Running backpacks, vests and belts

I run a bit, and every now and then—okay, fine, exactly once—someone asked me for gear advice. So, instead of repeating myself over and over, I’ve written it all down here.

Backpacks and vests

When I started running more seriously, it was all about going on adventures and covering longer distances. Naturally, I went for the coolest gear; the Salomon ADV skin 12 (liter) running vest. It’s hands-down my favorite piece of gear. The vest (not a backpack!) is incredibly well-engineered, fits perfectly, and can carry everything I need for a running adventure. It holds my two 500 ml soft flasks, a water bladder, and has multiple mesh pockets (some zippered, some open), plus a large compartment in the back for bigger items.

Should you buy one, though? Probably not. You don’t need that much stuff unless you do unsupported runs longer than, maybe, 90 minutes or are participating in a mountain/trail/ultra race with significant mandatory gear requirements like some of the UTMB races or the less extreme Bergen Fjellmarathon, which I did with my girlfriend last year.

For shorter or less demanding runs, I now rely on one of two running belts. If I need to carry a bit more—for example, commuting with groceries or carrying stuff to and from the office —I use a 15-year-old North Face Recon daypack. While I could use the Salomon vest for these runs, it tends to get quite warm, so I prefer the more breathable and versatile backpack.

Belts

Haissky running belt

It’s a random brand found on Amazon with a simple velcro closure and three pockets. The three pockets are perfect as I can carry my phone, keys and AirPods separately. I use it for shorter runs. The Velcro, however, can be annoying—if the hook side doesn’t align perfectly with the loop, it can dig into your skin. At some point, I might trim the hook slightly to reduce the risk of user error.

Compressport Free Belt Pro

While the Haissky belt is great for carrying my essentials, I needed something more versatile for runs where I might want to carry an extra layer, a single water bottle, or some snacks. After seeing that many experienced trail runners use snug-fitting belts, I started researching and ended up following the advice of Youtuber Run4Adventure to choose one without pockets for maximum versatility.

I wanted to get the Naked running belt due to their granular sizing options, but it wasn’t available here in Denmark (or even Europe). So, I went with the Compressport Free Belt Pro instead. It’s a bit more cumbersome to put on, as you have to step into it and pull it up to your waist, but once it’s on, it fits perfectly and stays out of the way—similar to the Salomon vest.

Note on sizing: I measured myself to be 88-90 cm around the waist and ordered an XS/S as per the size-chart. However, I could barely get it past my knees! I ended up returning it and getting the M/L size, which fits snugly and comfortably.