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We know that carrying water whilst running is important. We’re well aware that staying hydrated is crucial for good performance and our overall health. But do we know what the best way to run with water is? Well, I took a running belt, a runner’s bottle and a hydration backpack out on my run on three different occasions and here’s what I found.
Main Take Aways
- Running Belts are great for carrying water during medium-distance runs but they need to fit comfortably.
- Hydration Backpacks are brilliant for long-distance runs but it’s important to think about their weight.
- Running Water Bottles are a great cheap option for first-time runners, but they probably aren’t a long-term solution.
The Experiment
To figure out whether a bottle, a backpack or a belt is the best way to carry water when out on the run, did the following:
- I purchased one of the most popular options from each category on Amazon. To keep things fair, I bought the categories listed under Amazon’s Choice.
- After doing this, I ran a 5K along the same route on three different occasions.
- Then, I reviewed the advertised features of each product and measured them against one another.
Carrying Water With A Running Belt
Running belts are generally used to hold a number of items, including water bottles during periods of exercise. Many of them, including the one I have reviewed, come with specially designed compartments made specifically to store your water.
The Laelr Activ Running Belt comes equipped with two water bottles and a waist-pack bag that’s designed to fit snugly yet securely in place with its elastic materials.
Did the Features Come In Useful?
| Feature | Practicality |
| Water Bottles– Advertised as being free, the belt comes with two compartments equipped with two basic plastic water bottles designed to fit comfortably in their compartment. The bottles are said to supply enough water for medium to long runs. | Surprisingly, at 175 ml a bottle, I found that there was plenty of water for a 5K run. In fact, I didn’t even need to use the second bottle. The bottles fit perfectly into the compartments, so there’s no risk of them falling out. Unfortunately, the bottles are angled inwards, meaning that they stick into your stomach during your run. This can get uncomfortable, so they probably aren’t suitable for long-distance runs. |
| Large Storage- The belt includes a fanny bag of approximately 20X11cm and is designed to hold your card, wallet, and smartphone. The bag even comes with a hole to connect wired headphones. | I was very pleased with the size of the fanny bag. I usually run with my keys in my pocket, where they move around a lot and occasionally stick into me. The compartment has a small amount of padding, which is great for stopping anything from poking into my side, and there was plenty of room for my phone too. The downside was that the belt moves around so much with your body when running that wired headphones probably wouldn’t be practical. However, I ran with Bluetooth headphones. So it may be worth testing this yourself. |
| Stretchable, Anti-Slip Waistband– The elastic belt is designed to fit most sizes and not to bounce around during exercise. | The belt fit perfectly and was so stretchy that I didn’t need to bother adjusting it at all. The buckles are high quality and reliable. The belt didn’t slip at all, which meant it fit comfortably on the outside of my clothing, and upon checking the inside of the belt, I noticed that it’s fitted with soft yet strong anti-slip bumps. Whilst the belt didn’t slip, it still moves around a lot with the body simply because it’s attached to the waist. |
| Durable & comfortable- The belt is described as being made of high-quality neoprene material that is sweat resistant, water-resistant and machine washable. | After soaking the belt in water, I can confirm that it is water-resistant. Although water doesn’t bounce of the belt in a way you would imagine a water jacket too, the inside of the running belt compartment remains completely dry. If you are looking to keep your phone safe from rain, this running belt could be the perfect option. |
| Multifunctional– In addition to running, the belt is advertised as perfect for other exercise types such as cycling, hiking, and camping. | The belt may be a good option for anyone who is running whilst standing upright. But those who wear it whilst cycling or hiking should bear in mind that the bottles on the belt can dig into your sides and feel uncomfortable if you’re in a bent position. Furthermore, the capacity of the water bottles is small. This is ideal for short periods of exercise. However, I’d recommend investing in something with a higher capacity if you’re exercising for over an hour. |
Is A Running Belt Worth It?
Running belts are a great option for someone wanting to carry small amounts of water with them for short to medium-distance runs. If you decide to use a running belt to carry water, make sure you choose a belt like this one that can fit easily around your waist without slipping. Remember that running belts can move around a lot during a run and may even dig into your sides.
Carrying Water With A Hydration Backpack
Ok, it’s fair to say that I’m slightly biased when it comes to hydration backpacks (running water bottle backpacks) because, in addition to testing one out for the purposes of this experiment, I also used one to run my first marathon. The hydration backpack I’m testing is the Kuyou Professional Hydration Backpack. It’s fair to say this backpack comes with some interesting features…
Did The Features Come In Useful?
