![]() The backpacks we see on the 3-Day also vary in style. ![]() Jennifer (Michigan 3-Day coach, 10x walker, 11x after 2016) – Yes, I am Team Waist Pack. I actually still have the waist pack I bought back in 2002 when I was preparing for my first 3-Day and it is the one I continue to use. There have been a few 3-Days where I have walked with a light backpack but I came back to the waist pack simply because a backpack is not comfortable for me. My waist pack holds one bottle and the holder is right in the middle. However, I prefer to carry my bottle, switching it from hand to hand occasionally this reduces swelling in my fingers. My waist pack also allows me to display the 4 million (give or take) pins that I have collected over the years. Now I am 40–I require more hydration, and on more than one occasion (especially on long training walks without pit stops), I’ve been incredibly grateful to have two bottles instead of just one. I was resistant to a two-bottle holder at first (bulk on my lower back), but it provides good balance. I do not carry much with me, though, just the necessities (blister care, a spare pair in a baggie, sunscreen, chapstick, etc.). It finally saw its last day and for my last two events I have a new two-bottle waist pack. (15x walker, 16x after 2016) – For 13 of my 15 3-Day events, I used the same single-bottle waist pack. I’m also “that girl” that wears the pack in the front-I like easy access to everything! The biggest thing I look for in a pack is loops where I can attach carabiners because you can hook anything to those (long sleeved shirt, mini-Purell, credentials…). I’m also very strict about the water AND sports drink rule (and require a lot of hydration) so I have always had a two-bottle pack. ![]() I originally tried to train with a hydration backpack but my bursitis/tendonitis-inflicted shoulder quickly announced that that was not an option. (5x walker, 7x after 2016) – I use a fanny pack (I’m old-school with the name, too). The backpack tended to hurt my back and the waist pack is much more comfortable. I love that it is so easy to turn around and grab things when I need them. I wore that pack for six events (including one when I was pregnant!), then I switched to a waist pack that fits two smaller water bottles very comfortably and has enough room on the inside for socks, snacks, and a poncho. It was the perfect size for a pair of socks, my windbreaker, and the water bladder, and I attached an additional water bottle with a carabiner. (9x walker, 11x after 2016) – My first few years walking I used a child-sized hydration pack. Likewise, I can swing the pack around to my front to get a tissue or put something in easily. I love mine because of the rigid rim bottle holders this allows me to reach for either bottle (one water, one sports drink), drink and replace without needing to stop walking. The waist pack I use has been through 21 walks and thousands of miles when one counts training walks. (21x walker, 25x after 2016) – Because of the number of lymph nodes I’ve had removed, one of the restrictions (to avoid lymphedema) is to not carry anything on my shoulders, so I felt I didn’t have a choice in the matter. In assorted sizes, modern waist packs come with lots of zipper pouches, clips and straps, and special sleeves made for holding water bottles. These packs are a far cry from those single pouch, “cheesy tourist” numbers from the 80s and 90s, and now come in styles made specifically for long-distance athletes. Team Waist PackĪ waist pack is worn (you guessed it) around the waist, usually with the pack in the back. Whether you’re a new walker faced with making the choice for the first time, or a veteran who has their go-to but may be curious about how the other side rocks their pack, we’ve got some different perspectives to share. We asked a segment of 3-Day walkers whether they were Team Waist Pack or Team Backpack, and they responded with some insightful and entertaining replies. But other walkers are quite particular, and will defend their pack of choice vocally. My choice? I’ve walked with both, I see the benefits of both styles, and I don’t necessarily have a preference for one over the other. Those water bottles, extra socks, sunscreen, snacks and phones need a way to get through the 60 miles with their walkers, and the two most common options we see used are the waist pack (I have been forbidden to refer to it as a fanny pack) and the backpack. When embarking upon months of training for the 3-Day, and when they get to the event itself, walkers make a very personal choice about the best way to haul their walking must-haves with them.
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