Everyone knows that staying hydrated during exercise is essential. The question then becomes, what is the most convenient way to carry water with you? The most obvious choice is a traditional water bottle. It’s simple, cheap, and effective. But is it the best solution? Not necessarily. The world of running accessories offers smarter solutions. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best option depends on factors such as distance, intensity, and personal preference.
The “Bush Bottle” Trick – Not Exactly Genius
This solution is theoretically the simplest, requiring nothing more than a bottle of water. Leave the bottle in a familiar place, and run past it every 40 minutes or so to take a drink. The advantages of this solution are:
- Definitely simplicity, because all we need is a bottle of water.
- We don’t have to carry this water with us. This means we can leave more of it behind. We can leave a larger bottle behind.
However, the disadvantages are greater:
- First, you have to run around the same area repeatedly. If you drink every thirty minutes, you have to return to the same bush each time, which limits your ability to discover new routes.
- You also lose control over how often you drink. If it’s hotter than you anticipated and you need to drink every 30 minutes, you’ll have to shorten your loops. Otherwise, you won’t be able to drink when you need to.
- There is also a risk that someone will steal your water, hide it, or spill it, either intentionally or accidentally. You never know what might happen to your drink when you’re not around.
Personally, I think this solution is impractical. You can only drink from a bottle you’ve left behind if you’re running on a track.
Handheld Bottle – Fine for Short Runs
So, can you bring a bottle of water with you? Of course you can! The advantages are many.
- First, you don’t have to stick to a specific route or return to where you left your bottle at regular intervals.
- You have complete control over how often and how much you drink. If it gets warmer, you can always start drinking more often than originally planned. If it’s cooler, you can drink less often.
- No one will “steal” your bottle because you’re holding it in your hand.
All the disadvantages of the first solution are advantages here. However, this solution has one major disadvantage:
- You have to hold the water in your hand. You have to hold it in either your right or left hand. Your hands will get tired. First, the bottle is heavy. Second, one hand is different from the other. After one kilometer, you won’t notice it; after five, it will start to bother you; and after ten or fifteen, you’ll want to throw the bottle away.
In summary, the bottle solution is best for occasional use and shorter distances of up to 10 kilometers. For longer distances, you need a different solution so you don’t have to hold the bottle in your hand.
Hydration at Your Hips – Smart and Simple
The advantages are similar to those of running with a bottle in hand. After all, a water bottle on a belt is still just a bottle. So:
- You can run wherever and however you want, and you always have water with you.
- You have full control over how much and how often you drink, and you always have water with you.
- Your hands are free, so nothing weighs them down.
There is one potential disadvantage to this solution.
- Sometimes it can be difficult to adjust the belt so that it fits your body as well as possible. If the belt cannot be adjusted and flaps around too much, it will drastically reduce your running comfort. Therefore, it is worth choosing high-quality belts with elastic waistbands and trying them on before buying to ensure a good fit.
A well-fitting belt is very practical. Additionally, such belts often have extra pockets for storing energy gels, tissues, phones, and keys.
Hydration Vest – Built for the Long Run
The most advanced solution is a backpack or vest with a water bladder. It consists of a special backpack with a built-in water bladder that has a much larger capacity than a water bottle. Water bladders are available in one-liter, one-and-a-half-liter, and two-liter capacities.
Advantages of this solution:
- You can carry a large supply of water, so you should never run out, even on the longest runs.
- Additionally, you can fit more items in a backpack than in a hip belt. Apart from your phone, you can store a jacket, a map, and an ample supply of food (not just gels). Better backpacks also have pockets on the front shoulders for storing energy gels. This way, you will always have them at hand without having to take off your backpack and reach into the main pocket.
- Fit. These backpacks have many adjustment options for the shoulder straps and waist belts. You can adjust them to your body shape, outfit, or load. For example, a full backpack sometimes needs to be loosened at the shoulders to fit comfortably.
The backpack is such a comprehensive solution that it is difficult to find any drawbacks. The biggest one might be the price, because the best-fitting and lightest running vests can cost as much as a good pair of shoes – several hundred dollars.
- Price. The best-fitting and lightest running vests can cost as much as a good pair of shoes – several hundred dollars. However, it will usually last for many running seasons. Sometimes it’s worth spending more to have peace of mind for many years.
A backpack is the most common solution for long and very long distances. Ideally, for distances over 25-30 kilometers. For shorter distances, even the best backpacks, which fit the body like a vest, will be somewhat underutilized. Nevertheless, it will always be the most comfortable and practical solution. Though it is the most expensive.
