Like most teenagers, I tried so hard to be cool in high school. So if you had told me that I’d own multiple running fanny packs as an adult, I bet my response would have been a quote from a dumb song about being young forever. Then, I would have asked you to delete my phone number.
Fast forward a few years, and I’m now the proud owner of three fanny packs for running. Or, are they running belts? Sometimes it’s hard to say.
That got me thinking—what is the difference between a running belt and a fanny pack? To find the answer, I dug three running belts out of my dresser and took a closer look.
Nathan 5K Runner’s Pack
I bought the Nathan 5K Runner’s Pack a few months before I ran my first half marathon. Back then, it was mostly an impulse purchase. I was tired of holding my phone while I ran, and this was the only one at the store that would hold an iPhone 6.
But did I enjoy running in it? Not a whole lot! It made me chafe. Big time. Also, the straps never seemed to stay in place, and I quickly got tired of re-tightening them mid-run.
Still, there’s some sentimental value attached to this thing now. Not only did I wear it during my first half marathon, I eventually passed it down to Jess. And she likes it way more than I used to! Maybe that’s one of the reasons she’s still running(?).
Running belt or fanny pack? Jess and I still call it her running fanny pack. So, fanny pack!
FlipBelt
My friends and I have some strong opinions about the FlipBelt. It’s made of a stretchy fabric that fits comfortably around your waist and easily holds your wallet, a smartphone, and a little cash for some post-workout chicken nuggets (er, Gatorade. I mean Gatorade!)
Most of us either love it, want one for ourselves, or at least understand why runners use them. Me? I own two FlipBelts, and I can’t remember the last time I ran without one.
I barely feel it while I’m running, even when I’m carrying a lot of crap. As an added bonus, it makes me feel a little more, uh, locked in after I’ve eaten too much pasta.
Often times, I’ll skip a workout if I forget to pack a FlipBelt. “I could go without it,” I say to myself. “But I really wanted to listen to that new Owl City remix, so I’ll just make this run up tomorrow.”
With that in mind, you might have the following questions:
- Is it easy to get things out of it mid-run? Not even a little bit!
- Was it affordable? I’m cheap, so most things don’t seem “affordable.”
- Does it look cool? In theory, other people shouldn’t be able to see that you’re even wearing it. But I shoved five Huma gels into mine during the 2017 NYC Marathon and I didn’t exactly look handsome.
Still, if you try to take mine away, we’re going to have some serious issues. Now, verdict time!
Running belt or fanny pack? Neither. It’s a FlipBelt! And it’s the best!
Nathan Mirage Pak
Technically, I don’t own this one. Mike McDonald left this in the van after Ragnar Cape Cod and I just haven’t gotten around to mailing it back to him.
The other day, I wore it around the apartment out of sheer curiosity. I like that it’s compact. The pouch seems large enough to carry a few gels. But when I’m on a long run, I usually rely on a jolt of energy from a Kelly Clarkson ballad to help me power through. Since there’s definitely not enough room for my phone in this running belt, I’m probably out.
Running belt or fanny pack? Running belt. I think.
A friend shared one with me once – I’m pretty sure it was straight up from the 90’s and was an actual fanny pack. I used it once and tossed it. Although I should have kept it for a 90’s throwback party …
Spibelt is the best. It has exactly enough room for my phone (which is in a case with pockets for credit card/metrocard/ID so authorities can easily identify my body), a key, and not much else. It stays in place and is relatively easy to access. And despite the overwhelming resemblance to a Fanny Pack, I’ll credit the marketing people for putting “belt” in the brand name to clarify their stance.
I used to use a Flipbelt, but after I lost weight (humblebrag) it was too stretched out and didn’t stay in place. Also, a writer from Runner’s World has definitely declared it to be a Fanny Pack. https://www.runnersworld.com/man-i-just-love-this/fanny-packs-filled-me-with-dread-then-i-fell-in-love-with-one
Haha, I forgot about this Runner’s World article! Now that I’m reading it again, I’m pretty sure it’s why I bought a FlipBelt in the first place.