The Avanto Lifestyle Belt is a slimline belt designed to be worn to carry essentials close to your body when running, traveling or going about your business when you need to have key belongings with you but need hands free – for example walking the dog, concerts, and traveling.
This review covers the key features of the Avanto Lifestyle Belt, and includes photos and a video showing what it looks like when worn.
How many pockets does the Avanto Lifestyle Belt have?
The Avanto Lifestyle belt includes four pockets. Two are smaller and can fit a phone but may also be useful for smaller items such as gels, lip balms, keys, headphones or some credit cards/cash.
The two larger pocket openings use the full height of the belt, and join up so that anything put into either of these openings can be moved all the way around the inside of the belt, for extra security/comfort when fitted against your body.
You can easily fit any size phone in the belt, including larger models such as the iPhone XS.
The Avanto Lifestyle Belt is designed to be slimline, and as part of this design means that it is 100% soft fabric, with no additional fasteners to put on or close the pockets.
The belt relies on a snug fit around your waist or hips to stay in place and stop items in your pockets moving. This is a simple but effective design, and I appreciate the lack of additional bulk that would come with pocket fasteners.
In using for lifestyle as well as running, I have not had anything move around or fall out. Due to how closely the belt fits to your body, and the size of the pocket openings vs the pocket sizes, once you put something in the pocket, then it is unlikely to come out unless you didn’t stow the item right down into the pocket.
For added security, you can also move the items within the pockets so they’re further away from the opening and even less likely to come out unexpectedly.
See my video review on YouTube for more details on the Avanto Lifestyle Belt’s pockets, including close-ups showing the openings and what I typically store in them. Alternatively, keep reading to the end of this post to see the YouTube video review.
Using the Avanto Lifestyle Belt for travel, festivals, concerts etc
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You can choose to wear the belt over the top of clothing (as I usually do when wearing it to walk the dog… or taking photos to show you guys how it looks!) or under clothing, if you want to keep it hidden and use it as a money belt. Provided you don’t stuff it with very bulky items, or wear really close-fitting clothing over the top, then it’s hard for someone else to tell you’re even wearing it.
The belt is designed to be worn comfortably next to your skin, and the fabric is therefore soft and unlikely to cause any chafe. When worn on the waist it is much less likely to move around if it’s directly on your waist and not over other clothes that could move.
Due to how the pockets open (they can be fiddly if you don’t know where the opening is) and the location in which the belt is worn against your body and under clothes, this belt would be a good option if you’re traveling somewhere where pick-pockets may be a concern.
Of course, it’s hard to beat the most determined pick-pockets but chances are this would be a challenge for someone to access and actually open a pocket without you noticing.
The Avanto Lifestyle Belt folds up small (as shown in my video review) so it’s easy to put in your suitcase to take with you when traveling for work or vacation – you can use it as a money belt when traveling but it’s also handy for running or taking to the hotel gym when you need to keep a few essentials on you.
I’ve found that my Avanto Lifestyle Belt is particularly handy for walking the dog and other activities when I need to keep both hands free and don’t want to carry a bag for my phone, credit card and keys.
Using the Avanto Lifestyle Belt for running
When sized correctly and fitted close to your body, I’ve found that the Avanto Lifestyle Belt stays put and doesn’t shift around or bounce when used for running.
The items I’ve carried in it are my phone, a credit card, keys, a snack bar, and a buff and I’ve worn it on road and trail runs up to around 10k to date.
Generally, if I’m running on a trail longer than an hour or so then I’d typically wear a race vest so I can carry other items such as a bottle of water.
If you’re not quite at the point where you can justify buying a race vest, and are still using your pockets or perhaps an armband to carry your phone/essentials with you on runs, the Avanto Lifestyle Belt is a significant upgrade from pockets or armbands and a nice simple way to carry these small items with you comfortably – provided you get the sizing correct.
Note that in the photo below I have the smaller Avanto Lifestyle Belt on around my waist but over my clothes to show how and where it fits when worn in this location.
