Typically my clothes selections are questionable… It could actually spark folks to assume “why these colors?” or “pairing that with that?” or “these are some fascinating pants/sneakers.” The one motive these ideas are sparked is as a result of my “fashion” isn’t the norm right here in my a part of Canada. I like to think about my fashion as Japanese meets Australian avenue; weirdly phunky and straight up superior.
Nonetheless, my clothes selections typically convey totally different inquiries to my head, primarily “why do I by no means have pockets?!” This turns into a pickle for a girl that doesn’t use a handbag. I don’t use a handbag as a result of I solely carry 2-3 issues; my telephone and my card, typically automotive keys. Fortunately I exploit a popsocket so I can carry all 3 objects in a single hand, whereas I sip my espresso from the opposite hand.
Doesn’t sound handy does it? That’s as a result of it isn’t. It solely took me a yr or two earlier than I began mentioning fanny-packs to my husband.
His phrases had been hilariously “Nope.”
I felt like a fanny-pack was my solely remedy, however I too, didn’t desire a stereotyped 90’s waist belt.
Convey within the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional
It’s time to overlook the fanny-pack stigma, we’re in 2025 now and there’s a extra discrete different that doesn’t scream-out-loud; it’s referred to as the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional.
Regardless that the model SPIbelt was born after the proprietor, Kim Overton, went for an unlucky keys-in-bra run, it has many makes use of different than simply working. SPI stands for Small Private Merchandise, you should use it for your entire small private objects every time and wherever you discover it handy.
When SPIbelt requested me to check the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional, alongside their SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles, I stated “Hell yea, my purse-less hand is cramping!” In actuality, I knew their model and bought these belts after I labored in retail and I’d actually wish to put it to the check, in an excessive manner.
The SPIbelt Efficiency Professional is a pocketed waist belt that can be utilized with or with out their water bottles, designed for distance and marathon runners. As an adjunct, they provide the water bottles individually they usually clip to the belt by every hip. Your small objects slot in a centered expandable pocket that has a weather-resistant zipper. On both aspect of the pocket are two elastic loops for exterior storage. Earlier than I proceed I’d wish to make issues clear; I would use the Efficiency Professional in a controversial manner, however it simply goes to indicate the flexibility of the SPIbelt Working Belts.
My Expertise with the “Bounce-Free Working Belt”
Day 1
Let’s begin with the cargo. Being drilled with lectures on sustainability whereas working at MEC (Canadian REI) I used to be very impressed to see the no-fluff, no-filler delivery and product packaging. Easy and with out plastic could be very a lot factor.
Jeffree (my pups) is my inspector at my aspect, and since he’s half person, he has a say as effectively.
When analyzing the belt, the very first thing I seen is the standard. This isn’t a buckle fabricated from low-cost plastic from China and this isn’t an inexpensive elastic band you’d discover on $5 underwear. And the pocket for private objects appears pretty puncture resistant. I used to be a bit apprehensive the pouch wouldn’t match my brick of a telephone, however it’s large enough to suit my Galaxy A15 completely.
The plastic bottles are made with the comfortable clear plastic typical of those bottle types and it has a mouth cowl, which is a considerate add-on.
Straight away Jeffree and I went for a stroll with the SPIbelt. For this stroll I used to be bringing the whole lot Jeffree and I wanted for a snug stroll. That included water, his water dish, treats, and pooh baggage. I used to be capable of match my telephone and his treats within the zippered pouch, I caught his pooh baggage in one of many loops, I clipped his water dish to a different loop and I stuffed the water bottles. There have been two loops to spare and I may have put a path bar in a single and I can clip Jeffrees leash to the opposite.
I don’t advocate loading the belt up like this for lengthy durations of time, the elastic may lose integrity quicker than it ought to.
Day 7
After a couple of week with the SPIbelt, I seen that I exploit it greater than the cross-body pockets I tried to convey into my life. I’ve been utilizing it daily since day 1, I’d say meaning it’s mindlessly helpful and handy; it fastened an inconvenience in my life, now I robotically go to make use of it with out thought.
I examined the SPIbelt whereas mountain biking and I discovered it retains the whole lot inside good and comfortable in opposition to the physique as I trip round. I additionally love the palm sized water bottles, it makes consuming water simpler and the sense of feat after ending a bottle is a pleasant reward. Nonetheless, the plastic leaches into the water after leaving it within the bottle in a single day (most comfortable plastics will) creating an disagreeable style that solely few folks discover.
I’ve created a exercise for myself and I name it the trail-athalon; jog, pull ups, plank on a forest path, and located it’s certainly a “bounce-free working belt.” Additionally, throughout any exercise typically stopping for water simply isn’t doable, having it connected to your hip is handy and doesn’t sluggish you or anybody else down. The water bottles, and the belt, additionally don’t flop round as you flop round.
