It’s an age-old problem, what do we do with all those essentials like mobiles and keys when we hit the track for a run. Some items you just can’t avoid having to take with you, so in this article, we will explore a variety of handy and innovative carry options for all the things you need to take with you on your runs. Join us as we show you how to carry stuff while running.
Everyone is familiar with the ubiquitous arm pouch for carrying your mobile phone. I always found these quite annoying to wear, especially in these days of huge and heavy mobile phones. Thankfully, there are many other excellent options available that are comfortable, convenient, and reduce the annoyance of carrying your essentials on the track.
In this post, we aim to take a look at some of these clever and innovative ideas.
So, what stuff exactly are we taking along for the ride when we run?
Everyone has their own idea of what they want to take along with them, and it will also depend on the type of run you are going to do.
The basics for most people seem to be a mobile phone, and house/car keys. Add to that a small amount of cash, a credit/debit card, maybe some ID such as your licence, and possibly a medical information card.
For short runs, you may be only interested in taking your phone and keys. On the long runs, you will be adding a water bottle, gels or chewables, medications if needed, and some cash or a card.
That’s a lot of stuff to carry, so let’s go through the options on how to carry stuff while running.
Running Armband.
The better arm band pouches are constructed from soft, flexible and comfortable materials such as neoprene. These come in a huge range of styles, colours, sizes, and prices.
You can generally find one to suit your phone and arm size if you decide that this is the most convenient way for you to carry your phone. They have adjustable straps for a perfect fit, but try it on first if you can, make sure the straps fit your arm, are comfortable, and don’t pinch the skin.
Some other features to look for are touch screen access through the clear front window and headphone cable ports and locators if you are not using Bluetooth headphones. Others may also have small pockets for items such as a key.
Tip: Look for an arm band with reflective strips for nighttime running, and also waterproofing to protect your phone.
Running Belt.
Here’s a very versatile option, the range of styles and designs of the running belt is practically endless, you can always find something you like.
These are very lightweight and are designed in such a way that the zippered pouch expands to contain your items.
They also reduce the amount of bounce you can get with other options as you run.
The belt part is elastic and adjustable to give a snug fit around your waist. Most designs use a soft elastic belt which prevents chaffing, have a sturdy snap-in buckle for quick and easy fitting, and incorporate a durable zipper.
These can be worn over your shorts and under or over your running top, whatever way you feel comfortable.
Some running belts also come with one or more water bottles as part of the design, but these add quite some weight and can bounce around a bit. However, this might be a good solution for long distance running where you don’t have access to drinking stations.
Many also have small elastic loops on the belt, which are ideal for snapping in gel sachets.
I have used these in marathons to carry my keys, gels, chewables, and ID, they have been comfortable throughout the whole event and easily contain all my gear. Properly fitted, the running belt will generally stay put throughout the run, negating the need for constant adjustment.
Always choose a waterproof running belt, especially if you are planning to carry your phone inside.
Tip: Running belts are an ideal way to carry essentials or valuables when travelling. Hidden under your clothing, this is a safe and handy way to carry things. There are many uses for the running belt aside from just running.
Running Flipbelt.
The Flipbelt is a variation of the Running Belt, and is a unique and very popular option.
Made of a machine-washable high-tech Spandex-Lycra blend material, these have an internal pocket system which is accessible via four openings located around the belt’s exterior. A bit like a one piece tube with four slit openings.
These pockets allow you to simply tuck your items into the pockets, and you then flip the belt over so that the openings are closed and secure against your body. There is a clip in one of the pockets which allows you to securely attach a key.
The belt is elastic, and contains no buckles or snap locks, you simply step into the belt and drag it up into position around your waist. If you have chosen the correct size, it cannot fall off or slide down, you can choose if you want a tight or a slightly loose fitting.
Wearing the Flipbelt is very comfortable, there are no Velcro joins or clasps.
Once again, this can be worn under your clothes and since it’s soft and bounce-free, it won’t chafe. It’s another great option for travellers, or everyday use if you don’t like to carry a purse or wallet when you are out and about.
Tip: The Flipbelt is the ultimate comfortable, chafe free, storage option which, once in position, is virtually undetectable as you wear it. Try a few on before you buy to be sure you get the right size.
Running Backpack.
These are a minimalist, lightweight variation of your normal backpack, with many examples also containing a water bladder and sipping tube for hydration whilst on the run.
