Sometimes my clothes selections are questionable… It can spark folks to suppose “why those colours?” or “pairing that with that?” or “those are some interesting pants/shoes.” The solely purpose these ideas are sparked is as a result of my “style” isn’t the norm right here in my a part of Canada. I like to consider my type as Japanese meets Australian avenue; weirdly phunky and straight up superior.
However, my clothes selections typically carry completely different inquiries to my head, primarily “why do I never have pockets?!” This turns into a pickle for a woman that doesn’t use a handbag. I don’t use a handbag as a result of I solely carry 2-3 issues; my telephone and my card, typically automotive keys. Luckily I take advantage of a popsocket so I can carry all 3 objects in a single hand, whereas I sip my espresso from the opposite hand.
Doesn’t sound handy does it? That’s as a result of it isn’t. It solely took me a yr or two earlier than I began mentioning fanny-packs to my husband.
His phrases have been hilariously “Nope.”
I felt like a fanny-pack was my solely remedy, however I too, didn’t need a stereotyped 90’s waist belt.
Bring within the SPIbelt Performance Pro
It’s time to overlook the fanny-pack stigma, we’re in 2025 now and there’s a extra discrete various that doesn’t scream-out-loud; it’s referred to as the SPIbelt Performance Pro.
Even although the model SPIbelt was born after the proprietor, Kim Overton, went for an unlucky keys-in-bra run, it has many makes use of different than simply operating. SPI stands for Small Personal Item, you need to use it for all your small private objects each time and wherever you discover it handy.
When SPIbelt requested me to check the SPIbelt Performance Pro, alongside their SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles, I mentioned “Hell yea, my purse-less hand is cramping!” In actuality, I knew their model and bought these belts once I labored in retail and I’d actually wish to put it to the take a look at, in an excessive approach.
The SPIbelt Performance Pro is a pocketed waist belt that can be utilized with or with out their water bottles, designed for distance and marathon runners. As an adjunct, they provide the water bottles individually they usually clip to the belt by every hip. Your small objects slot in a centered expandable pocket that has a weather-resistant zipper. On both aspect of the pocket are two elastic loops for exterior storage. Before I proceed I’d wish to make issues clear; I’d use the Performance Pro in a controversial approach, nevertheless it simply goes to point out the flexibility of the SPIbelt Running Belts.
My Experience with the “Bounce-Free Running Belt”
Day 1
Let’s begin with the cargo. Being drilled with lectures on sustainability whereas working at MEC (Canadian REI) I used to be very impressed to see the no-fluff, no-filler transport and product packaging. Simple and with out plastic may be very a lot a very good factor.
Jeffree (my pups) is my inspector at my aspect, and since he’s half consumer, he has a say as effectively.
When inspecting the belt, the very first thing I seen is the standard. This isn’t a buckle made from low-cost plastic from China and this isn’t an affordable elastic band you’d discover on $5 underwear. And the pocket for private objects appears pretty puncture resistant. I used to be a bit nervous the pouch wouldn’t match my brick of a telephone, nevertheless it’s sufficiently big to suit my Galaxy A15 completely.
The plastic bottles are made with the comfortable clear plastic typical of those bottle types and it has a mouth cowl, which is a considerate add-on.
Right away Jeffree and I went for a stroll with the SPIbelt. For this stroll I used to be bringing every thing Jeffree and I wanted for a cushty stroll. That included water, his water dish, treats, and pooh baggage. I used to be capable of match my telephone and his treats within the zippered pouch, I caught his pooh baggage in one of many loops, I clipped his water dish to a different loop and I stuffed the water bottles. There have been two loops to spare and I might have put a path bar in a single and I can clip Jeffrees leash to the opposite.
I don’t advocate loading the belt up like this for lengthy durations of time, the elastic might lose integrity quicker than it ought to.
Day 7
After a few week with the SPIbelt, I seen that I take advantage of it greater than the cross-body pockets I tried to carry into my life. I’ve been utilizing it day by day since day 1, I’d say meaning it’s mindlessly helpful and handy; it mounted an inconvenience in my life, now I mechanically go to make use of it with out thought.
I examined the SPIbelt whereas mountain biking and I discovered it retains every thing inside good and comfortable towards the physique as I trip round. I additionally love the palm sized water bottles, it makes consuming water simpler and the sense of feat after ending a bottle is a pleasant reward. However, the plastic leaches into the water after leaving it within the bottle in a single day (most comfortable plastics will) creating an disagreeable style that solely few folks discover.
I’ve created a exercise for myself and I name it the trail-athalon; jog, pull ups, plank on a forest path, and located it’s certainly a “bounce-free running belt.” Also, throughout any exercise typically stopping for water simply isn’t attainable, having it hooked up to your hip is handy and doesn’t gradual you or anybody else down. The water bottles, and the belt, additionally don’t flop round as you flop round.
