
In any sporting activity, hydration is a key factor. While some sports allow you to leave your water bottle on the edge of the field, running does not. We therefore explain which hydration bag to choose for running.
To find the right hydration accessory, you must already define your water needs. To do this, you just need to analyse your practice.
Are you new to running or do you limit yourself to a short daily run to keep in shape? Your water needs are estimated between 200 and 250 ml. You will therefore have to choose small containers that will not bother you during your race. A hydrobelt or a bottle to carry in the hand are ideal. With a belt, be sure to distribute your load on each side of your body with, for example, 2 cans/ flasks of 125 ml each.
The effort becomes more intense and you will need 500 ml to keep up for an hour. A bottle or hydrobelt will allow you to take enough water with you. Again, in order not to be disturbed during your effort, it is important to transport your water in a balanced way.
It is estimated that for an hour and a half of running you should choose a hydrobag for running with a capacity of 800 ml to 1 liter of water. From this amount, the weight can become a real brake on your stride. For more comfort, a hydrobag with a water bag of one litre is recommended. Equipped with a tube, this hydration bag will allow you to quench your thirst while continuing your run and normal stride.
GOOD TO KNOW: WATER NEEDS TO BE ADAPTED
The quantities of water shown are indicative only. Indeed, the need for hydration varies according to each person, their form of the day, but also the weather conditions. For example, if you are going for a one hour run in the middle of summer, you will need to choose a hydrobag, as the hydrobelt and it's maximum 500 ml may be insufficient.
You can take up to 500ml of water with you in these gourds equipped with a strap to attach them to the hand. This hydration accessory is therefore reserved for short outings. Moreover, these small gourds can very quickly cause discomfort on the carrying hand, so do not hesitate to alternate for an optimized weight distribution.
Carrying on the waist will allow you to bring up to 1 litre of water, the equivalent to hold for 1.5 hours of running. This solution provides good comfort since the weight of the water is distributed in the gourds which surround your waist. These belts also have small storage pockets, a detail that is important both for training (to carry the keys to your home for example) and during a competition where you will need a snack to limit the risk of cravings during exercise. But before setting off on the line with your competitors, be sure to test your hydrobelt to make sure you have the correct settings. Grabbing and putting away your water bottle can take a fair amount of agility, so don't hesitate to practice well to be sure you are used to it during your running event!
The hydration bags for running are extremely practical for long outings. The capacity of the water bag can reach 2 litres, enough to run for up to 3 hours without incident. Carrying on the back is very comfortable and does not affect your stability. The weight of the water is perfectly distributed and your portable source is directly accessible thanks to the flexible tube. But the hydrobag is also a practical accessory that will allow you to take snacks, keys and GPS. To ensure optimal comfort throughout your outing, the hydration bag is equipped with shoulder straps and a padded waist belt. A chest strap completes this attachment system for a hydrobag with limited movement. Before heading out to competition, experiment with different tightening settings to find the one that's right for you. Also practice opening and closing the different compartments while running to check their accessibility.
This time the water carry is on the front of the body. The flask-holder vests can carry up to 800 ml of water, an amount that will give you the possibility of going 1 hour 30 minutes without refueling. Often equipped with an expandable pocket on the back, the flask vest allows you to take your personal belongings with you.
Thirst is the first sign of dehydration, so you must learn to drink throughout the effort to keep your body functioning properly and to perform as expected. Indeed, losing 2% of your weight in water can lead to results falling by 20%! Get in the habit of hydrating yourself well before the race and then throughout the effort, with water around 15 ° if possible.
You can go for a 100ml sip every 10 minutes or every kilometer to be sure you're thinking about it. After running, your body will also need to compensate for the water loss. You can then opt for a recovery drink to slip into the large compartment of your hydrobag, this will allow you to limit cramps.
GOOD TO KNOW: KNOWING HOW TO RECOGNIZE DEHYDRATION
Besides thirst, there are different warning signs of dehydration. Increased heart rate, drop in blood pressure, drop of performance, feeling tired and, in the most severe cases, shortness of breath, heavy legs and pain are all symptoms that may indicate a runner dehydration.
It is essential to clean your running hydration accessory after each outing and especially the hydrobag in order to avoid the formation of mold and the appearance of a taste and an unpleasant smell. The first thing to know is that you should only use your hydration bag to carry water: if the water bag is called so, it's not for nothing!
After each run, rinse the inside of your hydrobag and hang it up, valve open, so that the inside dries perfectly. Depending on the model, you will have a larger or smaller opening to clean the water bag. To eliminate bacteria, occasionally use a sterilizing tablet (like those from baby bottles) that you dissolve in your water bag. Leave it on for the time indicated, empty and then fill it up several times to rinse it well. Carefully dry your hydration bag again.
You can't overlook water when you run. To accompany you on each of your outings, it is therefore necessary to choose a hydrobag for running or a hydration accessory that is comfortable and that will meet all your needs.
THE THREE KEY POINTS FOR CHOOSING YOUR HYDRATION PACK FOR RUNNING: