I was recently and kindly sent the new SPORT UTILITY PACK by the inventor, Richard.
I don’t really carry bags/pack when running, although I frequently do carry larger hydration packs (eg CAMELBAK) on longer trail rides.
What took my interest was the mini-hydration and general ‘utility’ nature of the product for sport (hence the name of it, I guess 😉 ). and the reason for that interest was the spate of very high temperatures recently in the UK (June 2017).
If I run for an hour then I probably would almost never hydrate as I run. Before, yes. Afterwards, yes. But not during. However with my Ironman training (and maybe your marathon training) clearly runs of well over 60 minutes regularly need to be done.
Let’s take a reasonable example of 90 minutes in the sun. I DEFINATELY needed to hydrate for that and probably fuel as well. However there’s no way I’m going to carry a 500ml bottle around in my hand for 45 minutes before I drink it. So my usual choice is either a 45 minute loop ending at my house (then repeated) or a trip via one of two water points at a not-so-local park, one of which has only just been repaired. Not ideal.
Bringing us on to the SPORTS UTILITY PACK which comes with a 325ml collapsible water container; apparently larger ones are available. This fits in the outermost of the two rear pockets. The innermost of the two pockets is larger and accommodates a Lucozade sport bottle (500ml).
Also included is a waterproof pouch that has two compartments and an attachable mini bungy cord. So this sort of thing is ideal for money, a smartphone and the like. Yes I dislike carrying those on my upper arm too but sometimes I have to carry one for ‘app’ testing purposes. Probably handy too for you LIVETRACK-loving people.
It’s made of a material that is similar to the inside of a wetsuit and is lightweight which, if anything, helped a sweaty back by absorption/wicking rather than causing the sweat.
Here are my concerns:
- Chest strap to hold the arm loops together – this is my bugbear from one of my CAMELBAKs. Though actually the SPORTUTILITYPACK has wide straps and so never slid off my shoulders and hence never needed the chest strap!! Ta Da! [Bungy Cord provided can be used for this purpose)
- The supplied, re-usable 325ml bottle is inadequate for my in-running hydration needs. It’s better than nothing but needs to be only a bit larger (500ml)
- The plastic pouch is probably generally weatherproof but I believe would not be waterproof in the even of total immersion eg whilst kayaking.
Summary For ME: Occasionally quite handy.
If you often carry stuff like a smartphone and keys and wallet then it’s probably a reasonable alternative to something like a CAMELBAK and you are helping a startup for less than £30
Available here: https://www.sportutilitypack.com/
Yes I got a free sample, although I published this to help a startup and its a nice enough concept to bring to your attention if you are in the market for a sports pack of some sort.