MapMyRun Community - Best Ipod for running

Best Ipod for running

Stmpjmpr — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:14:10 -0600

I have an old ipod shuffle that just bit the dust. I was going to buy a new Ipod but was thinking of a nano or even the classic. I like the shuffle but prefer to set up specific running playlists. Any suggestions on the nano or classic? The classic seems large.

Best Ipod for running

mikeyg83 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:45:27 -0600

I have the new shuffle and not-the-newest nano. Honestly nothing beats the shuffle for running, it weighs less and is smaller than my apartment key (note: key, not keys). I understand the idea of having playlists, but if this is mainly going to be used for running, then I say go with the shuffle. You can change the playlist before each run if you need to, but you won't need to have multiple playlists during a single run (unless you are doing some VERY long runs). My friend runs with the classic and likes it, I feel like it would bounce too much due to weight and size. If you need something to use times other than running, then the nano is a good compromise.

Best Ipod for running

rfugere — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:50:09 -0600

I would go with the nano over the classic because of size and wieght. However, I agree with mikeyg83 that nothing beats the suffle for running.

Best Ipod for running

karnak — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:41:54 -0600

Seriously the shuffle was made for running. Its lighter than a feather and as a girl - I just clip it onto my bra strap just below the shoulder and off I go. You can operate it through a tshirt, it holds a couple of hundred songs and while the box states 12 hours of playing before charge, I generally get 16+ hours out of it and its over a year old.

Best Ipod for running

redwingfan — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 05:28:36 -0600

I would have to vote for the Nano. It is light and allot of fun. I use the Nike Plus system with it so I use the power song option allot. I carry mine vs. strapping it to my arm and it doesn't bother me in the least. It's very light and fits right in my hand, I could't ask for much more

Best Ipod for running

Stmpjmpr — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:09:32 -0600

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm trapped in the movie popcorn dilemma. The classic costs $250 and the nano $200 and it has so much more capacity that I feel like I'm missing out. The inner geek in me also wants more capacity but the runner in me wants something light and easy. I think I will probably go with the nano because I have been curious about the Nike plus system also. Thanks for the advice everyone!

Best Ipod for running

cfiess — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:37:08 -0600

the classic has a disk hard drive which can be damaged, that is what happened to mine, it stopped working completly and then it would not plug into my computer anymore, I talked to the guys at the store and they said its because the disk drive, but the nano has a flash drive so it can;t be damaged with the jarring from running.

Best Ipod for running

dadepoppe — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:25:54 -0600

I just got an iPod for xmas and I went with the "old" (one before the one that is out now) nano. You can get them on sale and refurbished for $79. They are very light, hold 500+ songs and it has a timer on it for my runs. I love the timer as I can't afford a gps or any other gadget right now. I just slide my nano in my pocket and I completely forget it is there. Very light weight and no risk of damage to the drive.

Best Ipod for running

jessfrost5 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:47:10 -0600

The new Nano is really small and would work well. I got the Nano for running but returned it and got a Shuffle. It is honestly the best for running and holds up to 200 songs. You can make a pretty good playlist with that space.

Best Ipod for running

racethenation — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:12:55 -0600

All of your discussions have mentioned the Ipod models. Have you looked at other brands? My daughter has the SansaClip by Sandisk. It holds 2 GBs, only costs $60, and weighs in at les than an ounce.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8605636&type=product&id=1192232568590

Best Ipod for running

gaudim — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:41:47 -0600

I use the nano and just bought the new timex ironman watch that controls the volume and song skip, etc from my watch. That way I can stick the nano anywhere but can still control songs, volume etc without awkward reaches onto my upper shoulder.....and nothing beats cool playlists that are tailored for certain runs....especially the longer ones.

Best Ipod for running

OllieIn82 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:00:59 -0600

I've run with the new Nano and been pretty happy. It's definitely light enough.

If you go for anything bigger, you're talking about hard drive memory instead of solid state (flash) memory and an iPod with moving parts is a bad idea for running.

The only downside to the Nano is that it can be really hard to navigate the menu using the jog wheel when you're running flat out (like on a treadmill - which is the only time I would ever run with music). Scrolling through a track is nearly impossible!

So maybe a shuffle would be a better choice if you were looking for something for using solely for running.

Best Ipod for running

rward325 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:42:28 -0600

I have to chime in on this. I cycle and use the Classic iPod(Not as much jarring to damage it). I have been told by Police officers that it is illegal for me to wear this while riding public streets, just as in a car wearing headphones is illegal. This is to prevent us from not hearing emergency vehicles and such. I tend to keep the volume to a minimum so I can hear what is going on around me and don't see the harm in this. Anyone else ever get told anything like this?

Best Ipod for running

drchele — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:28:47 -0600

Having been a Mac-persecutor for many years, I finally saw the light and I picked up a Shuffle 2 weeks ago when Target had it down to $69.

There is a running joke in our family that, in the wake of a nasty cold season this year, "I've coughed up things bigger in size than my Shuffle." I can clip it to my shirt collar or bra strap and the heaviest part of the whole contraption is my headphone jack. Beats the heck out of cramming my old Creative Zen Micro into the key pocket of my running shorts--I still have (hopefully non-permanent) abrasions on my pelvis from the thing! My Shuffle is very user friendly--it has enough memory and battery life for my long runs, and is easy to operate on the fly. It will only play the existing playlist synced onto the device, and your choices are: play, pause, lock, shuffle, or straight play/repeat. You can also hit forward or backward to skip or replay a song. Other navigation (moving from one playlist to another) is not possible. Honestly, I don't want to have to dork around with my ipod in the middle of a run anyway.

I've been very happy with my purchase. And that says alot coming from a PC-nerd like me.

