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Runners who tend to disdain handheld water bottles may appreciate this new lightweight flexible option from Osprey. Unlike traditional hard-bottle handhelds, which position the hand in a gripping position, the Duro handheld straps around the wrist, making for a truly hands-free fit (so much so that we were able to type out this sentence while wearing it!).
The handheld slides around the wrist and up between the thumb and pointer finger, over the back of the hand. The band is thin and lightly padded, yet secure, thanks to a quick-release tension strap around the wrist.
Osprey’s video tutorial shows the bottle being worn palm-side, though in practice it can be worn in reverse, with the flask against the back of the hand. This is particularly nice for breathability during hotter runs, as it frees up the heavy sweat zones on the palm. Conversely, when winds picked up, we were able to retract our fingers into a fist to avoid the dreaded “cold-hand claw” (this was true for both orientations).
The stretchy mesh upper features a zippered compartment, big enough to fit keys and/or a few gels, as well as a small, un-zippered pouch. However, the pockets are also backed with a stiffer material that helps give structure to the flask even as it empties.
We only tested the 250ml version, although it also comes in a 500ml size.