[Closed] Carrying phone while trail running

get a cheap gps watch

Arm bands are great. I've got a belkin one that was about a tenner and a Chinese cheapo one that's almost as good. Both allow the touchscreen to be used (not brilliantly but enough to hit start and stop) not waterproof tho if that's important

Bum bag

I've got a bum-bag type thing which I use to carry my phone... but then I also have to carry house keys, poo-bags for the dog, plus his lead.

Have looked at the armbands, but I'd be a little worried that I'd just soak it with sweat! Or it'll let the phone get wet if it rains.

Yeah, waterproof would be preferable.

Is there such a thing as a cheap GPS watch? I also need something to keep a couple of keys in.

[url= http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=8061 ]£99[/url]

been dumped by Motorola though, however you can convert the files to endomondo happy TCX's

[url= http://motoactvjunkies.com/2012/05/24/using-motoactv-with-strava-endomondo-mapmyride-mapmyrun-runkeeper-and-more/ ]here[/url]

or just get

[url= http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=9975 ]this[/url]

I think a bum-bag would be a bit overkill for just a phone and two keys.

Entry level garmin watch is £99 but you've got the added faffage of plugging into the PC to upload your run

£99

been dumped by Motorola though, however you can convert the files to endomondo happy TCX's

here

or just get

this

Going from a £10 armband to a £99 watch doesn't sound cheap to me. Thanks, but I'll skip.

Have you not got a pocket...

Phones, keys fall out of pockets. Plus my Sony Ericsson Arc S is a bit too big and would be annoying in the pocket of my shorts.

Going from a £10 armband to a £99 watch doesn't sound cheap to me. Thanks, but I'll skip.

how much would your phone cost to replace?

how much would your phone cost to replace?

That is irrelevant when there are perfectly reasonable ways to carry and protect my phone available at a much lower price. Plus, I can't carry keys on a watch.

I'm on a phone so can't do links, but go to the Field and Trek website and search for running accessories.

There is a Karrimor running belt (not race belt) for £4 which is an elastic belt with an expandable stretchy pocket. It takes my phone, keys and epipen and I don't notice it when running. Perfect.

Thanks Boris, I'll have a look at those.

I use an armband with Endomondo. I've used the cheap Ebay ones and they're fine, but might rub on your arm a bit depending on the design.

If you want something a bit better quality, the Tunebelt ones are really well made, and they also do a waist-mounted one if you'd prefer that. They also have storage for a house/car key.

I have about 4 armbands lying unused as it took a few tries to find one that would take my big phone in its shockproof case. You can have one or more these for the cost of the postage if you like? Let me know the size of your phone if you're interested. Most were bought to house a Galaxy S3 or bigger.

Thanks W1zard: My phone is a Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S. I think they are similar in size to the Galaxy.

Looking through the ones I've got, this one looks like the best fit ( ). The phone pocket measures about 120x65mm. No key pocket on this one, but it's got a 'hatch' at the back so you could just put a house key behind the phone. It's pretty light so I could stick it in a 'large letter' if you wanted it 🙂

Thanks w1zard. However, I think that would be a little small.

I also have an extra-large one at 145x95mm if it would be more suited - I thought this might be overkill though! Bought from Ebay as per [url= http://www.ebay.com/itm/XLAB-Arm-Band-Armband-for-All-Phones-in-an-Otterbox-Case-/290663393652?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160 ]here[/url]

That does look a little big. There is one on Amazon that is specifically made for my phone, so I think I may get that one: It's only a tenner.

Thanks for your help W1zard

I thought it might be a little large! No worries, yep, they can be had for very little.

Try to get one with a wide strap - the thinner ones can start to cut into your arm a bit. I've also found the more expensive ones (>£5) seem to have a better quality clear window, which makes operating the touchscreens through them a lot easier. The best plastic in any I have used are the Aquapac ones - you barely have to touch the plastic, but they are not the best armbands, unfortunately.

Mine goes in a little zip-lok bag in the zipped rear pocket of the cycling jersey I run in

I just use my cycling shorts for running as they all have zip pockets. current faves are muddy fox ones (with liner) from sports direct. get your wife/gf/mum to cut the crappy liner out and you have some decent shorts with left/right & back middle zip pockets.

Bit pricey but they're very good and enough space for a smart phone (currently galaxy s3 , previous iPhone) and a car key. I use mine when running or out on bike. They're very small and compact and not like a big bulky bumbag.

Spi belt http://www.wiggle.com/?s=Spi%20belt

Edit - and you can get a waterproof one

I have some shorts and tights that have a small phone sized pocket over the bum. Very useful indeed, the one on the tights has waterproof backing so your phone doesn't get wet with your sweat.

Plenty of running/cycling tops have a zipped waterproof pocket, if that isn't an option then bumbag I guess

I got fed up with flaky software and poor gps performance, as well as the size of my Galaxy S2, so bought a Garmin 310XT, automatically uploads to Garmin Connect, waterproof, comes with a strap to attach to wrist, much better.

Get a Defy+ or an Xperia Go both have lived in my pocket/camel back while riding in all conditions with no issues or GPS problems.

I just use an IGOTU gps logger. tiny so fits in the inside pouch of my running shorts. keys hidden elsewhere!

Amazon Black Friday have a Garmin 310XT on as a deal today...

From my point of view, I'm always shocked at how bad the battery life is on the watches for the size of them. That Garmin FR10 only lasts 4 hours! Even my eTrex will do 22 hours.

Garmin 310XT goes for 20hrs, how many smartphones will run that long?

There is a Karrimor running belt (not race belt) for £4 which is an elastic belt with an expandable stretchy pocket. It takes my phone, keys and epipen and I don't notice it when running. Perfect.

Good suggestion, I'll get one of those!

Thanks for the input folks. I have bought an armband for my phone and I'm going to give it a try for a bit, to see how I get on with it; using either Endomondo or MapmyRun.

If I don't get on with it, then I may look to getting a GPS watch of some description. One test I have found suggests that Garmin ones are best for trail running, as they hold the signal better when in woodland.

Those I-GotU ones look pretty cheap, but how well do they perform in woodland and with elevation changes? I see they are bringing a watch version out.

SPI belt, cheap and brilliant.

[url= http://www.spibelt.com/ ]Small Personal Items Belt[/url]