Another more recent incarnation of these is the Hydration Vest. These are smaller but include many strategically placed pockets, elastic loops, and pouches. Some also have small water bottles attached.
Popular with long-distance runners, cyclists and hikers, these backpacks are a very convenient way to not only carry all your gear, but importantly, also your water.
Check out our post on 7 Ways To Run For Longer if you are considering attempting longer runs.
Running backpacks generally have soft wide shoulder straps for comfort on the long runs. The chest part of the straps often incorporate small elastic loops for gels or small pockets, which are also great for carrying other essential gear such as keys or snacks.
A highlight feature of the running backpack is the integrated water bladder. For long-distance runs, this is probably the most convenient and comfortable way to carry your water.
The weight of the water is distributed across your back inside the bladder, and secured by the backpack straps to minimise bounce. There is a tube running from the bottom of the bladder over the shoulder strap with a mouthpiece located in a convenient position making it easy to take a sip while running.
Tip: As a general rule, we would suggest taking water or an electrolyte drink with you on any run over one hour. You should also take along some form of carb top-up, such as energy gels, when running more than one and a half hours.
There’s a huge variety of these types of backpacks, so you should consider just how much storage you will need when shopping for one. Here are some other features to look out for –
- Waterproofing. Some of these backpacks have no waterproofing or are water-resistant only, ideally you should look for one that keeps your gear dry in a downpour.
- Pockets on straps. Since the shoulder straps are quite wide to assist in comfort, many designs have handy pockets incorporated in the chest straps as well.
- Gender-specific backpacks. Ladies, ask for these and test them out, the design of these can make all the difference to your comfort.
- Water bladder. How much water do you want to carry? A larger one may be handy on a hike or long trail run, you can partially fill it to save weight on shorter runs. No need to stop to take a drink.
- Reflective accents. These reflective strips on the backpack will help you with visibility if you plan on running at night or in dark areas. Another idea is to clip on a small flashing red light.
- Pockets. What other pockets are integrated into the backpack? Is there a pocket for your mobile? How many and what other items will you need to carry, are there enough compartments for all these?
- Waist strap. A waist strap can provide extra lock down the bottom of the backpack. This may be handy in cases of extreme hiking, or running that may induce a lot of bouncing.
- Size. Is the backpack too large or heavy for you personally? It may be advisable to invest in a couple of sizes, one small and one a bit larger, from which you can choose according to the type of run you are doing.
- Ventilation. Some backpacks have metal in the back straps which hold the body of the backpack clear of your body, allowing for ventilation between your back and the backpack. This is a boon for larger backpacks in hot weather.
Tip: Take a close look at the shoulder straps. Are these wide enough, so they don’t dig into your skin? Are they made from a soft material which won’t cause chafing? And finally, think about ventilation, a soft open mesh like strap will breathe much better in hot weather.
Running Shoe Wallet and Wrist Pouch.
Here’s a couple of nifty and handy ideas.
The shoe wallet is an expandable Lycra/spandex zippered pouch and is designed as a small stretch pocket to hold small items such as a key or money, for example.
Attachment to the shoe is via a secure clip onto your shoelaces and is thus comfortable and non-intrusive to wear.
Wrist pouches are a great option if you just need a little pocket for a key, some cash, or maybe a card. You can also carry small snacks this way, I’ve used these to take along some glucose jelly beans for energy in the late stages of marathons.
These are made of soft stretch fabric which you simply slip over your hand onto your wrist. They contain a handy small zippered pocket. See the pic above. Great for quick and access to your items.
Tip: Here’s a great idea if all you need to carry is your house, motel room, or car key. Tie it into your shoelaces. Here’s how. Untie one of the laces for two holes. Thread your key onto the lace, then re-thread the lace back through the two holes. Tuck the shaft of the key under a couple more of the cross ties to secure it, that way it won’t flop around as you run. Bingo, secure key. See the example pic below.
Camera Selfie Stick or Tripod For Running.
Check out the pic above, all of these tripods and selfie sticks are lightweight and hand-held. If love to take a small action camera with you on your runs, these hand held tripods and selfie sticks are a great way to take along the equipment you need to get some great shots.
All of these items are small and light enough to slip into your backpack or running belt if you don’t want to hold them in your hands.
