2021 has brought a lot of changes, one of which is figuring out how to keep hydrated on a run longer than an hour, be it a long run or a race. There are several options of water vessels that can be carried on your body. Below are the pros and cons of each.
Hand-Held Flasks- held on to the hand by a strap
Pros:
– Some shrink as you drink to eliminate slosh and weight
– Can tuck flask into a pocket when empty
– Small pockets to stash keys and GU
Cons:
– Can affect arm swing and start to feel heavy
– Flexible bottles can be cumbersome to fill up
– The small size might not offer enough water
Waist Pack/ Hydration Belt- place weight of water on the small of the back
Pros:
– Arms are free to swing and run form is not impeded
– Can carry more than a hand held
– Pockets for fuel/ key/ phone/ etc…
Cons:
– Can bounce or move during run which can be irritating and can cause chafing
– Some might have pockets too small for phones
– May be hard to put the bottles back in the belt after re-filling
Water Vest- worn on shoulders and around waist
Pros:
– Evenly distributes weight around core
– Carries a lot of liquid
– Tons of pockets and compartments
– Less bounce and movement
Cons:
– Covers more area and reduces evaporation
– Hard to gauge how much liquid is left
– Cumbersome to refill because it has to be taken off
– Added weight because it holds so much
