It all started in my living room, on a sewing machine that had seen better days. I was frustrated. Every long run reminded me of the same problem: the gear on the market just didn’t work for me.
As an elite trail runner and M.Sc. in Sports Science, I spend countless hours on the trails – from short tempo runs to ultra-distance mountain races. And over the years, I’ve tested every storage solution out there.
The common problems with existing solutions
If you’ve ever searched for “best way to carry water while running” or “running belt bouncing”, you’ve probably run into the same issues I did:
1. Running belts that bounce or chafe
No matter how tight you strap them, most belts shift during the run. This constant movement causes chafing and makes accessing gels or flasks awkward mid-stride.
2. Running vests that are overkill
Vests have their place – long mountain ultras, extreme conditions – but for everyday training or 1–3 hour runs, they often feel excessive. They add heat, restrict movement, and take more time to put on and adjust.
3. Tights and shorts with poor pocket design
Some running tights have pockets, but too often they’re too small, placed awkwardly, or can’t handle the weight of a full soft flask without sagging.
From frustration to first prototype
I knew there had to be a better way – so I started sketching ideas and eventually sat down at my kitchen table with fabric, elastic, and that old sewing machine. Obviously I was out of my league with a master's in sports science, but I gave it my best shot.
The idea was simple:
What if the waistband of the tights could be the running belt?
No extra layer, no extra bounce, no compromise on freedom of movement.
The first prototype was far from perfect – the stitching was rough, the fabric wasn’t right, and the pockets needed rethinking. But I took it for a run, and the potential was clear.
Dozens of prototypes later (and hours figuring out how to use a sewing machine)…
Through testing in Danish forests, mountain trails abroad, and high-intensity workouts, I refined the design again and again:
-
Waistband height and stretch adjusted for stability
-
Pocket openings refined for one-handed access
-
Enough stretch and depth to carry gels, keys, and a 500 ml soft flask securely
-
Breathable, durable fabrics sourced from EU suppliers
The result: performance tights with an integrated hydration waistband
The final design became the Pika Running Tights – my answer to years of frustration with existing gear.
The integrated waistband acts as a stable storage system, holding Pika Soft Flasks perfectly in place, plus gels, a lightweight jacket, or other essentials.
For most runs, you no longer need a belt or vest – just your tights and the essentials.
→ Check out the tights on our website: Pika Trail Running Tights
→ Also check out our softflask, made to have a perfect fit in the tights:
1) Pika Running Soft Flask 250ml
2) Pika Running Soft Flask 500ml
Why this matters
By combining storage into the tights themselves, you:
-
Reduce gear complexity
-
Avoid bounce and chafing from separate belts
-
Stay cooler without a vest
-
Have everything you need within easy reach
And from a sustainability perspective, you’re potentially replacing two pieces of gear (tights + belt) with one – meaning fewer resources used.
If you’ve had the same problems…
…this might be exactly the solution you’ve been looking for.
You can read more about our journey from living room sewing machine to first full collection here: About Pika Wear.
And if you’re curious about dialing in your hydration and fueling strategy, check out my full guide: Hydration and Fueling – A Simple Guide for Your Runs
Max Boderskov, CEO of Pika Wear