I Found Running Belts With Tons of Pockets That Stay in Place

When you’re running on the roads after dark, staying visible keeps you safe. One of the easiest places to add some bright lights is your running belt—and this option from Nathan gives you eight lumens of LED lighting. You can choose between a steady glow (which lasts for up to three hours) or a couple of strobing options (which will keep going for seven hours). Once you’re back home, you can easily charge it back up with an included USB cord.

You’ve got two fairly roomy zippered pockets to securely stash a supersized phone, plus plenty of gels. (That said, it’s not big enough for a water bottle—for that, you’d want to check out Naked, Camelbak’s Ultra Belt, or Salomon’s S/Lab.)

Note: This isn’t exactly a set-it-and-forget-it option—it’s on the heavier, chunkier side, and it sometimes shifted around a bit while I ran.

Original photo by SELF writer Jennifer Heimlich

Best Streamlined: lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt

Pros

• Stretchy zipper pocket, plus four smaller envelope pockets
• Key clip
• Adjustable waistband
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as much storage space as other belts on this list
• Can sometimes slide on slippery fabrics

This belt from Lululemon is smartly designed to stash more than you’d think. The main zippered pocket easily fits a phone and a gel or two, while four “hidden” envelope pockets along the side are the perfect size for your keys (yes, there’s a key clip), a couple cards, a chapstick, or your wireless earbud case—each in its own separate slot.

As long as you don’t overload it, the belt sits pretty flat. You could easily slip it under a loose top, and no one would know it’s there. In testing, I was pleasantly surprised by how little it bounced overall, although it did slide around a bit on one particularly slippery pair of leggings. Pair it with the right bottoms, however, and you’ve got a comfy belt that stays flush against your body without feeling like you’re lugging around too much gear.

Original photo by SELF writer Jennifer Heimlich

Best for Trail Running: Salomon S/Lab Running Belt

Pros

• Lightweight and breathable
• Holds flasks up to 17 ounces
• Four pockets
• Detachable trekking pole loops

Cons

• Sits most securely when there’s a water flask inside