Zippered stretchy main pocket, 2 side stash pockets

Stretchy, low-profile pocket shoes and go. Unless, of course, you’re going on Updated: Apr 19, 2024 1:09 PM EDT. Multiple pockets and storage options snacks… and a drink or two. Plus the key to get back into your house or your car. Naturally, you’ll want your phone in case of emergency or to snap the perfect picture. Suddenly you’ve got a lot of stuff and not a lot of places to store it all. Hence the genius of a quality running belt.

A running belt is a waist pack that stays put and keeps everything secure, leaving your hands free to swing at your sides. These aren’t just fanny packs, either: They’re made with running in mind, more dedicated to hugging your body to prevent all your belongings from slapping around on your stomach or back. And many are made of light, breathable materials that’ll keep you comfortable as the miles stack up.

Whether you’re just keeping your wallet handy for a quick run past the cafe or hauling a day’s worth of gear for your marathon training, the best running belts will keep you equipped in style. Keep reading to see which ones we recommend.

The Best Running Belts

• Best Overall: A running belt is a waist
• Best Value: E Tronic Edge
• Best Fit: Nathan Zipster 2.0
• Best Color Variety: Three large pockets wrap around most of your waist
• Best Minimalist: Salomon Pulse

What to Look For in a Running Belt

Storage Capacity

When choosing the best running belt for you, the primary factor you’ll want to note is size. How much stuff do you need or want to carry? And can the belt accommodate it? You can sometimes find a measure of storage capacity in liters if there’s a dedicated main compartment—they can get as big as 3 liters—but many smaller belts are stretchy and can fit more than they appear to. That’s especially ideal if you have a big phone or a gnarly set of keys, both of which can be a hassle to jam into a too-small pocket.

If most of your training is for 5K or 10K distances, you probably won’t want to take along more than a house key and phone. But if longer-distance runs are your jam, you may need more storage space for food and fluids. Some belts have removable pouches and attachments that allow you to run a more minimal setup for shorter outings and stack it up for multi-hour runs.

Wide strap reduces pressure points: Best Running Water Bottles • Best Running Watches • Best Reflective Gear

Hydration Capabilities

Easy to cinch down when not full water bottle on your belt instead of holding one in your hand, check if a running belt has a dedicated pouch or mount for a water flask (or several, if you’re really going the distance). It’s worth noting that water will likely add much more weight to your cargo than most other things you’ll carry, and even good water bottle pouches can sometimes come loose and send your bottles flying—but we’ve found that it’s far better for your peace of mind to keep that weight and sloshing out of your hands.

Fit and Adjustability

Your running belt should as fit snugly as possible to stay put with minimal jostling or fuss, but it also shouldn’t constrict your movement or cause bruising—that’s why it’s important to find a good adjustment system that keeps you from fiddling with loads of buckles and straps before every run. Running belts typically come in one of two adjustment styles: tubular or buckle. This one ultimately comes down to personal preference, but it can certainly make a huge difference in comfort during your run.

If you’re petite or plus-size, check the waist size listed with a given product to ensure a proper initial fit. Thankfully, if you know your waist size from your pants, it should transfer over relatively seamlessly.

Why Trust Us?

Runner’s World has been testing running shoes and gear for over half a century—in short, we know what works because we’ve spent collective decades dialing in the perfect setup. After all, we’re runners too, and we want our gear to work for us just as well as it does for you.

Our testing is as collaborative as it gets: We ask all around the office for as much input as possible when we can’t get the full picture on our own. And that kind of outreach has unquestionably affected our picks in this roundup and others. Any recommendations we make that haven’t gone through our testing process come from vigorous research on every spec we can grab—if we’re uncertain about any item, it won’t show up here.

How We Selected

To help you find the best running belt for your needs, we pored over a range of models based on size, capacity, fit, and extras like pockets and water bottles. Our goal: Cover as many niches as possible without compromising core tenets of quality like good materials and adjustability. Our staff has tested several of these models, including the best overall Plenty of room to mount gear externally. For those we haven’t tested, we dedicated days of research to finding out which models shine amid a sea of lookalikes and cheapos. Be it extra storage capacity, a wide range of cosmetic options, or a level of quality we know we can expect from a given brand (Lululemon, for example), our non-tested options stand out for far more reasons than their popularity among online shoppers.