411 on hydration belts

Have a 3 bottle w/gel flask and 8 bottle fuel belts.  I got the 10 oz bottles and a key/pocket cuz mine are older but think those are standard these days.  I could pack about 10 gels in the packet for my 50k last week.  If you know how much ya sweat and how long you intend to go, might help narrow down the choices, but big fan of the fuel belt here.

Well, I use a Camelback, one of the 48 oz. waist models.  I put 2 Fuel Belt 8 oz. flasks on it now, and fill those with whatever.  Works perfectly well for my needs, I can carry wallet, phone, keys, cash, whatever.  I've used it alot when I run to work for carrying the aforementioned items. 

Admittedly, my needs are different than yours, so take that into consideration.  I will do 15 milers or less with no support items.  I hate gels, and almost never use them. 

I treat shopping for hydration gear almost like shopping for shoes. Go somewhere where they will let you try them on and run around in them. Not the same as having liquid/gel/gears loaded onto them, but you can feel whether they're too/little elastic, if they ride up, whether the bottles brush against your elbow, whether you can move them, or if you're better off with 2, 3, or 4-bottle options or interchangeable.

Hey ya Deanna -

I got a Fuel Belt 2 bottle with a little itty bitty pouch. I really only run with one bottle (leave the other home) for when I go 5-6 miles which takes me 50-60 mins so I want some water at some point. Since I go out running just out of bed, I try to gulp down some water before heading out but its not much.

So far, I'm not too please with it. Ok, so it's a little bottle and I like it in that it does not bounce around like a big bottle but I had it leak once all over my jacket (so I don't fill it to the brim) and then at times it seems to inch up to my belly button/waist vs. lower down and it bugs me at times. I can push it down but my bum must be protruding too far that as I run it just launches the band off my lower waist. I don't like carrying a bottle much because I tend to grab onto it with too much force wasting energy. So the waist belt is an improvement but still not ideal. But I'm new to using it so will give it longer to grow on me.

If you have a Road Runner Store near you that would help. They have several options of belts there and they have treadmills so you can try it out and see what works for you, not just for shoes. 

One thing you need to consider is what your sweat rate is and how much you'll drink on  your long runs....which determines what capacity you need. The other thing to consider is what your hydration plan will be for your race.

I have three different systems..fuel belt, amphipod, and a hand held water bottle holder from Nathan that I bought at Dicks.

I bought amphipod first and seems so adjustable and great, but the bottles frequently fall out and it is VERY annoying.

I replaced it with a fuelbelt with 6 bottles and like it but when setting up strategy for my HIM run realized it wouldn't hold enough so I needed to depend on aid station for more hydration so I went with hand held bottle.

Training with hand held bottle was a bit tricky logistically as I was working on drinking 2 water bottles an hour or 48 oz/hour which means I had to refill every 30 minutes but this would work well come race day. I made a route that was 5.5 miles long with a stop at my local Y at about 32-34 minutes would fill up water, then again at home. I did this to practice for the race my hydration/nutrition. I wouldn't do this long term.

I'd go back to my fuel belt once I start long runs again if the time I'll be out there is close to the capacity of the holders. Stopping and having to fill up 4-6 little bottles takes way more time than one 24 oz water bottle.

If you go to a store that sells them, see if they'll put water in them and let you put it on and see how it feels to run with it. Some feel great others not so great.

I have one of the new 4 bottle fuel belts with a middle pouch and I love it for long runs and marathons.  The bottles have a better shape so are easier to get into the holder than they used to be.  They do still leak if you do not screw the lid on properly, but it is not troublesome enough for me to search for another alternative.

If you do not have someone to provide bottle swaps for you (I do) during racing, I think you will need one of the larger volume fuel belts.  I usually go through 7-8 bottles in a typical marathon.

I have the amphipod that looks like this.  I don't like that it bounces if I don't have it tight enough.  It I cinch it up too tight then it bothers my stomach.  I'm not sure if there is a product that would be any different though. 

x2 Amphipod makes the best bottle hydration systems, nice ergo designs, and great quality. I love mine!

I use the Nathan Muse bottle holder...it's made for women, and while skeptical, I've used it for well near 1000 miles this year.  It is 22 ozs, and I find that is about right for me for 10 miles to a 1/2 Mary, and then I take a water at a couple of stops too cool off or switch between my GU2O.  It has two pockets on the side that can fit plenty of gels, a small digital camera, keys, ID card, etc.  I had to play with the waist band at first, but was able to get it where it stays pretty much the whole time without sloshing or bouncing really. I do have to make sure the ring that is on the bottle is tucked into the pouch on the back so it doesn't start to slip out. I was really skeptical about this thing when I first bought it, but I have loved it since.  On some really long runs I can get a little bit of chaff near where it rubs on my back, but if I use a little Body Glide on that spot, no issues at all.  It's easy for me to grab out and put back in without any issues really.

Now, I will say, I want to look at some other options that have the mulitple smaller bottles and gel flask for some longer distances...but this one has stood up great. I haven't had a chance to wash it here due to my location, and it will get a bath when I get home...but it has been exactly what I needed.  The key was when I tightened it up to roll the excess waist band and use the holders to keep it.  Occassionally I'll have to tighten it during a run, but typically only once.  I like it.

I got one of the new Fuel Belt Helium systems.  The bottles stay in pretty well both when I'm running and when it is sitting around my house.  I haven't had them fall out at all.  It also has a small pouch on it that I really like to put gels and car keys in (I can get two gels and my large VW remote in it).  It's comfortable and doesn't slide around.  I know that's a change from previous ones. 

I went with the four belt system.  Sometimes I only run with two of the bottles in (for my 6 - 9 mile runs).  For longer ones, I fill all of the bottles.  It's a little heavy and weird to run in at first with the bottles sloshing around, but you do get used to it.

I agree with going to a store that will let you try them out.  My tri store has the fuel belt system and amphipod. I didn't like the amphipod system as much, so I went with the fuel belt.