CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz Assessment – iRunFar

When, earlier this 12 months, I considerably by accident discovered myself signed up for the Revenant, New Zealand’s model of the Barkley Marathons, I opted to put on the CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz ($60) for additional storage capability along with a working vest in order that I might carry 17 hours of meals, some water, plus an in depth obligatory gear checklist. I contemplated different belts, however finally, this was the one which had all of the options and storage that I needed.

Whereas the Extremely Belt is decidedly not as svelte and modern as different tube-style working belts, it greater than makes up for its barely clunky look with its distinctive performance and two-liter gear capability. I acquired my first model of this unisex belt practically a decade in the past from a CamelBak rep buddy who was unloading his previous samples. It was my first working belt, and I beloved it — principally as a result of I had nothing to match it to and since it was free (important for the brand new dirtbag runner). It didn’t have the clear strains or the model recognition of Salomon, nevertheless it held my water and snacks securely, and I used it for a whole lot upon a whole lot of miles in these early years of my working.

Now, as a gear editor, I’ve spent the last decade since that first belt utilizing and testing numerous different working belts. And, whereas the aesthetics of the CamelBak Extremely Belt nonetheless really feel questionable, its present iteration stays some of the purposeful working belts I’ve ever used. With an precise weight of three.2 ounces (91 grams) for measurement small/medium, this belt is comparatively mild for what it will probably match. It has six pockets prepared to carry water, a cellphone, and sufficient snacks for a number of hours. Plus, it will probably carry a pair of foldable trekking poles on the again.

CamelBak provides a number of small and helpful options, together with reflective hits on the back and front, in addition to small loops on the entrance to connect a race bib. The fabric is stretchy and smooth, and I respect that it has sufficient give to permit me to get it over my hips with out having to squirm an excessive amount of.

Store the CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz

CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz Storage and Hydration Choices

The CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz offers quick access to hydration and snacks with massive pockets on the back and front. Each of those pockets open on the prime and maintain the included 17-ounce CamelBak Fast Stow flask. I’ve run with two flasks — one within the entrance and one within the again — nevertheless it begins to really feel overloaded with that a lot liquid when paired with meals and a cellphone. The entrance pocket encompasses a small bungee wire that secures the highest of the pocket, offering further safety.

In contrast to many belts, this one has a fairly large zippered pocket that I take advantage of to carry small unfastened objects like chapstick, sunscreen, and automobile keys. The entrance pocket additionally completely holds a pair of EpiPens when you’re unfortunate sufficient to hold that 93 additional grams of weight round everytime you run. This pocket isn’t fairly large enough to carry bigger telephones, together with mine — a Pixel 7a with a big case on it — however the backside expands out to create a number of quantity when full, and folds again on itself properly when empty. When wandering round within the New Zealand backcountry whereas looking for e-book pages throughout the Revenant, I used this entrance pocket to carry the collected pages, assured that the zipper would hold them from getting misplaced. When it rained all night time, I found that this entrance pocket isn’t waterproof. A reflective stripe on this pocket will increase low-light visibility, as does the reflective CamelBak emblem.

The smaller pocket on the proper facet is a straightforward open-top pocket. The stretchy mesh simply holds gels and bars. The pocket is wider on the backside than the highest, offering a bit of additional safety whenever you stuff it filled with energy. The left facet has two overlaid pockets. The again options a regular open-topped pocket, wider on the backside than on the prime, and a smaller outer pocket with a fold-over flap. This pocket additionally has a key hook.

The again of the belt has two bungees that may maintain both a pair of collapsible trekking poles, a jacket, or an additional layer. The bungees tighten by pulling downward, which is decidedly the simpler approach to safe poles slightly than having to tug up on bungees. I’ve discovered that I can simply carry 500 milliliters of water within the again pocket and nonetheless safe my poles with out the match of the belt getting bizarre.

CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz Supplies

The CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz employs what the model calls 3D Micro Mesh. The subsequent-to-skin layer below the back and front pockets is a dual-layer nylon mesh with massive perforations. It has some lateral and vertical stretch, however not sufficient to permit a lot bouncing. The massive entrance pocket features a stable materials and is the least breathable a part of the entire belt. Nonetheless, it’s a small space, and I by no means actually felt prefer it detracted from the general breathability of the belt. The rear pocket encompasses a stretchy mesh that additionally breathes properly.

The fabric on the edges of the belt is the place the stretch is. As a lady who has tried on belts with out sufficient stretch and needed to go two sizes as much as get them over my hips — solely to have the belt be far too massive round my waist — I respect that there’s sufficient stretch to this belt to not must struggle to get it on. The mesh materials has considerably extra lateral stretch than vertical, which helps reduce bouncing, and is similar materials used for the outer pockets.

CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz Sizing and Match

The CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz is available in three sizes: XS/S, S/M, and M/L. I’m not completely certain why they couldn’t have simply named them small, medium, and enormous, however such is life. As a reasonably average-sized 5-foot, 6-inch particular person, I typically put on girls’s medium clothes. On this unisex belt, I can comfortably put on the 2 smaller of the three sizes. The smaller sits larger up on my waist, whereas I are inclined to put on the bigger one decrease down on my hips.

As talked about above, the stretch permits it to suit over the hips rather more simply than many different belts I’ve tried. That very same stretchiness means I haven’t felt it urgent on my stomach after carrying it for a lot of hours. The belt width is comparatively slender, so I’ve by no means had any points with it bunching up.

CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz Total Impressions

I nonetheless can’t fairly clarify what it’s concerning the aesthetics of the CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz that has by no means fairly sat properly with me. Possibly it’s the expandable entrance pocket that doesn’t look modern, even when empty, or the outsized zipper within the entrance. Nonetheless, as soon as I acquired previous the looks of this belt, I rapidly grew to find it irresistible for its performance.

The rear pocket makes it simple to entry a smooth flask, and the larger open-top pocket on the entrance holds my cellphone. Whereas my cellphone — with an Eszter-proof case on it that makes it bigger than it must be — doesn’t match into the safe zippered pocket, extra moderately sized Immediate Gratification Machines will slip proper in. With water and cellphone sorted, I can stuff the facet pockets filled with snacks and head out for a multi-hour run.

The stretchy materials permits for a snug match with out extreme bouncing, and you’ll put on it on both the waist or hips, relying in your physique form and the chosen measurement. This can be a workhorse of a working belt as an alternative of a present pony, and I, for one, respect its design.

Store the CamelBak Extremely Belt 17oz

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