An iPod Shuffle or Nano for running?

[BoyBach]

It's that time of year again (the London Marathon application form has just arrived through the post) to start the serious running again!

I have a 40GB 4th gen iPod at the moment, but it's a bit big & heavy for running, so basically I'm looking for recommendations for either the Shuffle or Nano (1 GB models) for runners. Which is more comfortable, easy to use, etc, when your sweaty and tired? ;)

Thanks

[livingfortoday]

Well, I've been running with a shuffle for over a year now, and while it's a pretty nice piece of equipment, I finally broke down and ordered a Nano today. I think that the shuffle is just fine for running, especially if you don't plan on staring at a screen on your arm the whole time, but the Nano offers a lot of extra functionality now with the Nike+ Sport Kit. That's the whole reason I moved up to a Nano, honestly.

The shuffle is prone to sweat, though, I don't know if the Nano suffers from the same problem. Unless you get the sport case for it it'll act bizarre (playing only certain songs, skipping around, etc) when it gets sweat on it. I made the mistake of getting the Apple armband for it, where it's not completely covered, so I've had a hell of a time lately getting it to play right.

[mad jew]

I love running with the nano. It's the perfect size for me, it doesn't skip, and it has a screen so I can pick the track I feel like listening to. :cool:

[tobefirst]

Well, I've been running with a shuffle for over a year now, and while it's a pretty nice piece of equipment, I finally broke down and ordered a Nano today. I think that the shuffle is just fine for running, especially if you don't plan on staring at a screen on your arm the whole time, but the Nano offers a lot of extra functionality now with the Nike+ Sport Kit. That's the whole reason I moved up to a Nano, honestly.
I agree with livingfortoday, even though I don't have a nano. I have a shuffle and it is wonderful. Super lightweight and straight to the point. But the functionality of the Nike+ thing seems awesome. I have heard nothing but glowing reviews about it. My boss is a marathon runner who is a no-nonsense kind of runner, and even he is enamored with the Nike+ kit. If I had to buy one today, I'd totally go with the 1GB nano and the Nike+ kit. Just do it. (:

[iGary]

The shuffle - mine went through 10 marathons with me. :)

[Lau]

I'd go Nano too – it's not much more than the shuffle, and the Nike + thing is only £19. Go oooon. It's for the Marathon. You deserve it. :D

[MattyMac]

The shuffle - mine went through 10 marathons with me. :)
10 marathons....INSANE:eek:
Congrats though!

EDIT: I have both...the shuffle is sweet and would use it for running, but the nano has the nike+ so I would use that. If you aren't planning on going with the nike+ setup, buy a shuffle in the refurb store and you get a free armband for running...only 49$...sweet deal!

[iGary]

10 marathons....INSANE:eek:
Congrats though!


I'm going to be a bit self gratuitous...I've run 14 total. :D


But my back is forked now and I can't run. Very depressing. :(

[BoyBach]

Congrats iGary, 14 :eek:

Can you use the Nike system with other trainers? It seems a cracking piece of kit but I really don't want to spend extra money on a new pair of running trainers.

[xyian]

The shuffle is prone to sweat, though, I don't know if the Nano suffers from the same problem.

The shuffle actually sweats???!?!?!? :p

[BoyBach]

...buy a shuffle in the refurb store and you get a free armband for running...only 49$...sweet deal!


If that offer was on at the UK store I'd be sold :mad:

[Carl Spackler]

I run with my 512 Shuffle. I love it and hardly know it's there, plus I don't really get tempted to meddle with the controls. Since it was remarkably inexpensive with the Amazon Credit Card $30 off offer and isn't scratch prone, I don't feel bad about treating it rough.

However, my wife has the Nano and recently got the Sport Kit. It's pretty stellar. In many ways I am jealous. I'd say if the Sport Kit is at all appealing, get the Nano, but if it's not, Shuffle all the way since you have a more robust iPod to compliment it.

[Lau]

Congrats iGary, 14 :eek:

Can you use the Nike system with other trainers? It seems a cracking piece of kit but I really don't want to spend extra money on a new pair of running trainers.

Yes, you can, you just need to find a way of attaching it to the laces or the tongue of your shoe. One way has been to velcro it to the tongue of your shoe, and then lace the shoes over it, and another way is to cut a slit on the underside of the tongue and put it in the tongue. Other brave souls have carved a bit of the sole and put the insole over it. There's a thread somewhere about it, I'll have a look.

Edit: I think the info might be in here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=216102&highlight=nike+ipod) somewhere. :)

[bowens]

I have the shuffle and it's great for running. But I also plan to buy a nano for the Nike+ kit. If you buy a shuffle though, I would recommend this armband (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7262605&type=product&id=1117177026916)

It can be used as an armband or a beltclip.

[Chundles]

"Ron Burgundy: Oop... I almost forgot. I won't be able to make it fellas. Veronica and I trying this new fad called uh, jogging. I believe it's jogging or yogging. it might be a soft j. I'm not sure but apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild."

Marathon? That's that thing where you run for 42 kilometres right? Without catching a bus? Um, why?

Never mind, I'm three sheets in the wind right now. http://www.fadzter.com/smilies/beerchug.gif

[CANEHDN]

I currently use a Nano for the gym. I would recommend the shuffle. Since you will probably make a playlist for the gym anyway you won't need to see what song is playing. Since the playlist will be for the gym you will hardly even touch the thing. Why spend the extra money if you don't need to. Unless you will be using the thing in your car or other places.

