Phone holder advice

[Joster]

Hi. I run with my phone, I use it for logging the run and listening to music, and I like to be able to see the screen. I have a reasonably basic arm holder but it's not the best quality and the velcro doesn't always hold that well so it can slip.

Any advice please on ones that don't slip/you can see the screen?

Thanks

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I soon worked out that it’s impossible for me to see the phone and operate it while it is in an armband, although it was a very good neoprene and clear plastic one from my running shop, which stayed on my arm very well.

I then bought a flip belt, which is a Lycra belt, just like an extra waistband, with slots to slide in tissues, money, phone and a safe key clip. It is comfortable and easy to use your phone and slide it in and out while running.

I now have a garmin forerunner 35 gps watch which links to my phone with Bluetooth so I set up the phone before I run and put it away. I can then operate FF and pause music through my watch and the watch downloads my runs to Strava and garmin connect.

I hope this helps

[Knittingrunner Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I did exactly the same! I couldn’t see phone on my arm and it slips if its on clothing so I have a belt and a Garmin now. So much better.

[Joster Graduate10 in reply to Knittingrunner]

Thanks both, funnily enough was just looking at flipbelts this morning. I may try a run without looking at my phone, see how much I miss being able to see the screen, as I still have the voice giving me distance and time. Not in the market for another watch at this stage.....

[steviej99 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Another vote for the flipbelt from me. Crazy price for what it is but when something simple works that well you have to be impressed. It's comfortable and the phone sits very nicely slightly behind and above my hip, don't even know it's there. And then of course I had to get the Garmin 235 on the Amazon spring sale (damn their marketing!) But the combo works great, with Bluetooth earphones

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to steviej99]

I went for a cheap version on Amazon but it has become a bit floppy with washing and a years wear. I’ll go for the proper flip belt next time, having seen them in Cotswold outdoor.

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Another vote for using a flip belt, are you sure you need to see the screen? It could be a bit of a distraction from your run? Plus my belt has space for my key, snacks for longer runs and parkrun card. 👍

[Joster Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

It's a good point - maybe I don't need to see the screen as I get the audio on distance/time via my Nike Run App over the music.

[molly1973]

I use a belt too: not a flip belt but a karrimor as it was cheaper but still very flat. It stays where it’s put and takes my phone and key. I use wireless earphones so set Fitbit off tracking and put it away. I ran all of C25k holding my phone and I now realise it’s so much easier to have hands free. I have set Fitbit up to tell me each km so I know where I’m at. I’ve been looking at Garmin watches but I really like Fitbit so May upgrade my basic one to the Versa. I will always have my phone with me do I don’t feel the need to have gps on my watch

[HinchleyMum Graduate10]

Another vote for the flip belt! I got mine last week and it’s great. Before that I was using a small bumbag that I wore round my waist but it actually made me feel sick as I was running. The flip belt sits lower down on my hips and doesn’t budge. I went for the one without zips as nothing falls out and it’s easier to slide things in and out!

[Joster Graduate10]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful.

So now all I need probably to make things easier if the phone is in my belt are some wireless pods!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Get a watch for reference to during runs. I’ve just got a flip belt but haven’t used it yet. Also I’ve just got aftershokz mini bone conductor headphones. Worth paying extra as you can still hear traffic and have a conversation whilst wearing them as they don’t go in your ears. Running costs a fortune!

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Flip belt from me too!

I sized up so it sits on hips rather than waist.

It has phone, keys.

Plenty of room. I did try a cheaper version off Amazon, but it is nowhere near as good.

[Biddy62 Graduate10]

Have a look at the FREETRAIN F1

Looks brill - thinking of getting it. No chance of dropping your phone on the run. Sorry not tech enough to upload a link 🙄😊

[Jonno34 Graduate10]

Flipbelt, bluetooth headphones, allows me to get distance prompts, listen to music and answer calls, I can also scroll through tracks. I have a fitbit charge 3 but it is going in the bin and I am getting a Garmin, nothing on the fitbit works properly and I have no confidence in their customer service.

I have concerns about you trying to view your screen whilst running, I did a my first run event yesterday I saw one stumble whilst messing with phone and one ran straight in front of me because they were not paying attention, nearly took both of us out!

[Joster Graduate10]

Thanks Jonno34. How do you scroll through tracks and control all that through your bluetooth headphones? very interested to get recommendation on that. All I can do on my corded buds is play, pause and up and down volume. I'd love to be able to forward track as well.f

I totally understand about viewing the screen. Generally, when I am on parkrun, I don't actually look at it at all, and even when I am running solo it is only a quick glance to check kms covered, I''m never trying to reset or change apps.

But now I am more confident and a bit fitter I can probably rely on the distance prompts I hear, which is why I think I can move away from the phone holder (the more I read on here about the fact that most others don't have one!)

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Are you android or I phone Joster?

[Joster Graduate10]

iphone

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Joster]

Sorry, didn't get this as a reply.

My suggestion would not have worked for iPhone though 😐