Rab Veil 1L running belt reviewed: Versatile, high capacity, uniquely secure

I’ve always been an all-or-nothing style trail runner when it comes to gear. I’m either out for a sprightly 5K with no water and no phone, just enjoying the breeze and the noticeable absence of pressure on my right pocket – a feeling I’ve come to cherish. Or, if I’m not galloping around reconnecting with nature, I’m geared up to the teeth.

I’ve got my special sunnies on, bone-conducting headphones blaring, and a top-notch hydration vest packed with a full bladder, extra layers, and a copy of Finnegans Wake.

So, even the best running belts never really appealed to me. The minimalist ones are often too small to comfortably fit my phone, and they definitely can’t carry any liquids, right?

Wrong. The Rab Veil 1L is a maximalist belt that aims to offer the practical storage of a small vest, but without the bulk – and crucially, without making your back sweat like a mad thing.

Design and construction

This belt may look familiar to anyone already into Rab’s gear – it’s made from the same materials as their Nitron lightweight backpack – mostly nylon with some polyester and ripstop – which I was very pleased to see when I pulled it out of the box. The build quality feels premium, and the belt has proven far more durable than many of its competitors.

It does feel a bit intimidating at first – there are so many pockets and sneaky pouches that it’s hard to know where the hell to put anything. It feels lightweight, though it’s possible the pack-style materials are tricking me into thinking this.

For a belt, it’s undeniably heavier than most contemporaries, but I really like how Rab spreads the weight across a large, flat surface, rather than using a thin strap with a huge bulging central compartment that juts out like a limpet.

The ripstop lining on the inside of the belt is an interesting choice. At first I was nervous – it feels reinforced, and I assumed that would be uncomfortable against a thin T-shirt. But I was wrong. Ripstop is actually very low-friction, which helps prevent abrasion.

As a result, any small shifts against my back were barely noticeable, and crucially, it didn’t grip my shirt so hard that it slowly rode up and exposed my lower back tattoo over the course of a few kilometres – something that’s happened one too many times for my liking.

The belt fastens with a Velcro-style hook-and-loop system. It’s soft to the touch and, surprisingly, doesn’t snag on extra layers (which I like to tuck into the sides of the belt rather than stashing them in zipped pockets).

The Velcro doesn’t feel as immediately secure as a heavy clip might, but it creates a nice even tension around the waist, which is great. It’s also totally adjustable, though less intuitive than a simple toggle – you have to peel it apart and reattach it manually to adjust the fit.

That said, once you’ve got it dialled in, it stays put, unlike some toggle-based belts that slowly loosen over time. Spend 30 seconds at the start of your run getting it just right, and you’re good to go go go.

Storage capacity and organisation

One thing I love about a secure running belt: you become a kind of trail-running Buckaroo, with all sorts of bits hanging off you. A spare jacket, poles, even a soft flask can sit in the exterior mesh pouches, while your phone and valuables are safely zipped away inside.

At first I thought the advertised 1L capacity might be a bit of a stretch, but in practice, it’s dead-on – maybe even conservative. A 500ml soft flask takes up just under half the total space, leaving plenty of room for a phone, snacks, or gloves.

The layout of the compartments is great for organisation, but not ideal for on-the-move access. The main compartment is zipped, though very easy to rummage in, and it includes an internal zipped pocket for keeping your phone and earbud case snugly tucked against your lower back.

Stick something soft in the main compartment and you’ve basically got a built-in crash pad – though realistically, falling onto the small of your back is only likely if you’ve slipped on a cartoon banana.

There’s minimal bounce inside the internal pocket – but that leads to a trade-off. You can keep your phone safe and secure, but it’s a faff to access if you want to check your running app, change playlists, or rewind a spicy section of your audiobook because you got distracted by some deer.

Alternatively, you can stick your phone in one of the mesh side pockets for quick access – but then it’s more exposed and could shake loose on rough terrain.

That said, these mesh pockets are cleverly designed. The top edge has a tight elastic overlay that you have to pull back slightly to reach into the actual pouch. It’s easy to slip your fingers in and grab a gel or your phone, but there’s no wide, open gap for things to bounce out of. Nicely done.

Fit and comfort

The belt feels great on the body – wide and flat almost all the way around, so there’s no pinching at the hips and the pressure is evenly distributed. Because of the way it adjusts, there’s no option to quickly cinch it tighter mid-run, so the fit forces you to trust that it’s not going to slide down, even if it doesn’t feel especially tight. It’s a different kind of security, but one I came to appreciate.

One issue: if the belt isn’t full, you will feel items bouncing around. If I’m just carrying a phone and earbud case, even in the inner pocket, they shift and bump against my back.

This is a belt that really works best when it’s loaded up – especially with a soft layer to pad things out. That does make it less versatile than slimmer belts you can grab for any run, but when you’re carrying gear, the Veil 1L is in its element.

Fully loaded, this belt shines. The broad shape presses against the body in a satisfying, stable way, allowing your core to engage and support the weight on your lower back effortlessly. It feels secure, even on steep terrain or long days out.

Price and competition

At £35 RRP, the Veil 1L sits right in the middle of the high-performance belt market. It’s a little more than your average no-frills running belt, but absolutely justified by its carrying capacity, comfort, and feature set.

It doesn’t offer the close-to-body, ultra-minimalist feel of something like the Naked Running Band or even the excellent-value Kiprun belt from Decathlon. And it doesn’t have the dedicated hydration support of pricier belts like the UltrAspire Speedgoat 3.0 (£80+) or some Camelbak options.

What it does have is versatility. The Veil 1L’s high capacity and multitude of pockets let you carry just about anything you need on a run, and organise it however you like. Whether it’s snacks, tech, layers, or even poles, this belt adapts to your outing – and doubles as a useful hiking belt too, something most running belts can’t claim.

Verdict

The Rab Veil 1L is a high-capacity, highly customisable running belt that’s built for people who like to carry plenty of gear but don’t always want to wear a full vest. It’s not the lightest or most adjustable option out there, but it’s tough, comfortable, and seriously versatile – a reliable companion whether you’re heading out for a gear-heavy run or a low-profile hike.

About the author

Milo Wilson is our resident running guru and full-time tester. He just celebrated his two-year anniversary here at LFTO, during which time he's destroyed more trail running shoes than most people buy in their lifetime. Every night, he prays for forgiveness for his blight upon the Earth's ecosystem.