I have gone in and out of the running belt game over the years. In fact, one of the first posts we ever published on Run Oregon—about a dozen years ago—was about my first running belt. I didn’t really know much about anything at the time, but I remember thinking it was pretty groundbreaking compared to trying to stuff everything into my pockets. And those pockets were on gym shorts, so… man, what a time.
I got my running act together after that, and the belt stuck around. But as running gear evolved, it gradually disappeared from my regular rotation. Shorts started getting better pockets. Bras got pockets on the back. Handheld bottles came with storage. And then came running vests with enough pockets to carry what seemed like everything short of a kitchen sink.
I’ve always owned a running belt, but there have been stretches of months—or longer—when I barely touched one. The new norda x Raide LF 2L Running Belt has me reconsidering that.
This collaboration between norda and Raide Research is, without question, the best running belt I’ve ever used. And after several weeks of wearing it, I’m finding myself reaching for a belt again in situations where I probably would have grabbed a vest before.
Disclaimer
Let’s get the elephant out of the way up front: this belt costs $150.
That’s basically a pair of running shoes. Not everyone can spend that much on a running belt, and plenty of runners simply won’t want to. But if comfortable, secure storage is something you need regularly on your runs, this is one worth looking at.
The Bounce Problem
The biggest thing that has always kept me from using running belts more consistently is the fit. Sure, a little bouncing can be manageable. But manageable isn’t the same thing as comfortable.
I wore a belt during the Cherry City Half Marathon recently and, overall, it did its job. But at one point I wanted to move my phone from the front pocket around to the back. That simple change resulted in an absolutely ridiculous amount of bouncing. It was distracting enough that I immediately moved it back.
And that pretty much sums up my relationship with running belts over the years: They’re useful, but sometimes they’re just annoying enough that I’d rather use something else.
The norda x Raide LF 2L is billed as a no-bounce belt, and while I’m generally suspicious of anything that promises no bounce, this comes closer than anything I’ve used. Four flexible plastic stays and a 3mm foam cushion in the rear pocket help keep the belt close to your lower back instead of letting it move around independently.
The fit is also easy to dial in. Rather than fighting with some complicated tightening system, the belt uses a Velcro-adjustable buckle system. Put it where you want it, tighten it down, and go. That sounds like a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you’re trying to get a secure, personalized fit.
Pockets That Actually Work
The other common running-belt problem is storage. Belts obviously don’t want to become giant fanny packs, but the result can sometimes be pockets that are so minimalist that getting anything in or out becomes its own little adventure. I’ve been there.
During that Cherry City Half, I was trying to maintain something close to PR pace while simultaneously attempting to retrieve a gel from a zipper pocket that apparently had decided it was going to spend the rest of the race with me. Not ideal.
The norda x Raide has considerably more usable storage. There are two large storage pockets, with the rear pocket offering enough stretch to accommodate things like a soft water bottle or lightweight jacket (and much more). The front pocket is divided into four sections, which makes it easy to separate smaller items like gels, headphones and other running essentials.
Hydration
The belt also comes with a custom 650mL HydraPak flask designed specifically to integrate with the rear pocket. That’s a nice addition because it gives the belt some legitimate hydration capability without requiring you to add a separate bottle.
For shorter runs, you may not need it at all. But for longer efforts where you want more than a couple of gels and a phone, having 650mL of water available makes the belt considerably more useful.
Construction
The belt weighs around 5 ounces depending on size and is constructed from 150 gsm 70D stretch nylon with a 3mm x 3mm ripstop coating. The construction is focused on keeping the belt secure while providing enough structure and storage to make it genuinely useful. And after several weeks of use, it has held up well.
It stays put. It doesn’t bounce around like the belts of my past. The pockets are actually useful. It carries a decent amount of gear. And the included 650mL flask makes it more capable than your typical “phone and a couple gels” running belt.
The Belt Is Back, Baby
I didn’t expect a running belt to become one of the pieces of gear I’ve been reaching for most often lately. But here we are. I’ve never worn a running belt as consistently as I have over the past few weeks. And that’s saying something.
The norda x Raide LF 2L doesn’t necessarily replace a vest for every run. BUT IT COULD! If I’m carrying a bunch of gear, multiple layers, or a significant amount of water, I may still reach for a vest, but the storage and fit here are as up to the task as anything.
Is it worth $150?
That’s the part you’ll have to decide for yourself. $150 is a lot of money for something that, at its core, is a strip of fabric you wear around your waist. But after years of running belts coming and going from my rotation, the norda x Raide LF 2L has managed to do something I didn’t expect: an exclamation of “The belt is back!”
