Outdoors

Runtimate magnetic running belt keeps your gear secure

Runtimate magnetic running belt keeps your gear secure
The Runtimate magnetic running belt has launched on Kickstarter to raise production funds
The Runtimate magnetic running belt has launched on Kickstarter to raise production funds
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The Runtimate magnetic running belt has launched on Kickstarter to raise production funds
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The Runtimate magnetic running belt has launched on Kickstarter to raise production funds
The belt is designed to carry everyday essentials like a smartphone and keys
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The belt is designed to carry everyday essentials like a smartphone and keys
Runtimate is hosting a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding
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Runtimate is hosting a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding
The Runtimate belt with smartphone, light and water bottle
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The Runtimate belt with smartphone, light and water bottle
The Runtimate pouch adds space for things like keys and cash
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The Runtimate pouch adds space for things like keys and cash
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Keeping light and comfortable during a run and carrying a bunch of personal belongings are diametrically opposed concepts. Even small items like keys and cash can quickly overwhelm the tiny amount of pocket space on running shorts and shirts. There are already plenty of solutions for this problem, but hydration armbands, running waist packs and bottle-securing gloves aren't right for every runner. Italian startup Runtimate uses the power of magnets to create a gear-carrying belt it believes is a better fit for those keeping fit.

In seeking to create a more balanced, bounce-free solution for runners, Runtimate found its proverbial lightbulb in magnets, which it integrates into its belt to spread the load around the waist and provide quick attachment and detachment. It's not the first to think of magnets for running accessories, but its belt is different from the magnetic pouches and pockets we've seen.

Since common essentials like water bottles and smartphones aren't magnetic, Runtimate complements the belt with purpose-built magnetic accessories and holders. It currently has a magnetic 8.5-oz (250-ml) Hydrapak SoftFlask water bottle, a smartphone holder (fits various phones from Apple, Samsung and HTC), a towel, and a small pouch. Beyond those, Runtimate also shows the possibility of attaching things like a magnetic action cam mount and light.

The Runtimate belt with smartphone, light and water bottle
The Runtimate belt with smartphone, light and water bottle

To use the system, the runner simply secures the belt around the waist with the magnetic closure, slaps any needed items onto it and gets going. Out on the road or trail, he or she has immediate access to those items with no fuss. While backpacks and waist packs can bounce around uncomfortably during runs, Runtimate says each of the six magnets can keep items up to 8.8 lb (4 kg) stable and bounce-free.

Runtimate claims its neodymium magnets are safe for both the runner and his or her smartphone. It does admit, however, that the magnets are not yet credit card-compatible. It claims to be working out a solution but says runners should not use the belt to carry cards in the meantime.

Runtimate is still developing the belt, a separate dual-magnet smartphone-holding armband and, of course, the requisite smartphone app (performance tracking, games, social features, etc). It launched a Kickstarter campaign this week with the goal of raising the money it believes it will need to finish development and start production by June 2016. It's offering a variety of pledge levels, including the belt and smartphone holder starting at €45 (US$49), the armband and smartphone holder starting at €25 ($27) and the belt plus all four attachments starting at €85 ($93).

The one-minute video below shows the Runtimate belt running and training.

Source: Runtimate

Runtimate Free Training

View gallery - 5 images
4 comments
4 comments
Peter Kelly
Yet another solution to a problem that doesn't exist, except in the minds of fools, and not even a particularly good solution either!
If running is that important then there is absolutely no need for all the claptrap listed here. Should you be so daft as to want to carry pounds and pounds of 'vital' items, the last thing you need is a belt that probably weighs more than all of it put together!
FrankieK
Well, I think the problem do exist. If you go for the long run hydration is vital, and reaching the water bottle and put it back is really annoying. It might look cumbersome but it could be a really good solution.
Fernando77
Not a bad idea....I always carry the smartphone in my hand when I run because I need music to run, but when the random playing goes on justin bieber i NEED to change QUICKLY!!!!! now, running with the smartphone in my hand is such a pain in the a**!!!! This seems to be an easier system
Bob Humbly
I think that hydrating with those few drops won't be that helpful, I've seen cheaper and less ridiculous bat belts. we definetely needed another with less features than others similar. after all of these negative feedbacks I can say that the only good thing is the girl in the pics!