Article by Sam Winebaum
LF 2L Running Belt ($149)
The LF 2L is a very high capacity, zero bounce (proven in test) running, hiking, and adventure travel belt. Raide is a very small “boutique” developer of ski mountaineering packs and accessories from Carbondale, Colorado.
Kyle Siegel Its founder and developer is a veteran of both Space X and The North Face and is also an avid trail runner. Frustrated by current running belt offerings with their bounce and relatively low capacity and not a fan of race vests, he set out to develop the LF 2L belt which we test and review here. He succeeds!
Pros:
Substantial, totally secure and bounce free, comfortable
At least 2 liters of storage including ability to carry 2 x 500+ ml soft flasks with no bounce
Cons
Wide internal webbing belt inside the front pocket is overdone in its current implementation as a full over the front 2 velcro loops belt
Official Features:
Kyle Seigel's Product Features Walkthrough
The main fabric is UHMPWE riptsop from Dyneema. The only truly stretch elements are on either side at the hips as well as of course the mesh pocket at the rear. The rear back panel has a foam insert and 2 very plastic stays with to the inside below the very stout mesh rear pocket a key/card sized zip pocket
The front has a full reach through type pocket with a center stitched area.
On the inner side of the front we have 4 gel type pockets.
The inner webbing belt is padded with some mesh on its inner surface and loops through plastic loops on either side. I only attached one side and loosely at that sticking the other side to the outer mesh.
While the wide belt does not interfere with storage access, I think it is overdone and could be simplified ending further towards the hips as even with it only partially attached the non stretch nature of the materials and back pad keep everything totally bounce free.
We have front and back reflective highlights and a very easy to use rear pole or ice ax dual slider cords.
Fit
My waist size is about 32” (81cm) and fit is perfect: comfortable and secure. On first try on until I loosened the belt is was a bit too snug but undoing on belt end completely and laying it flat across the front while keeping the other end lightly looped and velcroed did the trick.
The belt slides up over the legs and while a touch hard to pull on once in place is super secure and comfortable. I have a 32” waist with the sample medium and the fit is perfect. There is never any motion or bounce and while the materials against the skin are not “soft” I have never had any irritation during multi hour runs and hikes in significant heat.
Storage and Performance
This belt is high capacity! Starting with the rear, one can easily carry 2 soft flasks. My sample did not include the 650ml flask so I substituted a 500ml Hydrapak flask with locking cap and filter. It fits and stayed put either completely stuffed into the stout mesh or standing up.
The flask standing up was easier to reach.
I added a second flask, a Salomon 500ml with no issues also standing. Instead of a second flask a light jacket could have easily gone in the pocket with a solo flask.
Then trekking poles. The poles were a bit difficult to stuff on the go with 2 flasks but not an issue with one flask. In the photo above I did not quite have the right cord as tightly cinched as I could have.
Upfront I easily put my iPhone Pro 15, wallet and passport, headband, and some nutrition. Keeping the detached belt end velcroed against the front made access easy.
I have extensively run and hiked with the belt and it has been fantastic in all respects for its big capacity, totally bounce free ride, and surprisingly good comfort.Simplifying the front internal belt is my only minor minus comment.
I also see it as an excellent more mellow travel carry option as it can keep documents secure and hidden under a shirt with some water along be it soft flask or plastic bottle. And in winter for skiing, be it nordic or alpine/ski mo, it can carry a few easy to reach essentials without the fuss of a pack.
Comparisons in brief
Naked Running Band: It comes in many sizes and even then I found it snugger and less comfortable than the Raide. In its favor it is considerably less expensive at $48-$55
Salomon S/Lab Race Belt (RTR Review): Far lighter and more minimal it will carry a single flask and a phone and some essentials in its zip front pocket. It is quite secure but not nearly as secure as the Raide with the load above and over time due to its lighter materials has stretched. It is a good choice for a few bare essentials for daily runs and races with the Raide, while heavier and more expensive, far more versatile and durable so far.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
The LF 2L Running Belt is available at Raide HERE
1 comment:
I just used this belt for a 100 miler. Having two flask in the back pocket for the entire race, I don't think the cinch down straps are over-built at all. This is the main part that keeps the back from bouncing. But I guess you have to have something in the cons category. haha Nice review. This belt is rad and quite the game changer.
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