Electrolyte drinks are all the rage, but where would we all be without good, old-fashioned water? There are so many ways to hydrate these days that make it easy to take a sip without missing a beat. And when it comes to products such as vests, belts and handhelds, runners have specific demands for the products that carry their must-have essentials. “One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is the demand for hydration gear that’s lighter, lower profile, and designed specifically for the runner’s body with easy access to storage,” says Jennifer Rust, senior product line manager at Nathan Sports.  At Amphipod, co-founder June Angus says, “We’re seeing increased interest in our customizable hydration products that cater to an even wider variety of runners, body types, and training needs.” We asked brands to give us their best “hydration stations,” offering unique ways to keep moving. Bring on the accessories and gear!

VESTS

Nathan Pinnacle Pro 12L Hydration Vest: Available in unisex and women’s sizes, Nathan’s most advanced hydration vest for endurance athletes features a QuickFit system (to customize fit on the go), along with a 1.6L insulated hourglass-shaped bladder so “runners can grab a drink without breaking pace or losing rhythm.” MSRP $220.

Dynafit Alpine 8: The hydration reservoir-capable Alpine 8 running vest features a novel pocket design for food and gear, as well as an adjustable pole attachment system. It includes two 500ml soft flasks, plus a removable waterproof pocket and other easily accessible stretch pockets to maximize your trail running adventure. The safety whistle and reflective details complete the package on this stretch warp knit nylon offering. MSRP $129.95.

Rab Veil 12L: The newest addition in the Veil series is a lightweight mountain running vest with hydration compatibility, easy on-the-go access, and a large u-shaped YKK zippered back compartment for extra volume on longer days outside. Two 500ml soft flasks (included) fit into special pockets, while an internal back panel sleeve can hold a 2-liter hydration bladder. A multi-directional mono mesh chassis enhances support, reduces bounce, and provides a supportive fit. MSRP $180.

BELTS

SPIbelt Monochromatic PRO: Periwinkle is a top-selling hue in this belt, which is ideal for runners who seek extra support without unneeded bounce. SPIbelt PRO holds large phones, gels and essentials while keeping a slim profile. Pair it with the H2O Companion 8 oz. for a customizable hydration setup. The lightweight, BPA-free Companion “clips onto any SPIbelt, contours to the body, and eliminates bounce so runners can focus on the miles, not their gear,” according to Kristi Torres, marketing project manager for SPIbelt. MSRP $32.99.

Osprey Duro Dyna Pro Belt: This lightweight, low-profile solution can be worn on its own or paired with a Duro Dyna Pro Vest. The belt is designed to move with your body and provide 720ml of hydration with its two included soft flasks. It is crafted with 100% recycled materials and has extra space to tote keys, gels and a phone. MSRP $60.

IN-HAND

HydraPak PackFlask: Taking cues from running vests and their convenient, front-mounted hydration access, HydraPak will introduce the PackFlask in 2026. PackFlask allows every pack to have front-mounted hydration. “As nutrition companies move away from single-serve formats, athletes are looking for ways to carry and mix nutrition on the fly. They want greater flexibility in how they carry and consume that nutrition,” explained Matt Lyon, CEO of HydraPak. MSRP $37 (750ml); $35 (500ml).

Amphipod Soft-Tech Luxe Handheld: This top-selling soft flask handheld choice for runners offers value with a cushioned thermal insulating sleeve and integrated storage pocket, plus a custom-engineered Spout-Lock cap for added security when stowed.  Pair it with a MicroStretch Opti-Luxe belt for a full kit. MSRP $40.

LifeStraw Peak Series 650ml Collapsible Squeeze Water Filter Bottle: This bottle packs down small, fits in a running vest, and removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics (including silt and sand) from freshwater sources for efficient filtration on the move. Runners can scoop water from streams, rivers, or aid-station sources and drink instantly, no pumping or waiting required. The Peak Series Straw is a compact backup filter that fits in a vest or emergency kit. MSRP $37.95 (bottle); $24.95 (straw).

HAT

Boco Gear Ultra Ice Trail Hat: Designed to help runners cool down their dome, the hat has large side pockets to hold ice cubes — it offers full wraparound stretch pockets on both sides, allowing ultra-runners to stash extra nutrition and larger snacks for long jaunts. MSRP $46.

NUTRITION JUMP START

The nutrition category has become more sophisticated lately, thanks to a focus on wellness and more entrants in the category (thus, more noise). As a result, “athletes are becoming more sensitive to their personal needs,” noted Dr. Allen Lim, founder of Skratch Labs. At a performance level, athletes are “exploring their physiology through measures like sweat rate and sodium loss concentration, and training their gut to take in more carbohydrates, then adapting their fueling to meet their needs,” he explained. And even the casual, everyday athlete is generally still seeking science and research-based offerings. With that in mind, we asked brand execs how their nutrition products help runners “fuel the run.” Here’s what they said:

How do your products help runners maximize their performance?

“Fueling your run is a critical piece of training to help you reach your goals. Our gels are a portable and delicious way to get a blend of simple carbs to fuel your muscles to keep going without the sugar crash from other options. And because they taste great, there is a mental pick-me-up benefit as well to help you dig deep.” -Wendy Mayo, VP of marketing, Honey Stinger

“UnTapped products are maple based, and maple syrup is all-natural; contains nutrients and minerals to fuel and aid in muscle recovery; it is low-glycemic; and is easy to swallow and digest. Endurance runners who use it say it is easy to use consistently on long runs - definitely helping them to go the distance!” -Christine Diem, marketing manager, Slopeside Syrup

“Gnarly offers a full spectrum sports nutrition line that provides runners and outdoor athletes alike with products that will not only fuel their runs and assist with recovery, but also support baseline health so they can train and race at their best. For 2026, we’re working on on-the-go nutrition.” -Shannon O’Grady, CEO, Gnarly Nutrition

“Going the distance isn’t only about what you put in your body during the workout. A protein-rich post-workout drink will replenish your glycogen stores and help rebuild muscle. We fully revamped Tailwind Nutrition’s Recovery Mix with a new formulation increasing the amount of protein and leucine for improved muscle synthesis, while removing fat and focusing solely on carbs and electrolytes for faster absorption and easier digestion.” -Jeff Vierling, co-founder, Tailwind Nutrition

“At Skratch Labs, everything starts with real food and real science. Our hydration, fueling, and recovery products help runners by giving their bodies exactly what they need without artificial flavors or mystery ingredients. The hydration mixes replace the electrolytes lost in sweat to help athletes hydrate more efficiently without the GI distress.” -Dr. Allen Lim, founder, Skratch Labs

“GU Energy Labs offers a complete lineup of sports nutrition products that work together to support every stage of your activities. Unlike other sports nutrition brands, most of our products contain essential branched chain amino acids, which help protect hardworking muscles. For 2026, we’re releasing a new GU Energy Gel flavor, plus two flavors of our Liquid Energy in a thinner, more drinkable format.” -Yuri Hauswald, elite athlete and community manager, GU Energy  Labs

TRENDING TOPICS NUTRITION

“The gel category is growing at a nice pace for the first time in years,” according to Wendy Mayo, VP of marketing at Honey Stinger. Reason being, “we believe people from a variety of sports and activity levels are beginning to understand they need more than just hydration and that fueling with gels is a simple way to keep going while on the move.” Here is what people are talking about when it comes to nutrition:

Sugar

How much do runners need? Does sugar in hydration products help to absorb more water?

Carbohydrates

How many grams of carbs per hour are necessary for endurance sports?

Sodium

Do products contain too much sodium? Does need vary from person to person, day to day?