Bottle Backpack

Bottle Backpack
Where do you put your stuff (Water Bottle, keys) when you run?

I need something to hold my stuff while I run – my housekeys, my iPod, a water bottle, and my ID. What’s the best thing to use? I was thinking about one of those triangular sling backpacks, but I’m worried that it’ll move around and get in my way or something. It has to be light and suitable for running.

What works for you?

Don’t carry too much stuff when you run.

This is what I do if I had to carry stuff:

1) get a small pocket that inserts into your shoes so you can put money or ID or 1 single key in it. When it is attached to your shoes, you won’t feel the weight.

2) for iPod, get the DLO iPod case with armband or the Nike armband of iPod, so you can have iPod secured on your upper arm. Less weight that way.

3) I get a water Bottle Carrier to carry on my hand. Water bottle carrier usually has a pocket good for keys as well. Use disposable bottle so you can throw away the bottle after you finished the drink.

4) Hat – you can put a few small items under neath your hat.

Don’t get the backpack. If you use the waist belt, don’t carry too much. These things will weigh you down, and the swinging of the things will bother you after you run for a while.

OR OUTDOOR RESEARCH H2O-PROOF BELT/BACKPACK LOOP BOTTLE CARRIER CINCH POUCH-7×6″ $4.99

GREGORY PADDED/INSULATED Backpacking Backpack Bottle Holder – Snap On – VTG USA $5.99

HIGH MOUNTAIN Day Hike Backpack Bag Leather Trim WATER Bottle Pouch FOREST GREEN $9.99

32oz Pro hiking WaterStrap for Nalgene Water bottle (holder for backpack/belt) $7.78

CAMO WATER REPELLENT Backpack Retail $51.95 PADDED STRAPS MESH BOTTLE HOLDERS $35.99

16″ Backpack Riding/School Style Water Bottle Rain Flap $26.75

New CUSCUS 50L Internal Frame Backpack Bottle Pocket Rain Cover $99.95

Back Pack WITH TWO PLASTIC BOTTLES $9.95

H20 JUMBO Back Pack Holds 2 Water Bottle 22 oz Sued Bottom,MADE IN U.S.A. $48.00

Extreme Pak™ 600D Poly Backpack with Padded Shoulder Straps and 2 Bottle Holders $17.95

CASE of 30 Extreme Pak™ 600D Poly Digital Camo Sling Backpack w/ water Bottle $125.00

HARRAHS Picnic Backpack UTENSILS PLATES BOTTLE HOLDER $20.49

WaterStrap for 32oz Ultralite HDPE Nalgene (bottle holder for backpack/belt) $9.45

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Packing Your Bags – Top 10 Tips for Backpackers

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When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.

Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

- Susan Heller

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So you are off on your next big backpacking adventure? Great! Here are some practical advice on how to pack better. Start by taking a good hard look at the stuff you want to bring. Do you really need all of it? Remember that you will be the one having to Carry All that stuff.. (unless you have a wuzzy boyfriend).

1. Do not leave packing your bag until two hours before your plane leaves, chances are you will forget something important.

2. If your backpack is full and you are unable to close it ask someone to hold the zippers together while you zip up.

3. Put shoes you pack in a plastic bag to keep them from making the rest of your stuff dirty.

4. If you move from a low altitude to a higher altitude take care when opening your bottles since the air inside the bottles expand and the contents can explode in your face. To avoid this, make sure you squeeze the bottles a little to get rid of the air before you close them. Don´t use full containers.

5. Seal containers with liquids using gaffer tape and put them in a plastic bag in case they leak.

6. Your choice of clothing depends on several factors such as temperature, weather, which parts of the country will you visit, what you will do, what is considered appropriate, etc.

7. Pick colors where dirt does not show easily (darker colors are better but they sometimes tend to lose their color from sun and laundry). Get fabrics which dry fast, cotton usually takes a long time to dry. It is often more convenient to use several thin layers of clothes instead of one big bulky item of clothing (e.g. a coat), especially if you only need the warm clothes a few times.

8. You can buy stuff when you get to your destination as well. Clothing may be a lot cheaper and also if you buy locally it will be suitable to the climate. As a bonus you blend in better with the locals.

9. While you have a look at all your stuff it can be a good idea to think of which clothes match and can be combined (if that is of a concern in the middle of Kalahari).

10. When you are on the road a little creativity goes a long way when you find out that you did not pack that particular item. As an example, we have on occasion used dental floss for the following purposes:

* Belt

* Shoelace

* Clothes line

* Attaching a fake spider to one end and the other end to a stick. Then using this contraption to scare girls while the were sitting around a campfire in the djungles of Borneo

* Apparently you can even use it to clean your teeth!

About the Author

The above article is based on information in the Backpacker´s toolbox. The Backpacker’s Toolbox contains checklists, templates, FAQs and practical advice (and a few bad jokes) to make your backpacking experience as smooth as possible.

Peter Siljerud is an experienced world traveller and co-author of the Backpacker’s toolbox. He regularly contributes to Hello Backpacker - practical advice for new and experienced backpackers for all trip stages:
Get inspired / Plan your trip / Advice on the road / Tips when back home