The GOAT of Hydration Belts: The Endorphin Belt

There are quite a few things on a runner’s gear wish list that they are always on the hunt for. The perfect shorts, the best shoes, the most comfortable sports bra, the best blister-preventing socks. The list goes on. But the perfect runner’s belt is one that’s pretty important, because if you’re any sort of distance runner, you need to make sure that the things you carry for essential survival out there work well. And this is where the Endorphin Belt comes in.

The founder of the Endorphin Belt, (a marathoner, ultra-marathoner, and Army Ranger) created it because he was frustrated with what was already out there. All the belts he tried bounced or rode up and had limited space inside for all the things he needed to carry. Moreover, many were bulky and just didn’t fit well. This is how The Endorphin Belt came to be.

Looks

At first glance, the Endorphin Belt looks like many other belts, but that’s kind of what’s great about it. It’s not big and bulky and it looks very simple. However, when you look closer, you’ll see it has a lot of storage built into 3 compartments. There’s a mesh pocket, a zippered pocket, and a couple of loops. It’s also got a easy snap closure and it’s adjustable.

Function & Construction

The Endorphin Belt is not cheaply made. It’s very durable and I can tell it will hold up well just by how it feels. The zippered pocket is waterproof and it’s nice and roomy. Due to the way it folds when it’s closed, it looks very narrow until you open it, at which time you can see that there is a large capacity for many things inside. It can easily hold a cell phone and likely many other things as well such as keys, cards, or whatever else you don’t want to leave behind. There’s even a little divider in there to separate things.

The other pocket, which is a mesh pouch on the opposite side of the belt, also has a decent amount of room. The mesh pocket helps lend to breathability, so it would be an excellent place to keep a hydration bottle or flask up to 16 oz.

Lastly, there are 2 nutrition storage loops which are perfect for things like gels, bars, or even tubes of electrolyte or salt tabs. They have rubberized “grippies” on the inside that should hold those in place really well.

Fit

The belt can adjust between 25 inches and 38 inches at the waist, so there’s quite a bit of wiggle room for your comfort. Some folks like to wear a belt on their hips and some on the waist, so this will give you options. The dual adjustment design on opposite sides of the belt will also help with evening out weight distribution so you feel balanced on your run.

The belt is very lightweight at only 3.1 oz and best of all, it doesn’t bounce when you run. It will move with your body, not in defiance of it.

Overall/For Consideration

Finally, a belt that checks all the boxes! The Endorphin Belt has a simple design but holds a lot without the bulk of typical hydration belts. It’s made of high-quality materials, it distributes weight equally on both sides of the body, and it’s bounce-free! I’m looking forward to taking this belt on many great adventures, including a relay since it packs up nice and small.