Hydration is important, whether you’re training for a marathon or going for a daily jog around the block.
But to comfortably carry water with you on your runs, you’ll need the right gear.
One option is to wear a hydration pack, although these are generally intended for marathon or ultra runners who need a larger water storage capacity.
Another is to choose a running belt with water bottles – and that’s what I’m going to focus on in this article.
Designed to be worn around your waist, a running belt will allow you to carry your essentials whilst moving your arms freely.
Read on to discover my favorite running belts with water bottles, and the things to consider before making your choice.
What to Look for in a Running Belt with Water Bottles
A good running belt with water bottles should be as lightweight as possible and made from a breathable fabric to keep you cool.
Before choosing, think about any other items you may want to bring on your runs – such as your phone or energy chews – and make sure that the belt can accommodate them.
Other things to consider include:
Fit
If you’ve ever run with your phone in a pocket, you may have experienced the annoying feeling of something bouncing up and down with every stride.
So you’ll know how important it is to find a running belt that fits you snugly but comfortably and won’t move around as you run.
Read the sizing instructions carefully for the belt you are interested in, or opt for an adjustable design that you can cinch in for a custom fit.
Bottle Placement
The fit of your belt isn’t the only thing that affects how much movement you’ll feel when running.
Just WHERE the bottle sits against your body matters too.
In general, larger bottles should be positioned toward the center of the front of the belt, as this will hold them closer to your body to stop them from bouncing.
Smaller, lighter bottles may be positioned at the sides.
Make sure that they are attached firmly to your belt – a poorly attached bottle is more likely to bounce and distract you from your run!
Water Storage Capacity
Think about the longest distance you’re likely to run, then ensure that the storage capacity of your belt is adequate.
For longer distances, you may prefer a belt that holds two bottles as this divides the weight so you feel more evenly balanced.
Accessibility
It’s very important that you can access your water quickly mid-run.
So make sure that you can easily remove the water bottles from your belt when you need to, and that they are equally easy to reattach.
The 7 Best Running Belts With Water Bottles in 2023
1. Best for Shorter Runs – Salomon Pulse Hydration Belt
2. Best for Phone Storage – Runtasty Winners’ Running Fuel Belt
3. Best Minimalist Belt – Naked Running Band
4. Best for Keeping Water Cold – Salomon Active Belt
5. Best Running Belt with Water Bottles for Longer Distances – UltrAspire Speedgoat 3.0
6. Best Budget Running Belt with Water Bottles – LotFancy Running Belt
7. Best Overall Running Belt with Water Bottle – Nathan Peak Hydration Waist Pack
The Best Running Belt with Water Bottles – Top 7 Options
#1. Best for Shorter Runs – Salomon Pulse Hydration Belt
Water Capacity: 17-34 oz/500-1000 ml, Water Container: Soft Flask (Not Included), Fabric: 84% Polyamide, 16% Elastane, Sizes: X-Small to X-Large
| Pros | Cons |
| Snug fit that stays in place | Zipper is weak |
| Flat construction with no buckles | Pockets too small for larger phones |
| Reflective details |
Made from a breathable and stretchy fabric, this simple belt fits snugly around your middle and holds your hydration close to stop it from moving.
It’s intended for use with 2 x 500 ml flasks but I found the pressure from 2 full flasks very uncomfortable and would recommend sticking to just the one!
There are several handy pockets for other items and two grippy diagonal straps at the back for bringing along an extra layer or running poles.
#2. Best for Phone Storage – Runtasty Winners’ Running Fuel Belt
Water Capacity: 20 oz/591 ml, Water Container: 2 x Bottles (Included), Fabric: Neoprene, Sizes: Adjustable (Fits From 27″ to 37”)
| Pros | Cons |
| Fits snugly against the hips | Bottles are small and difficult to replace |
| 2 large, separate pockets | Rear pocket is not sweat resistant |
| Rear reflectors for visibility | Won’t fit those with smaller hips |
This belt is great if you want to stay connected as you run, with a flip-up pocket spacious enough for pretty much any phone and a window that allows you to use the touchscreen on-the-go.
There are loops to hold the bottles securely in place when you run, although I found that replacing them was a bit tricky once I’d used them as the holsters are so soft you need two hands.
But I found the belt’s anti-slip technology effective – it felt comfortable and stayed in place, with zero bouncing.
