[Tazzmania]

I posted this in the gear section as well ... but figured you all may have some suggestions as well !!!<br><br><br>
I have looked at the following fuel belts.....
<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>Helium 4 Bottle <a href="http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/helium4.html" target="_blank">(Fuel Belt)</a></li>
<li>Trail Runner 4 Bottle Belt <a href="http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/4_bottle.html;jsessionid=0a0105501f43c6ad75d22ae3453f80ab99d40fc0c8cc.e3eSc34OaxmTe34Pa38Ta38Nbh50#trail" target="_blank">(Fuel Belt)</a></li>
<li>Run Lite 4 Bottle <a href="http://www.amphipod.com/8400/8400.html" target="_blank">(Amphipod Hydration)</a></li>
</ol>
Any pro's and con's for trail running/ultra training ??<br><br>
Tazz

 

[merigayle]

i rarely ever see anyone wearing fuel belts on trail runs. Most people have handhelds, or some variation on a hydration pack. It is all personal preference in the end. Just make sure you have enough water to get you thru at least an hour. I like running with the camel back because i rarely ever have to stop at an aid station. I just check in and keep on moving thru, it saves me a TON of time.

 

[ctxcrossx]

I agree with merigayle. I find that most people use a backpack or handhelds. I have a 4 bottle fuelbelt model, but I found that it would ride up on me (unfortunately, it happens often with my body type) and it was also uncomfortable having that pressure around my waist for long periods of time. Personally, I use either a backpack or handhelds, depending on the run/race.<br><br>
Chris<br>

 

[pithydoug]

When FB's first came out the bottles had small holes and would irritate the hell out of aid station people when it got busy. I would go as far to say it pissed them off. Here aid station volunteer, please get out your best eyedropper and fill these N test tubes. The Fuel Belt folks listened and made wider openings. One problem fixed. Now it's a little less time to fill the mess of containers.<br><br>
Some people like the alleged balance of the bottles. I say alleged because unless you drinl a little from each bottle as you go, the balance gets less with time.<br><br>
I have a one an two bottle waist pack and the wide belt keeps the bottle nestled nicely in the middle of my back and feel noting. Others can't get comfortable with a waist pack and opt for a camel back or hand held. I use my camel back when I'm mountain biking and I never like running with bottles in my hand because I fall and they pop open if you land on them. The thought of a empty bottle and an hour until the next aid station in the heat, leaves me dry. Pun intended! <img alt="roll_eyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/roll_eyes.gif"><br><br>
It's all about choices and you have a lot.

 

[markc7]

I have a couple fuel belts, but I only wear one when I'm going on a really long run without any water on the course and I wear them in addition to a camelback and handhelds. I guess I just find the handhelds so much more convenient.

 

[divaleh]

I've yet to grow comfortable using two handhelds, but I find using a single one to be effortless. But I think that hydration backpacks are great - so nice to go for a run and not have to worry about where to stash water, or re-filling my bottles. Fuel belts never worked well for me.

 

[Tazzmania]

Thanks for all the input ... I have a camel bak waist pack .... I have used it in Marathons previously ... so I will give it a try on the trail run 12 April to see how it feels when running under those conditions.<br><br>
Tazz

 

[oldschool]

I use a one one <a href="http://www.fuelbelt.com/outdoor/bottle.html" target="_blank">bottle fuel belt</a> for runs up to an hour. It has a velcro fastener that keeps the belt very stable. I use a <a href="http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.aspx?p=PA5312&s=1" target="_blank">GoLite two bottle</a> waist pack for runs up to 2 hours. It has a small pouch for carrying gels, your keys, cell phone, etc. For runs up to 3 hours I stick another bottle of fluid in the pouch. Anything over 3 hours requires a camel back.

 

[crunningman]

I have a few fuel belts myself, but am partial to this modified version. It allows me to carry a 20oz handheld with 10oz in the belt. By the way, what you can't see is that I have a coat stashed away in the pouch right next to the bottle. Pretty neat.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/cmerun100m/FuelBelt.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Tazzmania]

Did you buy it like it is or did you combine products??<br><br>
I am looking for two things ... storage space for food .... and extra hydration as I will carry one hand bottle (20 oz)

 

[crunningman]

I cut off all 4 bottle holders. Then I purchased pouches at various running stores. Some from fuelbelt. I can carry most everything I need from blister patches, salts, gels and FRS chews, bars, coat(as I said earlier), garbage bag, headlamp. The 10oz bottle holder is from a UD belt I purchased but didn't like. It took some tinkering, but it works for me. I cannot for the life of me get used to carrying a 20oz bottle around my waist. It has to be in my hand.<br><br>
On occasion, mostly during really long runs where I am doing 10 mile loops I'll switch off from my WASP, but I really prefer the above waist belt.

 

[crunningman]

Forgot to add a very important point. 100% bounce free.

 

[Sherpa John]

Check out the Nathan Elite 2V Plus. I LOVE mine (thanks Nathan for the sponsorship!). Seriously though, very comfortable, very little in the way of bounce. Comes with a small pouch in the back, 2 removable pouches on the sides. 2 Bottle carriers and even some nifty drawstrings.<br><br>
WORTH A LOOK!

 

[crunningman]

So, with a 20oz bottle in hand and 10oz on your waist that comes to 30oz without having to carry the full 30 around your waist, leaving one hand free.

 

[RunLongVT]

These days I run with one or two handhelds. Never felt comfortable on really long runs with a waist bottle- too much pressure on the digestive system, I guess. I do wear a very minimal waist pack by Amphipod to hold gel and salt, but this weighs nothing compared to a full bottle or two.<br><br>
Camelbacks, in my opinion, are a double-edged sword during ultra races. They're great for those long self-supported training runs or long hikes, when you know you won't be able to reload. But, in a race, when you are pushing a bit harder and probably going longer, too, and need to carefully monitor your fluid intake, they can make it tough to gague how you are doing. Sure, you know when the thing is empty, but how much did you take in on that last lap? Being able to monitor fluid intake is worth the extra 45 seconds to fill handhelds at an aid station.

 

[crunningman]

Best statement I've read in some time. Agreed! Also, if you have a crew you can easily switch bottles with minimal down time.

 

[Sherpa John]

Kind of like pushing on yer kidneys eh?<br><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">