Any runner heading out for a lengthy distance usually needs to carry their own water. I'd like to share with you our newest running equipment and why we're happy with it, The Ultraspire Impulse Dual Bottle Hydration Waist Belt...
One of the main draw backs with other hydration belts we've used have been the manner in which they sit/ride on the body and the need to constantly adjust the tension in the belt. I usually find myself shoving the belt further down on my hips as the run progresses to keep it all in place which in turn antagonizes the already sensitive pressure points the belt has created.
I first read about the Impulse on Ultraspire's website. The things that initially drew my attention to this belt are the "Pivot Point" metal plate between the bottle holsters and the body forming materials that help the belt stay in place. The dual hydration belt sits as if it is velco'd to my back (without the pressure points). It sits higher and more comfortably on the waist while staying put without the annoying "fanny whoopin" or yore. The belt fastening "Speed Hook" is another nice feature that replaces the "finger biting" snap buckles of other hydration belts. I did find that the bottle holster will easily accommodate 24 ounce bottles in place of the standard 20 ounce bottle provided with the Impulse. Another nice feature is the stretch pockets on the outside of the bottle holsters where I can stuff a 400 calorie bottle of EFS Shot that is easy to retrieve and replace on the run.
When running 3 hours or less between refueling stations, the Impulse is now my favorite way to carry what I need to keep me going with little fuss and bother as possible.
Features of the Impulse:
Large zippered pocket on one side of the belt
Flat elastic mesh pocket on the other side holds gels
Lightweight zipper pulls easily
Shock cord between bottles for stowage of jacket
Elastic mesh pockets on holsters
Weight: 200 g (400 g with bottles)
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| Bungee cord to hold your wind jacket... |
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| Elastic pockets to hold head lamp and your gel bottle... |
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| Handy easy on and off Speed Hook... |
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| "Pivot Point" metal plate which is the heart of the form fitting feature... |
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| Elastic pocket to hold gel bottle... |
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| Zippered pocket will easily hold an iPhone... |
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| Handy accessory if you run in grizzly country... *S&W not included |
Do you still use this two years later? I was wondering since I have tinkered and wasted so much money on belts and usually end up returning to hand helds. I use the EFS shot and would like to have other options to carry a little more stuff. So.... do the bottles end up digging into your kidneys as others have said? Do other bottles fit (standard 20oz bottles from other makers)? Other thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHello Metis,
DeleteYes, we still use the UltraSpire Impulse dual hydration belt and the UltraSpire modular hydration belts (single bottle belt), and we are very pleased with them.
With the Impulse, I use two-26 oz Hammer Nutrition water bottles that provide enough water for a 3 hour run even in the summer heat.
Eve and I both have never had an issue with the bottles digging in to our kidneys or any other body part. It rides very comfortably, and 10 minutes into a run, I am hardly aware I have it on. My thoughts are if someone is having trouble with the bottles digging into their sides/back, they are most likely wearing it too low. It is intended to be worn higher as a waist belt and not as a hip belt. When Eve first started wearing the belt, she had problems with the belt bouncing around and the clip coming unhooked. Once she got it off her hips and fitted around her waist, the problems stopped. I don't know for sure if that is the issue other people are having, but that's just my thoughts on it.
Thanks for your questions and interest. Hope this is helpful and best of luck with your running
Bart & Eve