It’s not simply used across the waist, you’ll be able to cross physique it, or put on it over the shoulder.
Day 14
By the time 2 weeks glided by I had put the SPIbelt Performance Pro to the take a look at in some ways. It’s versatile operating gear and tenting gear. I considered many outrageous however ingenious methods to make use of the belt:
| Garbage Collecting | Clip a grocery bag to every aspect, a snack within the pouch and water within the bottles |
| Fire Kit | Birch bark and different tinder within the pouch, lighter, Ferro rod and mini noticed within the elastic loops |
| Pee/Period Kit | Toilet paper, tampons and pads within the pouch, sanitizer and a small trash bag clipped to a loop, and water within the bottles to clean fingers |
| First Aid Kit | Bandages, ointment, painkillers, water purification tabs, scissors within the pouch, loopy glue, flashlight, tape within the loops |
| Snack Pouch | Loose or bigger snacks within the pouch, snack bars or skinny packages within the loops, water and fruit within the bottles |
| Beaching | Keep your money at your waist when swimming and strolling the strip in a showering swimsuit |
| Touring | Easily cover your life on this belt below your shirt for security |
Product specs
To preserve this simple for me, hopefully for you too, I’ll put my gathered specs in a chart right here and I’ll embody the SPIbelt web site stats for comparability.
| Size of: | My Specs | SPIbelt Web Specs |
| Belt Length | Full = 36.5” Short = 28” (each sizes don’t embody the 1.5” of buckle that doesn’t add to size) | Full = 38” Short = 25” |
| Belt Width | 1.5” | 1.5” |
| Belt Stretch | 36.5” – 49.5” | N/A |
| Expandable Pocket | 9.5” x 4.25” x 1”- 2” | 9” x 4” x 2” |
| Zipper Length | 8.25” | N/A |
| Elastic Loops | 1.25” – 2.5” | N/A |
| Buckle | 2.75” x 1.75” x 0.5” | N/A |
| Slider Buckle | 1.75” x 1” x 0.25” | N/A |
| Water Bottle | 250ml / 1 cup 5.5” x 3” x 2” | 8oz |
| *Stitching Quality | Zigzag over straight seam with backstitching | N/A |
Nuances
Though I didn’t have many, there are just a few nuances that may not jive with everybody who makes use of it. The first one I seen is that the opening to the water bottle is on an angle, so if the bottle isn’t tilted whereas filling it proper to the rim, it should spill out (there’s a max fill line to keep away from this from occurring.)
The model tag is on the within of the pouch on the middle of the opening, stitched in with the zipper. When closing the zipper there are occasions when the tag will get caught, which causes the tag to fray, forcing you to chop it off. I suppose I might have prevented the fraying if I had glued it all the way down to the inside pouch wall.
This one isn’t a giant deal in any respect, however when adjusting the size of the belt, the loop hooked up to the slider doesn’t keep in place. I don’t suppose I’ve OCD, however I all the time discover myself fixing the loop despite the fact that it doesn’t trigger any points.
If you’re utilizing it for a sweaty exercise, no matter is inside will get damp. They do warn about this on their web site so it’s to be anticipated, simply don’t preserve electronics in there throughout the sweaty instances or get their waterproof baggie for the pouch.
Is the SPIbelt Performance Pro Worth It?
After 2 weeks of virtually day by day use and abuse I can say that the SPIbelt Performance Pro, paired with the SPIbelt H20 Companion Bottles, actually is a sturdy and versatile operating belt. As you’ll be able to inform, it may be utilized in many handy methods, easy or advanced. You can use it with or with out the water bottles, and the loops don’t have for use both, making it basically a 3-in-1.
As far as put on and tear goes, the one factor I’ve seen is that the stitching is barely fraying from abrasion which is at the moment solely affecting the looks, and the paint has chipped off the zipper in unnoticeable spots.
I’ve to confess, I nonetheless really feel like a dork once I unzip my pouch on the cashier, particularly when my popsocket will get caught. One day I’ll determine it out.
GIVE-AWAY: Win a FREE SPIbelt Performance Pro & Two H2O Companion Bottles!
One fortunate winner within the feedback goes to WIN a *FREE* SPIbelt Performance Pro and two SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles!
Leave a remark down beneath telling us how YOU would put the SPIbelt Performance Pro to the take a look at, and you possibly can be our fortunate woman!
This contest runs from 31 July till midnight on 14 August 2025. Good luck to all our fantastic readers!
*learn extra about our contests and giveaways right here*
Kaie Maie
I roam free, touring the provinces of Canada and sleeping wild by all seasons. As a Wilderness First Responder and Paddle Canada Instructor, outside survival is my experience. Herbalism is one other ardour of mine, by collaborating with Nicole Apelian (Alone survivalist) I share my information of herbalism with academic, medicinal recipes.
On a aspect word, I’ve a tough time being terrified of bears, and foxes love me.