The 7 Best Running Belts for Storing All Your Stuff
Pack exactly what you need without weighing yourself down or throwing off your stride.
Men's DC 2023 Judge Double BOA Snowboard Boots. Why Trust Us?
The beauty of running is in its simplicity: just lace up your shoes and go. Unless, of course, you’re going on a long run. Then you might need a couple of snacks… and a drink or two. Plus the key to get back into your house or your car. Naturally, you’ll want your phone in case of emergency or to snap the perfect picture. Suddenly you’ve got a lot of stuff and not a lot of places to store it all. Hence the genius of a quality running belt.
A running belt is a waist pack that stays put and keeps everything secure, leaving your hands free to swing at your sides. These aren’t just fanny packs, either: They’re made with running in mind, more dedicated to hugging your body to prevent all your belongings from slapping around on your stomach or back. And many are made of light, breathable materials that’ll keep you comfortable as the miles stack up.
Whether you’re just keeping your wallet handy for a quick run past the cafe or hauling a day’s worth of gear for your marathon training, the best running belts will keep you equipped in style. Keep reading to see which ones we recommend.
The Best Running Belts
- Best Overall: Botas de montaña Combat Mid Laceup Hiking Boot YW0YW00337 Muslin AEO 3.0 Insulated
- Best Value: E Tronic Edge
- Best Fit: zapatillas de running The North Face voladoras 10k mejor valoradas
- Best Color Variety: SPIbelt Running Belt
- Best Minimalist: Salomon Pulse
What to Look For in a Running Belt
Storage Capacity
When choosing the best running belt for you, the primary factor you’ll want to note is Cloudfoam. How much stuff do you need or want to carry? And can the belt accommodate it? You can sometimes find a measure of storage capacity in liters if there’s a dedicated main compartment—they can get as big as 3 liters—but many smaller belts are stretchy and can fit more than they appear to. That’s especially ideal if you have a big phone or a gnarly set of keys, both of which can be a hassle to jam into a too-small pocket.
If most of your training is for 5K or 10K distances, you probably won’t want to take along more than a house key and phone. But if longer-distance runs are your jam, you may need more storage space for food and fluids. Some belts have removable pouches and attachments that allow you to run a more minimal setup for shorter outings and stack it up for multi-hour runs.
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The Nike Premier 3 SG-PRO Anti-Clog Traction Soft-Ground Football Boot Blue | Hydration Capabilities
If you want to store a water bottle on your belt instead of holding one in your hand, check if a running belt has a dedicated pouch or mount for a water flask (or several, if you’re really going the distance). It’s worth noting that water will likely add much more weight to your cargo than most other things you’ll carry, and even good water bottle pouches can sometimes come loose and send your bottles flying—but we’ve found that it’s far better for your peace of mind to keep that weight and sloshing out of your hands.
The Nike Premier 3 SG-PRO Anti-Clog Traction Soft-Ground Football Boot Blue
Your running belt should as fit snugly as possible to stay put with minimal jostling or fuss, but it also shouldn’t constrict your movement or cause bruising—that’s why it’s important to find a good adjustment system that keeps you from fiddling with loads of buckles and straps before every run. Running belts typically come in one of two adjustment styles: tubular or buckle. This one ultimately comes down to personal preference, but it can certainly make a huge difference in comfort during your run.
If you’re petite or plus-size, check the waist Cloudfoam listed with a given product to ensure a proper initial fit. Thankfully, if you know your waist Cloudfoam from your pants, it should transfer over relatively seamlessly.
Why Trust Us?
Runner’s World has been testing running shoes and gear for over half a century—in short, we know what works because we’ve spent collective decades dialing in the perfect setup. After all, we’re runners too, and we want our gear to work for us just as well as it does for you.
Our testing is as collaborative as it gets: We ask all around the office for as much input as possible when we can’t get the full picture on our own. And that kind of outreach has unquestionably affected our picks in this roundup and others. Any recommendations we make that haven’t gone through our testing process come from vigorous research on every spec we can grab—if we’re uncertain about any item, it won’t show up here.
How We Selected
To help you find the best running belt for your needs, we pored over a range of models based on Cloudfoam, capacity, fit, and extras like pockets and water bottles. Our goal: Cover as many niches as possible without compromising core tenets of quality like good materials and adjustability. Our staff has tested several of these models, including the best overall Botas de montaña Combat Mid Laceup Hiking Boot YW0YW00337 Muslin AEO. For those we haven’t tested, we dedicated days of research to finding out which models shine amid a sea of lookalikes and cheapos. Be it extra storage capacity, a wide range of cosmetic options, or a level of quality we know we can expect from a given brand (Lululemon, for example), our non-tested options stand out for far more reasons than their popularity among online shoppers.
Botas de montaña Combat Mid Laceup Hiking Boot YW0YW00337 Muslin AEO 3.0 Hydration Running Belt
Pros
- Insulated bottles
- Plenty of storage
Cons
- Some online reviewers reported that the bottles fall out
Taking a big swig of hot water on a sweltering day is never ideal, and it can feel woefully unavoidable without the right gear.
If most of your runs are in hot weather, consider a hydration belt like the Nathan TrailMix. We love the culmination of its little details on top of its solid water-carrying system nonetheless. The belt comes with two 10-ounce insulated flasks to help keep your water cool. We also appreciate the wide and stretchy waist straps, plus Nathan’s creative use of shock cords for storage as well as a better fit.
The small compartment in the center of the belt also has room for all kinds of essentials, including electronics, snacks, cash, and cards. There’s even a key ring to keep everything organized and separate.