It’s not simply used across the waist, you possibly can cross physique it, or put on it over the shoulder.
Day 14
By the point 2 weeks glided by I had put the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional to the check in some ways. It’s versatile working gear and tenting gear. I considered many outrageous however ingenious methods to make use of the belt:
| Rubbish Accumulating | Clip a grocery bag to every aspect, a snack within the pouch and water within the bottles |
| Hearth Equipment | Birch bark and different tinder within the pouch, lighter, Ferro rod and mini noticed within the elastic loops |
| Pee/Interval Equipment | Bathroom paper, tampons and pads within the pouch, sanitizer and a small trash bag clipped to a loop, and water within the bottles to clean arms |
| First Help Equipment | Bandages, ointment, painkillers, water purification tabs, scissors within the pouch, loopy glue, flashlight, tape within the loops |
| Snack Pouch | Unfastened or bigger snacks within the pouch, snack bars or skinny packages within the loops, water and fruit within the bottles |
| Beaching | Preserve your money at your waist when swimming and strolling the strip in a washing swimsuit |
| Touring | Simply disguise your life on this belt beneath your shirt for security |
Product specs
To maintain this simple for me, hopefully for you too, I’ll put my gathered specs in a chart right here and I’ll embrace the SPIbelt web site stats for comparability.
| Measurement of: | My Specs | SPIbelt Internet Specs |
| Belt Size | Full = 36.5” Brief = 28” (each sizes don’t embrace the 1.5” of buckle that doesn’t add to size) | Full = 38” Brief = 25” |
| Belt Width | 1.5” | 1.5” |
| Belt Stretch | 36.5” – 49.5” | N/A |
| Expandable Pocket | 9.5” x 4.25” x 1”- 2” | 9” x 4” x 2” |
| Zipper Size | 8.25” | N/A |
| Elastic Loops | 1.25” – 2.5” | N/A |
| Buckle | 2.75” x 1.75” x 0.5” | N/A |
| Slider Buckle | 1.75” x 1” x 0.25” | N/A |
| Water Bottle | 250ml / 1 cup 5.5” x 3” x 2” | 8oz |
| *Stitching High quality | Zigzag over straight seam with backstitching | N/A |
Nuances
Although I didn’t have many, there are a couple of nuances that may not jive with everybody who makes use of it. The primary one I seen is that the opening to the water bottle is on an angle, so if the bottle isn’t tilted whereas filling it proper to the rim, it should spill out (there’s a max fill line to keep away from this from taking place.)
The model tag is on the within of the pouch on the middle of the opening, stitched in with the zipper. When closing the zipper there are occasions when the tag will get caught, which causes the tag to fray, forcing you to chop it off. I assume I may have prevented the fraying if I had glued it right down to the internal pouch wall.
This one isn’t a giant deal in any respect, however when adjusting the size of the belt, the loop connected to the slider doesn’t keep in place. I don’t assume I’ve OCD, however I at all times discover myself fixing the loop though it doesn’t trigger any points.
If you happen to’re utilizing it for a sweaty exercise, no matter is inside will get damp. They do warn about this on their web site so it’s to be anticipated, simply don’t preserve electronics in there in the course of the sweaty occasions or get their waterproof baggie for the pouch.
Is the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional Price It?
After 2 weeks of just about daily use and abuse I can say that the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional, paired with the SPIbelt H20 Companion Bottles, really is a sturdy and versatile working belt. As you possibly can inform, it may be utilized in many handy methods, easy or advanced. You should utilize it with or with out the water bottles, and the loops don’t have for use both, making it primarily a 3-in-1.
So far as put on and tear goes, the one factor I’ve seen is that the stitching is barely fraying from abrasion which is presently solely affecting the looks, and the paint has chipped off the zipper in unnoticeable spots.
I’ve to confess, I nonetheless really feel like a dork after I unzip my pouch on the cashier, particularly when my popsocket will get caught. Sooner or later I’ll determine it out.
GIVE-AWAY: Win a FREE SPIbelt Efficiency Professional & Two H2O Companion Bottles!
One fortunate winner within the feedback goes to WIN a *FREE* SPIbelt Efficiency Professional and two SPIbelt H2O Companion Bottles!
Depart a remark down beneath telling us how YOU would put the SPIbelt Efficiency Professional to the check, and you possibly can be our fortunate girl!
This contest runs from 31 July till midnight on 14 August 2025. Good luck to all our fantastic readers!
*learn extra about our contests and giveaways right here*
Kaie Maie
I roam free, touring the provinces of Canada and sleeping wild via all seasons. As a Wilderness First Responder and Paddle Canada Teacher, outside survival is my experience. Herbalism is one other ardour of mine, by collaborating with Nicole Apelian (Alone survivalist) I share my data of herbalism with academic, medicinal recipes.
On a aspect be aware, I’ve a tough time being terrified of bears, and foxes love me.