I would not recommend wearing it over your clothes when running or generally when worn on your waist as it can be uncomfortable to have your clothes pressed close to your body. Also, the belt is more likely to bunch up due to the movement of the clothes.
How much can you carry in the Avanto Lifestyle Belt
Capacity-wise the belt is capable of fitting a lot of stuff, as the fabric is stretchy and the main pocket actually runs all the way around the inside, so technically you could stuff a jacket, for example, in it and spread it throughout the entire circumference of the belt.
I don’t think this would be that comfortable (or look great as you’d have a big bulge around your waist 😉 ) but it’s definitely possible.
You could also fit a water bottle sideways in the belt, but again, I don’t think this would be the most comfortable and due to the stretchy fabric, something bulky and heavy like a water bottle is going to bounce around a little.
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What size Avanto Lifestyle Belt to buy?
At the time of writing, the Avanto Lifestyle belt comes in colors including black, camo and navy blue. The size options range from X-Small to XX-Large and all sizes are 6 inches high.
It is important to get the sizing right for the Avanto Lifestyle Belt to be comfortable and not move about or be too restrictive. There are two different ways to wear it, depending on your body shape / personal preference and also how you expect to use the belt: your hips, or your waist.
The most comfortable place I found to wear the belt is over my hips, either under or over clothing depending on what I’m doing.
However, if you intend to use the belt more for running than travel and lifestyle, then it may be better to buy a smaller size so you can wear it higher up, around your waist.
The reason for this is if you are running and particularly if you have curves, it’s likely the belt will ride up if you have it on your hips.
If this happens then it will end up around your waist but be loose, and therefore it will move around and be uncomfortable and risk items falling out. So I found it better to wear a smaller size for running with, so the belt sits around my waist. This takes some getting used to as you have the additional fabric and items close to your belly.
I’d, therefore, wear my Large Avanto Lifestyle Belt for lifestyle and travel, but use a Small size if I was going to use it mostly for running [and for reference, I typically wear US 6 clothing (UK 10)].
The Company offers additional guidance on sizing on their website, as well as offering free exchanges if you do order a size that isn’t quite right. If you want to buy one, head to the product on Amazon.com:
Avanto Lifestyle Belt on Amazon.com
$4.99 in stock
Features
- Fits all phones universally. A zipper closure is not needed when a tight fit is chosen
- To get the best size, measure your waist and see the size chart before ordering
- NO BOUNCING - superior for running and workout as a phone holder, the weight spreads out around your hips and fits tight. Reflective logo for extra safety. The correct size is important. Please measure your waist and see the size chart
- Super comfortable phone holder for running! Running belts super flexible material needs no zippers
- Wear as running phone holder on top of clothes or as a hidden money belt for travel under shirt
Avanto Wrist Wallet
When you buy the Avanto Lifestyle Belt on Amazon, a separate wrist wallet is included. This is a small pouch with two pockets, one of which has a zip. The wrist wallet can be used for whatever you wish, whether or not you’re also wearing the belt.
It’s pretty handy if you need to just carry a card and some small change or keys/headphones – I use it if I’m going to a hotel gym and needs somewhere to put my room key and headphones.
It’s worth noting, as the Company points out in the product description, that the wrist wallet is not designed to carry a phone – it’s not quite big enough to fit one. In the picture, I have it on over my clothes to show you what it looks like, but I’d normally wear it directly on my wrist.
Where to buy the Avanto Lifestyle Belt
Amazon.com
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$4.99
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In Summary – Avanto Lifestyle Belt Review
The Avanto Lifestyle Belt is a great option if you’re:
- looking for a comfortable money belt that you can use regularly for lifestyle activities such as travel, concerts, yoga, and public events when you need belongings close to you and to keep your hands free, and/or
- seeking a running belt to carry small essentials on your run, especially if you do not yet own more expensive running-specific accessories such as a hydration pack/running vest that could also be used to carry such items.
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Video Review
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