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Running with my phone in my hand is always a hassle. What’s more, keeping it in your pocket isn’t exactly great for quick access. That’s why I think that running armbands are great. But how exactly should they be worn?
For regular velcro running armbands, follow the steps below:
- Using the plastic buckle, create a loop with your velcro strap.
- Place your phone in the armband’s compartment.
- Place the armband around your upper arm and pull on the velcro strap to tighten.
- Seal the armband at the preferred level of tightness.
In addition to the flexible usability of running armbands, they also come with a number of extra features that allow runners to do more than simply jog without holding their phone.
How Can Running Armbands Be Worn?
Running armbands are commonly built with robust velcro straps and can be worn in the most comfortable style for the runner. Running armbands tend to fit best around a person’s wrist or bicep.
There is a huge variety of running armbands out there to choose from. Many of them are fitted with an elastic strap designed to accommodate the different sizes of a runner’s arm.
In addition to the elasticity of a running armband, they are also designed to have different levels of thickness and durability. Some running armbands are complete with a thick strap built to withstand the elements and fit tightly to your arm.
On the other hand, the straps on many armbands also consist of slick, thin material. Thin-strap running armbands are often designed to give a higher level of comfort for runners. These running armbands generally have small holes cut into the strap, which offer the wearer better breathability.
The sizing of a running armband also plays a major role in how it can be worn. The majority of armbands come with universal sizes to choose from, such as armbands with an adjustable length of 8-10 inches. Furthermore, phone brands also occasionally sell armbands that are specifically designed to fit their phone model.
Common running armbands are often sealed within a protective compartment, and transparent plastic is placed over your phone screen so that it’s still possible to access apps and make changes to music whilst running.
On the other hand, many phone cases are complete with mechanisms that will lock your phone into place. By doing so, runners can benefit from a much more secure phone placement which they are unlikely to get with a running armband made with a general compartment.
The issue with using running armbands made with lock-in mechanisms rather than compartments is that the phone then has extra material behind it, which will cause it to stick out. Therefore, this may not be a great idea if you’re planning on running through areas such as trails where there’s an increased chance of snagging your case on obstacles such as branches. However, some phone companies sell phone cases made with special attachments that are designed especially to lock into a phone armband. If you would like to combine the power of a running armband with day-to-day phone case protection, this option could be for you!
Prefer a visual representation demonstrating how to wear a running armband? Check out the video below!
What Other Uses Are There For Running Armbands?
Besides the practicality of running without a phone, running armbands come with a number of other uses. Many armbands don’t just come with one compartment. There is also an additional smaller compartment behind the phone’s section, which is designed to supply runners with a place to keep any items that they’d prefer not to keep in their pockets. Examples include keys, money and cards.
Many running armbands are also created with safety as a primary concern. High visibility and reflective materials are often attached to running armbands in order to make it easy for runners to be spotted. Quite useful if you’re a road runner who prefers early morning or late night runs!
Waterproof protection is also a vital element of any high-quality running armband. If your phone will be exposed to all kinds of weather, it only makes sense to keep it somewhere it isn’t going to become wet!
For those running with wired headphones, perhaps one of the most important elements of running armbands is their headphone port. Many armbands are equipped with small slits designed to give headphones access to a jack.
Which Running Armband Is Right For Me?
When selecting a running armband that is best for you, it’s important to consider the information given here. Practical things to consider include measuring the size of your phone, the size of your arm, any additional items that you may need to carry, and how you will access your phone.
There are also personal aspects of wearing a running armband that you may want to take into consideration. This can include the following:
Sweat: Is your armband likely to cause a large amount of sweat on your arm and potentially increase the chance of chafing?
Catching on things: Where are you going to be running? Is there any chance that your running armband will catch or snag on obstacles?
Distraction: Are you easily distracted? Is a running armband going to keep you from running at your best?
Difficulty touching screen: How accurate is your armband’s touch screen? Will you be able to make changes to apps and music with ease?
Weight: How big is your phone? Is the weight of it going to be a problem when combined with a strap?
Secure: How secure is your running armband? Is it strapped tightly to your arm without cutting off circulation, or is it so loose that it’s bouncing enough to disrupt your run?
Are There Any Alternatives To Running Armbands?
There are many alternatives to look into if a running armband doesn’t seem right for you. In addition to armbands, running belts are also becoming increasingly popular. Whilst these provide less strain on a runners arm, they are also, unfortunately, less accessible.
Companies also continue to come out with new, innovative designs for phone compartments every day. Whilst backpacks and harnesses have also proven as fantastic problem-solvers for runners, clothing items such as shorts and shirts with specially built-in pockets are also becoming increasingly popular.
Conclusion
Running armbands come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and each one can be fit differently. That being said, typical universal armbands come with a simple velcro design complete with straps that can be worn around any part of the arm. There are a few things to consider when it comes to purchasing your first running armband. However, if you decide that a running armband isn’t your thing, there are many alternatives to choose from.
What Is The Best Running Armband On The Market?
In our humble opinion, the best running armband on the market is one that would take all the top concerns of a runner and develop a product that meets those demands. The Armpocket Racer Phone Athletic Band is a great running armband available for purchase on Amazon.
This Amazon’s Choice armband is available in small, medium and large and can fit any phone up to 135mm in height. The armbands material consists of recycled plastic and natural bamboo rayon and is complete with holes designed for breathability across the armband.
Design elements such as this armband’s waterproof features, headphone access and a built-in compartment for essential items means that this product would be a fantastic choice for a runner. Check out our affiliate link that leads to the products amazon page here.
