Fanny pack. Bum bag. Hip pack. Call it whatever you want, there’s no denying the lameness. Fanny packs are the Nickelback of bags and loving to hate them is one of those things that brings the world together.

The little waist pouches have been uncool since the beginning of time, even if it’s hard for me to admit it, as a former fanny pack wearer (about 25 or so years ago, because it was the 80s and I had to carry all my miniature toys somehow).

But you know what? You know what’s more stupid than the fanny pack? No, don’t say “nothing”. There’s one thing more stupid than the fanny pack – those stupid coin pockets they put in running shorts. What the hell am I supposed to fit in there? Don’t say “coins”. I’m a journalist, you know I have no money. Nothing – that’s what I carry in those stupid tiny square sacks.

After a first experience with a hydration belt that made me want to stay away from hydration belts forever (that thing bounced more than, well, something really bouncy), I still wanted an alternative to carrying gels, keys and cell phone on my hands on longer road runs (and the hydration backpack, while awesome, is a little too much for some of these).

A few days ago, I ordered a Spibelt and joined all the fanny pack wearers of this world (my next move will be going grocery shopping in my pyjamas and officially give up on everything). I wore it for the first time during the half marathon that wasn’t meant to be a half marathon at all.

You’ll notice I didn’t even go for the discreet black model. Nah. If you’re going to look stupid, do it in polka dots. Giant multi-colored polka dots, to be precise. However, since I wear it around my waist and my running tops usually fall slightly below the waist, no one really gets to admire the fanny pack in all its polka-dotted glory (but I know it’s there, I know that, deep inside, under that dri fit layer, I’m a proud fanny pack wearer).

I don’t even care, society. Judge away. This thing doesn’t move an inch (unlike the cheap hydration belt I’d bought before) and it means I only need to carry water (if I choose to) on my hand during those runs. I’ll still wear the hydration pack for longer distances, especially trails, especially since I carry everything except the kitchen sink in it, but, for other times, I’m a full Spibelt convert. I’m going to go ahead and declare this multi-colored pouch of shame my new favourite running accessory. There, it’s out there. Fanny pack wearer and proud of it.

Now, just before I leave, a little disclaimer: super generic girl makes zero money (unbelievable, I know!). Spibelt doesn’t know I exist and paid me nothing for this post. I’m writing it because I really like the product and, just in case you’re also sick of carrying stuff on your hands while running, you might want to give it a try too. They have all sorts of different models, not just the basic one I went for. Go nuts and embrace the fanny pack.

Oh and also, while I’ve got my hands on the keyboard, a little bit of housekeeping: since Google Reader is on its way out, I’m finding other ways to ensure I get my daily dose of online procrastination in. I’ve signed up for Feedly and am on Bloglovin’ too. There’s always good old Facebook to keep track of new posts but I also finally sat down and started compiling a list of daily reads. I’m sure I’m still missing some but I’ll keep updating it as I remember.