Over the past year I've bought a belt system with mutliple small bottles, waist-belt-water-pouch with tubing and a waist-belt-bottle holder. All of them were so frustrating and bouncy that I would usually ditch them on the side of the road and just hope they were still there later. This one sits easily in your hand, has nice mesh padding for the back of your hand and a strap to tighten that is pretty easy to use. The camelbak spout is great, and the bottle itself is easy to squeeze. The pouch on the side easily holds bulky keys and a gu, but isn't quite big enough for a phone. I still find myself getting a little annoyed at its heaviness when it's full, but I've decided to consider this a bonus arm workout. I also find I drink more when I have this in my hand. I've used it on runs of 16-20 miles without much difficulty.

Kagwi

Florida

I am a low mileage runner, ave 6 miles per run, and I wanted to get something that was easy to use that could also store my keys and eventually gels. Great: Snug to the bottle - it doesn't flop around inside its little carrier. Strap is comfortable and adjustable. The bottle itself doesn't leak which is a minor miracle as all of my others do, so that in itself is worth the purchase. The bottle is lighter than other insulated water bottles and it fits nicely in the hand. Not so great: The zipper on the little pouch is stiff. Perhaps with use it will loosen a bit. I can't imagine getting gels out easily on a longer run without needing to use both hands (i.e. stopping). Also, if you happen to be one of those people who run in a warmer climate, the hand sweating against plastic bottle thing is not pleasant. I find myself switching hands just as much as I did before I had a Grip. Summary: Does exactly what it says on the tin. I've used it for hiking as well and like the portability.

delaruns

Los Angeles, CA

I wanted something insulated, easy to hold and functional for short runs(under 3 miles) or when I take my dog out for a walk. I always love Camelback products and this really stood out for me. Its insulated which is great since we've had such hot summers, and your hand doesnt get cold or wet during your walk. I also like the locking nozel which doesnt leak when running. There's only two drawbacks on bottle. It doesnt adjust very well if you have small hands. Also there is a very small zipper on the case, and I do mean very small. I tried putting my house and car key in it and I had a hard time zipping it up. But altogether, this is a really good product and very affordable

Sophie's mommy

Fort Wayne, IN

Excellent for shorter runs (4-6 miles) in extremely hot & humid weather or mid-length runs (6-10 miles) in mild temperatures. Easily adjustable, comfortable, holds essentials, and keeps beverages reasonable cold / refreshing.

Dan C.

Florence, KY

Overall great water bottle. Very lightweight and easy to use. The pocket on front is perfect for a Gu packet and a key. The only problem I have is that it makes your hand sweat quite a bit I have to keep switching hands.

OB

Jacksonville, AR

For a handheld carrier there really isnt much more I could ask for. I use this while doing my long trail runs. These typically last 2-4 hours and I cant even notice I am carring it even when its full(which I was concerned about).

billy

wv

It's nice and does all that it says it would but I don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would. I would recommend this to a friend but only if they were longer distance runners than myself.

Krystle

New Brunswick, Canada

big improvement from my old one, which froze my palm for the 1st 20 minutes of my run. It shoots just the right amount of fluid with little effort. Strap holds well and doesn't loosen. I would recommend to anyone.

Don

Wisconsin

An excellent water bottle for longer runs. The grip allows the bottle to be secure without fully grasping the bottle with a closed hand. The zippered pouch has a hook for one single key. No more than one key will fit unless the compartment is left empty otherwise. I am able to fit two gel packets in the zippered pocket by folding the top over on each and, while the zipper is sometimes stiff, it is simple enough to open during a run and access a gel. The valve on the bottle is clever. Easily manipulated and has not leaked. If you've never used one of these before, the first time out with a full bottle may seem heavy. The bottle will lighten, of course, throughout your run and I found that the next time out I had already accustomed myself to the weight.

Commuter by Foot

Oakland, CA

I have been searching for the best way to carry water on my long runs. This is it!! Kept the water cold but my hand was not cold. Most comfortable way to carry water yet.

Jackie

Canton, OH

Used on a trail marathon, but pouch is too small to fit enough energy gels, endurolyte tablets, etc. Did keep water cooler though.

Run doc Run

Coto de Caza, CA

Easy to hold. Keeps beverage cold. Easy to drink from. Does not spill. Pocket is the largest of the holders I own.

