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If you answered yes to any of these, you may have the runs. If you answered yes to ALL of them, you definitely do!

Gear Review: Amphipod RunLite AirStretch 2

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Continuing my search for a hydration system that would work for my longer training runs, I have picked up an Amphipod RunLite AirStretch 2.


After dealing with the limited storage space offered by the Delaney DC I figured what could be better than a belt were I can add as much storage as I need.

The first thing I noticed about this belt was that there was no clasp or tightening straps. The Velcro system on the belt made sure it fit nice and snug and I never had an issue with it slipping or needing to be tightened.

The belt came with a pouch in the back and two bottles for hydration, but there are all sorts of ways you can customize this belt to your needs. Since I like extra storage, I purchased a secondary pouch that easily slid onto the belt.


The second pouch was perfect for my phone and a couple of gels. Now if there was somewhere I could put some GU Chomps for the really long runs. Hey! What do you know? Amphipod has something perfect for that.

I felt like Batman as I strapped all the cool things to my running utility belt and prepared to head out for my long run.
No, that's not me, but you have to admit, it's a cool costume.
This is when I discovered that the two flasks that came with the belt were only 10.5 oz each. This would mean that I would have to make more stops to refill my drinks.  I could add another flask to my belt but it would only bring my total fluid capacity to 31.5. I was hoping for at least 40 oz. Adding more flasks would help but the belt was getting pretty crowded by now.

This was when my infatuation of the RunLite began to fade. Not only were the flasks small but with narrow mouths they were a little messy to refill on the fly. Then there is the fact that I constantly lose my water bottles. I don't think I've ever returned home from an event with the same number of bottles I left with. Unfortunately none of the water bottles I've received as race swag would work with this belt so I would have to buy new flasks to replace the lost ones.

Although I do like the customization ability of this belt I think I will have to continue my search for a hydration system that suits me completely. However, I will keep this one on hand for my shorter runs where 21 ounces of fluid and a bag of GU Chomps are sufficient fuel.



 

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousNovember 29, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    FYI, if you're loosing bottles, you're doing it wrong. I mountain bike on intense downhill trails through rock gardens and send up to 5' drops with an Amphipod belt without ever having lost a bottle. If you don't click it in properly, you'll lose it, but if you get the click secure, it won't ever come out.

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