#3. Best Minimalist Belt – Naked Running Band
Water Capacity: 67 oz/2 liters, Water Container: Soft Flask (Not Included), Fabric: Naked Exopower Mesh, Sizes: 12 x Sizes From 28″ to 39″
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide range of sizes | The height of the belt may cause the top to roll down |
| Soft – won’t chafe | Pricey |
| Super stretchy and comfortable |
The Naked Running Band was the first hydration pack of its kind and the original belt remains as popular as ever!
It’s made from the brand’s proprietary Exopower mesh, a lightweight and highly breathable fabric that offers a compression fit and is designed not to bounce.
It’s amazing how much you can fit into this belt along with your water, plus there are toggles to attach a race number and silicone grip loops for a rain shell or poles.
#4. Best for Keeping Water Cold – Salomon Active Belt
Water Capacity: 20 oz/600 ml, Water Container: 1 Bottle (Included), Fabric: 100% Polyester, Sizes: Customizable Length
| Pros | Cons |
| Bottle is easy to remove and replace | No decent phone pocket |
| Very easy to adjust | The belt is thin and may dig in |
| Breathable and cushioned |
Do you enjoy warm water on your runs? No, me neither, which is why it was nice to find that the thermic, easy-grip bottle that comes with this belt effectively kept my drink cooler for longer!
I found that the bottle stayed in place and was very easy to access mid-run, whilst the pocket was handy for storing things like my gels and cash (sadly, though, it was too small for my phone).
It couldn’t be easier to achieve a perfect fit with this belt- you simply open the buckle, cut off any excess material, then reposition the buckle to your liking.
#5. Best Running Belt with Water Bottles for Longer Distances – UltrAspire Speedgoat 3.0
Water Capacity: 37 oz/1.1 liters, Water Container: 2 x UltraFlask Hybrid Bottles (Included), Fabric: Nylon/Polyester, Sizes: Adjustable (Fits from 28″ – 40″)
| Pros | Cons |
| Keeps weight near your center of gravity | May chafe if worn directly against skin |
| No-bounce design | Expensive |
| Single speed hook access for quick on/off |
If you’re prepared to invest a little more in a running belt with water bottles, then this model – the signature waistpack of 100-mile legend Karl Meltzer – gives you plenty of bang for your buck!
The angled holsters are really well designed and positioned on the back of your hips, so they’re easy to access when you need them but out of the way of your arm swing.
A mechanical locking system keeps the bottles safely in place as you run, plus there’s a large, stretchy pocket on the front for your phone and shock cord attachments for poles or layers.
#6. Best Budget Running Belt with Water Bottles – LotFancy Running Belt
Water Capacity: 12 oz/341 ml, Water Container: 2 x Bottles (Included), Fabric: Neoprene, Sizes: Adjustable (Fits from 29″ – 41″)
| Pros | Cons |
| Bottles fit securely and don’t bounce | Limited water capacity |
| Waterproof, zippered phone pocket | Phone pocket may be too snug for large phones |
| Comes with a pouch for storage |
Given its low price, I wasn’t expecting much from this belt, but I was pleasantly surprised at how lightweight, comfortable, and functional it turned out to be!
The BPA-free pull-top bottles are leakproof (if a little tricky to get in and out of the snug holsters!) and the non-slip gel pads on the inner surface are very effective at stopping the belt from bouncing or chafing when you move.
You also get reflective details to keep you visible after dark, 2 race bib toggles, and there’s even a cable hole on the pouch – handy if you still run with wired earphones!
#7. Best Overall Running Belt with Water Bottle – Nathan Peak Hydration Waist Pack
Water Capacity: 18 oz/535 ml, Water Container: Bottle with Push-Pull Cap (Included), Fabric: 30% Polyester/70% Nylon, Sizes: Adjustable (Fits from 26″ to 44″)
| Pros | Cons |
| Ergonomic bottle shape sits flat against your back | Less storage space than some other belts |
| Zippered pocket is big enough for most phones | Plastic bottle is hard to squeeze |
| Easy to adjust |
It may not have the minimalist design of tubular running belts but I found this hydration waist pack from Nathan super comfortable nonetheless.
This is largely due to the extended panels at the sides that make it feel as if the belt is hugging your body and eliminates any bouncing as you run.
My favorite, feature, though is the way that the bottle is angled, which makes it very easy to remove and replace with one hand so you never need to break your stride.
The Best Running Belt with Water Bottles: Key Takeaways
A good running belt with water bottles will be comfortable to wear, won’t bounce when you run, and will make it easy to access your water when you need it.
These products tick all of these boxes, so I hope this guide has been useful in finding the perfect running belt for your needs.
