25 best running belts in 2023

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Our pick of the best running belts on the market for every distance Auto Parts Conveyor

New to running or a seasoned marathoner looking for the latest kit? Irrespective of your experience level, when it comes to carrying your essentials the playing field is level and all runners face the same struggle: where do you put your stuff? From your smart phone to your keys, wallet, gels and emergency plasters, it can be a minefield figuring out what to do with your gear when you head out the door. Enter, running belts.

The extra good news is there's a belt for every type of runner and it is possible to find the right carrier that doesn't wriggle or chafe when you're on the move. To help you narrow things down, keep scrolling for our pick of the best running belts on the market.

In a hurry? Here are some of the best-selling running belts available to shop now. Keep scrolling for the full list.

A running belt is a must-have accessory for fitness enthusiasts who need something to hold their bits and pieces. But belts are best suited to the sport of running, because most brands have designed them specifically to benefit the action of forward motion, while also minimising the risk of bounce and chafing which often comes with high-impact exercise.

'They fasten around your waist to hold your belongings while you work out,' explains Anthony Langley-Smith, co-founder of sports brand Proviz. 'There are countless options out there, but most running belts are very similar. They usually have a number of compartments, they can be made of different materials and come in a range of sizes, depending on what you need it for.'

When it comes to finding the right belt for you, consider the following points before you make a purchase:

Whatever your preferred distance, to help you choose the right kit we've rounded up our pick of the best running belts on the market.

Quality running kit shouldn't mean sacrificing style. Which is why we love this running belt from adidas' collab with Stella McCartney. Despite its skinny appearance it fits a smartphone easily, plus other small essentials.

The elastic strap fastens with an adjustable plastic buckle, and the belt can be worn around your waist or cross-body.

This stylish belt from Canadian fitness gurus lululemon is made from the same fabric as the brand's famous leggings, so it promises to feel soft and comfortable against your skin over any distance.

It's also reassuringly light, sweat-wicking and big enough for all your essentials, including a 500ml hydration flask. Clever silicone grips keep your phone from bouncing in the front slit pocket, plus there's attachment points for walking poles and a light, as well as reflective detailing to keep you visible.

Cheap, cheerful and infinitely useful, this simple running belt is brilliant value. Available in four colours, it has a main compartment thats split into two so your keys don't scratch your phone, there's a wire hole for your headphones, and the elastic waist is both comfortable and adjustable.

Because the belt is secured to the top of the pocket we found it can bounce around a little so probably isn't suited to long distances, but is a great option for beginners or your 5K jog.

Sure, you may not love running in the torrential rain, but sometimes you get caught short, and when that happens (far too often in the UK, we feel), having peace of mind that your valuables are safe and dry makes the experience that much more bearable.

Enter this nifty waterproof running belt, with adjustable band, water bottle holder (up to 300ml) and two pockets for all your bits and bobs.

Not only is this sleek running belt a complete steal, it's also reflective, so ideal for twilight or early morning runs to keep you visible.

This wide belt made from breathable and stretchy fabric has a number of hidden pockets to store all your gear, so it's well suited to slow runners, hikers and even sightseers on holiday who need somewhere to stash their essentials.

It also comes with diagonal straps with a silicone grip to secure a jacket or walking poles and it's also available in red.

This classic pack is an excellent option for beginners on a budget. It's durable and weather resistant, so will cope with a spring shower or two. And if you're a fan of wired headphones, there’s also a handy port for your lead to slip through, plus the front pocket features reflective detailing for improved visibility after dark.

Also available in yellow and pink.

US brand FlipBelt has an army of dedicated fans, with good reason. This clever belt has been designed to sit flat against your waist, so it won't bounce around or ride up when you run.

It comes with multiple pockets to store your essentials and it's available in a range of colours (we personally love the Acrylic Summer design for a pop of colour against an all-black outfit), plus the key hook is a nice touch.

