The world of running accessories is a Pandora’s box. Removing the essentials (shoes, shorts, T-shirt) my closet overflows with the aforementioned accessories, many of which, of course, come in multiple color or type variations: 1 gps watch, 2 sunglasses, 12 caps, 8 socks, 1 cardio band, 1 smartphone band, 37 neck warmers, 3 pairs of gloves, 1 sleeve, 1 calf sleeve (but a nicer name?). Then, me trail running, I throw in a plethora of other expensive accessories: running poles, gaiters, backpack, soft flask, emergency tarp and blah blah blah.
Let’s be honest though, do we need all this stuff? Probably not.
Instead, there is only one important accessory that we cannot and should not give up: the fanny pack.
The fanny pack defines us as runners; the fanny pack is a status symbol. Although a scattered group of radical chic has been carrying on a disparaging narrative against it for years, the fanny pack is essential. When I go out for a beer with Eliud and Kilian, that’s basically all we talk about.
The bigger the fanny pack, the better: my advice is to stay around 4-5 liters capacity, but daring a little more never hurts. You can put everything you need in it, from house keys to protein gels, from the latest iPhone to a couple of cans of Red Bull. And you’ll always have everything right there in front of you at your fingertips, without wasting time each time doing contortions looking for what you need in tight pockets and pouches scattered all over your body. Important then that you don’t be fooled by those tight-fitting belts or wraps that pass themselves off as fanny packs but are not. Indeed, it is well known that the waist is the best place to accumulate weight, as that is where our center of gravity resides: holding the fanny pack in front slightly unbalances us and allows us to have better running mechanics, carrying us naturally on the forefoot.
In addition, we trail runners appreciate the ease with which the object can be rotated 180°, moving it with a simple gesture: in this way, one can do targeted, quality workouts uphill or downhill, distributing the weight-as one chooses-in the front or back area of the body.
Which one do I buy?
If you are wondering which model to buy, fortunately the answer is quite simple. In my opinion there is only one model that combines capacity, versatility of use (you don’t want to use it only for running, even for a triathlete it is perfect) excellent value for money and a certain degree of coolness, which never hurts.
Take him.
(cover photo by Andrea Leopardi on Unsplash)