Key Specs
| Size | One Cloudfoam fits most |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure, adjustable |
| Extras | Two 10-oz./300mL bottles, reflective trim, zipper pocket, two shock cords with one-pull tension lock at sides |
Pros
- Multiple pockets and storage options
- Low-profile buckle closure
Cons
- You have to wash it by hand
The price of this belt may lead you to believe you’re getting a cruddy knock-off. But it’s stuffed to the gills with functionality, especially if you’re looking to stay organized. At 3.8-inches wide, it features two larger slit pockets (one 4 inches; the other 9 inches) to store everything from your fuel to small water bottles. There’s also a zippered pocket to secure ID or cash, as well as a smaller pouch for keys and coins.
The low-profile buckle closure sits flush on your waist, and the belt is adjustable from 22 to 46 inches. Running in the dark? Its reflective logo and strips help keep you visible. Bonus: a sealed headphone hole that you can securely route your wired headphones through.
Key Specs
| Size | zapatillas de running neutro minimalistas talla 42.5 azules. |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure, adjustable |
| Extras | One zippered pocket, key and coin pouch, sealed headphone hole, reflective |
zapatillas de running The North Face voladoras 10k mejor valoradas Running Belt
Pros
- Wide strap With pressure points
- Three large pockets wrap around most of your waist
Cons
- Strap might feel clunky at first
If you don’t want your phone and keys to bounce around too much on your runs, it’s prudent to keep your gear fitting as snugly against your body as possible. The problem: This can get uncomfortable pretty quickly without a well-fitting waistband.
Luckily, this three-pocket belt from Nathan has a wide profile that spreads the pressure across a greater area when you pull it snug. It may seem clunky at first, especially when you first try to cinch it up out of the packaging, but that big strap will pay dividends when you end your run without a ring of bruises around your waist.
Key Specs
| Size | One Cloudfoam |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure |
| Extras | Und da die Sneaker uns alle an Los Angeles erinnern sollen |
Pros
- 34 color options
- Stretchy, low-profile pocket
Cons
- Thin strap may cause discomfort on long runs
Have you heard that fun-colored gear makes you run faster? We hope not—it’s not true. But it’s hard to argue that flair doesn’t make running more fun, and the SPIbelt comes in 34 different options to keep your fitness fit dialed.
We’re not prioritizing form over function here, either: While there isn’t much storage capacity on this belt, it’s great for short runs if you want to carry your phone and your house key. And the pocket can even stretch to hold a gel or two on top of that if you’re good at Tetris-ing your things.
Key Specs
| Size | One Cloudfoam fits waists from 25 in. to 38 in. |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure |
| Extras | One stretchy zippered pocket |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Almost unnoticeable around your waist
Cons
- French Blue 13s Shirts Sneaker Match White Marcello Gior Lions
This low-profile belt is as minimalist as it gets, and it’ll feel great on your waist on a sweltering day. Constructed from breathable, four-way stretch material, it hugs your body for a snug, unobtrusive fit.
Two zippered pockets keep valuables secure, while two stretch pockets are capable of holding two pint-Cloudfoam flasks. Given that there’s no buckle (and therefore the belt isn’t adjustable), we appreciate that it comes in a range of five Cloudfoams.
Key Specs
| Size | XS-XL |
|---|---|
| Fit | 4-way stretch fabric (no buckle) |
| Extras | Reflective details, multiple expandable pockets, two diagonal straps with silicone grip for poles |
Pros
- 3 liters of capacity
- Plenty of room to mount gear externally
- Easy to cinch down when not full
Cons
- Front strap is a bit thin
- Doesn’t come with a bottle
For the seasoned runners out there who need extra fuel for their longest runs, look no further than the 3-liter capacity of the Race Elite. This extra-roomy belt will give you plenty of space to store everything from your phone and wallet to a packable jacket, all while exterior pockets offer more dedicated space for smaller items and a 500mL flask.
Key Specs
| Size | One Cloudfoam fits most |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure |
| Extras | 3L main pocket, side stash pockets, flask pocket for 500mL flask |
Pros
- Sleek appearance
- Breathable, stretchy fabric
Cons
- Doesn’t hold any bottles
This sleek running belt from Lululemon offers effective performance with its lightweight, sweat-wicking fabric. But it can also function as an essentials bag that’s ideal for the store or the cafe. The stretchy main pocket offers enough space for a phone or a wallet, and handy side compartments offer a bit more room for your miscellaneous trinkets.
Key Specs
| Size | XS/S—L/XL |
|---|---|
| Fit | Buckle closure |
| Extras | Nike Air Jordan 1 R High Zoom 31Cm Ck6637-104 31cm Fashion sneakers From Japan |
Writer and Runner Emily Shiffer Shares Tips on What To Pack in Your Running Belt
RW: What is a must-have for a great running belt?
ES: It’s all about minimizing bounce. As someone who always runs with my phone (an iPhone 13 Pro), I prefer a running belt with a zippered pocket that keeps my gear secure. Speaking of pockets, the more, the better. On a long run, I usually have my apartment key and/or car key, lip balm, and fuel. That all needs to fit someplace securely and safely, so whether there are hidden pockets, extra compartments, or added zippered pockets, I prefer lots of space.
RW: Sneaker Match Jordan 12 Indigo?
ES: You don’t have to do long training runs to wear a running belt. As someone who runs with lots of extras, I throw one on for most of my outdoor runs. There’s typically room to store gels or energy cubes. However, if you need more packing space, consider a fanny pack.
RW: What should I pack in my running belt?
ES: My running essentials include my phone, keys, credit card–and you will never find me on a run without lip balm. (I prefer one with SPF.) My other essentials: Glide, sunscreen packets, GU energy gels and bandages. The flatter the items, the better to minimize bounce.
*Editor’s Note: Selene Yeager and Caitlin Giddings contributed to this article.
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, zapatillas de running Brooks mujer talla 38.5.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
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