Winter runs call for great visibility, so add this super reflective running belt to your jogging wardrobe. It has reflective detailing all the way around, plus three pockets large enough to stash your phone, keys and a spare gel.

It's breathable and sweat-wicking, with comfortable four-way stretch that feels good against skin. Also available in highlighter pink and yellow shades.

A great alternative to a traditional hydration vests that provides an easy way to carry water or poles without the bulk of a backpack. Made from lightweight, breathable fabrics with micro-perforations, this belt features four strategically placed stash pockets for small items such as energy gels or keys, and a secure-zip pocket perfect for your phone.

There’s a quick-access water bottle pocket – which you can use to store a soft flask (although the belt doesn’t come with a bottle, so you’ll have to purchase that separately), hiking poles or even stash a compact windbreaker.

During testing, we were pleasantly surprised by how well our water bottle stayed securely in place – no matter how bumpy the trails. We also liked that the belt didn’t ride up and offered a snug yet comfortable fit. Trust us when we say you won’t want to hit the trails without it.

This compact little number is super light and compact but still packs enough space to carry your phone gels, keys and bank card. It's easily adjustable and fastens with a simple buckle, plus it feels great to wear, with no chafing, for a friction-free run.

The main compartment zips shut and there are mesh pockets inside to keep things organised, plus reflective detailing on the outside is handy for twilight runs.

All-weather runners will appreciate this lightweight belt from cool US brand Nathan Sports. It has plenty of room to comfortably store all your essentials, and promises to remain watertight in all seasons.

While classic black is always a winner, we're quite partial to the snazzy blue version too.

If you’re an experienced hill runner planning to go further afield but don’t want to lug a backpack about, this classic pack from UK adventure brand OMM is a great compromise. It holds up to three litres of kit but even at full capacity it promises to remain stable against your lower back.

The wide waistband keeps things comfortable around your middle while mesh back panelling will help you stay cool. Also available in purple, orange and green, or pick it up at Alpine Trek.

This pack manages to squeeze in all your essentials, plus a water bottle and a pocket large enough for your phone and gels without bouncing around, even when the bottle is full.

It's reassuringly easy to access the pockets on the move, plus the mesh padding on the inside is quick drying in case you come across any inclement weather on your run.

Training for a big race and looking for a kit carrying solution? problem solved. This clever running belt has space to hold two 150ml soft water flasks, gels and a smartphone.

The strap is fleece-lined for long-distance comfort and best of all, you can pin your race number onto the front, leaving you free to sprint across the finish line and claim that PB.

Sometimes you just want something simple and pared back that will do the job. This is that running belt. The nylon construction makes it super stretchy so you can expand it for a larger smartphone or strip it back and just hold your gels and keys with ease.

It's super lightweight and has reflective detailing to catch the light on those twilight runs. Also available in grey with a pink strap.

This clever running belt from US brand SpiBelt expands to fit just about everything you might need without bouncing, plus it comes with handy loops along the strap to hold your gels.

This is a great option for smaller runners, as the belt can be adjusted for just about all waist sizes. It doubles up as a handy passport storage belt for your holidays too.

If you're a fan of traveling light this minimal hydration belt will appeal. It includes a sizeable flask that moulds to the shape of your body for water breaks, while the 3D mesh material will help you keep your cool. Also available in this frosty aqua/silver colourway.

Designed to sit close to the body as you move, this simple Nike running belt can be expanded to fit a smartphone as well as your keys and a gel or two, making it the ideal storage solution for a quick 5K around the park.

Also available in highlighter green.

One for experienced runners with miles under their belt, this clever waist carrier from our favourite Cumbrian brand Inov-8 comes with a three-litre central pocket, leaving plenty of room for all your essentials — and it even has a sleeve big enough to hold a 500ml soft flask.

Like all Inov-8 products, it's designed to be durable – so you can use it for casual urban runs or hardcore fell running.

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