Best Running Belts & Waist Packs 2024

Keep your hands free for high-fives during your run — hold your phone, hydration, nutrition and other essentials with a running belt.

A bouncing phone, chafing straps or lost keys are no good when you're out on a run. That’s why a running belt that fits around your waist is one of our favorite ways to carry all of your running essentials—it lets you focus on your run.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, preparing for a long trail run, walking the neighborhood or traveling to explore a new city, we rounded up the best running belts and waist packs to keep your essentials close and secure.

• FlipBelt Zipper
• Nathan Adjust Fit Zipper
• Amphipod Profile-Lite High Five-K™ Pack
• Nathan Marathon Pak
• SPIbelt Adult Large Pocket
• Nathan TrailMix Plus Insulated Hydration Belt
• Nathan Waistpack + Dog Leash - K9 Series

[This list is part of our Best Running Accessories Guide 2024. Load up your new running belt with the best running nutrition and you’ll be unstoppable on your runs. Looking for other ways to carry your gear or water? Round out your running kit with the best hydration belts and best hydration vests.]

Tips for Choosing the Right Running Belt for You

1. Storage: Before you decide on a storage belt to run with, consider what gear you’re planning to carry with you. Generally, the farther you’re going, the more storage you’ll need. You may only want a phone holder for running during short jogs around your street, whereas you may need something larger for carrying water and running nutrition or extra layers during long trail runs or marathon training.
2. Hydration: If you’re going on a run or walk longer than 60-90 minutes, it’s a good idea to carry some water with you. Many running belts have pockets or holsters for water bottles, so you can stay hydrated on your run.
3. Fit: When your belt doesn’t fit right it can bounce, chafe or ride up during your run. Running belts are designed to carry your load close to your stomach or back and fit snugly around your hip bones to minimize extra movement.

The FlipBelt Zipper makes it easy to run with your phone, keys and cards. It’s made from a tube of stretchy athletic fabric that lies flat around your waist. Three horizontal openings in the belt give you multiple access points for nutrition, keys and cards, while a zipper pocket lets you secure your phone and other valuables.

The snug fit holds your gear close to your body, so it doesn’t bounce, ride up or slip down while you’re working out. Just step into the FlipBelt Zipper like a pair of pants and off you go. This discreet belt also works well if you are traveling or at a concert.

Plus, FlipBelt designed separate Arc water bottles that are ergonomically engineered to fit into the FlipBelt and come in both 11oz and 6oz sizes.

The Nathan Adjust Fit Zipster is similar to the FlipBelt but with one key difference: It has a simple clip and easily adjustable belt that lets you personalize your fit for your run.

The Adjust Fit Zipster also includes two zippered, weather-resistant pockets that let you carry your phone, keys or a snack. It’s made from lightweight mesh that stretches to conform to your waist for a super comfortable and sleek fit.

If you’ve decided you want to carry water with you, the Amphipod Profile-Lite High Five-K Pack comes with a 16oz Hydraform™ Bottle that slips right into an insulated sleeve on the belt to give you easy access to your water while running or walking.

This running belt also has a sweat and weather-resistant pouch that keeps all of your running essentials in one place. Compared to some of the other running belts with water bottles included on this list, one of the unique features of this Amphipod High Five-K Pack is that you carry the water bottle on the small of your back as opposed to the sides or front. Easily clip this fully-adjustable running belt around your waist for a no-bounce run.

Perfect for runners or walkers, the Nathan Marathon Pak gives you more of a classic fanny pack style in a lightweight and versatile package. A large front zipper pocket can fit most plus-sized phones and comes with a divider to organize your other essentials.

If you’re running a marathon or on a long training run, loops around the outside of the belt let you easily access your energy gels and nutrition while a trash stash pocket helps you leave no trace.

For a minimalist running belt, the SPIbelt Adult Large Pocket comes with one stretchy pocket that expands or contracts to accommodate smartphones as well as your headphones, keys, ID or even medical supplies. It’s a favorite among marathon runners because it’s bounce-free, comfortable and ultra-lightweight.

Perfect for running, hiking, working out and travel, a sturdy buckle lets you easily clip the belt on and off and an adjustable strap helps you dial in the perfect fit.

The Nathan TrailMix Insulated Hydration Belt is perfect for marathon training, trail runs and long hikes. Two 10oz insulated water bottles keep your water cool on hot days and attach on each side of your hips. It also comes with a large zippered pocket to hold your phone, cards, keys or even an inhaler and sits against the small of your back.

There are two additional loops on each side that give you quick and easy access to gels or nutrition. If you have a budget you’re looking to stay under, the Nathan TrailMix Plus 2 has all of the same features but with non-insulated bottles.

Like running with Fido? The Nathan Waistpack + Dog Leash - K9 Series makes running with a dog belt easy. This running waist pack gives you storage for all of your essentials and doggy supplies. Plus, it lets you run without having to hold onto your dog’s leash—a guideline on the pack lets you clip the leash to your waist and will slide side-to-side as your dog searches to find the best scents. It also comes with handles at both ends when you need to control your pup.

To top it off, 360 degrees of reflectivity keeps you and your best friend visible in low-light conditions. The Nathan Waistpack + Dog Leash - K9 Series is one size fits most and adjustable to find the perfect fit.

How We Picked the Best Running Belts

With over 45 years of experience, Fleet Feet is the expert in running. What makes the perfect belt for a runner comes down to the personal experience, goals, preferences and style of that runner. At Fleet Feet, we have been helping runners pick out the right gear for decades and want to pass that knowledge on to you.

We use a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, seasonal trends and our own top-seller lists to pick out the best waist belts for running. With all that in mind, we picked gear that lived up to our personal (and professional) expectations and we think they will live up to yours as well.

Standing Behind Our Picks

We picked the best running belts based on what we think will work for the most people in the most situations. If you buy any gear from us and you don’t love the way it looks, fits or performs, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund.

Plus, we offer free shipping on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.