Got belt, will run! SLS3 Dual Pocket Run Belt Review

Do you run (or race) with a belt?

I have tried some different running belts in my time. Several running belts, actually. I have liked all of them, but the honest-to-goodness love? Of a belt? Hasn't quite happened...yet.

I was given the SLS3 Duel-Pocket belt to test and review. Let me tell you, this belt is pretty nice!
 
The first thing I noticed was the durability of  the belt. The elastic is medium-sized and very strong. The belt is adjustable, so you can make it as tight as you need it to be, depending on where you wear it (high on the waist or low on the hips) or how many layers of clothing you have underneath it.

Unlike similar belts I have tried, this belt has two expandable pockets, and both are big enough for a phone, several gels, car keys or cash/bank cards. My daughter's Iphone-6  fit inside, easily. And, an added bonus? These pockets are waterproof! I always had to put my phone in a zip-lock bag to keep it dry when I carried it in any of my other belts, so this waterproof feature is extremely nice (Hello? How come no one else has thought of this?).

I tested the belt on a couple of outdoor runs. The first run was about three miles long, on a cool (but not freezing) morning. I had the belt fairly low on my hips, under my polar fleece jacket. By the time I had gone about a half-mile, I could feel the belt starting to inch its way up towards my waist. It also was sort of twisting around.  I probably didn't have it tight enough (my bad), and since I only had stuff in one pocket (and not both), I thought maybe it was "unbalanced". I had to slide it back down (to my hips) a couple times, and by the time I had run two miles, I resolved that it was going to do as all other belts have done....keep sliding to my natural waist. I gave in, and slid it up to my waist. Although I could feel it rotating around a little, it did not bounce! Once I slid the pockets to my back (instead of trying to keep them in the front), the belt stayed in place for the rest of my run.


The second time I wore the belt was for a short two-mile run, also outside, but this time I put stuff in both pockets. Again, the belt seemed to want to shimmy up to my waist (instead of staying on my hips), and felt a bit awkward with the two full pockets in the front. So, again, I rotated the belt around, so the pockets were in  the back, and it felt better. Much better. Again, no bouncing.

Once I got home, I wanted to test it without a jacket covering it. I lost the jacket, and ran a quick mile on the treadmill.  This time, I put it on my waist, with both pockets in the back, and it did not move at all.


A few days later, I wore it out on a seven-mile run. Not wanting another "spinning-around" battle, I wore it  with the pockets in the back, and tried (one last time) to secure it low on my hips. Although it did not immediately shimmy upwards, I could tell it was not going to stay there. I did have to slide it back down, but only a few times.

So, what is my impression of the SLS3 belt? I really liked it! It was frustrating that it wouldn't stay low on my hips, but none of the other belts I have used stayed there either. If Dr. Phil were to intervene, he'd probably ask, "What's the common denominator?"  And I'd have to answer, "Me (and my waist)." Anything with elastic will work its way to the smallest part of my body...which just happens to be my waist. I can't change that reality. But, this belt definitely stayed in place once I figured out to wear it with the pockets on my back, and it did not bounce whatsoever.

Would I use this? Definitely, but it would depend on the distance I'm running. Although I like that it has the capacity to hold a lot of stuff, I typically don't need to carry that much cargo. Most of my long runs are mapped out to loop back to my house every 5-7 miles, so I really don't need to carry fuel with me. As for long-distance races, though, there sometimes is a need to carry multiple items...most of which do not fit easily into any of my other belts.  And, if it's a race, I will also have my key fob with me as well as any fuel and my phone (and who knows what else? tissues, lip balm, etc.).

Now, for the best part!!
SLS3 is sponsoring a giveaway, and one lucky person will win their very own SLS3 belt!  Follow the link (below) to get entered (contest ends Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016):

  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/429d7cd8134
 

Also, for a limited time, their Amazon store is offering an awesome introductory price for the dual pocket run belt. The belt retails for $29.90, but their Amazon store-- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017DRIKFY-- has it listed for $12.90 (57% Off). Now that's a deal!



What is your experience using run belts?  Have you had good luck or are you still searching for that perfect belt?


****Disclaimer**** I was given the SLS3 belt in exchange to test it and write a review. I have not received any monetary compensation, and all opinions expressed within this blog post are my own.