New Balance: Sport Hydro Belt - Review Part II

Sorry, New Balance: Sport Hydro Belt, you suck.  I mean, it had so much potential!  The pocket was huge and the zipper seemed sturdy.  The bottle leaked.  While I ran, it leaked.  When I drank, it leaked all over my hand.  I tried recapping it but nope, it leaked.  Maybe it's just a bad bottle.  A very BAD bottle.

When I drank from it, the water gurggled out.  There was so much air coming out with it, I felt I'd choke.  I did, once, but nothing bad.  The nozzle is also really hard, not good for when you're bouncing and running around.  I didn't like the bottle AT ALL.  It's also hard to squeeze, I'm used to my Nathan one.  The only good thing about the bottle is the red cap and lettering.  It gets 0/5 Bears.

The belt.  Oh, the belt.  It bounced around a lot, even with a heavy water bottle weighing it down.  I tried readjusting the straps, which seemed to loosen up as the belt rode up or down.  I finally got them tight enough but it was only because I pushed it all the way down my hips.  I felt it'd slip down at any second, it ended up going on the stroller.  The pocket was really roomy, I'm sad it didn't work out.  The belt gets 1/5 Bears because it had a super awesome pocket that I know I could fill up with stuff come race day (camera, very important!).

Also, when I tried taking the bottle out of its holder, I struggled so much I had to stop.  I was wrestling with the belt, it was hard putting the bottle back in, too.  I'm guessing the netting would get looser with time, but it's not something you can ignore.  I don't think I would drink as much water if I had to beat up the belt for my water.  I didn't, I ended up with 1/3 of the bottle full, I usually drink it all.

In short, I'm returning it today and visiting Academy to try on new belts.  I don't think this belt is meant for runners, it'd be great for walkers!  Having it tried out, I might buy it for my sister online (she walks e/day) but maybe for $8-$12.  It's certainly not worth $22.  Eh.

See Part I with more pictures on my other post.


Rating: 0.5/5 Bears (I would not recommend)

New Balance: Sport Hydro Belt - Review Part I

I bought the New Balance Sport Hydro Belt today while shopping at Target. I had been looking for a new... pocket while running. My jogging capris don't have pockets and the only place to put my phone in is a Micropack Satellite(TM) by amphipod, looks like this:

You can find it here online.

I don't recommend it unless you'll use it while walking.  As soon as you speed up a little, it starts to bounce.  It's the perfect size, it won't come off, but it'll annoy you to no end.  I dislike.

I've given it a lot of chances, but the only way it works is by making its pockets face your body.  Basically, clipping it on the wrong way.  It rubbed on my skin, duh.  Didn't work.

Sorry, Micropack Satellite, you suck. 

I spent $22 on the new (let's call it what it is) fanny pack. It's for running, so I don't think I'll be less cool. My street cred holds, thankyouverymuch. 

I don't think I've ever purchased anything from NB but it's great that they sell their stuff at Target. I don't like to always order online, it was nice that I could try it on in the aisle and bounce up and down. I did, a couple of times--to test it out.  A lady looked at me and turned away.  I don't care, I had to see if it'd be annoying to run with it.  No bounce, but we'll see tomorrow after my run.

I'm picky and crazy, I like red.  E/thing in my house is red except for the kids.  I like that the top and zipper are somewhat red.  Just saying.

Just in case I couldn't figure it out, the back has a list of all the cool things this fanny pack can do.  The water bottle isn't anything fancy, but I can fit in my Nathan one.  

The bottle is smaller by 2 oz, but that's ok b/c I plan on carrying an extra one and leaving it in the car.

There are a couple of cool things I wanted to point out, but what are words compared to pictures.

It's nice that it has "belt retainers" so the straps don't whip you as you run.

The cap drips if you turn it upside-down, eh.

Replaced it with my Nathan one.  Much better!

It fits my camera, phone and keys with room. 

I like switching songs e/4 seconds, won't use this.

I will take it on my run tomorrow morning, I hope it doesn't bounce!  It has a lot of potential.