Does anyone carry a gel flask while running? If so, do you have a method other than simply carrying it in your hand?
I generally carry a handheld water bottle while running and would like to start carrying a gel flask, as well. Simple enough. But, I’d like to keep one hand free. So, I’d like to find a way to carry the gel flask without having to carry it in my hand.
Any suggestions?
Steve
back pocket?
I just carried one at IMLP last Sunday.
I use the Hammer gel flasks which are slightly smaller than some others I have seen.
The tri suit I use is one of the Kiwami suits. I love it. There are pockets in the back, under the chest/armpit and on the front of the legs. I never liked running with a gel flask in the back pocket because it would bounce around, but my flask fits perfectly into the leg pockets and I don’t really feel it while running.
Fuel Belt makes a gel flask hold that can attach to a belt or with a clip to attach to your shorts…
I have known a few people to use it with success, personally it kept popping off my shorts.
I am sure other brands have something similar
What do you fill these things with?
Do you just empty a bunch of the Gel packets? Does someone sell gel in bulk? Or are their any DIY recipes for Gu?
The Fuel Belt flask holder is a great product, but if you purchase from their Web site, it stinks to be charged $7.99 shipping for a $9.99 small, lightweight product.
Hammer Gel sells in bulk. Around $20 for 26 servings.
I use a hammer gel flask and it fits perfectly in the side pocket of Zoot Ultra Run or Ultra Tri Shorts. It stays close to the body, no movement and won’t fall out.
Thanks, guys.
Last year at my first 1/2-iron I wore a pair of low-cut DeSoto Forza Tri Shorts and a DeSoto Skin Cooler Tri Jersey. Unfortunately, I found in training that gel packets had a tendency to bounce out of the side pockets on the jersey. (There are no pockets on the shorts.) So, I used a race belt with elastics to hold gels. That worked OK, but not great. It was a little of a pain in the butt getting them out on the move and carrying the trash until the next aid station. So, I’m looking for something a little simpler. Thus, the flask idea.
I guess I’ll see if it’ll stay in the side pocket on the jersey, and, if not, I’ll just tuck it in the shorts on my hip or something. I thought there might be something made specifically for the task - like the Fuel Belt clip above. But, it doesn’t sound like that works all that great. So…
Steve
I wear Zoot tri shorts which have pockets on the hip. I put a gel flask in there and it works perfect for me, doesn’t bounce around at all. Don’t like them on my back because I find no matter how tight the top is stuff still bounces around.
I carry a First Endurance Shot flask when I run. heck, even when I train. Im not sure why I like holding something but I do
Hands down - my favorite race / training belt is the Ultimate Direction Triumph Race Belt : http://www.gotrisports.com/storefront/Ultimate-Direction-Triumph-Race-Belt-p-17232.html
key features:
best of luck -
I guess it depends how fast you run. If I carry anything (mostly during a race) it’s a gel flask in my hand - First Endurance liguid shots come in it so it’s even easier.
I have a handy little spot that mother nature has provided me; my gel flask fits nicely in my cleavage. 
for an IM i wear race ready shorts with the 5 pockets across the back, and a flask will fit in any of them. shorter than an IM, i will still have my desoto 4 pocket bike shorts on, and i put the flask in one of those pockets. come to think of it, i’ll still have my bike jersey on, so i suppose i could put the flask in a back pocket.
peggy