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Do you like to have your phone with you when you go for a run?
Some joggers don’t like to be without their phone despite the opportunity to take a break from your screen to work on your fitness and wellbeing.
If you’re like me, you may use your phone so you can listen to some adrenalin-inducing tunes or an inspiring audiobook or podcast.
You may bring your smartphone on your run so you can track stats such as calories burned, speed, distance and time.
Of course, there’s also personal safety to consider. Having your phone with you on your run allows you to call for help in the case of emergency.
When you think of a phone holder for runners, your mind will almost inevitably go to armbands.
It’s the traditional format used by joggers but there are some alternatives that could provide an even more convenient option for hardcore runners.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at a running vest, a running belt and an armband that could be the perfect solution for runners who need a new phone holder.
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Best Phone Holders For Running UK – Top Three Picks
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freetrain V1 Vest |  | •Our top pick•Phone Pouch•Two Pockets• Reflective | Buy Now | |
| lululemon Fast And Free Run Belt |  | • Stretchable•3 Sizes•Soft Fabric | Buy Now | |
| LifeProof LifeActive Armband |  | • Mountable•3 Sizes•Lightweight | Buy Now |
What Did We Look For In A Phone Holder?
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
• Design – The appearance of the vest, running belt or armband is important. You want to be feel comfortable wearing your phone holder of choice.
• Fit – There’s nothing worse than getting an armband for your phone that doesn’t fit properly, leaving you constantly having to adjust throughout your run. It’s counter-productive. You want a nice, snug fit.
• Feel – Carrying on from the previous point, you want a phone holder that feels comfortable to wear. Ideally, you don’t want to even know it’s there. If it feels like it’s cutting off circulation or restricting your breathing, that won’t be conducive to an enjoyable run.
• Accessibility – There’s nothing worse than hitting your final mile only for a song to come on that you don’t like or your podcast to end. It’s important runners can have easy access to their phone that doesn’t interrupt their stride.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
• Additional storage – While the primary purpose of the running accessories featured in this article is to store your phone, you may want some additional storage for things like keys or bank cards.
• Price – There are a lot of phone holders available on Amazon but some aren’t great quality. You want to get value for your money but also a quality product.
• Customer reviews – We’ve tested some of the products in this feature but we like to include some customer reviews to provide our readers with a general overview of how a phone holder is performing.
Best Phone Holder For Runners UK – Our Pick
So, now we’ve examined some of the key things to consider when picking the best phone holders for running, it’s time to take a look at our pick of three of the best options on the market in the UK at the moment.
1) Freetrain V1 Vest
Website: freetrain.co.uk
Freetrain V1 Vest (Photo: The Sport Review)
Freetrain V1 Vest was created to improve your workout experience.
The vest contains a pouch in the middle of your chest for your phone. Once you’ve unbuttoned the fastener, you can slot your phone into the pouch. The plastic screen cover provides an extra layer of protection and security.
When you’re running, you can have easy access to your smartphone by simply unfastening the pouch and using the touchscreen to unlock your phone.
The Freetrain V1 Vest contains two extra pockets on either shoulder for keys and bank cards.
The vest has straps on either side so you can adjust it to meet your personal preferences, whether you like a tight fit like me or a slightly looser fit.
The Pros
• Smartphone pouch
• Key pocket
• Gel pocket
• Adjustable waistband
• Durable and lightweight
• Reflective print
The Cons
• Premium price tag
What Customers Are Saying
At the time of writing, Freetrain had an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars on independent review website Trustpilot.
Doug explained that the Freetrain V1 Vest surpassed his expectations.
As an avid athlete I recently purchased the FreeTrain V1 with the hopes of replacing my traditional methods of carrying a phone by running belts. This product has exceeded my expectations! I have now utilized for running, bike rides, and even skiing under the main outer shell. This is a must have!
Denis shed light on one of the advantages of the Freetrain V1 Vest over the armband.
Great product and customer service. I was worried the vest might feel constraining, but it does not. And it is much easier manipulating a phone while running when I can be unclipped, rather than having to slip it out of an armband.
Tom admitted that he’s a Freetrain V1 Vest convert.
I went in skeptical thinking it wouldn’t make all that much difference to my current solution of a waistband. I was wrong. It makes a huge different to making you feel you have a bit more freedom to move, whist keeping your phone safe, but easily accessible.
Price
The Freetrain V1 Vest is priced at £29.99 on Freetrain’s website along with a range of running accessories to complement their phone holder.
Our Verdict
As a diehard runner, I’ve struggled to find the right phone holder for me.
I like to run with my dogs so I’ve previously used a running belt which is good but it’s still hassle trying to get my smartphone out of the belt’s pocket.
The Freetrain V1 Vest elevated my running experience. It felt comfortable to wear and makes you feel like an athlete.
It’s easy and quick to unfasten the button and skip a track while running. I loved the inclusion of the two additional pockets to store my house keys and some dog treats.