[BoyBach]

I think I'll go for the Shuffle plus a 'Running' playlist...but the Nike kit looks so tempting :(

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I think I'll go for the Shuffle plus a 'Running' playlist...but the Nike kit looks so tempting :(

I say go with the Nano - again, for the Nike + Kit (and the screen). I'm not a runner (I'm really pathetic), but I've been doing it lately for the exercise (and cuz I feel really satisfied when I'm finished, lol).

I only run two miles at a time (nothing compared to iGary, I know), but the Nike + Kit is really, really nice - especially its ability to sync with Nike.com.

[Flowbee]

Can you use the Nike system with other trainers? It seems a cracking piece of kit but I really don't want to spend extra money on a new pair of running trainers.

As Lau has correctly described... yes! You can find instructions, along with other tips and lots of good comments HERE (http://podophile.com/2006/07/14/shoe-hacker-nikeipod-sport-kit-shoe-mod/).

[DaveP]

I have a 512 shuffle, if only because I'm afraid of getting jumped and someone swiping a more expensive nano.

[Flowbee]

I have a 512 shuffle, if only because I'm afraid of getting jumped and someone swiping a more expensive nano.

Running With Your iPod? Five Simple Safety Tips. (http://podophile.com/2006/07/26/running-with-an-ipod-dont-ignore-these-5-simple-safety-tips/) :D

[BoyBach]

Running With Your iPod? Five Simple Safety Tips. (http://podophile.com/2006/07/26/running-with-an-ipod-dont-ignore-these-5-simple-safety-tips/) :D


I thinks I'll spend the money I save by buying a Shuffle instead of a Nano on a baseball bat! It just seems easier ;)

[Flowbee]

I thinks I'll spend the money I save by buying a Shuffle instead of a Nano on a baseball bat! It just seems easier ;)

Um, baseball bat wasn't one of the tips... you only need to use some common sense. Anyway, shuffles are just as easy to steal as nanos.

[viccles]

I think either would suit. I use a nano for running, gym etc and its perfect. If your on a budget and mind no screen perhaps go for the shuffle?

[iJawn108]

shuffle, I don't know what the person above is on about sweat. I constantly sweat and carry my shuffle in my pant pockets. I've never had any issues with it. Going on at least 3 months now.

[BoyBach]

shuffle, I don't know what the person above is on about sweat. I constantly sweat and carry my shuffle in my pant pockets. I've never had any issues with it. Going on at least 3 months now.


I think I'm going to order a 512 Shuffle plus a sports case. But first a quick question, how much of the 512MB is actually available for music?

[ceruleanventure]

welshandrew, I just bought a 512 mb shuffle for exercise as well. When I first plugged it in and downloaded the ipod updater, iTunes listed 488 mb free for music. It can hold at least a hundred songs. There's also a slider in iTunes that lets you set how much of the 512 mb you use for music or data (if you use the shuffle as a flash drive)

[BoyBach]

welshandrew, I just bought a 512 mb shuffle for exercise as well. When I first plugged it in and downloaded the ipod updater, iTunes listed 488 mb free for music. It can hold at least a hundred songs. There's also a slider in iTunes that lets you set how much of the 512 mb you use for music or data (if you use the shuffle as a flash drive)


Thanks! I think I'll be ordering the 512 Shuffle tonight :D

[bowens]

I think I'm going to order a 512 Shuffle plus a sports case. But first a quick question, how much of the 512MB is actually available for music?

I have a 1 gig shuffle. It says it will hold 240 songs but I have always fit at least 250 on it. So I would say you should be able to fit 120-125 songs on a 512.

[ascender]

It's that time of year again (the London Marathon application form has just arrived through the post) to start the serious running again!

I have a 40GB 4th gen iPod at the moment, but it's a bit big & heavy for running, so basically I'm looking for recommendations for either the Shuffle or Nano (1 GB models) for runners. Which is more comfortable, easy to use, etc, when your sweaty and tired? ;)

Thanks

Definitely a Nano. The Shuffle just isn't up to the rigours of running - I went through 2 when they first came out, both went faulty and I think it was down to being used outdoors for running. A couple of running mates had the exact same problem with Shuffles dying on them.

My Nano on the other hand has been going strong since launch, being used in all weathers up to 5 times a week for running and cycling.

[Chundles]

I have a 1 gig shuffle. It says it will hold 240 songs but I have always fit at least 250 on it. So I would say you should be able to fit 120-125 songs on a 512.

I can get hundreds of songs on my 512MB shuffle - if they're small.

Song storage number is such a bad way to advertise capacity, mind you Apple at least use some decent specs for their "songs" capacity (128kbps AAC). Not like a lot of competitors who quote twice the number of songs per GB than the iPod - 64kbps? No thank you very much. And 64kbps WMA is in no way comparable to 128kbps mp3, let alone AAC.

You can fit ~512MB of music on the smallest iPod, that could be one song or it could be a hundred plus.

[rafifreak00]

iPod shuffle. Don't really know what these people are talking about with the 'sweat' and stuff, but just stuff it in your pocket, or use the lanyard if you want (although it might flop up and down while running).

Plus if you're running, you don't have time to look at a screen or choose your own song.

[livingfortoday]

Ok, I just wanted to repost now that I've gotten my Nano with the Nike+ kit - I say get that! I just ran with it for the first time tonight, and it was awesome. I'm not the fastest runner in the world, but with this I was able to shave 30 seconds off of my tie. Just being able to see where you are in your run and what your pace is is incredible motivation.

If you haven't already decided - go with a Nano!

[BoyBach]

Thanks for the response guys and gals. I've just ordered a 512MB Shuffle and Sport's Case from amazon. I think it'll be perfect for me since I don't really want to 'monitor' my running, it's more that want something to 'run to', if that makes sense! :confused: ;)