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Best Running Hydration Belts of 2023

JUMP TO: NAKED RUNNING BAND / AMPHIPOD PROFILE LITE / SALOMON PULSE / ULTIMATE DIRECTION MOUNTAIN 5.0 / NATHAN TRAIL MIX PLUS 2 / CAMELBAK FLASH / FUEL BELT ERGO / NATHAN SWIFT PLUS / ULTRASPIRE SPEEDGOAT 3.0 / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Alecsa Stewart

The Short Version:

The Long Version:

Thinking of heading out for a run in the heat of summer?

How will you stay light but avoid getting dehydrated?

What about all those times there are simply not enough pockets for your keys and phone?

Or those in-between weeks when it’s neither full-on winter nor warm spring, and you leave the house with an extra layer on only to find yourself seriously sweating mid-way?

The truth is, not all of us need a proper race running vest with space for bottles and lots of extra gear, but most of us need a running hydration belt. Whether you use it for storing a couple of valuables on a short run, or to carry water on hot days, a good running belt is a staple in the runner’s wardrobe.

Although sometimes they require a compromise when it comes to comfort and chafing (more on that below!), running hydration belts can be a life-saver.

In this review, I look at the best running hydration belts currently on the market, from the more minimalist to the roomiest. Most belts – in addition to their stated water capacity – will accommodate a small amount of extra food or kit to keep you going, without being too bulky. But bear in mind that most running hydration belts are only suitable for 2-3 hour runs at the longest. Beyond that and you should ideally be reaching for a running backpack or hydration vest.

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Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Running belts are just one option for carrying water and gear when you hit the trail. They are essentially competing against the alternatives of a running backpack, running vest, or nothing at all.

If you are unsure of the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs — or unsure about what to look for in a good quality hydration belt — then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

Best Overall: NAKED RUNNING BAND

WATER CAPACITY: 2 L / 68 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Soft flasks / hard shell bottles (not recommended)

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Very versatile, capacity for storing lots of different items, broad range of sizes, very lightweight, excellent price/quality ratio

CONS: Not suitable for those who prefer hard bottles

PRICE: $$

The Naked Running Band caused a stir in the running world when it first launched, and it remains the best all-rounder today. It’s more than just a hydration belt: it carries an exceptional amount of kit and can accompany you on seriously longer runs, too.

Naked brand themselves very much as an innovation brand, so all their products are a bit different from the rest of what’s on the market. With the Running Band, they’re proposing a stretchy, mesh band that should fit comfortably on your hips and will not bounce or dig into you as you run. It has capacity for up to 2 liters of liquid, in soft flasks that are held in place by the stretchy fabric. Moreover, the band has lots of individual pockets for your phone, keys, an energy bar or gels, a headlamp… you name it!

Even fully loaded, the Naked Running Band sits comfortably against your body, but you may find that you need to wear it higher than your hips when it’s at its heaviest. I also don’t truly believe this can be worn with a hard shell bottle (despite Naked claiming that to be the case), because it would be uncomfortable.

All in all, this does the job for more than a quick run. What’s more, Naked have included some very convenient outside loops to fit collapsible running poles on the outside of the belt. This allows you to carry your poles behind you or in front of you, making the Running Band a great addition to your running backpack in an ultra race.

WATER CAPACITY: 600 ml / 20 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Bottle

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Lightweight, ergonomic, great holster for water bottle, secure no-leak bottle

CONS: Might bounce depending on running style

PRICE: $$$

Amphipod have created a perfect blend of lots of storage space, a no-leak bottle in an easy-to-reach holster, and adjustable, comfortable belt.

One of the star features of this belt is the awesome bottle that doesn’t leak and sits securely in its pocket – a major concern with this style of belt usually.  And there is enough space in the expandable pocket to store some food and your keys.

Additionally, this belt features an adjustable bungee on the outside of the pocket, handy for tying in a rain jacket or extra layer.

The only question is how to balance it all for the perfect feeling when you’re out running. This belt seems more stable the more filled it is, i.e. with phone, keys, maybe a couple of bars and a full bottle. If wearing it just for the bottle, it risks bouncing around depending on your running style.

Best for Minimalists: SALOMON PULSE HYDRATION BELT

WATER CAPACITY: 500 ml / 16 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Soft flask (not included)

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Small, foldable, hardly noticeable

CONS: No water bottle included, very tight fit

PRICE: $$

For a 2-hour run in sweltering heat where you want some water with you, wrestle one or two Salomon soft flasks into the elastic pockets of their Pulse Hydration Belt and you’re on your way.

Surprisingly, despite the tight fit, the bottles don’t feel too uncomfortable, but may bounce up and down depending on your running style (it’s better for plodders!). Salomon suggest you could run with two soft flasks, increasing your water capacity to 32 oz / 1 L, but we believe that would only fit very few people because of the design and pressure on the elasticated material from the full bottles.

