Thursday, December 31, 2009

Nathan Speed Belt 4



I have recently begun using a Nathan Speed Belt 4 hydration system and have been very impressed. This is a very versatile piece of equipment. It comes with four 10oz bottles and two pockets. An ideal piece of gear for walking, hiking, running or any outdoor activity. Use it with your dogs, kids or for yourself, it doesn’t matter the Speed Belt 4 is designed for multi-use.

The two pockets are quite different; one is an elasticized pouch that is separated into 2 sections with velcro, you can easily stash a cell phone, nutrition bars or gels, a music player or other bulky items you may need for your walk, hike, or run. An added cool feature is a hook that you can put your key(s) on that then remains inside the pouch for added protection. So when reaching in to pull out a gel you won’t fumble and lose your keys while still on the move. The second pocket has a zipper and has a slim design so it is a great place for your id, emergency money or to put wrappers when you are finished eating.

The actual belt has a very sturdy design. It has some elasticity to it however it is firm. My first thought was that it may not be too comfortable for running however it was quite the opposite. After a 90 minutes run I had no chafing and found that the bottles did not jiggle up and down. I actually was able to run without thinking that I was wearing the Speed Belt.I like the large size of the bottles (10 oz) which means longer running before re-filling. Also, it gives me the flexibility to carry 2, 3 or 4 bottles depending on the duration of my activity. The rubber nozzles work great when opening and closing while on the run. The best feature may be the bottle holders and how you access them. With the Speed Belt, it is a one handed withdraw and a one handed put back. This is awesome and I love it! No more breaking stride or slowing to get a drink. As I mentioned before the bottles do not bounce up and down and are very secure in the holders.

I really do enjoy my Nathan Speed Belt 4 hydration and it has already become an important piece of training equipment for me. If you are interested stop by your local Running Free store and check out the selection of Nathan products or shop online here.

Happy training.