Typically my clothes selections are questionable… It could spark individuals to assume “why these colors?” or “pairing that with that?” or “these are some attention-grabbing pants/footwear.” The one purpose these ideas are sparked is as a result of my “fashion” isn’t the norm right here in my a part of Canada. I like to think about my fashion as Japanese meets Australian road; weirdly phunky and straight up superior.
Nevertheless, my clothes selections usually deliver completely different inquiries to my head, primarily “why do I by no means have pockets?!” This turns into a pickle for a girl 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 automobile keys. Fortunately I exploit a popsocket so I can carry all 3 gadgets 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 12 months 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 desire a stereotyped 90’s waist belt.
Carry within the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional
It’s time to neglect the fanny-pack stigma, we’re in 2025 now and there’s a extra discrete different that doesn’t scream-out-loud; it’s known as the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional.
Despite the fact that 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 Private Merchandise, you should utilize it for all your small private gadgets at any time when and wherever you discover it handy.
When SPIbelt requested me to check the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional, alongside their SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles, I stated “Hell yea, my purse-less hand is cramping!” In actuality, I knew their model and offered these belts once I labored in retail and I’d actually wish to put it to the take a look at, in an excessive means.
The SPIbelt Efficiency Professional 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 gadgets slot in a centered expandable pocket that has a weather-resistant zipper. On both facet of the pocket are two elastic loops for exterior storage. Earlier than I proceed I’d wish to make issues clear; I’d use the Efficiency Professional in a controversial means, but it surely simply goes to indicate the flexibility of the SPIbelt Operating Belts.
My Expertise with the “Bounce-Free Operating 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. Easy and with out plastic could be very a lot a very good factor.
Jeffree (my pups) is my inspector at my facet, and since he’s half person, he has a say as nicely.
When inspecting the belt, the very first thing I observed 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 gadgets appears pretty puncture resistant. I used to be a bit nervous the pouch wouldn’t match my brick of a telephone, but it surely’s sufficiently big to suit my Galaxy A15 completely.
The plastic bottles are made with the tender clear plastic typical of those bottle types and it has a mouth cowl, which is a considerate add-on.
Straight away Jeffree and I went for a stroll with the SPIbelt. For this stroll I used to be bringing all the things 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 suggest loading the belt up like this for lengthy intervals of time, the elastic might lose integrity quicker than it ought to.
Day 7
After a few week with the SPIbelt, I observed that I exploit it greater than the cross-body pockets I tried to deliver into my life. I’ve been utilizing it every single day since day 1, I’d say meaning it’s mindlessly helpful and handy; it fastened 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 all the things inside good and cushty in opposition to the physique as I trip round. I additionally love the palm sized water bottles, it makes ingesting water simpler and the sense of feat after ending a bottle is a pleasant reward. Nevertheless, the plastic leaches into the water after leaving it within the bottle in a single day (most tender plastics will) creating an disagreeable style that solely few individuals 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 operating belt.” Additionally, throughout any exercise typically stopping for water simply isn’t attainable, having it hooked up to your hip is handy and doesn’t sluggish 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 possibly can cross physique it, or put on it over the shoulder.
Day 14
By the point 2 weeks glided by I had put the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional 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:
| Rubbish Gathering | Clip a grocery bag to every facet, a snack within the pouch and water within the bottles |
| Fireplace Package | Birch bark and different tinder within the pouch, lighter, Ferro rod and mini noticed within the elastic loops |
| Pee/Interval Package | Rest room paper, tampons and pads within the pouch, sanitizer and a small trash bag clipped to a loop, and water within the bottles to scrub fingers |
| First Assist Package | Bandages, ointment, painkillers, water purification tabs, scissors within the pouch, loopy glue, flashlight, tape within the loops |
| Snack Pouch | Free or bigger snacks within the pouch, snack bars or skinny packages within the loops, water and fruit within the bottles |
| Beaching | Preserve your money at your waist when swimming and strolling the strip in a showering swimsuit |
| Touring | Simply cover your life on this belt underneath your shirt for security |
Product specs
To maintain 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.
| Dimension of: | My Specs | SPIbelt Internet Specs |
| Belt Size | Full = 36.5” Quick = 28” (each sizes don’t embody the 1.5” of buckle that doesn’t add to size) | Full = 38” Quick = 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 Size | 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 High quality | Zigzag over straight seam with backstitching | N/A |
Nuances
Although I didn’t have many, there are just a few nuances that may not jive with everybody who makes use of it. The primary one I observed 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’ll 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 heart 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 assume I might have prevented the fraying if I had glued it right down to the interior 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 assume I’ve OCD, however I all the time discover myself fixing the loop although it doesn’t trigger any points.
Should 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 hold electronics in there throughout the sweaty instances or get their waterproof baggie for the pouch.
Is the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional Value It?
After 2 weeks of just about every single day use and abuse I can say that the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional, paired with the SPIbelt H20 Companion Bottles, actually is a sturdy and versatile operating belt. As you possibly can inform, it may be utilized in many handy methods, easy or complicated. You need to 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.
So far as put on and tear goes, the one factor I’ve observed is that the stitching is barely fraying from abrasion which is presently 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. Sooner or later I’ll determine it out.
GIVE-AWAY: Win a FREE SPIbelt Efficiency Professional & Two H2O Companion Bottles!
One fortunate winner within the feedback goes to WIN a *FREE* SPIbelt Efficiency Professional and two SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles!
Go away a remark down under telling us how YOU would put the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional to the take a look at, and you can be our fortunate girl!
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 way of all seasons. As a Wilderness First Responder and Paddle Canada Teacher, out of doors 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 instructional, medicinal recipes.
On a facet word, I’ve a tough time being frightened of bears, and foxes love me.