This belt is also great as an add-on for long runs where you need a couple of extra things within easy reach (e.g. your phone) and you’ve run out of space in your backpack. I’ve used it to loop running poles at the back under my backpack, and to get easy access to my cellphone. However, for carrying running poles, you’re better off adding some soft padding in the back pocket or they’ll feel uncomfortable pressed against your lower back because of the tight fit of the running belt.

Bonus: it comes in lots of colors and sizes. An excellent alternative for those who can’t get their hands on the Naked Running Band.

WATER CAPACITY: 500 ml / 16 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Bottle

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Very roomy pocket, suits longer runs

CONS:

PRICE: $$

The Ultimate Direction Mountain 5.0 Hydration Belt has been through a few iterations over the years, with improvements being made each time.

It is a solid option for longer runs if you prefer to carry a bottle, rather than a flask.. The great thing about this belt is that the roomy back pocket allows you to carry an extra layer at a minimum, and potentially even gloves and a hat as well. The zippered main stash pocket has an internal sleeve that can be used to keep your phone separate from your other gear. And extra layers that don’t fit in the main pocket can be lashed onto the outside using the included shock cords.

There is a handy little key pocket included along the front of the Velcro waist belt. Perfect for your keys… if they fit in there! You may find – depending on the size of your keys –that the key pocket is too small to serve its purpose. Similarly, the inner sleeve used for storing your phone in the main pocket can also be a tight squeeze, or even too small, for some larger smartphones.

Aside from those minor pocket sizing issues (which may or may not be a concern for you) the Mountain 5.0 Hydration Belt is a solid performer, perfect for those who prefer bottles and want a reasonable amount of gear storage.

Best for Hot Weather: NATHAN TRAIL MIX PLUS 2 INSULATED

WATER CAPACITY: 600 ml / 20 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Insulated bottles (2) – also available in a non-insulated version

POCKETS:  Yes

PROS:  Insulated bottles to keep cool in the heat, zip pocket with key ring

CONS: Bottles not very secure, may bounce out

PRICE: $$$

Not only do you get 20 oz of fluid with the TrailMix Plus 2 Insulated belt from Nathan, you also get more versatility since it’s split across two bottles. Enjoy fresh water from one bottle and an energy drink or water mixed with your favorite hydration salts from the other – the perfect solution for hot days.

There is an insulated and non-insulated version of this belt, so bear that in mind when making your choice. For maximum benefit on hot days, I’d always recommend going for the insulated bottles.

The only drawback on this belt is the fact that the bottles aren’t very secure – only held in place by holsters that can easily allow them to bounce out. You also don’t have a lot of additional storage. Nonetheless, this belt is ideal for a hot day’s run where you really only need to carry fluids, your keys, and a gel.

Best Stable Storage: CAMELBAK FLASH BELT

WATER CAPACITY: 500 ml / 17 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Insulated bottle

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Insulated bottle to keep water cool, safe and secure storage so bottle doesn’t jump out

CONS: Difficult to reach water bottle

PRICE: $$

If you’re worried about your water bottle falling out, then the CamelBak Flash Belt is the one for you.

Not only have CamelBak included a tight-fitting bottle sleeve that sits on a diagonal, they’ve also added an elastic strip you can fold over the top of your bottle to keep it in place. The only issue with that is you might find it frustrating when you’re trying to reach for it yourself!

CamelBak have always created great hydration solutions and this belt is a solid contender, with adjustable waist buckles to ensure a good fit, and a clever solution for the bottle position.

Best Gender Specific: FUEL BELT ERGO BELT

WATER CAPACITY: 300 ml / 10 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Bottles (2)

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Gender specific design

CONS: Not a lot of water capacity

PRICE: $$

Fuel Belt set themselves an ambitious task: creating a running hydration belt that was gender specific.

The result was their Ergo Belt (men’s and women’s) – made using an ergonomic design that is intended to hug the runner’s hips, with the women’s belt being made to suit a female midsection.

While having a women-specific design is good in principle, the differences between the men’s and women’s versions are not too pronounced – the women’s belt has a slightly different cut to the men’s, and slightly different positioning of the bottle pockets.

The commonalities on the other hand are numerous, and make both the men’s and women’s belts good choices for shorter runs. Both belts are easy to put on, adjust nicely to the body, and provide small but effective storage space. The aesthetic design of the Ergo Belt includes reflective strips for added visibility in the dark.

WATER CAPACITY: 300 ml / 10 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Bottle

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: Lightweight, designed for racing with gel loops and gel trash stash pocket

CONS: Very little water storage

PRICE: $$

Nathan feature twice in this round-up review thanks to this stellar, race-optimized, hydration belt.

The Nathan Swift Plus Hydration Belt has been designed with racing in mind: its minimalist style is very lightweight and accommodates just the essentials. You won’t need more than 10 oz of water in an organized race where you can refuel easily, so why carry more?

The other great feature of this belt is the addition of gel loops and a trash stash pocket. Most of us will have gels during a shorter race, so having them easily within reach is ideal. And then not having to put the sticky packaging in the same pocket as your phone? Priceless!

