The choice of a backpack or fanny pack for mountain running and trail-running will depend on each person. Each one will choose the system with which they feel most comfortable running and that best suits their needs and their body.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
It is not so. This statement serves in a second step:
First we will have to have restricted the search to the type of backpack that serves our purposes.It should never be forgotten, especially those who come from the world of running with little or no experience in alpine and mountain terrain that the environment in which we find ourselves is the one that dictates what we should carry on our outings through the mountains. It is a fundamental question of security. The Waist bag is the best option here.
Choice of backpack: a matter of two steps
The obsession with weight makes taking many unnecessary risks, which in competition try to be minimized by the organization through mandatory equipment, but outside of it can cause many problems.
We will start by assessing what material we need to guarantee our safety against possible unforeseen events. Depending on the place, type of terrain, distance, conditions, time of year, etc., we will decide the essential equipment to face the training, departure or test (hydration, food, warm clothing and rain, light, etc.).
Then we will choose, from among the backpacks that allow us to load this material, between the different systems and capacities that best suit us.
It should never be done the other way around, (something that is unfortunately common): choose a minimal backpack or fanny pack, to save weight, and only carry what fits in it, eliminating essential elements of shelter and safety to the greater glory of saving grams.
Sometimes the choice is not easy: we must carry everything necessary, but not carry anything superfluous, but always keeping in mind that by eliminating some grams we cannot put ourselves at risk in case of a change in weather, unforeseen, etc.By eliminating the security material necessary for the activity we compromise our physical integrity.
Fanny packs and belts
If we go out for a run or train around our city or town, or compete in short tests with assistance, escapes, refreshment stations, available water, easier terrain, etc., we can dispense with many of the safety elements inherent in a race or race.
And here the fanny packs and belts come into play. It fits the basics: hydration bottles, some energy bar, mobile phone in case there is a problem, perhaps a very light and compact raincoat, some even hook to carry poles. With everything at hand; we won’t even have to slow down. The most minimalist that we can find are the belts.
Belts
It is actually amazing what can fit in one of them: it can have up to 6 pockets and a pole holder. Very good for when due to the conditions and the terrain we only have to carry the most basic.Like all trail running cargo items, they are sized for a perfect fit.
Waist packs
The fanny packs are of different sizes. Its design is special and very different from that of urban and trekking fanny packs: they have rounded and edged edges to avoid friction when running, load close to the body, perfect balance, they do not move or the load sways while moving, belt rack to avoid excess sweating, very ergonomic.