Trailrunner2448

Colorado Springs, CO

I am a long distance runner currently training for the Denver Marathon and then my second Boston in 2011. I was looking for to switch from a waiste hydration system to something easy to carry but also able to hold the necessary fluids. The CamelBak quick hydration was perfect! I would say there really is only one con to the product and that being you can only fit about one gu packet in the pocket and maybe a key. However, I have been on two and three hour runs with this and the insulated bottle keeps my drink cold and the hand strap is comfortable. Highly recommended!

Merrillxc

Denver, CO

Comes with a nice bottle, but I prefer the bite-valve bottle, and this holder is able to be fitted with the .75L bottles I already own.

passedpast

Cape Cod, MA

I'm a big fan of Camelbak products. I had been looking for a hydration solution for my mid/long runs of my marathon training and this is working well. It's nice you don't have to grip it, so it's comfortable. The pocket just barely fits a gel, but that's perfect for mid distance runs. The only thing that's not perfect about it is you tend to get a blast of air at first when you use it, and it also doesn't empty completely (there's a bit left in the bottom, which is a big tease when you're thirsty!). Otherwise, it's worked great.

Sconnie Girl

Seattle, WA

I live in a very dry climate so even short runs (2 miles) are hard to do without portable hydration. The bottle holster is somewhat tricky to adjust but fits a wide variety of hand sizes. In classic Camelback quality, everything is well made and sturdy. The nipple is a bit of a challenge to wash. The little pocket is worthless. It barely holds just one key on a ring.

starting over

Sierra Nevada Mountains

I use this water bottle when running long distances such as 14 or 20 miles. I was getting so thirsty and my smaller water bottle just wasn't enough. This water bottle is really easy to grip. The strap makes the weight balance well and is comfortable on runs of 3 hours duration. It is heavy when it's full, so it'sa good idea to switch hands throughout the run. Also the squirting mechanism is efficient -easy to drink out of and not drippy.

Runs in the dark

seattle

This is the first water bottle I have used that kept the ice from completely melting in 90+ degree weather for at least one hour. I also like that the outside of the bottle is not cold nor does it have condensation so my hand does not need a washcloth between it and the bottle. It is a bit heavy to carry only because I usually carry 6 oz bottles instead of this 21 oz but belts are too hot to wear during the summer.

Frank

Dallas, Tx

This is great for long runs when water fountains are not readily available. The bottle insulates well and is very comfortable to carry. The spout is the best design I've ever seen in a water bottle, no drips and easy on/off. The only con is that the zippered pouch is very small, can barely fit a gel pack and key...but can use a rubber band to carry more gel packs on the outside if you need.

Keebs

Chicago

This is a great handheld water bottle for short runs, however, if you have smaller hands it's hard to tighten enough that you can completely relax your grip. One-handed drinking without breaking stride was great, and it kept my water cold for the duration of my run (longest was 3 hours). In short, it would be perfect if it tightened with velcro instead of pull strap to tighten.

EJs runner mommy

Reading, PA

I absolutely love this water bottle! It fits in my hand so easily and I love the pocket. I'm able to fit my ID, chapstick and my whole key ring in the pocket. I also love that I can squirt the water out. It makes it easier when I'm running with my daughter or my friends daughter and I can share without the "cooties"

Z

Okinawa, Japan

Five stars for the bottle. Its easy to drink from, insulates well, and doesn't leak. Three stars for the strap. It holds the bottle well but as many have stated the pouch is small for a "full size" bottle. My 10 oz bottle has as big of pouch. My biggest issue though is that for smaller hands it is not possible to get the strap tight enough, and at times it loosens as you run.

MikeR

Kalamazoo MI

Great for those middle distance runs when a fuel belt is too much but no hydration is worse. Used this on a couple trail runs and during the Ragnar Relay, and was surprised that the extra weight on my arms really wasn't significant.

Odie

Seattle

This product is great for runners! It works with right and left handed runners! I have been using this product for 3 weeks and I have no hand cramping or any discomfort using this product! I love the zipper pocket so that I can put my house key in it!

Mindie The Runner

Renton, WA

Great for hot days and on the beach for running and walking.

running hot

Delaware

Compared to the old Ultimate Direction bottle, this one is too tall and top-heavy, making it unbalanced in your hand. Camelback should make the bottle shorter but slightly fatter in order to hold the same amount of water

margaret

Cleveland, OH

I happened upon this new water bottle because my previous one only held enough for 3 miles. Now I can run even more!!

Nicole

Asbury Park

good for short runs (30 minutes or less) on a hot or muggy day...comes up short for any run 45 minutes or longer...

River Place Speedster

Austin