Lobby: Best Ipod for running

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. 

 

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

 

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! :)

 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.