Run By Rhythm: Music Players To Keep You Movin’
Check out these five products to keep you groovin' on the go.
Check out these five products to keep you groovin’ on the go.
Road Noise Sound Running, $80
When the Hood to Coast 200-mile relay banned headphones and began requiring runners to wear reflective vests during nighttime hours, Rob Stout from Lake Oswego, Ore., hard-wired small speakers to a reflective vest to keep his groove going. But cords became a nuisance and the speakers bounced around too much on his makeshift prototype. “There was too much stuff flopping around, and we figured there had to be a better way,” Stout says.
That better way evolved into the Road Noise Sound Running: a snug-fitting mesh running vest that features small, low-profile speakers that deliver quality sound from an MP3 music device or smartphone. (It doesn’t require batteries and has no external cords.) Stout launched the vest last summer in three colors: yellow, black and pink. The bold colors and reflective stripes, allow runners to be seen day or night, while the miniature speakers let runners remain aware of their surroundings while still listening to music. www.roadnoise.com
Apple iPod Nano, $129
While Apple’s iPod Shuffle is the smallest and lightest music player, the iPod Nano can be worn on a wristwatch-style band with either corded or Bluetooth headphones, and allows users to see playlists on the fly and track fitness data. (A plug-in adapter is required to make any iPod Bluetooth-compatible.) www.apple.com
Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Pro, $60
These corded sport earphones have a three-button control and an incline microphone for hands-free calls, and quick and easy volume control adjustments and toggling between songs. www.yourbuds.com
JayBird Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones, $99
If you’re just not comfortable with ear buds, these sleek headphones will keep your groove going during a run. They have adjust-on-the-fly controls, a firm, reliable fit, robust sound quality and a bit of old-school flair. www.jaybirdgear.com
Motorola MOTOACTV, $250
This do-everything fitness gadget puts heart-rate tracking data and GPS-derived speed and distance info at your fingertips, and music thumping in your ears via Bluetooth headphones. Plus, it learns the songs that fire you up the most by tracking the tunes to which you run fastest. www.www.motorola.com
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This review first appeared in the June 2012 issue of Competitor magazine.