amphipod hydraform ergo-lite ultra 20oz. review

Disclaimer: I received Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra™ 20oz. to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

First run with the Amphipod Hydraform - 6 miles!

In Chicago, summer has arrived (and came early this year, it seems). What does that mean? Other than high temps, that also means high humidity. That means when I head out for a run, I'm sweating the instant I step outside, but the sweat doesn't dry to cool me down, thanks to the said humidity. Woof.

Anyway, this also means drinking all the liquids! Even on short runs, I'm carrying water with me. A lot of my training lately has had medium and long runs - not many short runs to speak of, but I've carried my Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra during the Bears 5k, 6 milers, and 12 miles.

I think 13 miles is the longest I can go with a handheld, personally, since that takes me about 3 hours. I'm sure others can go longer since they run quicker ;)

71 degrees is nice, but sunny and 75% humidity is not.

It was perfect for my 6 milers. I filled it with ice (the wide mouth made that easy), water, and some Skratch Labs. I usually had it finished by the time I was done with run. I love the larger pocket. I have an iPhone 6, but with the Lifeproof case, which makes it pretty large and in charge. This is why I opted for the 20oz instead of the 16oz. It mentioned the 16oz was big enough for the iPhone 6, but the 20oz said iPhone 6 Plus or other large phones. I figured it would be my best bet of fitting, and I think I picked right. It also had a key clip, a smaller pocket inside for ID/cash. I was able to fit my phone, key, inhaler, and chapstick. The pocket was stretchy, which made it easier to squeeze things in.

Some details about the Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra:

• Sized for XL phones

• Thumb-Lock™ sleeve design for grip-free ride

• Great for hot and cold weather use

• Removable sleeve is hand washable

• Huge expandable zipper pocket for easy access storage with key fob

• Internal pocket divider for ID or keys

• Cushioned, adjustable strap for the perfect fit

• Ergonomic bottle shape allows hand to rest in a natural position

• BPA-free and dishwasher safe bottle

• Easy-access outer gel slots for fast-access nutrition

• Insulated integrated sleeve keeps fluids cool and bottle/hands sweat-free

• Jet-Squeeze™ cap is leak free

12 miles on the trails.

After a few hot, sweaty runs I decided to give it a wash so I would be able to mention it in the review. It says hand washable, but I'm a rebel and tossed it by itself in the washing machine on delicate cycle (cold water, minimal spin dry) and then hung it on the drying rack. Worked great - no damage to the sleeve and nice and clean. 

I actually woke up early to run before going to work! Had to 'beat the heat' haha

I'll admit I wasn't always great at squeezing the bottle to get the liquid out (I usually found it more difficult once the bottle was getting close to empty) - but I found it easy to drink from just sucking it out from the cap like I do most other water bottles haha.

An evening run also required Knuckle Lights. 

The only issue I had with this bottle was getting the sleeve on the bottle. Since it was insulated, it was a rubber-like material on the inside of the sleeve, which meant it didn't easily slide on and off. I reached out to Amphipod for tips, and they mentioned rolling it off and on. I found the rolling off to be easier than rolling it on. After the first time off and on, it got easier with each time. Either it loosened up a bit, or I just got the hang of it. It was nice that it kept it insulated, as it didn't sweat all over my hand making it tough to hold the bottle, and kept my water/electrolyte drink cool longer.

Decided to bring it for the Bears 5k. Glad I did.
I think I drank half before even starting haha. It was hot!

The Amphipid Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra 20oz comes in either blue (with a clear bottle) or charcoal (with a neon yellow bottle) and costs $30. The 16oz comes in charcoal (with neon bottle), purple or aqua (both with clear bottles) and costs $28. 

I don't use gels, so I can't speak to the gel holders, but they seem nifty. I thought the bottle was very easy to hold... or perhaps I should say that it was so snug on my hand I didn't even really need to hold it. It was comfortable—the shape of the bottle fit nicely in my hand. I honestly didn't really notice it being there or my arm getting tired carrying it. 

After the Bears 5k. Thanks for keeping me hydrated!

I weighed the entire sleeve and bottle portion and it was about 5.06oz. Filled with water and with the pockets filled with my usual stuff (giant phone/case, inhaler, key, and Chapstick) it weighed in at about 2 pounds. Whoa. That sounds heavy, but I was fine carrying it. Maybe because I've gotten so muscular during my strength training haha. I'm guessing other people managed to have theirs way a lot less, as I'm the girl that has the heaviest phone/case + carries extra things.

If you're looking for a hydration solution for the summer (or all year round), I'd suggest looking into the Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra 20oz or 16oz. 

