I’m a road runner, but this is the trail belt I trust for long runs

What You Need To Know

I never thought I’d be a belt guy…

RYAN: There are things that we, as runners, say we’ll never do. For whatever reason, we think we’re above them. For me, that list once included carrying water (I trusted I’d find a fountain) and peeing in back alleys mid-run. These days, both are pretty regular occurrences if I’m out there for more than 12 or so miles at a time.

Concerningly, my list also included not warming up — until I got injured — and only bringing enough nutrition to hold in my hands. As you can probably guess, I had this weird thing about keeping my hands as free as possible, even though I don’t need them for much while running around the streets of Baltimore. Anyway, you get the point — I thought I was cool, but realistically, I wasn’t being a very responsible runner.

Perhaps the silliest thing on my list of running no-gos, though, was that I’d never be caught dead wearing a running belt. Give me all the thigh pockets you’ve got, just don’t make me wear another piece of clothing — especially not if I have to tighten it.

Well, that’s changed now, too. These days, I don’t go out for a multi-hour long run without a running belt, and it’s mostly because I found one that doesn’t feel like a belt. On’s Ultra Belt feels more like extra pockets, and here’s why I’ve come to love it so much.

On’s Ultra Belt has room for everything (and then some)

RYAN: When it comes to running belts, storage is next to godliness — that’s pretty much in the trail runner’s bible. If you want to stay out and about for hours on end, you need the storage space to keep all your stuff: nutrition, your phone, maybe even a pair of gloves. And, when you’re wearing something thin like the SPIbelt or Endorphin Belt, you can only really do part of the job. Well, you can do most of it, but the single-pocket construction means you’ll probably have gels and a handheld flopping around on your waist.

Don’t get me wrong — I really like the Endorphin Belt, and it’s usually my go-to for storing my phone when I don’t have pockets. The thing is, though, it’s mainly just one big pocket for everything with a bit of a divider to protect your keys. On’s Ultra Belt, on the other hand, is decked out with pockets on the front, back, and around the sides. By the time you think you’ve filled it with everything you can carry, you’ll find that there’s still one more loop or pocket you haven’t touched.

Alright, yes, that makes it sound like something Mary Poppins invented, but for my road running needs, it’s pretty much the truth. The front pouch, which is kind of like an envelope, is big enough to store my phone, while the two side pockets are deep enough and wide enough to store a few upright gels apiece.

Around back, On packed its Ultra Belt with one very wide pocket that’s stitched across the top — a pocket I wasn’t sure I’d need at first. However, the belt comes with a locking 500mL soft flask, which just so happens to be the same size as the pocket itself. I still prefer a true handheld with a loop for my thumb, so I haven’t turned to On’s flask all that often, but the pocket itself has become my secret weapon.

Rather than break down every single pocket dotted around the Ultra Belt’s two-liter capacity, though, let me run you through just how much stuff I’ve packed in it. I stepped into the belt for a very cold long run — something to the tune of 20 miles around downtown Baltimore. For such a workout, I need four gels, water with electrolytes, and somewhere to stash whatever accessories I take off along the way.

The Ultra Belt delivered. I popped two gels in each side, slid my phone and keys in the front, and kept the back pocket open as I set off. Before long, I’d slurped down my nutrition and tucked my trusty running gloves around back to give my hands space to breathe. Oh, and I tapped into On’s adjustable loops, too. They’re mostly meant for folded trekking poles, but I found that they held my discarded windbreaker just as nicely.

It (almost) feels like nothing’s there

RYAN: If storage isn’t your end goal when buying a running belt, then comfort surely must be. Otherwise, why aren’t you looking at a vest? I digress. No, I don’t, it’s time to talk comfort.

It’s actually kind of difficult to describe the sensation of putting on the Ultra Belt. It doesn’t feel like a normal belt — it’s much too thick — but it doesn’t feel suffocating, either. It’s somewhere in the middle, sitting more like a hug around your hips, but a hug with plenty of storage.

If I position the belt correctly, it’s three or four inches across, which means it goes from about my waist to the middle of my butt. And yes, I realize that might sound weird or uncomfortable — I definitely thought there would be jostling — but it actually sits pretty nicely without shifting up or down. If I had to guess, the comfort and security comes from the two different elastic bands on the belt, one at the top and one at the bottom. They ensure you’re not relying on a single point of contact, basically locking your goodies to your hip until you plunge into a pocket.

Of course, On’s choice of Darlington mesh probably helps, too, with a pretty wide weave to allow breathability at your lower back and a tighter mesh on both hips. I’ll even give On a bit of credit for sticking to plastic and elastic for all parts of its belt — there are no zippers, snaps, or hook-and-loop closures to get caught on anything.

Be careful which color you choose

RYAN: So, the thing about most running belts is that they come in black — and only black. Boring, simple, efficient black. It matches everything, even if it’s rarely the most exciting. Why? It just works. I realize that now. Black is the easiest color for accessories that wrap around your waist, because black is a color you can ignore.

As you can see from the pictures in this review, though, I don’t have the On Ultra Belt in black. I have it in white. Unfortunately, such a wide belt looks a little bit ridiculous in white. It’s somewhere between a fancy tuxedo belt and a diaper, and it’s hard to disguise unless you’re wearing… more white. Worse, wearing a white shirt with a thick white belt makes it look extra long and possibly frilly if it drapes past the bottom of the belt.

All I can say is thank goodness the Ultra Belt also comes in black — that’s the one you’re going to want. Go with the low-profile colorway and let it blend in with whatever you’re wearing; it’s the right move.

I keep grabbing On’s Ultra Belt, and I have no regrets

RYAN: As a road runner, I’ve come to accept that my list of hard nos has softened over the years. I now find a bathroom when I need one, I carry the things I need to stay fueled, and I warm up before I set off. No, not all of those lessons were learned voluntarily, but they’re all lessons that have stuck.

Wearing a running belt was a lesson I learned on my own, and I kind of can’t believe it took me so long. I used to load up my pockets, but now I’m spreading my stash out and running easier for it. I have space for gels, my phone, and a whole lot more — heck, I could probably carry a point-and-shoot camera in the Ultra Belt 2L if I really wanted to.

Be right back, I’m gonna go try that.

You can pick up the On Ultra Belt 2L for $90 directly from On Running using the button below.