Bias Alert: Our Top Running Belt

To make sure you have everything you need at your disposal when you’re running, you should have a good belt. But some belts are uncomfortable or too bulky on a woman’s body. Women have different body types than men do, after all, so this guide will help you find the best running belt for women.

Quick Picks – Top Running Belts for Women

Why Do I Need a Running Belt?

As much as we’d all like to envision running as a freeing experience in which nothing anchors us down, where it’s just us and the open road, that’s not usually how it goes. It’s you, the road, your house keys, your chapstick, your energy gels, and anything else you need for your journey. There’s a lot of stuff to carry with you, especially on longer runs.

That’s where a belt proves useful. Instead of trying to carry everything in your hands, it’s much more comfortable to stick it in a belt. I should know because I used to try to run while carrying my keys in my hand. At the end of a run, my hand looked like the hand on a mini Lego figure — it was stuck in one position after cramping up from holding my keys for so long.

Even worse than discomfort is that running with items in your hands can lead to poor form, which can leave runners susceptible to injuries. Running is a sport that already has a high rate of injuries––we don’t need any additional factors causing more.

Not only was it uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, it was sucking the joy out of my run. Once I researched running belts and finally picked one out, I felt freer on my runs than I ever had because my hands were empty and I could barely tell I was wearing a belt.

Is Any Running Belt Good Enough for a Woman?

You shouldn’t just grab the first running belt you see and assume it will work for a woman’s body.

We may be biased about that because we’re a bit picky when it comes to running belts––we’ve even recently released our own belt, the Beam Belt. Because we have had a hard time in the past finding running belts that cover all the basics we like to see, we decided to develop our own.

So we know a good thing when we see it. And we also know what doesn’t work. Women typically have smaller frames than men do. Because we’re not generally as tall or bulky, we don’t need a big belt that’s going to swallow up our midsection.

We’d like something a bit smaller that will complement our frames, not overshadow them.

And where most men have straight lines, we have curves. Those curves in the hip area can make wearing a running belt particularly challenging. Belts tend to ride up on us because of our curves.

What Should I Look For in a Women’s Running Belt?

Finding the right blend of features for a women’s running belt isn’t complicated as long as you know what to look for. Here are some of the features you’ll want to see in any belt you consider.

• Narrow height: You don’t want anything too tall around your waist. It will get super uncomfortable when it starts to shift and ride up. Instead, look for a belt that isn’t too tall and uses stretchy fabric that will still hold bigger items like your phone.
• A wide range of sizes: Women come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, so they need a belt that can accommodate those differences. If you have the typical runner’s build, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a belt that will fit you. But if you’re a larger runner, make sure any belt you’re considering has extended sizes.
• If you want it to hold a phone: Running with a phone is a good idea because you’ll always have a way to call in the cavalry if you get injured or have a run-in with any creepy motorists. Because women runners are more likely to be harassed by motorists than men, having a phone with makes many feel more secure. Your phone needs to be able to fit in your belt so you won’t have to carry it.
• Safety features: Whether a belt comes with a light or it has some reflective material, we need to stay safe out there while running on the roadways. The best way to do that is to make ourselves as visible as possible to motorists.
• Make sure the price fits your budget: Running can be a surprisingly expensive hobby. Some of that equipment, like shoes, is worth every penny you spend because they can help keep you injury free and comfortable enough that you can increase your mileage. Running belts, however, aren’t something you have to break the bank on––there are a lot of affordable options out there.

   

Top 5 Running Belts for Women​

Bias Alert: Our Top Running Belt

FlipBelt Zipper

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The original FlipBelt is a great belt, but this one is an improvement. It has a zipper so your belongings stay even more secure than they would with the original. Plus, this one is half an inch wider, which helps bigger items, like phones, fit better.