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Read what the other Pros thought:

Sarah | Alex | Jessica | Christine  | Haley

chicago marathon training 2016: week 4

Week 4 of Chicago Marathon Training
Monday, June 6: Rest Day
Tuesday, June 7: Strength Training Week 7, workout 1
Wednesday, June 8: 6 miles at CP (30/30); 1:23:03; 13:50 avg pace
Thursday, June 9: Strength Training Week 7, workout 2
Friday, June 10: Rest day
Saturday, June 11: 6 miles at CP (40/30 for 1.51 miles outside, then 40/30 for 1–4 on the treadmill, 30/30 the last .5 mile) 1.51 = 20:34, 13:39 avg pace. 4.5 treadmill = 54:25; 12:05 avg pace
Sunday, June 12: 12 miles at CP (30/30); 2:54:02, 14:30 avg pace

Week Total Mileage: 24.01 
Marathon Training Mileage: 114.67

YTD: 540.99

6 miles with my Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra 20oz.
Perfect size for this thirsty lady. Also loving the NB Vongo and my new
Momentum Jewelry band.

This was an 'easier' week, to recover from my back-to-back half marathons the weekend prior. Week 7 of strength training really did crank it up a notch. Whooeeee.

I had to switch up the schedule a bit. I was supposed to run 6 miles Friday and 12 on Saturday, but I was caught at work late on Friday and with the heat, I just wasn't feeling 6 miles by the time I got home. Plus. Saturday was supposed to be crazy hot, while Sunday was a bit cooler, so it seemed smarter to get the long run going on the cooler day.

I started running in my New Balance Vongos and the more they get broken in, the more I'm digging them (I always wear my new shows for errands and walking around before running in them). Enough cushion with still being lightweight. I timed getting new shoes poorly, as I should have already had 2 pairs for rotation, and I was only using 1. This was working fine, but when I've had to do the back-to-back runs, I've worn the same shoes, which sometimes gives me knee pain (because the cushion hasn't had a chance to bounce back, or whatever the proper terminology would be haha). Also, my current Lunarglides have just about had it, so I should have also already been breaking in a new pair of those. I finally got a new pair, and have 1 old pair of shoes and 2 new pairs to continue breaking in. Anyway...

6 miles on Wednesday went well. Saturday I slept through the alarm, and by the time I got outside, it was already in the 80s, plus there was an air quality warning. Running with asthma can be tough enough, but when I got only a half mile in, I was having more trouble than normal and I was feeling nauseous. I decided to call it quits at 1.5 miles. Having to get to the dentist, I decided to shower and get that done and then go to the gym later to finish my miles. Running on the treadmill wasn't ideal for having to try out some new intervals for running walking (generally on the treadmill I can manage to run for 2 minutes and then run 1 minute... but since I was trying out new intervals I didn't want to deviate). 

After the gym. Wore my new Oiselle Strider Shorts - love the longer length.
I used to never wear the spandex-like shorts when running, too self-concious,
so I usually only wore them with a skirt or the kind that have the looser shorts
over them. I've gotten more comfortable with my body and am confident now
to wear them alone. I am what I am, and I work hard every day to improve
my strength and speed, and am proud of that. I run this body, as the cool kids say :)

I had attempted to create a workout for the treadmill equipment through the website before going to the gym, but when I tried signing into the treadmill it wasn't there. That was annoying. So, every 40 and 30 seconds, I had to press the screen to switch from the run to the walk. That got tiring. At mile 4 I dropped back to 30/30. It went fine, and my stats were pretty good, but pretty sure my watch is a bit inaccurate for indoor running (even though I also have the foot pod). I had the treadmill at a 1 incline, since I think a 0 is too 'easy' in a way, and for me doesn't represent how it feels to run outside. I need some type of resistance/difficulty added in, since the treadmill helps propel you.

12 miles on Sunday I did about 9 on the trails which are more technical and tricky than my usual trail (plus, more hills than any of my usual routes). I like running there because it gives you a chance to use some different muscles and helps build them up, along with ankle stability. It was warm out, but survived with a 14:30 average pace.

Tried out some new trails. Saw this little (actually sort of large) guy crawling
across, so obviously had to get a photo of him!

All week I had been using my new Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Ultra 20 oz bottles. So far I'm loving it. No leaks and it has a nice jet-stream nozzle. I'm able to fit in my iPhone 6 with it's giant case, plus a key and my inhaler. Love that. After 10 miles Saturday I drank the first 20oz, so stopped to fill back up. And then I continued to drink the entire 20oz in the last 2 miles. It had gotten warm and I apparently was extremely thirsty haha.

I'm happy with how training is going, and I think I say this every week, but I'm so glad to be working with the Sweat Tracker team again. They are really helping me improve. I honestly wouldn't know how to begin a training plan for a marathon, let alone trying to figure out how to increase my speed or change my run/walk intervals. They have worked so well with me and figuring out a great plan that works specifically for me. High-five.