| Feature | Practicality |
| Hydration Bladder Included- The 2L bladder is described as BPA and FDA-approved, meaning that it shouldn’t contain any plastics that will be harmful. However, it’s still recommended that you rinse it out before using it to remove residue. The bladder has also been through more than 48 hours worth of testing to make sure that it can withstand extensive use without leaking. | Like using any plastic container for the first time, the hydration backpack had a slight plastic taste. However, I fully trust that it was safe to use. I’m also pleased to report that there was absolutely no leaking from the bladder and the outside of it was just as dry upon returning from my run as it was when I set out. Two Litres is more than plenty for a 5K run, and I’d even go as far as to recommend it for long-distance runs as I had some water left over following the marathon I ran previously. |
| Adjustable Straps– The backpack comes with straps that can be changed to fit your size and shape. The straps are also fitted with wide and webbed materials around the shoulder section to minimise strain from the weight of the backpack. | Whilst I could tell that every attempt was made to keep the backpack from rubbing against my shoulders, it still rubbed against my shoulders. I think that this is a universal issue rather than just an issue with this specific backpack. The friction generated between my shirt and the straps combined with my high body temperature meant that the staps began to feel uncomfortable after a while. Although the straps were slightly impractical, I was still able to adjust them to fit perfectly around my chest. |
| Two Reflective Layers– As well as a compartment made to hold the water pouch, there is also a section designed to hold anything else you may need for your runs, such as a phone, keys and snacks. Both the compartments are also reflective. | The reflective layers mean that I would feel safer when out on a run in the dark. The fact that they would be visible from my body ensures me that I’d be easy to spot should I be out on a trail or road running late at night. I also found that I could fit my keys and phone in the extra compartment of the backpack and even had room for an energy bar. Just like the high water capacity, the extra compartment space would certainly come in handy for long-distance runs. |
| Made From Lightweight And High-Quality Material– The hydration backpack is described as being made from high-quality, durable and lightweight materials, including a breathable mesh back panel and nylon fabric. | It’s worth noting that even though the backpack is lightweight (around 460 grams), the high water capacity means that your back will be carrying an additional two kilos if you decide to fill it all the way up. Again, the fact that the backpack is breathable doesn’t mean much, as having it rub against your back will likely cause friction and discomfort, regardless of the material that it’s made from. None of these points should take away from the fact that it’s still a high-quality product. |
| After Sales Service– The Amazon listing for this specific hydration backpack states that if you aren’t completely happy with the product, it can be refunded, no questions asked. | After purchasing this product, I have no intention of returning it. I’m certainly happy with using it for future runs where I may be in need of a lot of water, but it’s great to know that I have the option. |
Additional Feature
Something else that I think is worth mentioning about this specific hydration backpack that wasn’t included in the Amazon description is that the rubber suction attachment comes with a stopper and a cap so that it can be kept clean and prevent water from leaking when not in use. The tube is also easily removable for cleaning. However, I did struggle with getting water out of the tube if it ever became tangled. Again, this is something to consider when using hydration backpacks in general.
Is A Hydration Backpack Worth It?
Hydration backpacks are ideal for long runs where you may need to carry a large amount of water. Although the weight of the water and the backpack’s design can be a burden on your back, they are definitely useful. Keep an eye out for features like those described in the one that I reviewed above to make sure that you’re buying a hydration backpack that’s durable, comfortable and doesn’t leak.
Carrying Water With A Bottle
I think that water bottles are the main thing that running beginners use to carry water. When I first started out running, it was all I used for a while. This was mainly because I didn’t know what alternatives were out there.
Again I chose to review the water bottle listed under Amazon’s Choice. This turned out to be the Skynet 500ml Handheld water bottle. This nifty bottle comes with some perfect grooves to provide some extra grip in addition to some other cool features.
Did The Features Come In Useful?
Surprisingly, this bottle did not come with any listed features. Hopefully, the points below will help outline the advantages and disadvantages that I found when carrying this water bottle during a 5K.
- The Weight– Unlike a running belt or a hydration backpack, the weight of the water bottle was limited to just my hand. I found that during this run I would switch between left and right and the weight wasn’t uncomfortable – but it was definitely annoying.
- The Grip– I found that the grip on this bottle was slightly too big for my hand and so (as you can see in the photo above) I wasn’t able to grasp my hand all the way around. However, I still found that the grip was a nice extra feature for the bottle and would definitely prefer to run with one that has it then one without.
- The Capacity– The bottle doesn’t look as if it can hold 500ml but I was pleasantly surprised with how much it could take and I’m sure you could manage over an hour of running with this alone.
- The Cap- The cap of this specific water bottle was cheaply made and could not be screwed on correctly. It consistently leaked during my run and I’m afraid to leave it lying on its side whilst filled with water. After looking through the Amazon reviews, I’m not the only one who’s had issues with the cap.
- The Colour– I found the transparent material of this bottle to be really useful as I could track how much water I was drinking.
Is A Running Water Bottle Worth It?
A water bottle is a good choice for anyone wanting to get a cheap, easy and quick solution to staying hydrated whilst running. Bottles can be heavy and a burden to carry, so they are probably best suited as temporary options for first-time runners. The water bottle above is available at a very low price, so you get what you pay for. After testing this cheap bottle, I’d advise getting something a little more expensive that is leakproof and includes a few extra features. Try this one, for example.
Which One Would I Recommend?
Each method of carrying water comes with plenty of features that have both advantages and disadvantages. The smart thing to do would be to probably buy all three and use the bottle, depending on your situation. However, if I were made to choose, I’d recommend the hydration backpack due to its easy use and plenty of storage space.
