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Hydration

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon
25 Replies

Does anyone have a recommendation for a hydration pack vest thingy. I've done really well over the last year at breaking my reliance on carrying a water bottle on every run but do need something when running more than 5 miles especially as it's got warmer.I'd like something as light and unobtrusive as possible but with capacity to keep me hydrated up to half marathon.

Thanks in advance of your recommendations 😊

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LadyGault profile image
LadyGault
Half Marathon
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25 Replies
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingHalf Marathon

I’ve got a Salomon Advanced Skin 5 (women’s fit) and I absolutely love it. It’s really comfortable and has loads of pockets! It came with soft bottles with very long straws which I switched for bite valve tops instead. It was reduced last year so there might be a new model out now.

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon in reply toMissUnderstanding

Thank you. I shall have a proper look

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

I have a cheap and cheerful Aoniji hydration vest, bought off Amazon. No complaints with it at all, and I could barely tell I was wearing it on training runs. It has plenty of pockets too.

However it became very annoying towards the end of the one HM race I did with it. I was very aware of it on my shoulders, something I’d never felt before. So never again; I prefer to run unencumbered in races and now I make full use of water stations, or carry just a small amount for emergencies in my belt.

Not trying to put you off as they’re great, but something to consider. 😀

nowster profile image
nowsterMetric Marathon

I have Decathlon's cheapest with a 1 litre bladder which did me for many solo Half Marathon runs in spring and autumn.

I also have their more expensive one with a 2 litre bladder.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

I also have a Aoniji hydration vest too (with soft flasks) but in all honesty I have used it only once! I just prefer a belt and have a fab collection now depending on how far I am running! I agree with cheekychipmunks that it just feels more ‘free’ running with a belt.

Good luck in finding what works best for you! 🙂

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon in reply toSandraj39

Thank you. I wear a belt for my phone and a key and find the pocket on my leggings is big enough for the clif bloks and revives I use. It's just water I need to find a better solution for than carrying a bottle 🤔

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon in reply toLadyGault

My belt is great as it holds 2 little bottles and the zip pocket is big enough for snacks, phone, keys etc. I don’t like my hand held bottle for long distances as that gets annoying too ….. takes a lot to not get me annoyed doesn’t it?! 😅

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathon in reply tocheekychipmunks

Hope you don't mind me asking but which belt do you have? I have a Salomon Agile belt which takes a small soft bottle, it's really comfy but it's a right a faff to get the bottle out! That could be me though!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon in reply toJackapoodle

Sorry Jackapoodle , just noticed this. I didn’t get a notification for some reason. 🤔

Of course I don’t mind you asking. In all honesty I can’t remember what brand it is, but it’s simply a clip-on webbing belt with a central zip pocket and two net “pockets” either side of that for the flasks. I tend to wear it with the zip pocket in front for easy access, and it’s easy as anything to get the flasks out. I carry one with plain water and the other with Tailwind. I got it off Amazon.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieMarathon

I’ve got a hydration vest but rarely use it. I use the Naked running band. It’s so light, doesn’t bounce or move at all & you can carry enough fuel & soft flasks to run a half marathon 😍

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

I use a flipbelt with flipbottle for mid length runs. So long as I'm good with 300ml it's a comfy option. But for a HM training run I need more. I too have the cheap and cheerful Aoniji vest with a 1.5l bladder, which I would happily recommend. I can drink from that on the run without spillage and it stays put. I find it very comfortable to wear and use the pockets for other bits. It does get warm though - I suspect any vest with a bladder pack has to make your back warm! In races, where drink is available, I will always leave it behind and opt for the flipbelt for chews and keys - less weight and freely ventilated back 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

I have the same as MissUnderstanding ... she has said it all... so comfy...mine has bite valve straws, and is slightly different than the newer models... Loads and loads of pockets... ! I got mine from Amazon, in 2019, when on offer... flagged up by ju-ju- !

Mudita11 profile image
Mudita11Half Marathon

I’ve got this belt which comes with a 300ml soft bottle and so far it’s been great

harrierrunfree.co.uk/collec...

I do make use of water stations too though on race days

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Depending on how much you want to carry; I use a 250ml soft flask which I tuck into my bra for 5 to miles. A Salomon unisex "set 2" I think they call it, which has 2 x 500ml soft flasks up front and a rear pocket which I can either use a 1ltr bladder in or a couple more bottles for up to 20 miles I have a Salomon Adv Skin 12 which I can load up with up to 5.5l for serious days.

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Golly you're prepared. 😄I have ordered a vest with collapsible bottles and room for a bladder. It is apparently ultra light.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon in reply toLadyGault

They're useful for carrying an extra layer, gloves etc in cooler weather, snacks, that kind of thing. You probably won't need the bladder at this stage but try it out if it comes with one as it's different having the weight at the front in bottles or back in the bladder, and you don't need to fill it all the way up either.

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123Metric Marathon

I have a belt and it does me fine. Took a little running rucksack when we did the 3 peaks and it was ok, but I'm happy to stick with the belt. It holds a variety of things including one of my small drink bottles.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

Jackapoodle found the order! Here’s the one I have.

Running belt
Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathon in reply tocheekychipmunks

Ooo that looks great, and so much easier to get to the bottles! Shopping as we speak...😁 thank you for looking it up for me 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon in reply toJackapoodle

You’re welcome! It’s really good and I hope you like it too. Enjoy. 😀

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Hi LadyGault , so much depends on personal preference and where you're running.

I mostly run trails, and for going off-road for 10 miles plus I use the 1L Decathlon pack. Also have a cheapy flipbelt, but it's not particularly comfortable and it can't hold much. I don't get on with the belt style ones either, for the same reasons.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Half Marathon

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08...

I got this from Amazon, it was £8 when I got it! I've used it a lot, it holds 2L, and fts quite comfortably. The only draw back is most f the pockets are inside, loads of those, but there are none on the front, so if you want to access your stuff you need to take it off. For me that wasn't a problem considering the price, and I only use it on longer runs.

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon in reply toCurlygurly2

Thank you. That does look good. I've ordered an ultimate direction ladies race vest. Hoping it will be what I want considering the price. Hydrating isn't cheap 🤔

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Half Marathon in reply toLadyGault

Gosh! Are they £100 +? I hope it's what you want... don't forget to let us know...

LadyGault profile image
LadyGaultHalf Marathon in reply toCurlygurly2

The salomon one recommended is over £100. I've got an ultimate direction one coming for £60 which is also a ladies fit (I am rather busty) I'm wondering if I should just keep carrying my Karrimor water bottle which I think was about £7.50 😄

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