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Praying that your phone doesn’t slingshot out of your hand on a jog is enough to get you sweating before you even start, but an excellent running belt will help you focus on that journey. Running or jogging belts, or as I prefer to call them, slim-fit fanny packs, serve as ingenious storage solutions for athletes needing to carry their goodies on the go. A few dozen products primarily occupy an admittedly niche product on the market, but each makes a case for itself as a standout worth your time, so allow us to sort them out for you.
Enter our buyer’s guide to the best running belts on sale today, with an athletic waist pouch to fit every road warrior. Need extra storage for the long haul to carry that much-needed fuel? You’re in the right spot. Or perhaps you’re a young service member who clumsily lost their reflective belt and needs a new one before the next PT test before your sergeant grinds you to atoms. Whatever the reason, we’ve got a running belt for you.
- Best Overall: FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt
- Best Value: MoKo Sports Running Belt
- Best for Hydration: 247 Viz Hydration Running Belt
- Best for Outdoors: Runtasty Winner’s Running Fuel Belt
- Best Adjustable: Nathan Zipster Fit Running Belt
- Honorable Mention: Stuart Promotional Products Reflective Belt
Best Overall
FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt
Pros
- Available sizing casts a wide net
- A fun, vivid selection of designs
- Sleek yet usable storage pockets all around
- Ultra-soft material akin to activewear shirts
Cons
- Storage can get tight
- Not every design is currently available in every size
- Steep price for a slim-fit fanny pack
Product Specs
- Waist size: 18 to 48 inches
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Materials: Micro polyester fabric
Best Valuet
MoKo Sports Running Belt
Pros
- Undeniable bargain
- Flexible and stretchable material extends sizing
- Stitched-in reflective material for low-light safety
- Available in a wide selection of two-tone color schemes
Cons
- Narrow range of waist adjustment
- Minor build quality issues upon delivery
Product Specs
- Waist size: 29 to 35 inches, stretches up to 55 inches
- Weight: 2.8 ounces
- Materials: Micro polyester fabric
Best for Hydration
247 Viz Hydration Running Belt
Pros
- Four water bottles included
- Still retains a small pouch up front
- Blinding color palette aids style and safety
Cons
- Can be bulky and heavy with full bottles
- A single carrying pouch
- Sizing not disclosed
Product Specs
- Waist size: N/A
- Weight: 10.2 ounces
- Materials: N/A
Best for Outdoors
Runtasty Winner’s Running Fuel Belt
Pros
- Cavernous storage space
- Large, see-through front pocket
- Water bottles included
- Waterproof for sweat, sprinklers, or river crossings
Cons
- The bulkiest of the group
- Larger individuals, look elsewhere
- Won’t be as cozy as its slimmer polyester peers
Product Specs
- Waist size: 27 to 37 inches
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
- Materials: Plastic, neoprene
Best Adjustable
Nathan Zipster Fit Running Belt
Pros
- Stretchable material with an adjustable elastic band
- Four separate pockets
- Maintains a compact and lightweight profile
- Common at in-person outdoor stores
Cons
- “One-size-fits-all” may bar especially large or small people
- Adjustable band may loosen over time
- Pockets may be too small for larger phones
Product Specs
- Waist size: 26 to 47 inches
- Weight: 2 ounces
- Materials: Nylon, polyester
Honorable Mention
Stuart Promotional Products Reflective Belt
Pros
- Dirt cheap
- An easy pick for service members
- Highly adjustable waist
Cons
- No storage of any kind
- Sometimes cumbersome adjustment
- Plastic material is not the most comfortable
Product Specs
- Waist size: Up to 52 inches
- Weight: N/A
- Materials: Plastic
Things to consider when buying a running belt
Storage
This is the straightforward matter of how much storage space there is. Casual runners may only need the sleekest, slimmest-fitting belts with snug pockets for their phone and maybe a tactical wallet. Hardcore marathoners and trail runners may call upon the more practical, yet less comfortable, fanny-packs-in-disguise for their generous space. Some may sport enlarged phone pockets for e-books or larger models of phones and even water bottles. However, they will inevitably result in added weight and bulk that would only be of benefit to serious long haulers who need the extra goodies.
Sizing
No different than fitting a new pair of running shoes, it’s essential to have a belt that fits nice and snug. A heavier, bulky belt that’s a perfect fit will still be far more preferable than a slim, lightweight belt that flops and bounces all over the place; no-bounce running belts can’t compensate for poorly-matched sizing. Ill-fitting belts can cause the contents of their pouches to get mangled and disarranged and, in nasty cases, cause chafing.
Some belts will be adjustable with buckles, but they will mostly be some degree of the elastic running belt. Whether the belt sports an elastic band in its adjustable buckle or the entire belt is made of a stretchy material, you’d be hard-pressed to find a belt that won’t give you a slight degree of wiggle room. Most product listings will have waist sizes disclosed, whether shared by the manufacturer itself or from consumer discussions.
FAQS about running belts
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q. How much do running belts cost?
A. Expect many of them to hover between $20 and $35, with some premium models, such as the FlipBelt or Nathan, to run between $30 and $45. Our Best Value-winning MoKo blows them all out of the water at roughly $9, with the Stuart reflective belt not far behind at $11.
Q. What are the advantages of running belts?
A. Running belts are added storage for runners carrying water, snacks, or phones. Storage nooks are often snug to reduce the bouncing that would inevitably occur in regular fanny packs or most pockets, and they’re far more secure than holding in your hand, especially if you’re the clumsy type.
Q. How do you properly wear a running belt?
A. While it varies between belts, most running belts are best worn sitting above your hips and below your belly button, where it’s most secure. If adjustable, tighten it until it’s snug to mitigate the bouncing of any pouches or packs dangling off the sides.
Final thoughts
If you can stomach the price, the FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt is a superb and premium choice with cozy materials, a snug fit, and attractive designs. Despite the slight hiccups in quality, the MoKo Sports Running Belt is overall a fine, usable package with practical storage at a bargain deal that no one can ignore. And don’t forget the trusty military reflective belt from Stuart Performance Products. It’s a surefire choice to keep you safe and visible after hours and away from your sergeant’s mercy. For those looking to better quench their thirst on especially grueling jaunts, consider hydration belts from 247 Viz or Runtasty, with the latter combining hydration belt usability with extra storage and strength for trips into the wild.
Methodology
This guide has been primarily curated through extensive research, with dives into manufacturer specs and, most importantly to buyers, real-world consumer input. The best running belts were the most well-made and practical examples in their respective categories, with focuses shifting between niches — i.e., adjustability and storage needs. Belts with little-to-no consumer input or rampant quality control problems were ignored for products that can be trusted.
In a market that’s just not as crowded and saturated as other products, Amazon was able to serve as our heavy lifter in scavenging for specs, listings, and consumer testimonies. However, supplemental information was also found at Wal-Mart and REI.