If you’re looking for a phone holder that gives you the freedom to bring your smartphone, house keys, bank cards and other valuables on your run, Freetrain V1 Vest could be a great option for you.
You can get an exclusive 10% discount off your order when you click here and enter the discount code sportreview10.
Buy Now from freetrain.co.uk
2) lululemon Fast And Free Run Belt
Website: lululemon.co.uk
lululemon Fast and Free Run Belt (Photo: lululemon / Screen shot)
If you’re looking for a phone holder for your daily or weekly jog in the park, you may have considered a running belt as an option for you.
lululemon’s Fast and Free Run Belt is a sleek and lightweight belt that can keep your smartphone safe and secure during your run.
Their website explains that the belt’s zippered stretchy pocket allows joggers to keep their phone close at all times.
lululemon have also included side drop-in pockets to store keys, cards, snacks and gels.
The Pros
• Three different sizes
• Two different colours
• Ultralu fabric for soft and smooth feel
• Lycra fabric for stretch and shape retention
• Reflective details
The Cons
• Premium price tag
• Some bigger phones may be a tight fit
What Customers Are Saying
There aren’t a lot of reviews of lululemon Fast and Free Run Belt. There is a review section at the bottom of the product’s page on their website. On there, it had an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 at the time of writing.
One customer was surprised by how much she could fit in the belt.
Really comfortable to run with and fits more than you would expect.
Victoria gave a four-star review because she found her smartphone had to be squeezed in.
I love the design and fit of this product. There’s no bouncing when running which is rare and amazing. My only issue is my iPhone 11 fits a bit too tightly. Other than that, great product.
Another jogger gave five stars but provided some constructive criticism.
Super comfortable and fits my iPhone 12 with a case on without problem. Doesn’t leave you feeling unbalanced on a run like an arm strap. My only issue is that the adjustable strap is quite long and there’s nowhere proper to tuck the excess strap.
Price
lululemon Fast and Free Run Belt costs £28.99 on lululemon’s website.
Our Verdict
I’ve used a variety of running belts and they’re a good option if you don’t like wearing an armband.
This alternative has the added bonus of lots of extra pockets to store more than just your smartphone.
lululemon’s Fast and Free Run Belt uses lycra fabric to ensure most smartphones will fit in the main zippered pocket.
It’s got a stylish design that’s perfect for runners who want to use a sleek but unassuming running belt as a phone holder.
Buy Now from lululemon.co.uk
3) LifeProof LifeActiv Arm Band
Website: www.amazon.co.uk
LifeProof LifeActiv Arm Band (Photo: Amazon UK / Screen grab)
For the traditionalists reading this article, we’ve included an armband option in our roundup on the best phone holders for runners.
The LifeProof LifeActiv armband solves the problem of having to change your armband every time you upgrade your phone.
You’ll need to secure your mount’s backing to your smartphone case before you attach it to the LifeProof’s mount on the armband.
While the mount is magnetic, there’s a lock to ensure extra security so your phone will remain pretty still no matter how rigorous your workout is.
The Pros
• Different armband sizes
• Works with all phone cases
• Security lock
• Lightweight materials
• Compatible with LifeProof’s other mounting accessories
The Cons
• You’ll need a new mount if switching phone case
• Premium price tag
What Customers Are Saying
At the time of writing, the LifeProof LifeActiv armband had an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 based upon over 500 reviews on Amazon.
One customer was impressed with the armband’s performance.
Excellent. Can’t fault it. Used on every run since purchase and hold phone steady as a rock. Simple to get phone in and out of and so much better than the sleeves you can buy.
Eric was pleased with LifeProof’s latest armband offering.
Very nice product. Easy to assemble and does the job well. Feels a little bit solid when holding a phone compared to my previous LifeProof armband but so far no issues to report!
Price
LifeProof’s LifeActiv armband is priced at £28.99 on Amazon UK.
Our Verdict
If you’d prefer an armband over a vest or belt, LifeProof LifeActiv is a good option.
We really like the mount mechanism with the security lock to ensure your smartphone stays in place throughout your workout.
It’s also great that you’re able to use the touchscreen without having to deal with any plastic covering.
If you’re looking to use your phone for directions to and from your preferred running location, you can use the LifeProof LifeActiv in conjunction with some of their other phone mounting accessories, such as the car mount.
Buy Now from amazon.co.uk
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Freetrain V1 Vest (Photo: The Sport Review)
We’ve reached the end of our feature on the best phone holders for runners in the UK.
Our top pick is the Freetrain V1 Vest for it’s sheer convenience and storage space. The running vest provides plenty of room for your smartphone, keys, bank cards and other valuables.
You’ll feel like a professional athlete wearing the Freetrain V1 Vest with it’s smart and sophisticated but practical design.
If you’re an avid runner who has been looking for a comfortable, stylish and secure option for your smartphone and valuables on your run, Freetrain’s V1 Vest could be the perfect phone holder for you, but the other two options on this list are great as well.
