I’ve Tried Every Method for Carrying Water While Running, and These Are My Favorites.

Running in the summer is challenging. Runs get longer (for the same mileage) because the heat slows you down , and you also need more fluids to keep your body cool , which means finding a way to carry more water.

This summer I’ve decided to run mostly on shady trails, accepting the need to climb big hills, though I’ve tried every possible way to carry water. Here’s what’s working for me so far, based on today’s run.

For Short to Medium Runs: Nathan FeatherLite Belt

My favorite way to carry water for runs is with the Nathan FeatherLite water bottle belt . It has a diagonal water bottle pocket, not a hard plastic or metal one, but a soft flask, which is a huge plus. The soft flask comes with the belt, but in a pinch you can replace it with another bottle, even a regular disposable one. The soft flask comes with a 450ml (540ml) capacity, so it’s perfect for summer runs of up to an hour.

Here’s what I especially like about Nathan FeatherLite:

• A soft flask has no sharp edges that can rub or chafe the skin.

• The “exospine” (hard plastic on one side of the flask) makes it easy to put back in your pocket even if it’s half empty.

• The valve on the bottle is sealed when I put it on the seat of my car, for example, but it’s still easy to fill up while driving. If it had a valve that I had to open and close, I’d definitely forget about it all the time. It also means that water won’t spill out while I’m running.

• There’s a small elastic loop on the top that goes over the mouthpiece of the flask to keep it from popping out. (It tends to come loose when the flask is less than half full, but it still won’t pop out.)

• Overall, it bounces quite a bit when you put it on correctly. I wear the pack right on my back, and after about twenty steps down the trail, I usually forget about it.

• The roomy zippered pocket is big enough to hold your phone and any other items you might be carrying. When I’m testing multiple watches, sometimes with multiple phones, this storage space is a godsend, preventing me from having to shove everything into my shorts pockets.

There are a few things I don’t like about it:

• I can’t get the bottle out to drink and put it back in quickly, so I usually wait until I’m up a hill or stopped or slowed down. I flip the pack over to the front, undo the elastic, grab the drink, then put the bottle back in and put the pack back in.

• There’s also the issue of size. For me, it’s perfect for an hour-long run in the summer, because I know I can drink more water afterwards. (I always keep extra water in my car or at the start and finish of my run.) For shorter runs, it might be overkill. For longer runs, you’ll need to buy a vest.

My favorite for long runs: a hydration vest.

I was hoping to write about a really good hydration pack , but after I bought one during Prime Day, Amazon threw me one of those “your package has been sent out for delivery… lol just kidding, we don’t know where your package is” scams. I’m still waiting for word on it being found again, so for now I’m sticking with my old hydration pack – a cheap brand that’s not the best on the market, but it gets the job done.

The brand is Outplea, and it only costs $20 . It comes with a two-liter water tank (God, I hate that they call them that) and a slightly awkward belt clip. But it works.

Here are some features I like about hydration vests and why:

• Two-liter water reservoir . Even if you’re going on a full-day hike, this capacity will be enough to carry between planned drinking stops in most situations. This is a standard-sized reservoir for a hydration vest, although not all vests come with a water reservoir.

• Lots of storage space . I have pockets on the front straps for small items (gels, phone), and an elastic band at the back for a light jacket or other larger items.

• You can carry water on your back or in front . Many vests are designed so that the front pockets can accommodate soft flasks, but the back can be left empty. This can be more comfortable if you don’t like the feeling of a sweaty back. Or you can carry water on both the front and back, which often increases the total capacity to three liters.

• Adjustable straps. You’ll need to try a vest on to get a good fit, but good brands will have adjustable straps, either with sliders or elastic at the front. My cheap vest’s straps are terrible, but I’ve found that they’re much more comfortable if you cross them in an X.

Disadvantages of a drinking vest:

• Wearing something that big can cause you to sweat a lot (which is why expensive items are made from lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics).

• A poorly fitted vest will rub. I wear it with a T-shirt, not a tank top, to avoid rubbing my armpits and shoulders.

My favorite minimalist option: a bottle with a clip

Sometimes you need a little water, but you don’t want to go without it either . In the spring and fall, I often ran with a clip-on Spibelt flask .

Why I like it:

• No need to fasten anything . The clip closure doesn’t interfere with anything I’m already wearing, and I don’t have to add another layer of fabric to my back or waist.

• The 8 ounce capacity is comfortable but not too big. If I can refill from a water fountain every few miles, it’s perfect for cooler weather when I don’t sweat as much.

• It’s the easiest to take with you when you leave the house . Plus, when I was running with my kid, he always tried to put the bottle on the side of the road. I hate doing that with a soft flask, but a hard bottle like this one can stand upright.

What I don’t like:

• It’s never completely comfortable. I’ve tried it on the waistband of my shorts, on my running belts, and in my hand. (Note: If you’re clipping it to a waistband or belt, you can try it either toward or away from you.) I always manage to clip it in a place where I barely notice it, but it’s not the most comfortable for me.

A very popular option, but not suitable for me: a hand bottle.

Personally, I’m not a fan of hand bottles, but many runners love them. I can see the appeal, so I’m talking about them here because they might be a better option for you.

Holding a bottle in your hand is easy, but when you run, your hand and forearm get tired . There are simple devices that allow you to attach the bottle to your hand with a strap, and the strap does all the work. Then you don’t have to think about it – just bring your hand to your mouth when you want to drink.

This bottle from Hydrapak is soft and has a thumb loop for added security. This bottle from Amphipod has a neoprene sleeve that insulates your drink, as well as a zippered pocket that can hold a credit card and key. I’ve also heard of runners making their own water bottle straps out of duct tape. ( Here’s one tutorial .)

Only through trial and error will you learn what you like and dislike about different water carrying methods, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

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