it, so I wore my Nike arm pouch as well.
If you are looking to carry a lot of liquid, this belt is lacking, with only two small bottles, but other than that, I think it is a fantastic item.
Buy Nathan Speed 2R Auto-Cant Waist Pack with Two 8-Ounce Nutrition Flasks Now
I just got the belt and am very pleased. Perfect for those who run for two hours or less (they have a four flask version for almost the same price). Pocket in front is great for your keys or ID card and plenty of room for 2 or 3 gel packs. Bottles are easy to reach and easy to put back and do not "jiggle." Flask has a generous fluid flow with a light squeeze. All in all, a very good hydration solution at a reasonalbe price.
Only issue you may have is if you have a 36" waist (like I do). That puts you square in between a medium and a large. The medium will work, but it seems as though I am pushing the limit. So if you are a 36" waist and assume you will be losing inches than definately go for the medium.
Read Best Reviews of Nathan Speed 2R Auto-Cant Waist Pack with Two 8-Ounce Nutrition Flasks Here
Wore this waist pack in a trail 50K and really liked it. Pouch and water flasks don''t hold enough food and liquid for really long, unsupported runs but for just a couple hours they are great. Relatively small size of flasks mean that even filled there is not too much weight or bouncing. Amazon price was also way better than REI price. Pack seems to move least when it''s on your hips so I agree with other reviewers that you should get the size that fits your hips, not waist.
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I am a 5'' 6" female and weigh 127 lbs, and have pretty much no hips, but a small was too small for me. I am returning it for a medium (especially to wear it low on my hips). Other than that, I think it will be great, and can''t wait to start using it.
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