What is a SPI belt and why is it a must have?

I used to be a firm believer in not carrying any tech while running or hiking. When I started running in middle school I didn’t even own a phone because there was no need for one at the time and apparently I was too young for one. Cellphones were just becoming “the new thing” at that point though. One thing that was definitely missing was social media and the need to take pictures of yourself running to share with everyone. I felt like you should be more “one” with nature and your surroundings, but over the years I had realized that it’s becoming more important to carry some form of device with you in the event of an accident. As I got older and finally acquired a cellphone, there was a lot of back and fourth with trying to figure out how to carry this device (and keys and gels) I decided to get an armband. The armband I purchased served its purpose in carrying my phone (and one key), but it ended up being more cumbersome not to mention the amazing farmers tan. Taking your phone in and out of an armband was also a task and sometimes I felt as if I was at the doctor’s office getting my blood pressure taken (too much compression).

I kept with the armband theme for several years, upgrading as phones upgraded, but really wanted something better. I wanted something that didn’t cut off circulation, held all of my necessary gear, and didn’t bounce all over the place while running. I originally didn’t want to wear a running “belt” as I assumed they were a fancy version of a fanny pack (or maybe they were fanny packs). I came across an ad on instagram for this one belt that could carry your small personal items (and necessities for exercise) that was affordable, minimalist and discrete. I did some research and read countless reviews and after being reluctant to try anything else I decided to try it out. For years I had searched for a comfortable, easily accessible running accessory that wouldn’t cut off circulation, slide, rub, or bounce around let alone look somewhat decent. This belt had all angles covered and I clicked “add to cart” and waited for the delivery.

It’s amazing how something so simple can change the way you look at running gear. This adjustable non-slip belt has changed the game for me. The SPI (Small Personal Items) belt with its small pocket made of light spandex material made my running experience with carrying my phone/keys/gels more enjoyable and here’s why.

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USE

 
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Finding the best way to carry all of your “necessary” belongings while running is tough. You have your phone, gel packs, keys, ID, credit cards, and maybe headphones (if they stop working). Most workout clothes don’t have the capacity to carry all of these items, nor would they hold everything in a pocket. Not to mention having your pockets weighing your clothes down. Arm bands are good alternative to this especially for carrying your phone and maybe a key or two, but when you need extra space, it’s not available. The SPI belt has all of this covered with it’s elastic pocket and adjustable belt. You can carry your phone and extra necessary gear all in one pouch sealed with a zipper. With it’s minimalist design, the SPI belt makes working out more enjoyable knowing that you can carry what you need without sacrificing space or accessibility. There are also different accessories to purchase that clip right onto your belt such as a water bottle add-on and clips (or toggles) to attach your race bib. Both of these come in handy while ruining long distance races.


Accessibility and Comfort

 
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Having an armband wasn’t the worst way to carry my phone, but the problem was accessing my key and phone. If i needed to access my phone I would need to remove my armband and then take the phone out. Most armbands work with touchscreen phones, but one thing that had been overlooked is the introduction of Face ID. You can’t fully access your phone unless you take it out. Then you have to hold the armband until you’re done with your phone. Putting the armband back on during a run is tough also. With the SPI belt it’s as easy as unzipping the pouch at your waist and taking out what you need. Sure you may have to swing the belt around to the front of you, but that’s not a deal breaker.

When it comes to comfort it depends on how you wear it. You can wear this belt so the pouch is in the front (for easy access), the back (out of sight, out of mind), and you can even wear it across your chest diagonally (while paddle boarding or if you’re in waist deep water and need your gear higher). Whichever way suits your needs, there’s a way to wear it. It stays in place and doesn’t have that bouncy feeling (unless you over stuff it, which defeats the purpose). Most of the time while running, I forgot that I was wearing it.


Durability:

 
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The SPI belt seems to hold up and keep its elasticity. If you take items out the pocket it seems to go back to it’s original state. When it comes to wear and tear, it seems great too. Other than a quick wash here and there, it seems to stay intact. As of right now, I see no need to upgrade every year like the armband. One thing that is a bit of a miss is the fact that they’re not all waterproof. It’s not a huge deal, but the alternative is purchasing their aLOKSAK bags that are certified to keep your tech safe, dry, and clean. The issue I have with these bags is that when you place your tech (or other important documents that can’t get wet) into this bag, it doesn’t fit well in the pouch of the SPI belt. You pretty much have to fold it a little to get it to fit, which is a bit of an annoyance. Again, this isn’t a huge deal, but something to consider when purchasing.


Style and Variety

 
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Let’s face it, you want to look your best while working out right? Just like matching clothes, you want to match your accessories. While you can go the “basic” route and get a solid color SPI belt (which is what I did), you can also get one with a different pattern or print just to add a little bit of personality to your workout attire. Worried about it not matching or just want it to be more hidden? The great thing about this belt is it’s minimalist design. Since you’re limited to only carrying your “essentials” this lightweight belt can be tucked away under your shirt and no one would know it’s there. There were times where I didn’t even realize it was there.

One thing you want to be careful of is overfilling the pouch. Putting too much weight in the pouch will cause this belt to bounce around and that defeats the purpose of carrying your essential items in a minimalist design. Don’t get me wrong, the belt holds a significant amount of items, but for runners who want to carry just their phone, keys and gels the weight is distributed just right.


Price

 
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One thing I didn’t expect was the price of the SPI belt. I had originally thought this would be well over $40 considering most of the other accessories you can get (the good ones) start at that price point. Starting around $20 (depending on which version and add-ons you get), this accessory is well worth it and very affordable for something so versatile.


Key Features:

  • Stretchy nylon / spandex construction

  • Adjustable

  • Various color options

  • Can be worn in front or back

  • Minimalist design

  • Affordable


Bottom line:

 
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If you’re in the market for a way to carry your phone, keys, etc than this is the way to go. Wearing something around your waist may not be your style, but it wasn’t mine either and I love it. For such an affordable running accessory, the SPI belt has opened my eyes to different running gear. Give it as try and let me know what you think!

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Check out the SPI belt and click add to cart. It will change the way you think about holding your personal items while running, hiking, or just going for a walk.