Details
Brand
SPI
Model
SPIbelt
Use
Storage
Key Features
• Stretchy nylon and spandex construction• Adjustable belt (up to 47-inches)• Comes in various color choices• Fits phones of up to 6.5-inches• Can be worn on the front or back of the body• Sleek design that doesn’t look or feel bulky (can be worn on top or beneath clothing)
Comfort
The whole point of this waist pack is to secure your items so you can easily carry them on a training run or during a race. Nobody wants to carry their phone or gels for miles all while they’re bouncing around. The SPIbelt is totally adjustable (from 24 to 47-inches), so you can make sure it stays put while you run. Even when it’s full, it remains in place, say reviewers. The majority of reviewers didn’t see to notice the pouch while they were running, which is, of course, precisely what you want in a waist accessory.;Naturally, the belt won’t work for every single runner. Some will find that the belt rides up, especially those with more of an hourglass shape. If you put a lot of stuff in the SPIbelt, it will bounce a little bit and be more noticeable around your waist or hips. How comfortable it will feel for you also depends on how you choose to wear it – at the waist or the hips.
Size
The SPIbelt works for those with waists from 24-inches to 47-inches. You don’t need to bother choosing between small and large, though, all SPIbelts are adjustable. When it comes to the actual pouch where you stuff your items, the company claims that it can fit larger phones, but some commented that this required some extra fiddling to finally get the pouch to zip. The entire waist accessory is actually quite small so, unless you’re stuffing it to the brim, it shouldn’t look odd or bulky under your shirt (or over it, for that matter). It’s also super lightweight all by itself, so you don’t have to worry about any kind of significant initial load. If you’re someone who needs to carry a whole lot of stuff on the run or you’re trying to gear up for a race such as a trail ultra, the SPIbelt is probably not for you. For runners training in non-remote areas who want to bring along their phone for safety, some energy gels, and keys, the pack provides enough room while distributing the weight quite well.
Accessories
The SPIbelt isn’t compatible with any accessories, but there’s no reason you couldn’t double up and wear two of these belts for longer races or training runs. One downside is that you can’t clip any kind of hydration to the SPIbelt but that’s really not the purpose of the accessory anyhow. The whole idea behind the SPIbelt is to reduce the amount of gear you need to carry on your person, leaving your hands free and your pockets a little lighter.
Use
While it can be used to carry a variety of objects, the expandable pouch is perfect for fitting all types of Smartphones. There are very few runners nowadays who run without a phone, and the SPIbelt is the ideal compartment to store your iPhone or Android device safely. Of course, it’s also a good option for storing gels or keys. Since the pouch zips closed, you don’t need to worry about dropping anything that’s inside. You can wear the pack so that the pouch is behind you, this keeps things out of the way, but you’ll need to fiddle a little bit to get your stuff when you need it.;With the SPIbelt, you’ll always have a place to store your stuff. Wearing shorts or pants with no zip pocket or your phone doesn’t quite fit? No problem. The SPIbelt provides that extra bit of space that’s out of the way and comfortable to wear, so you don’t have to stuff your phone in your bra or weigh the pros and cons of leaving it behind.
Style
It’s a sleek product and since you’ll likely be wearing it underneath your shirt or just at your pant or short waistline, chances are, it won’t even be noticed or seen by others. Still, you have plenty of color options to choose from. There are solid colors, including the always classic black, and options with patterns and prints, if you want to add a bit of personality to your outfit.
Durability
The SPIbelt won’t last forever, but it does hold up quite well. Most reviewers got years of use out of their belts, and that was of heavy use. The SPIbelt retains its stretch for a while and even when you stuff it full of items, it manages to go back to its original shape, which is quite impressive. It’s easy to tell that the pouch is made of quality materials. For your money, you’ll be getting plenty of life out of this accessory. It’ll definitely last longer than your running shoes! It’s not something you’ll need to upgrade either as you might with a piece of technology.
Breathability
The material on the SPIbelt is meant to dry quickly, but you don’t exactly want the fabric to be too permeable, so all your stuff gets wet. It does come in a water-resistant version if you happen to run in wet weather a lot. The non-water resistant version does seem to protect electronic against sweat, however, but if you’re a heavy sweater, it might be a good idea to pack your stuff in plastic baggies for extra protection. It’s probably better to be safe than have a damaged phone on your hands, in any case, and go with the plastic bag method of packing your items. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of safely stowing your iPhone in your SPIbelt only to have it succumb to water damage. It’s probably the biggest flaw of the SPIbelt. It seems like an oversight to not use a waterproof material for the pouch portion of the accessory, and many reviewers found this to be the most prominent missing feature of the SPIbelt.
Price
For such a versatile piece of running gear, the SPIbelt is super affordable. It’s durable, so you won’t need to replace it every year and it does exactly what it’s meant to. Reviewers were impressed with the value they got out of the SPIbelt. It’s a long-lasting piece of running gear that’s well worth its relatively low price point.
Bottom Line
If you don’t mind the feel of having something around your waist, and you need a good place to store your items while you run, the SPIbelt is an excellent option. It provides a nearly universal adjustable fit, an expandable storage area, and a sleek design that won’t look obvious or bulky to others around you. It’s a great way to keep your stuff protected and avoid the unwanted bounce of pocket storage. Keep your pockets free for things like dog poop bags (if you run with your pooch) or tissues (for when the cold weather gives you the sniffles). The SPIbelt is a great inexpensive running accessory that’s good for storing plenty of run-related stuff. Even if you prefer to run without a waistband on most of your runs, it’s a good option for storing fuel (gels, chews, etc.) when your Sunday long run comes along. The only real downside? The pouch isn’t waterproof, so sweat and rain can permeate the nylon fabric. To get around that, runners have opted to use ziplock to store their more delicate items. It’s a definite drawback, but otherwise, the SPIbelt fits well, doesn’t bounce excessively and stays put even when running hard.
