You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Thinking of going down this dark route...
Mainly for trail/mountain running but also may get used on the bike.
Under 13-15 mile runs, I tend not to take water or food and over that distance I will wear a hydration vest.
However, with the annoyingly large size of phones these days, I can’t carry my phone unless I’m taking my vest, so often leave it behind, which is not sensible.
I’d also like to be able to carry a waterproof and gloves on shorter runs in the winter.
Anyone use anything that actually works, doesn’t bounce around, or cause a distraction?
Needs to fit an ultralight waterproof, phone and a gel, that’s about it
Seen the options, just after some real world opinions on any folk have used
Cheers
Evoc 1l user here. Perfect for exactly your requirements.
I've got an OMM one which I use for fell races and runs where I don't need to carry water or extra kit. It has a bungee you can use to compress it if you're carrying less. Works pretty well.
https://theomm.com/product/waist-pouch/
I have an Ortlieb waist bag I bought for riding but I've used it running too. It has very good waist belt so doesn't bounce around and will easily take all you have listed. Fully waterproof and usual Ortlieb robustness.
However, my wide bought me a UD running vest last year so I use that instead now. What's the reason not to take the vest on those shorter runs since you have it anyway?
The evoc and omm ones are top of my list, along with the Nathan vaporkrar... good to hear that they work
Not keen on wearing a vest if I can help it, especially on short fast runs, fell runs etc.
I just find them restrictive and just too bulky and sweaty when I don’t need to carry water and stuff, fine on long runs where pace is slower and I need to carry more kit though
Dump the phone. Feels weird at first. I reasoned that in the last 10 years I've never needed it. Would I keep taking out anything else that I didn't use? No, I'd get rid. Yes there may be that one time I need it, unlikely to be a life/death situation. Liberating in a small way.
@lotto I run without a phone most of the time on short runs but Im often very remote and in pretty unforgiving terrain, so I’m starting to feel a bit irresponsible not having a safety line, with two small kids at home. Plus my wife is always giving me grief for leaving my phone at home
Buy UK from small company they need all the help they can get just now;
https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/product/rucksacks-bags/bum-bags/t012/
Great packs. I have the large version which would be too big for running but is great for walking and biking.
Evo 3l pack without bladder 1 bottle on the pack 1 on the frame , pack has tube + plug kict small pump plus co2 setup 2 levers multitool , cable a set of pads , chain link tool and link and a few cable ties, also add samsung s20 and a few gels ect enough for a 20+ miler
I've an old specialized one, prob from the late 80's. Huge amount of room and 2 bottle holders, plus lots of straps to pull it in tight or secure a jacket. Nice little pockets to for keys and other small things and being little they dont rattle about in there.
And old inov8 was my default.but i bought a salomon recently. £20 with triangular bottle. I would usually only take a drink if out for more than 2 hours on a run, but it is so comfy i find i use it all the time and on the bike. Big fan
Evoc hip pack pro user and bloody love it. If you get the Evoc make sure you get the newest one its got a better buckle closing system which stops it bumping around. I would say I use it for 99% of my rides, only time I didn't use it was Ardmoors and Ardrock because they have limited water stops. I use the bladder and store a few bits on my bike but would say its pretty much been a revelations and will never use a big back pack again.
Best I found was a Mountainsmith lumbarpack. I bought mine in Vail, in 1993 at the Worlds, and used it for years, it’s in a cupboard upstairs, and I keep forgetting it’s there, it’s still in good nick, and Mountainsmith still make them. Not cheap, but looked after will last practically a lifetime!
https://mountainsmith.com/2020-toursmall-lumbar.html
Mine is exactly the same as this one:
Some people seem to get on fine with it but I really dislike a bumbag once you need to carry more than about a kilo of stuff.
That looks like it'd be rejected as carry-on baggage 😁
Bontrager do a nice little one. Can't remember what it's called though, might be the Rapid.
@joepud when was the evoc pro updated and how do you tell which is which?
I use the Bontrager one on the bike. Doesn't move around at all. Is perfect for carryingg a small amount of stuff.
https://www.alltricks.com/F-41498-bagagerie/P-268941-bontrager-rapid-pack-black
You can put a light waterproof jacket in the mid section that's meant for a water bottle.
Alternatively you could get a small robust phone for runs and switch your SIM in ?
We have a couple of old Moto g3 phones on a payg sim for riding and emergencies.
Solves the big phone issue.
At the smaller end of the size spectrum I have an older version of this. Holds phone and keys, could fit in a gel or thinny gloves too at a pinch. Sits pretty stable as the pouch and triangular bits that hold it on to the belt are stretch neoprene (or something similar) reducing bounce. The belt is quite wide so doesn't squash your middle too much. If taking a spare top or waterproof I tie it round my waist by the sleeves.
https://runningbear.co.uk/ultimate-performance-titan-runners-waist-pack/
All of my (maybe 6 pairs?) Of running shorts take a phone in the pocket, I always take it, as you never know when a photo opportunity presents itself.
Don't feel it bouncing around at all, even on very long runs, in the pocket with it.
Agree with Spin, it's the weight that makes them a pita running, keep it light and they're fine. Not as much of an issue biking.
I've several waist packs I use for riding and running. The most stable and comfortable by quite a margin is the bontrager rapid pack linked to above. It's very small though, room for a few tools, gels etc and yes you can get a lightweight layer in the middle pocket that's meant for a bottle. Its even reasonably stable running with a bottle in the middle pocket.
Its not waterproof, mind. The other alternative is one of those stretchy running belts, I've a couple of those. Room for a phone and a gel and nowt else at all.
That looks like it’d be rejected as carry-on baggage
What, the Mountainsmith bag? It ain’t as big as you might think, it’s 9 litre capacity, way smaller than it might look in the photo, and smaller than an average carry-on; I’ve got one, I know how big it is.
I have a couple I use. The OMM waist pouch mentioned above would definitely be my recommendation. Very light and unobtrusive
I have the latest version of the Evoc Pro with the bladder. Carries a fair quantity of stuff, but I need to have the belt super tight or it feels like it's hanging down. After using it for a few weeks I had a groin strain and a damaged hip flexor. Probably complete coincidence but I am now wary of it. Used for mtb, not running.
Evoc pro 3L for everything from short to long trail runs, riding and dog walking. Poo bags on the left hip, antibacterial gel on the right. Its great if a little heavy for short trail runs.
Bought an inov8 one that lasted about a month before the zip failed so the Evoc is the allrounder atm.
the dream is to own around 50-100 different bumbags though.. same way as your missus collects sneakers.
all colourways, all occasions.