WATER CAPACITY: 1.1 L / 37.2 oz

CONTAINER TYPE: Bottles (2)

POCKETS: Yes

PROS: High water volume capacity, cords on the front for extra carrying options

CONS: Small back pocket, could be too bulky  

PRICE: $$$

The UltrAspire Speedgoat is an interesting hybrid between a traditional hydration belt and an almost-backpack.

Its larger capacity makes it the perfect candidate for longer days out. It has space for more than a liter of water, several pockets for distributing your food and kit, as well as additional shock cords on the front that let you carry poles or an extra layer.

This belt also benefits from an ingenious design that allows runners to cope with how bulky it might get when fully stocked. The pocket placement, as well as their shape, is intended to keep the weight near your center of gravity and therefore prevent unwanted bouncing.

You have a main cone shaped pocket at the center-rear. On each angled (and insulated!) bottle holster you have a small mesh stash pocket for items like gels. On the front of the belt you have a mesh stretch pocket for items like a phone or keys. Overall, there is ample storage and its distribution across several locations on the belt helps with both stability and convenience.

And, if the name sounds familiar, that’s because it was indeed designed by 100-mile running legend Karl Meltzer, the Speedgoat himself!

BUYING ADVICE FOR RUNNING HYDRATION BELTS

Positioning and fit

One of the key questions with running hydration belts is how they’ll sit on your body and how this will impact your running.

Most belts are designed to fit on your hips, and some will have different sizes available, especially the elastic band style like the Salomon Pulse or the Naked Band. It’s preferable (although not always possible!) to try these out before purchasing, because even taking your measurements at home won’t work well every time.

adjustment

For the vast majority of running belts, you’ll have the freedom of adjusting how tight you wear them thanks to buckles that resemble what you’d find on a walking backpack. The key thing to remember is that tighter is better and it takes some getting used to the feel. If you wear your hydration belt too loose, you risk it bouncing around too much and getting chafed.

Comfort

The comfort of a running belt depends primarily on two factors: bounce and chafing.

A belt that bounces around too much will affect your running form. And in the longer term this can lead to injuries. At the very least, a bouncing belt will be irritating, frustrating, and no doubt distract you from enjoying your run. So make sure you test your belt with various levels of storage and ensure you can run at your desired pace with the items you want to bring with you.

Chafing is also a big risk with running hydration belts. The best models include venting and breathable materials to ensure that they don’t overheat the small of your back when you sweat. Coupled with bounce, moisture and overheating can lead to some notoriously bad chafing! Look for well-ventilated designs and breathable fabrics as much as possible.

Ease of access

Another consideration related to comfort is how easy it is to access items stored in the belt.

From experience, I find that a bottle that sits squarely at the middle of your back is a nuisance to access – you either feel like you’re dislocating your shoulder to reach it, or you need to pull the belt around to the front to get to it. Neither of these options are ideal.

Look for belts that allow you to carry the bottles against your hips (in an ergonomic design) for significantly less hassle.

Securing the bottles

If you opt for a running hydration belt with water bottles (as opposed to soft flasks), then you may be wondering how the bottles stay in place during your run.

Most manufacturers use a diagonal incline position for the bottles, combined with some form of elasticated mesh to ensure they are held tight. However, most belts will have some drawbacks when it comes to keeping the bottles in place.

The alternative is to opt for an elastic belt that can be used with soft flasks instead of bottles. But they also have their own issues – mostly around how tightly they fit.

The best advice is to test your hydration belt at different paces and be aware of when the bottles might become loose. Additionally, check the locking options on the bottles themselves. The best ones have a secure lock preventing leakage, and an easy system for allowing you to drink without having to maneuver too much.

Storage capacity

As you’ll have seen from the products reviewed here, some hydration belts come with very minimal storage capacity for anything but the water bottles. This is fine if you’re out for a short run, but it’s an important consideration to bear in mind if you plan to wear your belt for longer days out.

A good running hydration belt should, at a minimum, have a secure zip-up pocket for your keys and phone.

If you’re looking for more storage options, consider the belts that have a larger pocket (usually at the center-rear) like the UltrAspire Speedgoat or Ultimate Direction Mountain 5.0 Hydration Belt.

However, when looking to carry more, also consider how this will impact your running style and comfort. The larger belts have a tendency to bounce up and down. A larger pocket will also lead to items jumbling around inside it.

Finally, you should consider whether you’re wearing the hydration running belt for training or racing.

Some designs are roomier and allow you to carry a lot of items, but these won’t be necessary on a half-marathon race day when you just need the bare minimum.

Don’t invest in massive running belts if you can get away with less (this way, you’ll avoid chafing and overheating, too!). Alternatively, if you do need to carry a lot of kit, you might be better served by a running backpack.

MORE INFORMATION

Hopefully you enjoyed reading this round up of the best hydration belts, and it helps to quench that thirst when you hit the trail.

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