Bananas and running bags

Running without a bag

For outings of a few kilometres or an hour, a backpack is often unnecessary: you just want to take your phone, your keys, a gel and sometimes a light windbreaker. The belt or bum bag keeps them at your waist, at the body's centre of gravity, where they move the least. Your back stays free and airy, which is really comfortable in warm weather, and you can access your things without stopping.

The other bags

Trail luggage also comes in various forms:

• Backpack.
• Hydration bag.

All baggage can be found on the baggage page.

Slim belt or bum bag

The slim belt, like the Oxsitis Slimbelt and Spectre, from the French trail brand Brooks Cascadia or Sammie City, is an elastic tube that hugs the waist: it doesn't bounce, even on steep descents, and you hardly notice it. It fits the phone, keys, and gels. The bum bag, like the Nike Challenger and Tempo, is more structured, with a zipped pocket, and offers a bit more space. The The North Face Terra Lumbar, at six litres, and the Cotopaxi Kapai, from the American brand with bright colours, are better suited for hiking and leisurely long outings.

Wearing it properly

A running belt should be worn tight on the hips or at the waist, without compressing the stomach: this is the secret to avoiding bouncing. Place heavy items, like the phone, in the centre of the back or to the side, and distribute the rest. Some belts have loops to attach a race number or folded poles. To drink, slide a small soft flask into a dedicated pocket. Wash the belt by hand in lukewarm water, and let it air dry.

Good deals

Good bargains can also be found in the good deals, special offers, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

How can I stop a running belt from bouncing?

Make it snug just above the hips and distribute the content evenly on each side. A fine elastic belt, adjusted without squeezing, moves much less than an overloaded bum bag.

Can you run with a phone in a bum bag?

Yes, running belts have an expandable pocket for your smartphone. Place it against your body and close the zipped pocket so it doesn't bounce around or risk falling out.

What size bum bag is good for running?

A slim belt is enough for a phone, keys, and a gel. For a long outing with a windbreaker and flask, a bum bag of a few litres, like the Terra Lumbar from The North Face, can carry more.

Can a bum bag replace a hydration pack?

For an outing of one or two hours, yes, with a soft flask. Beyond that, or in the mountains, a hydration pack is more comfortable for carrying water and essential gear.

How do you wash a running belt?

By hand or in the machine on a low temperature in a mesh bag, with closures secured. Let it dry flat, away from a source of heat that could loosen the elastic and cause the belt to shift.