On test is the innovative new FlipBelt, which has been created for carrying small essentials while doing sport.
What do you do with your phone, keys, money and other bits and pieces when heading out for a run? If it’s a long run, or in the winter, I might carry a small rucksack. Sometimes I pop a key into a pocket built into a pair of running tights or a jacket, but not all items of sports clothing have this and mostly I find the key or phone moves around annoyingly as I run.
And on summer days when all I want to wear are shorts and a t-shirt there is rarely a place to put a key or phone. I might run without my phone but on off-road routes when I run solo it feels safer to take my phone with me.
I have tried tying a key to my trainers and running with the key in my hand but neither methods are ideal, especially as my campervan key is quite bulky.
Now there is a solution: The FlipBelt. The HipBelt is basically a singular tube of fabric that is sewn together to fit around the waist. You pull the FlipBelt over your head and position where comfy on your waist or hips.
Along the middle of the FlipBelt are four openings into which you push a key, mobile phone or whatever it is that is small and essential for carrying.
Inside one of the openings there is also a sewn in length of elastic with a key hook fastener on the end, presumably for keeping a key in place and safe. The FlipBelt, priced at £25, is made from a moisture-wicking spandex-lycra blend and is machine washable.
To be honest, at first, I wasn’t convinced. It didn’t look robust enough to carry very much and I thought the items would pop out the slits in the fabric as I ran. But not so.
I really like how the FlipBelt works.It’s very simple but does a good job of keeping everything firmly in place as I run. First you nee to make sure that items are pushed properly into place. Make use of the additional internal clip for keeping keys extra safe. I have also added a small roll of dog poop bags and money, when needed.
Once everything is in the small pockets, make sure you have the band positioned comfortably on your waist/hips. I find it works best when pushed down and stretched fully into position because then it stays put.
I was worried that my iPhone 6 encased in a large protective cover would be too bulky and heavy for the FlipBelt but not at all. I positioned it against the small of my back and it stayed in place and hugged firmly against my hips even on a bouncy off-road run.
I can see that the FlipBelt would also be useful in a gym environment, when you might need to hold on to a locker key and mobile phone.
The FlipBelt comes in lots of snazzy colours and is an export of Colorado (I love Colorado!).
If you have lots of clothes that do not have pockets (most of mine do come with small zipped pockets) the FlipBelt is worth looking at.
Buy FlipBelt. Other similar products include: Build&Fitness,