Product reviews fall into two camps:

• Shills
• Dedicated enthusiasts

This isn't a shill article, so I'll cut to the chase:

If you don't know how to sew, and you're fresh out of electrical tape, skip the NB1100.

If you want to know how electrical tape relates to a running hydration belt, dig into this Nerd Belt review - keep reading.

I barely rely on search engine results when searching for authentic product reviews. If you're anything like me, you're growing tired of the endless product shills.

You're also probably tired of online chicken-pot-pie recipes that could double as dissertations about life in the old country. (why are online recipe articles so long?)

To find legit product reviews, I normally turn to places like Reddit to learn about people's actual experiences with a product. Sometimes there's not a lot of info there, or the intel is lacking.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world"

I'm trying to embody that more in my daily life, but this probably isn't what Gandhi meant by the quote.

Instead of another internet article telling you what you should buy, this article will share an honest, real-life experience. This is a review from a runner who is actively training for a trail marathon. There are no paid promotions. There are no affiliate links.

Before diving into why you need to learn how to sew or start stockpiling electrical tape to use the Nerd Belt NB1100, let's rally around some core product requirements for a running hydration belt.

Personal requirements for a running hydration belt

My expectations for a running belt seem straightforward:

• Supports my hydration needs on longer runs
• Has room for a phone and a few energy gels
• Isn't held together with electrical tape
• It doesn't give me blisters (ideally it's comfortable)
• It can hold my phone and some nutrition
• Doesn't require that I learn how to sew

That's it!

Key req: Holds enough water for my long-runs

I'm an epic sweater.

Running in the Midwestern USA feels like running in the tropics during the summer months.

I need a hydration belt that can hold a decent amount of fluid and nutrition. That's especially true for trail runs where I don't have the option of refilling my bottles.

Key req: It's comfortable

My hydration vest inflicted a gnarly blister during one of my marathon's long training runs.

After that, I started looking for an alternative and decided to check out hydration running belts.

First Impressions: Nerd Belt NB1100 (550ml Bottles)

I'm reluctant to admit that I'm susceptible to advertising.

I heard about Nerd Belts on a triathlon podcast and decided to check them out. Call me a total dork, but I think their "nerd" branding looks rad.

The brand is fun, and triathlon can get nerdy, so it fits.

As I mentioned, my running vest doesn't jive with my skin - I ended a recent long run with a blister on my chest.

I'm training for a trail marathon, which means that I need to be able to carry enough water and nutrition for long training runs in the woods. That brings me to the market, looking for something that supports my training.

Enter, the Nerd Belt NB1100 - a seemingly perfect fit for endurance athletes. The product description on Nerd Belt's site says it best:

BEST SUITED FOR:

• Ironman events
• Marathon
• Ultra Running
• Easily fill up to 550ml at every aid station
• Designed for athletes with high sweat and sodium loss

Nerd Belt NB1100 sounds like the perfect fit for my needs on paper - it holds 2 bottles, big ones - 550ml each. That's ideal for my upcoming marathon training runs, and I might even be able to use it during the race.

I decided to give it a try.

First Run Review: Nerd Belt NB1100

I tested the belt out the same day I received it in the mail. I planned to do hill repeats on a steep gravel road. The evening was warm - not too warm, but warm enough for some electrolyte-enhanced water when running up and down a decent hill. I decided to try out the belt with a single 500ml bottle.

I drove to the trailhead, threw on the NB1100, and started running.

The belt would. not. stay. in. position.

The strap adjustment cinches failed to prevent the strap from slipping. Every time I tightened the belt, it loosened after 2 steps.

The strap made the bottle bounce like it was up in the club. Unfortunately, we weren't in the club, we were on a run. And I don't want a bouncing bottle to give me a weird blister on my hip.

I salvaged the run by turning around, throwing the belt into my car, and running with my hydration in hand.

Chief Complaint - Extreme Bounce

I am partially to blame for the extreme bounce. I didn't read the instructions in the included "Nerd" bottle before taking it out for a run.

UPS delivered the package on a weekday, and I eagerly took it out for the inaugural run right after work. Who has time to rinse a new bottle out when squeezing in a post-work run?

As it turns out, the Nerd Belt's instructions include some key information,

Okay cool, that all makes sense and is straightforward enough.

"Adjust straps" -- "Fill bottle" -- "Adjust straps again"

Easy.

I'm sorry, did I read that correctly?

3. Either sew or use electrical tape directly behind the strap adjustor to lock in place.

I avoid running with sewing kits and electrical tape because I'm not Macgyver.

Nerd Belt doesn't mention this anywhere on the product page. The retailer I purchased it from didn't either.

I initiated a return of the belt when I got home from my run. I didn't bother to take the instructions out of the bottle until writing this article.

I recommend that the company work on their communications. There's a decent chance other customers will miss this critical information.

Will the belt work if you sew it in place?

It might.

Should you have to use electrical tape to hold your brand-new running belt in place while using it?

That's up to you.

Other Nerd Belts - 200ml bottles & 300ml bottles

Nerd Belt also produces belts to fit 200ml bottles and 300ml bottles. My experience with the 550ml bottles didn't match my racing or training needs. If you're still eager to try out the brand, try one of the belts with smaller bottles. They're more light weight, so they might bounce less.