A hose for a reciprocating pump, the hose comprising: a first end and a second end separated by a length (L) along a centerline of the hose, wherein the first end reciprocates with a reciprocating element of the reciprocating pump during operation of the reciprocating pump; an inner surface and an outer surface separated by a thickness; and a variable bend radius wherein a bend radius of a first section of the hose is different from a bend radius of at least one second section of the hose, such that, during operation of the reciprocating pump, a stress on the first end of the hose, the second end of the hose, or both the first end of the hose and the second end of the hose is reduced relative to that of a hose that does not contain the variable bend radius.