Best Ipod for running

LexB — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:01:52 -0600

I do run with my ipod classic, however I think I may have accelerated the passing of my old ipod (classic) - which was a good few years but I don't think the shaking and jarring did it much good. To be perfectly honest if I had the cash I would probably buy another, cheap 1gb or so mp3 player which I wouldn't be so bothered about damaging. You can pick up the 1gig's for so little these days. Just a thought

Best Ipod for running

YogaRunner — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:13:05 -0600

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-IPOD-Nano-2-GB-2nd-Generation-Model-A1199_W0QQitemZ330212756331QQcategoryZ125478QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWINQ3aPOST0Q3aRECOQ3aBIDQQcmdZViewItem

I just saw an iPod nano like mine - model A1199 (they call it 2nd generation?) on eBay current bid is $20.00 - says it is used but 100% working order. **LINK ABOVE**

I just started running. I take my iPod and it doesn't bother me a bit. I thought the ear buds would kill my ears, but they don't.(I keep the music down low enough so I can hear cars and people. I put the iPod in an arm band, high up on my upper arm - thread the headphone cord under my shirt so it doesn't flop around. I like to be able to use the playlists. Yesterday, I listened to the Ali soundtrack! They were rather slow songs, (easy run day) but great lyrics for motivation! :)

Best Ipod for running

nofactzone — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:14:08 -0600

I'm another supporter of the iPod shuffle. I really enjoy the convenience (I clip it to my sleeve, but I'm going to try the bra strap idea), and it really is light. I tried to run with my iPhone when I first got it - BAD idea. So I went out and got a shuffle specifically for my workouts.

Best Ipod for running

TriGUS — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:38:45 -0600

I would also agree with an earlier poster that mentioned the Sandisk Sansa Clip. It is tiny, works great, requires no additional software, meaning you can drag and drop music on it. It's $60. There is more out there than Apple, just take a look, you may be pleasantly suprized.

Best Ipod for running

peteoc — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:08:45 -0600

rward325:I have to chime in on this. I cycle and use the Classic iPod(Not as much jarring to damage it). I have been told by Police officers that it is illegal for me to wear this while riding public streets, just as in a car wearing headphones is illegal. This is to prevent us from not hearing emergency vehicles and such. I tend to keep the volume to a minimum so I can hear what is going on around me and don't see the harm in this. Anyone else ever get told anything like this?

I'm sorry but I've really got to comment on this.............its utter bullsh*t!! Next time you have a police officer state that it is illegal for you to use your headphones either in a car, on a bike or even running........ask them is it illegal for deaf people to drive, run or ride?

I've had a police officer tell me my music was too loud as I wouldn't hear an emergency vehicle, I pointed out thats what the flashing lights are for and that deaf people can't hear the sirens also...he left me to my own devices :)

Oh and I have the Ipod Touch, I do alot of riding and its sweet that when im having a break I can stick on a TV show :)

Best Ipod for running

Txaz — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:21:19 -0600

I have a Sansa Sandisk View 8gb. It's a little bigger than most others, but I can also download movies on it (Napolean Dynamite). It is lightweight. I bought an armband to go with it that comes with a clip so you can wear it on your waist as well. I have several playlists on it for different workouts. I like the ease of downloading on it.

Best Ipod for running

legsakimbo — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:16:11 -0500

this little number compares favourably with the Shuffle:

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=16696&category=213&subcategory=214

Best Ipod for running

agore21 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:50:16 -0500

I have an iPod Classic that is a couple of years old but still works fine. I tried to get one of those straps for it to attach it to my arm when I was running. Could only find them on the net and when I asked in any store they told me they wouldn't stock them as the hard drive in the Classic would be damaged when running.

Instead I bought an iPod Shuffle. It was about the same price as the straps I found on the net. It's perfect for running - holds about 240 songs an even has a clip on the back of it.

My suggestion - buy both. A Classic for everyday use and a Shuffle for running.

Best Ipod for running

Stmpjmpr — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:17:53 -0500

I actually bought a Nano and one of those armband carriers/protectors. It has worked out great for running and in the gym. The screen on the arm band is clear and if I need to change anything up in mid-stride it is a piece of cake. However I do not much care for it out mountain biking. Moving my arms steering or doing sudden movements and I would unplug it. So I take my wife's shuffle out when I mountain bike and that has worked great.

Best Ipod for running

JayEdgar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:23:24 -0500

I used to run with the classic iPod, and the hard drive died from the vibration. While I might like the Shuffle for running, I want a multi-purpose player, so I got the Nano--wish I'd gotten more memory... I love running with it in a handstrape-case, holding it in my hand. I can then play a playlist, podcasts, etc.

Cheers,

Jay

Best Ipod for running

mcgreal2 — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:24:39 -0500

I would say get an ipod nano so you have the opportunity to use the ipod +, which measures how far you go and your pace, but the only bad thing is you need to buy special nike shoes and the kit.

Best Ipod for running

lou2005 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:52:53 -0500

Definitely the nano. I have the shuffle and although its great, its kindof limited as far as what you can do. I can't get it to mix up songs and podcasts in the same playlist. not the classic. Too big, too heavy, and i doubt if all that shaking is good for the hard drive. Plus the nano has the nike + option. You don't have to buy nike shoes. Marware sells a little pouch the puts the sensor on the laces. They also have a case that has extra space for the receiver. the nike stuff is great. My nike + and nano have logged over 500 miles. only problem is that i have worn out the headphones.

Best Ipod for running

xanmanxiii — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:29:57 -0500

I totally agree with redwingfan. Ipod nano and nike+ is an excellent choice to run. It's light and coaches your run!