First Impressions: Amphipod RunLite 4

 So I finally broke down and got a hydration system today.  I have experience running with a CamelBak watering system and I know that it's not for me.  I can't stand the sloshing around on my back and the sweat spot it leaves behind. Running with a water bottle in my hand isn't for me either.  So I thought I'd give this a go. I got the Amphipod RunLite 4.  I picked this up from the fine folks at Sierra Running Company in Fresno.  They had all the systems I could think of Amphipod, Nathan, Fuel Belt, and some others.  They had some nice people on staff that where very helpful.  I was allowed to try on the different belts and see how they felt.  I tried this on first because I'd looked into it a lot and really wanted to get it.  Not wanting to just jump on the first thing that came my way I tried on the Fuel Belt.  I noticed that bottles where a little more difficult to get in and out of the holsters on that one.  The bottles also felt strange in my hand.  I went back to the Amphipod and changed two of the holsters to sit sideways on the belt and put it on again.  This gave me the feeling of more room for my for arms.  I'm of average-ish height at 6'1" and I have long arms.  I didn't feel the bottles rubbing when they were upright, but I knew it was close.  The comfort in the store was nice and the price was average from what I'd researched. At $44.50 it seemed like a fair buy.  I spent the rest of my day walking around Fresno with my wife wanting to go home to try out my new toy.

First Run:
    When we finally got home late this afternoon my wife wanted to go get something so I stayed at home with the baby and fiddled with the belt trying things on in different spots.  The wife finally got home around 7:20 and I was ready to go.  I ran my usual test route (Same 3 mile out and back I use to test anything new).  I had all four bottles filled with water.  I know I don't need 32 oz of water for a 3 mile run but I wanted to test the weight and balance of the thing.  Because the belt sits more on your waist and not the hips it seems a little strange at first.  And I had to tighten it up a little to stop some bouncing.  Once it was snug there was no bounce at all.  The bottles were easy to take in and out of the holsters and gave a reassuring click when they were in.  I drank out of two of them to see how the slosh factor was.  Couldn't really feel the water moving around at all.  I sprayed all the water out of one and swapped it out with a bottle on my back.  I had to use my other hand to find the holster on my back.  With my placing of the pouch that comes with the belt I had a hard time taking my phone in and out it.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be if it were on my back.  I may have to move it to the front to make it easier.  After my run was over I noticed that I had some impression marks on my side from the pads on the holsters.  We'll see how this thing works on my long hills work out tomorrow.

Photos:

This is the belt.  Notice how the two side bottles are sideways and not up and down.  I really like being able to put this this way.  It's not an option on the Fuel Belt.

From the top you can see how I have things positioned.  The pouch may have to go in front of the bottle.  I find it easier to grab the left one anyway.

Having four small bottles is nice.  I can put water in 3 and Gatorade or any other drink in the 4th.

CLICK!!  Those tabs fit into the grooves on the side of the bottle.  It will give you a nice click when it goes in there right.  If you're like me and run with music you won't hear it so just give the bottle a little tug to make sure it's in there.

The pouch is just big enough for my iPhone that I need to upgrade.  When headphones are plugged in it sits just a little sideways with the stem of the cord holding it up.  Not a big deal though.

I can also fit two gels in there as well.  I'm using Hammer Gel's for this.  This pouch does have some stretch to it so I may start switching the phone and gels.  I may be able to fit three or more with the phone.

I just tried this and you can indeed fit three but it's tight and something may fall out while trying to dig the phone out and running.

There is also a small pocket on the belt itself.  I used a marker just to show you the full size of it.  It does stretch a little bit the seam at the opening doesn't really open very large.  Would be a good place for a car or house key.