I use a tiny, light weight Insta 360 Go 2 action camera which I can quickly attach to any of these accessories. When not in use or for quick and easy filming, the camera snaps into an angle adjustable cap or hat clip.
Running while carrying a small accessory such as one of these is easy and convenient.
Tip: Insta 360 have a tripod/extendable selfie stick combo that is small and light enough to simply carry in your hand as you run. Or pop it into your running backpack. This accessory has the standard 1/4” screw, enabling you to easily attach most types of action cameras. You’ll never miss taking some amazing footage with this handy accessory.
Other Ideas On How To Carry Stuff While Running.
- Purchase running clothes that include built-in pockets, such as shorts, tights, bra’s, and compression gear.
- Clear sealable plastic bags are great when you don’t have a waterproof solution available. Especially for mobile phones when you need to be able to see the screen or want to protect it from dust and water.
- Magnetic pockets/wallets that clip over the waistband of your shorts. The magnetic clip will connect through the fabric and keep it secure.
- Water bottles that have a screw off container on the bottom. It’s a bit like a little cup that screws onto the bottom of the drink bottle. Usually these are used for protein powder, but you can re-purpose it as a container for small items.
- Soft water bottles are also a great idea, they contract as you drink, reducing their overall carry size.
- Hand held water bottles, these have an elastic strap to fit over your hand, which negates the need to have a constant firm grip of the bottle during the run.
- Running Gloves. If you are running in cold weather and need gloves, look for ones that have a zippered pocket integrated into the wrist section.
- If you run with Fido, dog backpack harnesses are available, which you could use to store a few items. Just a small one for running, there are some bigger ones for hiking, but these might be too big and heavy for your best friend when running.
Wrapping It Up.
Hopefully we’ve presented you with a few great ideas on how to carry stuff while running. It’s been a lot of fun trying out all these options and seeing which ones work well in various running scenarios.
As you can see, there are many choices available for carrying your stuff when hitting the track. It doesn’t have to be a pain, most of these examples are well-engineered, comfortable, convenient, and secure.
For short runs or long-distance workouts, you should have no problem finding a storage solution that works for you from these examples.
Give a few a try and let us know in the comments if you use any of these, your experiences with them, or if you have seen or tried any other ideas.
Happy running
Steve
Frequently Asked Questions.
What items should I take with me when running?
As a minimum, you’ll need to take your car, house, or hotel room key, mobile phone, a small amount of cash or card, some ID including any critical medical information, medications. For longer runs, you’ll also need water and nutrition such as energy gels. If space permits, possibly a lightweight rain jacket. Don’t forget to make room for your Race Safety Kit for long events such as an ultra-marathon.
Should I carry food when running?
For runs under an hour, this is not usually necessary. However, for workouts over an hour and a half, you may need to take along some form of carb top up such as energy gels. In most circumstances, you won’t need to take solid food unless you need it, there are many small, lightweight energy options available such as energy gels or bars for example.
Can I simply tuck my phone into my bra?
These days, the running bra is a highly technical and vital piece of equipment. For proper support and to mitigate any chafing or irritation possibility, investment in a good quality running bra is essential. Many of these have small pockets built in for items such as a mobile phone. Don’t risk losing your phone, buy a bra with an integrated mobile phone pocket.
Water is so heavy, how can I carry water when running?
There are many great options for carrying water on a run. These are designed to reduce bouncing and distribute the weight, making it easier to carry. Running backpacks, for example, have water bladders and sipping tubes built in. Running belts often incorporate small water bottles, there are also hand held water bottles featuring a strap you can slip your hand through, making it less arduous to carry.
What sort of food should I take on my run?
Here are some nutrition ideas for your long runs. Energy gels, energy bars, energy chews, glucose jelly beans, fruit such as a banana, dried fruits including dates, frozen grapes. Steer clear of diary, high fibre, or spicy foods to avoid stomach upsets. A good idea is to test out various food options in practice runs to ensure there are no digestion problems during a big race.
Should I take cash on my run, and how much?
Yes is the short answer. Cash is a great way to ensure you are prepared for emergencies. You can use cash to buy water if you run out or something happens to your carried water. You can grab a taxi where available, if you become unwell or get injured on the run. Think about where you are going and how much money you would need for a taxi to determine how much to take. Cash is a great way to be prepared for unexpected emergencies.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to act on any of its content. It is always recommended you consult your healthcare practitioner before engaging in any activity that may affect your health.
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