As summer draws nearer and much of the country embraces warmer temperatures and more time outdoors, it’s a great time to consider how you will stay hydrated during your runs. For hydration on the go, you have three main options: handheld bottles, belts, and vests/packs. But which one is right for you?
Unlike regular water bottles, which can be heavy and difficult to hold onto once you start to sweat, handheld water bottles are ergonomically designed to stay put no matter how long and hard you run. Thanks to a loop or strap, the bottle stays secure in your hand without you having to keep a tight grip on it, and many models come with phone or accessory storage.
If the idea of carrying up to 22 ounces of water in one hand for the duration of your run isn’t doing it for you, you may want to consider a hydration belt. Belts are a nice compromise between handhelds and vests. you get a similar capacity to handhelds with a typical range of 12 to 24 ounces, but wearing it on your waist frees up your hand and evenly distributes the weight of the water across your center of gravity.
Built for long distances, packs and vests are for runners who are serious about going the distance. If your runs are long, hot, or done in remote locations, a vest is a wise choice. Most vests hold at least 1.5 liters of water, and the bladder is kept out of the sun and away from the body, meaning water stays cool longer even in non-insulated models.
Curious which hydration method Holabird Sports fans are most fond of? We asked, and they answered!