I’m doing my first Iron distance race in November, and I’m thinking about using a hydration belt. Locally I see offerings from Nathan, Feul Belt, and Amphipod. Never having used one, does anyone have a recommendation? What brand, and how many bottles are useful for a marathon? Do you just drink from the bottle till they run out, or try to ration them and use a combination of the belt and the aid stations? I’m about 2 months out, so I figured that if I wanted to try one I should start adapting to one now.
I have used both Fuel and Nathan that being said, Nathan is hand down a better belt! Less bounce, easier to get your bottles in and out and better quality.
Nathan now has a racing belt with speed tops and also has an attachment for your race number. I recommend no more than 2 bottles for racing. You should be able to fill it at aid stations. Go with the speed 1.5 or speed 2.
Check out the nathan website.
http://www.nathansports.com/index.html
i have had both in the past and now Nathan is best hands down
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Good info. I like the look of the 1.5, and the idea of it doubling as a race number belt and giving me a place to stash some GU. Another question if I may. I’ve run with a race number belt before that has places to stash GU, and noticed that if it is not loaded evenly it will start to rotate. With a 5oz flask and a 10oz, does the uneven weight distribution cause any issues? Looking at them, it would be nice if the 2.0 doubled as a race belt, but that’s nothing a couple of safety pins couldn’t cure I suppose.
I was told in 2010 there are some more models coming out… I would just use saftey pins to hold the race number. The belt is very secure so I do not think it will move around too much. I also like the the mutation - but I have never used it. It may be easier to fill but you get no Flask holder. The key is to use aid stations and try and not to run with more than 10 ounces.
I just purchased an Amphipod belt. It’s the RunLite 2. It comes with 2 8oz bottles, but I also purhchased two 4oz bottles for gel. Amphipod seems to have the best system, because all the attachments are 100% interchangeable. My plan is to use the 8 oz bottles with liquid for training only, then on race day, take them off and use two 4 oz gel bottles only. I can use the hydration on the course and carry my own nutrients. They also sell little clip things to make the belt a race number belt. Just ordered it yesterday, so we’ll see.
I’m an Amphipod convert after initially using Fuel Belt… the Amphipod ‘snap in’ system seems to work much easier than FB in terms of putting the bottle back after you’ve taken a swig. I also was surprised at how little bounce you feel from the Amphipod, so that’s another plus. I carry 2 bottles at a time – would think the 4-bottle option would be excessive weight-wise for a supported course. I put my own preferred concentrated mix of sports drink in what I carry and then supplement with water from the aid stations along the way.
Since nathan speed 1.5 has the clips for the number, and since you will have the number clipped onto it, you will have to wear that belt on the bike, correct?
Don’t know about you but for me i don’t see it being comfortable on the bike, any input?
No, that race number is just for the run. Every race I’ve ever done has given out separate numbers to attach to your bike frame for the bike leg of the race. Mine always goes around the seat post like a small flag.
I’m a runner just getting into triathlons. I have used an Amphipod system (w/ 4 bottles and the front pouch) for quite a while on runs that take longer than 1.5 hours. It is extremely adjustable and does not bounce much at all if fit correctly, I honestly don’t feel it after the first few minutes. The clip in style works really well also. The pouch is good for storing GU, keys, id, ipod, etc, and adds no perceivable weight imo.
I’ve never done an IM but use a fuel belt for marathon training and HIM training. I first purchased a Nathan in '07 and had problems with the bottles “ejecting”, so I took it back and got the 4 bottle fuel belt. I have used it in training for 2 marathons and a HIM. Not one ejected bottle yet and I don’t even fasten the elastic bungie things with the tabs over the top.
I have 4 different models and would rank mine:
Amphipod
Nathan
Fuel Belt
Ultimate Direction
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I used to use the Fuel Belts but find them too bulky and I hate that they leak everywhere. I have heard that the Nathan products are better. At IMC this year, I tried something new - the Nathan Sprint which is just a 10oz flask in a hand holster. Since there were aid stations almost every mile, I just refilled the flask with ice and water (in my case), therefore carrying less weight or extra equipment around my waist. The extra cooling of the flask in my hand was a good bonus too.
I have had a ampipod and nathan, the pod doesnt every compare to the Nathan. I have the speed 2 with some extra bottles that if I need I swing back for. For me its more than just the lack of boucing, its the better fit with the style of belt, the cap is great to use, and easy pocket to get too!
in my experience, i was never too thrilled to wear the pod belt. for me the snap in bottles were a PIA, i was always dropping them while trying to snap in.
curious, have you tried the steel nathan bottles with the belt?
NOT drinking out of plastic is an encouraging thought, looks like nathan is the only manufacturer with that capability?
I had the same issue with empty Nathan bottles ejecting mid-run. I contacted customer service who told me to never put the bottles in the dish washer because the heat affects the fit in the bottle holster. Unlike FB, the Nathan belt doesn’t have a strap to secure it in. I havent had this problem since using new bottles.
I was very impressed with the response from the company. The R&D contacted me to learn more about my issue. They even sent me a pre-paid shipping label to send the old ones for examination.
I used the 1.5 for IM, and use the 3R for very hot races. I also use the 2&4 bottle belts for training.
I’ve used the FB and switched over to the pod. I like it lot a better and have absolutely no trouble with the snap in. Have not tried the Nathan.
I own two Nathan belts, one Amphipod setup, and a Nathan HPL #020 pack. While the pack isn’t practical for tri purposes, it’s easily my favourite of the bunch. That said, I think the Nathan belts are vastly superior to the Amphipod. Their contoured cut results in less movement, which in turn provides more comfort. In contrast, the Amphipod belt was a straight cut, which often rode up onto my stomach and caused GI distress.
Out of the belts I own, I would most recommend the Nathan Trail Mix. The buckle closure allows for much easier adjustment mid-run, and the large rear pocket provides ample space for gels, electrolyte supplements, etc. It may be a bit overkill for an Ironman, but that’s a matter of personal opinion.
On a related note, I would also recommend the Nathan Sprint handheld. It uses the same bottle as the Nathan belts, but with a really well-designed hand strap and squeeze valve. It’s become a staple of my training runs, so much so that I bought two of them.
NOTE: I am not sponsored by Nathan, though I certainly wish I were.
//Edward
If you are doing a MDOT IM you need to attach a race number to your back on the bike in addition to the one on the bike.
I have a FB and a Nike belt. The FB is ok. I got the Nike belt for free and didn’t really think much of it. It is actually really nice. A nice elastic belt that helps reduce bounce and the bottles are a cross between FB and which ever ones clip in. The only down side is the bottles are (I think) 6 ounces where the FB are 8. If you have a Nike outlet near you, you can probably get them for $25.