If you are going to walk a little further and want to take things with you, it is useful to use something for that, of course. This can be done very small with, for example, a handheld, where you only put your key and take something to drink with you. At the other extreme is a large running backpack that can carry items for more than 24 hours.
Running Belts
Yet there is a useful intermediate form. The running belt, not to be confused with a hydration belt, which is more of a bottle holder. You have very narrow ones that can just fit a strip and that's it. Since the invention of the SPIbelt or Flipbelt, a lot of improvements have been made and some brands have belts that partly compete with trail vests. Compressport is one of those brands that has a nice collection of belts. Three variants, each with its own purpose.
Compressport Free Belt Mini
This belt is only 59 grams and is 8 centimeters high. It can be opened 360 degrees from the top to put things in it. Suitable for shorter runs. Put your Clif Bar in it, your house key and maybe some gel. With a height of 8 centimeters, it is actually too small for a soft flask or your smartphone. It sits lower than Free Belt and the Free Belt PRO and is designed to avoid compression on the abdominal area during longer distances. The belt does have loops to carry your sticks or running poles.
Compressport Free Belt
The running belt that started it. The standard model of running belt in this series. This belt is 60 grams and 12.5 centimeters high. With this height you can also easily carry a telephone or soft flask. Even a properly packable jacket will fit. For most runners this will be the most ideal solution.
Compressport Free Belt Pro
And then there is the largest of the three belts. The Compressport Free Belt Pro. The alternative to a racing vest or running backpack. If you go beyond the marathon and want to take a lot with you. Food, drinks, telephone, poles, headlamp, raincoat and perhaps a thermal blanket. I have also used it with two soft flasks, one at the front and one at the back. Then I notice that when the back is full with 500 or 600 ml, it starts to bounce a bit. It sits so low that you can simply wear a vest above it if you really go far. It weighs 70 grams and is 16 centimeters high.
Size Chart Free Belts
The Compressport Free Belts come in three sizes. So measure yourself carefully and choose the right size. It should not pinch along the way, but it should not sag either.
Alternatives
Is this not really your belt? We also have nice belts from Camelbak and Nathan. Another alternative are the Postural tops from Compressport. These are shirts with a Free Belt in the shirt. Ideal. Read our review of those shirts here.
Do you still have questions? Then you know how to reach us!
