Looking for your an easy way to carry water, gear and fueling? Check out the Naked Running Band, reviewed by Coach Keith Laverty.
Gear Category: Hydration (Vests/Belts/Bottles)
Name of Gear: Naked Running Band
Typical Price: $55
Where to Buy: runningwarehouse.com or directly from nakedsportsinnovations.com
Best Use:
I love to opt for the Naked Running Band over a hydration pack/vest for most long runs. I pair the band with a handheld soft flask, especially for any speedier or quality long runs in a marathon or ultramarathon build. Easily stow the handheld flask back into the belt when it runs low. The only exception for not wearing the band might be for more remote or longer, rugged mountain runs where safety is of bigger concern and I need to bring more gear with me such as extra food/fluids, jackets, a satellite device among other items.
When wearing my Naked Band, I often associate those runs with feeling fast and free, yet prepared for what the day will bring and the demands of my run adventure. Sometimes when I wear a hydration pack, my back gets too sweaty (especially during harder efforts and I’m not even considered a “heavy sweater”), which is why I appreciate the running belt while still ensuring I’m prepared with enough fluids and calories. Most importantly, items generally don’t bounce and stayed locked in!
I’ll usually carry most or all of my run nutrition including gels (up to 6 gels if during a 50k trail race), packet of chews, as well as my buff/cap if I no longer want to wear it, sometimes a soft flask of fluid or a headlamp (once again, mostly during 50k-100k ultra events or longer/faster efforts). On more casual and city/exploration runs, I’ll often carry my cell phone, my credit card and any other packable snacks! I haven’t personally had the need for it but there is an internal micro-clip to secure a key fab. You can also stow away your trekking poles since the band has a silicone lining to keep them in place.
Another upside I’ve found is that if you wanted an item to be adjacent against your back or tummy, such as a cell phone, I’ve found that you can easily “swivel” the band around your waist as needed to make it more comfortable.
Sizing:
My Naked Running Band was smaller than expected.
Additional Sizing Comments:
Getting the right fit on the very first order can be a challenge. This might be my only slight drawback from my experiences and in talking with other runners in the community. Naked says to never refer to your usual pant size when determining the right order size, instead using their sizing chart. So just a heads up that it might require trial and error and returning the first band ordered.
Comparison to Previous Models:
They’ve recently released three brand new colors of the Naked Running Band to choose from: red, olive green and blue. This model also had a slight design tweak of having the pull-out tabs/loops facing up-down, instead of side-to-side. This makes it slightly easier to use your finger to pull out the pocket and to access whatever you need.
Durability and Accessibility:
I’ve been impressed with the durability and the simplicity of the band, all at an extremely reasonable value relative to other pieces of gear in the trail and ultrarunning space. The only sign of wear and tear after 3+ years of consistent use are the screen prints of the letters that are slowly coming off, but this updated model with the new color bands (and even a new black one) are supposed to resolve that issue. Otherwise, the band is still in great shape. I love that the material dries very quickly and also very easy to wash; I’ll usually hang dry it.
The band’s capacity is ample, with deep pockets that are easily accessible from any point around the entire band, whereas many other running belts may use a buckle system (and, as a result, may then have a little less room for storage or a “gap” in storing items).
Changes for the Next Model:
Hard to come up with any other design changes other I wouldn’t complain if they happen to find a way to make the band even more comfortable or lighter-weight with the materials, while still being durable!
The True Test – Would You Recommend It?
I would gift or recommend the Naked Running Band to my friends and even the athletes that I coach! It has plenty of applicable and practical uses for a variety of running and training scenarios.
I should also mention that the company is based on Vashon Island, WA. And another upside: they have very responsive and great customer service!
Keeping it Honest – Did You Get This Gear for Free?
I purchased the original Naked Running Band model in 2021 and used it for three years. However, I receive this newest models for free.
Keith Laverty is a Seattle-based coach with Team RunRun. Whether you are heading towards your first 5k or – like Keith – in your ninth year of ultras, Keith will design a custom training plan based on your goals, lifestyle, skills, and needs.