26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ready for marathon, January 8, 2009
I purchased this product because I was looking for something to stow my running gels during the long run. Since there weren't enough pockets in my favorite shorts I purchased new shorts with lots of special pockets everywhere, for gels. But that didn't work too well for me. Then when I ran long distance those new shorts would feel like they would drag downward (when they were loaded down with my favorite gels). So I tightened the draw sting and made a knot, not too good of a solution either. I developed burns and cut like sores where the draw string cut in deep. There had to be a better solution! ..I guessed it was time for the fanny pack..
But I then happened upon this product by accident on Amazon. I wasn't really impressed with the description and thought it must be a gimmick, like so much stuff for sale. Surely most gel users would have one of these if it really worked as described, and I've never noticed any runners with them before. I had never even heard of it. But I just didn't want one of those fanny packs hanging around me while I ran the marathon, and it was coming up quickly. I splurged on several things for this race that I thought "might" actually become useful, this was one of them.
I've always been told to never try anything for the first time during a marathon, but I was desperate for something to put my gels in, and I got my box of goodies from Amazon just before traveling out to this marathon (Memphis).
My "test run" for this product was jumping up and down with the belt loaded with Power bar gels in it. They didn't fall out and the belt seemed secure. Against lingering doubts I decided to use this gadget for the first time during my full marathon. The marathon was great and the FUEL BELT worked perfect; no gels popped lose or came even close to falling out. I can't say that about stowing gels in pockets, they've popped out on me before, and during a race.
This Fuel Belt is a great product that should become FAR more popular with marathoners who use a lot of gels during their race. As a plus, the race number clips work perfectly, and the FUEL BELT logo on the front of the belt is reflective, another plus.
tip-- Its going to take you longer to put the gels into the belt than take them out since it grasps them so tightly. Pulling them free is a two handed operation: grab the top of the gel pack with one hand and the belt right besides it with the other hand, then tug it ouut it takes a second or two, but quicker than digging around in a back pocket. Also, Plan on gelling right before or after the water stop, not at the same time. Last tip, don't try anthing the first time during a marathon. It worked for me.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gel number belt, May 9, 2007
This is a great product. I have used it in several races (full and half marathons) and it makes gels easlily accessable. My numbers were easy to attach and display.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FuelBelt is great for triathlons!, July 25, 2010
This review is from: FuelBelt Gel Ready Race Number Belt (Sports)
I received a bib belt in my "goodie bag" at a triathlon a few years ago. I had no idea what it was and eventually misplaced it. When I observed competitors putting them on at triathlons last year, I finally realized the advantage of using one. Since I had misplaced my freebie, I bought a FuelBelt. The elastic gel holders are a bonus, although I have never used them. You can position the FuelBelt wherever it (and the bib) will be least obtrusive when cycling and/or running. The biggest advantage is during events where you are removing or adding clothing layers, due to weather and body temperature changes.
BTW: I did eventually find the freebie bib belt and found it was too small for me. I lost the FuelBelt that I purchased last year, so I purchased another. It should be in the gear bag of every bib wearing endurance athlete!
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