I Found Running Belts With Tons of Pockets That Actually Stay in Place

Confession: I used to completely avoid running belts. The first couple I tried slid up my waist and bounced around with every stride, constantly distracting me and leaving my skin painfully chafed. I decided having the extra storage space wasn’t worth the hassle and stuck to running clothes with pockets instead—or even just held what I needed in my hands sometimes.

But it turns out that I’d simply tested the wrong options. The best running belts will stay right where you put them, and fit so seamlessly into the rest of your ensemble that you can forget about them (until you need to use them).

Many runners prefer belts to other storage options like hydration packs (which may not fit comfortably) or even pockets (which, when stuffed, can add bulk and resistance in annoying areas). “Being able to strap [a running belt] around the middle of your body, you’re able to utilize that center of gravity,” running coach Nikkia Young, president of the Richmond Road Runners Club, tells SELF.

To help you skip the bouncy, chafing duds and find a running belt that’ll fit correctly and give you the storage you want, we asked long-time runners and running coaches for their top recs, then tried a bunch ourselves to see how well they actually work. Shop our winners below.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Naked Running Band, $55
2. Best Budget Pick: SPIbelt, $25
3. Most Incognito: FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt, $42
4. Best for Carrying Hydration: Camelbak Ultra Belt, $60
5. Best for Running After Dark: Nathan Laser Light 5K Belt, $40
6. Most Streamlined: lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt, $38
7. Best for Trail Running: Salomon S/Lab Running Belt, $55

Shop the best running belts

We selected the best models for everyone, from rookies training for their first 5K to ultra trail runners who spend hours in the mountains.

Best Overall: Naked Running Band

Pros

• Breathable and lightweight
• Available in 12 sizes for a precise fit
• Lots of storage space
• Doesn’t bounce

Cons

• No zippered pockets
• Extra elastics give you options to attach more stuff (like a race bib), but they just hang off the sides when unused

Made from a lightweight 2.3 ounces of breathable mesh, the Naked Running Band lives up to its name. “It feels like you’re naked—it’s a good description,” running coach Amie Dworecki tells SELF. This belt truly doesn’t bounce: It comes in 12 sizes to fit your trunk precisely, then stays just where you place it (even if you load it up with multiple hours’ worth of fuel and hydration).

You can fit a ton of stuff in here: There’s storage space all along the waist, so you can stash multiple water bottles and an oversized phone. Two grippy silicone loops in the back even let you pack trekking poles or an extra shirt.

Can’t remember where you put what? No worries: The mesh is see-through, so you can easily find what you’re looking for, Dworecki points out. Just know that while there is an internal key clip, there are no zippered pockets. However, during testing, everything felt so locked in place inside this running belt that I honestly never worried about my essentials falling out.

Best Budget Pick: SPIbelt

Pros

• Low-profile pocket expands to 9 x 4 x 2 inches
• Under $30
• Available in tons of colors
• Belt extenders are available for larger waists

Cons

• Can bounce on slippery fabrics if not placed precisely
• Has less storage than other belts on this list

When you need an extra pocket, but you don’t want a belt that takes over your entire waist, go for the SPIbelt. “It’s small, but it stretches really well,” running coach Tammy Whyte, CPT, tells SELF. In our testing, we found that it can fit a pretty large phone, plus your keys and maybe a gel or two. The one downside we noticed is that unless you place it just so, it can sometimes ride up on sleeker fabrics.

Note: We suggest marathoners check out the Performance Pro instead, which has four loops on the waistband to easily stash gels or chews. Plus, the main pocket is water-resistant to keep things safe if you get caught in a downpour (or if you’re feeling extra sweaty).

For her part, Young says that she prefers the brand’s Dual Pocket Pro: “I can put my phone and keys in one, and my snacks or my salt tabs in another pocket,” she says. This way, her valuables stay safe and separate from the pocket she’s digging into every 45 minutes.

Most Incognito: FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt

Pros

• 360-degree storage
• Comes in 12 colors to blend in with your shorts or pants
• Secure zipper pocket and sewn-in key clip

Cons

• Getting items in and out while running takes practice

To be honest, runners can sometimes look a little dorky when we’re loaded up with gear. So if you want a belt that doesn’t scream “running belt,” the FlipBelt has you covered. “You can kind of make it look like it’s part of your shorts or pants because it just lays flat,” Whyte says—that makes it both look and feel good.

Dworecki bought her FlipBelt right before a trail marathon years ago, and found it super comfortable right off the bat. “It really conforms to your body,” she says. We particularly like the version with one zippered pocket to secure our valuables, and Dworecki agrees: “I like to have a zipper just because I’ve had things [fall] out,” she says.

In addition to that zippered pocket, there are three slits to access the main pocket that goes around your entire waist. My only quibble is that anything you stick in that big pocket can shift around mid-run—plus, the slits are pretty small, so it can be tricky to find and quickly grab what you’re after without slowing down.

Best for Carrying Hydration: Camelbak Ultra Belt 17 oz

Pros

• Comes with a 17-ounce collapsible flask
• Six pockets, including one that zips
• Fits waists up to 46 inches around
• Has loops for trekking poles

Cons

• On the bulkier side
• Pricey

This hydration belt is meant for ultra runners, which means it has a lot going on. You get six pockets, including one big enough for a 17-ounce water flask (which is included with your purchase) in the back, and a zippered pocket for your phone in the front. One envelope side pocket comes with a key clip, and the other three simply offer quick access to your stuff.

I found that it was super easy to grab whatever I wanted on my runs (including the water flask) and was able to put it all back without breaking my stride. And whether I loaded this belt up to the max or kept things minimal, it never once rode up on my waist. That might be partially thanks to the 3D mesh fabric on the inside, which both increases breathability and offers a little friction to avoid slippage.

Best for Running After Dark: Nathan Laser Light 5K Belt

Pros

• LED light can stay on for up to 7 hours
• Fits waists up to 44 inches around
• Two zippered pockets

Cons

• Can feel a bit clunky
• Not meant for wet conditions

When you’re running on the roads after dark, staying visible keeps you safe. One of the easiest places to add some bright lights is your running belt—and this option from Nathan gives you eight lumens of LED lighting. You can choose between a steady glow (which lasts for up to three hours) or a couple of strobing options (which will keep going for seven hours). Once you’re back home, you can easily charge it back up with an included USB cord.

You’ve got two fairly roomy zippered pockets to securely stash a supersized phone, plus plenty of gels. (That said, it’s not big enough for a water bottle—for that, you’d want to check out Naked, Camelbak’s Ultra Belt, or Salomon’s S/Lab.)

Note: This isn’t exactly a set-it-and-forget-it option—it’s on the heavier, chunkier side, and it sometimes shifted around a bit while I ran.

Best Streamlined: lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt

Pros

• Stretchy zipper pocket, plus four smaller envelope pockets
• Key clip
• Adjustable waistband
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as much storage space as other belts on this list
• Can sometimes slide on slippery fabrics

This belt from Lululemon is smartly designed to stash more than you’d think. The main zippered pocket easily fits a phone and a gel or two, while four “hidden” envelope pockets along the side are the perfect size for your keys (yes, there’s a key clip), a couple cards, a chapstick, or your wireless earbud case—each in its own separate slot.

As long as you don’t overload it, the belt sits pretty flat. You could easily slip it under a loose top, and no one would know it’s there. In testing, I was pleasantly surprised by how little it bounced overall, although it did slide around a bit on one particularly slippery pair of leggings. Pair it with the right bottoms, however, and you’ve got a comfy belt that stays flush against your body without feeling like you’re lugging around too much gear.

Best for Trail Running: Salomon S/Lab Running Belt

Pros

• Lightweight and breathable
• Holds flasks up to 17 ounces
• Four pockets
• Detachable trekking pole loops

Cons

• Sits most securely when there’s a water flask inside

Trail runners will love this lightweight belt: It’s just 1.5 ounces, so there’s nothing extra here—but you still have plenty of room to stash what you need to safely head off-road. There’s a zippered pocket in the front for your valuables, and a stretchy mesh pocket all along the back for a water flask (up to 17 ounces).

Two open pockets on the side give you extra space for plenty of fuel. We also appreciate that there are detachable trekking pole loops, so you don’t have to have extra elastics hanging around your backside unless you actually need to use them.

One thing I noticed is that this band stays in place best when it’s packed tight with a water flask; when I took it out to drink, the belt started edging upwards. Luckily, it’s just as easy to put that flask back in as it is to get it out—and as soon as I did, the bouncing stopped.

How we tested running belts

To find the best running belts, we polled experienced runners and running coaches to learn which are their favorites and what to look for in a solid choice. Then we put their recs to the test, strapping on several options for easy runs, longer routes, and speed workouts.

We wore each belt over multiple kinds of fabric to see how well it stayed put on various materials, whether it was loaded up with gear or just holding a phone. We also tested how easy it was to get things in and out mid-run. The only belts that made the cut were the ones that kept our stuff secure but easy to grab when needed, and were comfortable enough that we didn’t even notice them on the run.

What to look for when shopping for running belts

Don’t choose a running belt just based on what looks best—here’s what experts suggest keeping in mind as you shop.

Frequently asked questions about running belts

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