Pros

• It has a key hook on it, which will help you breathe a bit easier knowing your keys are completely secured during your run.
• It has a reflective logo so you get a little more visibility when you’re running in lower light conditions.
• You can pop this belt in the washing machine to clean it, and you can even put it in the dryer without fear of shrinkage.
• It comes in four different colors––some are bright and noticeable, while others are more basic so they’ll go with any outfit.
• This belt is stylish and sleek.
• It will suck the moisture away from your body when you start sweating.
• It dries quickly so if you’re a daily runner, it will be completely dry when you tackle the following day’s workout.

Cons

• This belt is a bit pricey.
• It doesn’t have a portal for earbuds, which might be a drag for runners who like to listen to music while they workout.
• When items slide around in this belt, they can be hard to reach.

SPIbelt Running Belt

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If you’re a big fan of barely noticeable belts, you might like this one. It is so thin and lightweight that you’ll hardly remember it’s there. You can wear it underneath your shirt or over it. 

Pros

• It’s an affordable belt.
• You get an amazing number of color options with this belt.
• You can put a big phone in these belts because the pouch can stretch to accommodate it.
• The belt will fit a wide range of sizes because it is adjustable––it covers sizes from 24 to 47 inches.
• For runners with allergies, like those who are allergic to bees, this belt can hold an epipen.
• You can wear it around your waist or your hips and adjust it tightly enough that it will stay in place.

Cons

• It’s not waterproof.
• Some runners have had issues with this belt not holding up very well to long-term usage.

Sport2People Running Belt

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If your budget is a big concern and you need to find a quality belt for as low of a price as you can, you should check out this one.

Pros

• This belt is made of waterproof material, which will help keep your phone dry, even if you’re a heavy sweater or you’re running in the rain.
• There are two pockets on this belt, which means you won’t have everything in your belt falling out just so you can get to one item.
• It has a hole so you can get your earbuds through, which is nice for runners who want to listen to music in a hassle-free way.
• There are three reflective darts on the belt, which will make you more visible to motorists.
• The band is soft that it won’t irritate your skin if you decide to wear it under your shirt.

Cons

• Its adjustable size only covers from 29.5 to 42.5 inches, which won’t be big enough for some runners.
• Some phones are really hard to get in the small pockets––it can be done, it just takes some work.

MILIDE Running Belt

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This is another highly affordable running belt for people who don’t want to spend too much. It’s a bigger option than some of the others on the list, but it’s so form fitting it looks more like a superhero belt than a fanny pack.

Pros

• It’s made out of waterproof material and has a zipper.
• It has four different compartments so you can keep your gear separate, which makes it easier to access.
• The belt has reflective material to keep you safer on the roadway.
• The material feels comfortable against the skin.
• It doesn’t look bulky.
• If you can cinch it snugly enough, it doesn’t bounce around much during your run.
• The pockets are really stretchy, so phones will fit well.

Cons

• It only comes in two colors––black and pink.
• It doesn’t have as big of an adjustable range as other belts––it only adjusts from approximately 29.5 to 38.5 inches.

SpartaBelt Running Belt 

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If you don’t mind giving up the sleek look of some of the other running belts on this list so you can have one with thicker pockets that will hold up longer than some of the thinner ones will, you might want to consider this belt.

It’s a well-made belt that has a lot of longevity, but it is more noticeable than some of the others.

Pros

• This belt has a port for your earbuds so you can easily listen to music while you run.
• It’s affordable.
• It won’t chafe or bounce around when you run.
• This belt can hold a lot at one time––a phone, gels, keys, money, and more.
• The belt is made of neoprene, which is water resistant, and which is nice if it’s raining on a race or training day.
• It has a reflective strip as an extra safety feature.

Cons 

• The maximum this belt extends to is 42 inches, which won’t be big enough for runners who are looking for extended sizes.
• This is a pretty big belt and it might be too bulky-looking for petite women.

And the Winner Is … 

I’m a big fan of the zippered FlipBelt, but I’d recommend the Sport2People running belt over the FlipBelt. One of the most attractive things about this belt is the low price, but it also offers a lot of great features.

Your items will be easier to access than they are on the FlipBelt, plus the material is waterproof, which gives you extra peace of mind. I also like the reflectivity on the belt and the earbuds portal.