6 Best Running Belts, According to Fitness and Textile Experts

Stick all your essentials into the zippered pocket, tighten the belt strap around your waist and buckle up this lightweight running belt for short or long runs. The GH Institute's Assistant Commerce Editor and marathon runner incorporated this belt into her training runs. "I always thought a running belt would feel so heavy on my core and annoy me, but I moved the pouch part to my back with the buckle in front and I had no problems with it," she says. "I stuffed the belt with my keys, phone and running gels, but I could have easily fit more if I needed to."

This belt was one of the winners of the 2024 Good Housekeeping Best Fitness Awards and was tested by our experts at the GH Institute. Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour also uses this belt on her runs. She says, "It's so small that you think it won’t hold anything, but it actually holds an impressive amount including my phone, keys and cards. It’s also super simple and not bulky at all, which is ideal for me as a beginner runner."

Our Assistant Commerce Editor recommends this belt for items that you will not need to grab quickly while running, such as keys, cash, an ID, credit cards or your phone. "My only gripe with this belt is I do not run with a watch, so it was a bit annoying to unzip and take my phone out easily to change a song or check my pace because everything lays flat against each other," she says. "If you're trying to grab a running gel or use your phone, it may just take you a bit longer to grab them compared to a pocket."

If your running schedule overlaps with your early bird or night owl tendencies, you may find yourself running in the dark now and again. Stay visible by wearing reflective clothing — or a belt with reflective stripes. This budget-friendly running belt has reflective material around the zipper and neon colors to give drivers a heads-up that you're on the road.

Food Producer Tina Martinez says she always uses this belt on her outdoor runs. She loves how her phone and keys fit perfectly in the belt, says it "always stays in place" and is "easy to adjust." Plus, this adjustable belt is made from water-resistant material, so your items will stay dry as you sweat or run through light rain.

The double-layer pocket lays flat against your body and allows for easy access to your items. "I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max, and it fits great with plenty of room," one online reviewer says. "I can still take it in and out of the pouch to change my music fairly easily."

For those long runs in the summer when heat and humidity are at their worst, staying hydrated is critical as you sweat. It can improve your performance and well-being, according to a study from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). To make things easier, there are running water bottles with a handheld strap, like this one from Nathan Sports, but carrying a bottle in your hand isn't always ideal.

Luckily, this running belt from AiRunTech has two compartments for two 6-ounce or 10-ounce reusable water bottles. You can fill them with water or your favorite electrolyte drink; then double back to your house to refill them and continue your long run.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT and the GH Institute Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director, recommends this belt for its design. "It feels secure and didn’t bounce," Sassos says. "The sizeable compartment was able to hold my phone and gels easily, and it is reasonably priced and held up well through many long runs."

This sleek, thin running belt includes a zippered pocket to protect valuables, an internal key hook and three openings for you to securely put all your items. These easy-access openings make it easier to grab your phone or energy gels in stride. "I love how I can fit my phone, keys and money and then throw it in the wash," one tester says.

It's available in sizes XXS–XXL and 11 colors so you can choose from neutral tones to match your workout clothes or neon pinks and blues for a pop of color. The wraparound, stretchy belt design can prevent chafing and discomfort from a buckle, but this also means there's no option to adjust the sizing. This belt features zippers but if you want even easier access to your items, the brand also offers a zipper-free version for $5 less.

Sassos recommends Nathan Sports for its array of running belts, with the Hipster Training Pack being the brand's most popular choice online. The belt's pockets keep your items separate, meaning you won't drop your energy gels, keys and wallet onto the street while reaching for your phone — which is the last thing any runner wants while they're in the middle of a race.

Online reviewers love that the belt does not feel bulky, you can fit tons of items in the pockets and how stretchy the fabric is. "Here's the best part: once your things are anchored against your body, you don't feel a thing," one customer writes. "Everything feels perfectly weightless and secure with no shifting on the body. You forget your iPhone is on you."

The belt is only available in bright colors, but the storage space and lightweight feel make this belt perfect for long-distance races. Just pick a color that matches your race-day outfit or sneakers and you're good to go.

The Fast and Free Running Belt is designed to fit tightly along your hips or waist and minimize bouncing for maximum comfort. Recommended by Sassos, this belt is a fitness-enthusiast favorite for its sleek design, reflective detailing, roomy pocket and sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabric. The Lycra fabric creates stretch in the belt while maintaining stiffness to prevent the belt from slipping. It can be slightly adjusted and the buckle is small and thin, to keep it from digging into your stomach.

This belt is similar to the SPIbelt Running Belt with its adjustable belt, buckle and single pouch. This means all the items fit into one small, tight pocket making this belt better for storage than for grabbing items quickly mid-run. Our Assistant Commerce Editor also warns that the belts run small, so it's best to size up.