Review on Nathan Peak Insulated Fanny Pack by Chad Gravely

Bought this when it was on sale as I'm getting back to running after a year off (I've been running long distance for 5 years). I wanted something other than my CamelBak backpack and AmpiPod 4 bottle hydration belt that I own. This hydration pack is well made but not worth full price. You basically pay for the package itself. The bottle stinks. Figuratively and literally. Terrible gas formation that I could smell even with a cold and a stuffy nose. It's made out of cheap plastic that will warp and leak over time (I had a CamelBak Big Chill made the same way and did the same thing). The double wall on it is very thin. Nathan really could have done a much better job if they swapped out the bottle for something more durable, like stainless steel or at least resin-based hard plastic. It may weigh more and not shrink, but I would prefer that the bottle didn't smell like poison and actually insulates better. The packaging itself is fantastic. It has plenty of pocket space and is very comfortable for my petite but curvy figure. It doesn't seem to bounce when I ran it around the house to check. I was hoping to take it out for a run today but decided to wait and buy an 18oz Klean Kanteen with a sports cap to replace the Nathan bottle. In the meantime, Nathan's bottle is being aired out and thoroughly cleaned, perhaps to be kept as a reserve or donated. Will update more later. Update 1 - I kept walking and ran with the package while waiting for the bottle to be replaced. I soaked the bottle in hot water for about an hour, filled 1/4-1/2 full with white vinegar, and then hand washed it after dealing with the chemical smell. The bag is wide but loses most of its depth when the backpack is buckled. Good for larger phones but wouldn't try to fit anything else to the side. I was concerned it would bounce (based on other reviews of the uninsulated Peak). It didn't bounce on me - not even when it moved higher on my waist (I tried to put it on my hips but nothing stayed there - my lovely hourglass figure be damned XD). The bottle shape is great. It lay on my back and was very easy to access. The spout worked perfectly, didn't leak. However, the bottle is useless as a vacuum flask. I filled it halfway with ice and cold water before running. I ran 3 miles slower late morning at 80F. By the end of my run all the ice had melted and the water inside was cool tap water. My CamelBak water packs stayed cooler longer (and they weren't insulated). So I'm looking for a double-walled stainless steel bottle as a replacement.