We look at some gear you might like for your 2019 running. Fitness band the Gear Fit Pro2 and some trail running shoes for the wet trails where your grip is important. We focus however on running belts are consistently being bought and worn by runners. WHY? They help keep things comfortable such as removing keys and mobile phones from pockets is the main advantage. Running can get hard and pockets are much better left empty.
Table Of Contents
Running Belt Reviews
Technologies such as bluetooth are helping to make my body feel free (free motion- no wires or earbuds almost dropping out!). These utility belts or wraps such as the bodbud ™ and the ivim shown here also are a revolution in sports wear. We need our devices and until they get smaller pockets are required. There is no better place for these devices and your personal items but around the waist and stored securely.
Lets take a look at 4 of the best and why they are here:
- Bodbud ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ivim ⭐⭐⭐
- ESR ⭐⭐⭐
- Build and Fitness ⭐⭐⭐
Number 1 The BodBud Unisex Adjustable Hybrid Running Belt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Advantages
Premium stretch material
Secure your belongings as you run
Fits most all from 28" to 40" waist
Stylish with designer trim- best looking belt on the market.
Disadvantages
Not suited for very long distance running where you need to take water or take it in a backpack.
Comes in slate grey so if you don't like grey then you won't like it. But it matches most everything.
The main complaint with stretch running belts are that they ride up or have to be worn tight to work properly defeating the elegance of the hoop design. Enter the bodbud with it's adjustable buckle and half hoop design. It retains the keyloop for keys and storage for large plus size mobile phones, gels, credit cards passport cash etc whatever you want to hug in comfort around your torso. The bodbud is comfortable against the skin and doesn't make you sweat but equally you can wear it on the outside like superman. Saveyourself the hasle of an ill fitting hoop design and go for the adjustable bodbud. Available on Amazon with next day delivery.
Number 2 The IVIM Running Belt
⭐⭐⭐
Advantages
This is a very stylish belt and low cost compared to most it is also of high quality. OEM (non branded) belts out there on ebay are not usually as good as this and the price is the same considering postage so this is a reason to buy.
Disadvantages
Uses a lockable zip to join the belt which while it works is great however if it fails will render the belt useless.
Number 3 The ESR Running Belt
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Buy in confidence on Amazon. USA
Advantages
Adjustable
Elegant Design
Zipped Compartment
Disadvantages
Velcro Adjustment limits lengevity
"The only problem I had is it kept riding up and was distracting & uncomfortable while running."
vs
"It is very convenient when you go running and put your keys your phone even your headphones and I love using it at the gym as well it's easy to carry the only downside to it is because when you're working out with that you're sweating so the whole band gets really sweaty so just probably wash it twice a week depending on how many times you work out."The ESR belt also has all the features you find in the best of these versions. Headphone exit hole, zippered compartments and an elegant simple design. The simple elegance of all these belts is vs the 'fanny pack' or 'bum bag' no matter what size you fit them the front or rear where you place the storage part starts slapping you! RUDE. These fitness belts are way better for the backpacker and runner. Yes backpackers will find these kind of products very useful.
If there is a downside to the ESR is that the velcro will start to fail but that wouldn't put me off. I don't expect this to last years all of the belts here will struggle beyond a point. If the belt has a zip to join the belt if those zips fail the belt is useless. The esr is an attractive proposition.
Number 4 Build and Fitness
⭐⭐⭐
Buy in confidence on Amazon >>
There are a couple of varieties of belts a looping version and a buckle adjustable version. The looping version like many has the inherent issues with sizing. You need to get the right size for this product. They knew this so have the version we are looking at now. The buckle hybrid.
I call this a hybrid as it combines the thin elastic tube style element with a fanny pack style adjustability.
Advantages
Buckle Adjustability.
Key clip.
Zipped pocket.
Being able to take these belts off quickly after a run via the buckle is a major plus.
Disadvantages
The buckle makes this slightly less comfortable in one small way.
A more expensive product it's debatable as to if it is any better than the ESR belt.
Buy now from Amazon >> if you want the best running belt.
Running Shoes
Trail Running Shoes
If your like me you run down droves and on grass January is a very wet month it leaves me skidding all over the place if it were not for a decent pair of Trail Running Shoes. The names to look out for include not surprisingly Salomon and Saucony Trails. On the budget side you can find some really nice brilliant value New Balance Trail Running Shoes.
I like the overal colour of these womens trail runners. Reviews are positive and many hikers buy this shoe. For rough terain I really like that the soles have been designed for peculiar circumstances. You know hitting a round stone nid sole is very uncomfortable. These are designed to mitigate that discomfort.
Will burkins on Amazon said "Used for two 10Ks so far - both of which advised trail shoes. Very comfortable and did not cause any blisters or any other issues. Used them for a parkrun and then did the 10Ks in them. No issues. Very happy with my purchase. Some other runners were slipping in just trainers, but I felt very safe underfoot."
Trail Running Shoes For Snow and Ice Cold Running Salamon Speedcross 4 GTX Video Review by Stephen Reid
Even if you are not into this warm running shoe marvel at the location the day conditions and super videographic techniques he uses in his review.
Road Running Shoes
You might like these clima cools from Adidas.
Running Watches | Fitness Bands
Running watches come in a variety of price bands brands and functions lists from heart tracking sensors in the wrist and GPS tracking to basic acceleromenter based 'fitness bands'. We will give you some of our findings on the best ones and reviews we have found and undertaken by ourselves.
Samsung Gear Fit Pro2 [REVIEW HERE]
⭐⭐⭐
We are doing an in depth review but 2 months of use has shown this is an option sitting middle between iWatch and Garmin models costing a lot more and the cheaper fitbits of the fit band world. We will review this for swimming too (it covers multisports) but here we talk about the running aspects. Dissapointingly you will need to still take your phone with you if you want to get distance and pace read back to you as you run. I find this works well with my iphone and the samsung native exercise app. You can use Map My Run too. What you can't do is use multiple apps at once. Battery life is also just about ok but you will need to charge it somewhat daily in the magnetic cradle.