[quote=“joex, post:20, topic:2002, full:true”]
I think I’ll take @FatPom s advice
[quote=“Chriswim, post:18, topic:2002”]
Nothing good usually follows that sentence… 
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Never say I don’t listen 
Even if it takes 4.5 years. Just bought a decathlon hydration belt and tried it out, all good so far. 
My main concern with vests is addressed as the belt lets the heat come off your back no worries.
A bit surprised the additional soft flask was £15 so on top of the £20 belt it’s not a money saver over the decathlon vests.
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Next level procrastination - the post you replied to was from 2020!!
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Is that a belt with three bottles on it? That must have some next level elastic!
Personally, I find the vest blocking the front on hot days than the heat on your back.
On a long climb on a very hot day, I unclip it for some air flow. I’m not moving fast enough at that point for it to be needed to be clipped .
It’s rare I have to do even that though. Wear them often enough and you just get used to them.
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Is the Soloman still the go to for most? Is the 12L necessary if you carry say baselayer/jacket for overnight
Annoying the answer is ‘it depends’.
Yes, IMO, whilst there are other brands out there with good features, nobody really does most of them, most of the time quite like Salomon does. They’d be my first brand to check out, every time. I’m not keen on spending money on the French Juggernaut but they are hard to ignore.
As for the size, that really does depend. If you only really wanted room for a base layer and a jacket then the 5ltr option would be ample. IME though, there is always another race that needs a bit more, or even a self supported adventure. Ironically, you need less space in races than training, mainly because you don’t have to carry as much food in a lot of the time.
I think I will always have a 5ltr and a 12ltr option, but unless you’re known for putting a silicon based substance into sacks and every gram counts , I would ignore the weight consideration.
If I could only ever have on option, it would be the 12ltr, all day long and twice on Sundays.
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I just got a compressport belt because I needs to carry water, phone and some gels at the weekend and although I have a vest, I find it quite restricting if trying to run at pace.
Used a flexible flask from the vest, everything just slots in a holds in place. I’m not sure how it would be for carrying poles like it claims, they would probably bounce a lot. And only took one flask, if I needed 2 them the vest would be the better options.
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Not so much - plenty of options now. You see all sorts out on the trails these days.
Agree with FP though - i think you just get used to them. I’ve done races in all sorts of heat, and can’t say i’ve been overly phased by having the pack on, despite being someone who runs hot and sweaty at the best of times!
My Osprey one is knocking on for 10 years old now. Chest pocket zip is broken, and some of the others are starting to get all gunked up from sweat, salt, gels, mud etc. Elastic is mostly ok, but it’s starting to stretch a bit. Probably needs to be replaced in the next year or so, but i’ve got a tonne of use out of it.
My soft flasks aren’t faring so well, but they’re so ridiculously expensive. I’ve just been putting up with a minor leak the last couple of races!
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I need some fresh ones and I’m one of the few that prefer the non Speedfill/Torpedo type. Last time I bought some the 500ml Hydropack/Salomon ones were £21 ea!
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Let me know how you get on.
I’ve tried the PH belt in the past, as I wanted an option for shorter runs/going quicker etc for reasons as you’ve described. But despite doing it up as tight as i could, it still bounced about and I hated it.
Those nerd belts seem to be getting quite popular; but not sure if that’s just the cookies/social media echo chamber i’m in as I think they’re linked to a pro/ex-pro trafleet.
I’ve tried a few different belts from different brands and haven’t found any that don’t bounce you’ve put a phone, a 500ml bottle and some nutrition in.
For a phone, a 250ml and a get out trouble gel carrying ability though, they are good. I’ve also experimented with using a belt purely to carry poles whilst using a vest at the same time. It was ‘ok’ but I went back to the vest only.
I will say that a belt is a very different experience if you are thinner and not a porker like me. They feel like they are cutting into you.
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Used it on Saturday:
https://www.strava.com/activities/15016697849
I had seen adverts for shorts that claimed to “replace the running belt” with space for gels and phone etc - and I thought that’s what I need, a running belt that feels like shorts! Looked on Jeff’s bazaar and there were a few elasticated options, no clips, no zips, just slot stuff in against your front or back. Then the compressport came up at nearly half price, cheaper than their basic model, so while I don’t care for the pole loops the number clip might be useful one day, thought I’d try it.
Stuffed a flexible flask down the front, my phone down the back and a gel at either side. Didn’t notice it at all while running. More than one flask and add a jacket and it’s going to get bulky and probably bouncy. And like I said, not sure I would fancy adding poles. But if going that long, a vest is going to be a better option. This will be good for longer runs in the heat when I want to take some water but don’t want to feel restricted.
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I picked up the Salomon belt as it was on sale on at Sportshoes as it was slightly bigger than the compressport which I use when I just need my keys and phone. . The Salomon has space for a jacket, phone and a hydro flask.
Not much bounce but very snug
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So you live and learn right? Learning from others mistakes is for fools.
1hr run 23°. Took 2x250ml water tonight. Getting the bottle out drinking and back in was a faff. And I am not huge fan of The Faff. Water didn’t feel particularly nice. Maybe add sugar next time.
Belt was comfortable though, forgot about it most of the time.
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most hydration vests have flask specific pockets…or learn to take your pack off, select a bottle, drink and return without breaking stride…
I’ve never enjoyed running with any of these things. Always run badly. My advice - train with less and strap what you need to your wrists (gels) and pick up fluid at aid stations - if that’s not possible then I’m already out of this conversation 
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I was expecting this post, that belt is not a great design really. The way the top collar of the pocket goes over the shoulder of the bottle, looks like it would hold the bottle well but be hard to take out and put back whilst running.
That is the beauty of a vest, it’s just easier to access and the bottle doesn’t need to come out unless re-filling.
I prefer a belt that has an overlap pouch, rather than the ‘holster’ design here. It’s also why I said a 250ml bottle in a 500ml space works better. Less bounce and more room to ‘hit the target’ when you’re putting it back without breaking stride.
I’ve never found anything by Kiprun that I’ve got on with but that maybe just me. It;'s not a brand I even consider these days. If you want to try a vest that doesn’t break the bank and punches above its weight VfM wise, check out Aonijie.
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A bit spenny (£25-42) but the nerd belts were very popular in Adelaide. Might just be because they’re Steve McKenna’s brand and heavy advertising, but saw many people using including quite a lot of (non-sponsored) pros use them too, so must be alright.
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I quite like Kalenji and can’t tell the difference with Kiprun, they look like they have premium quality shorts at £20, and I’ve got a pair of economy shorts from Kalenji from years back still in rotation.
Totally get what you’re saying. It’s not going to work for the continuous running racers out there. For me it’s a faff but frankly stopping isn’t much of an issue for me Mostly I’m trying to make long runs more bearable, so I’ll withhold judgement for a few weeks more.