Most people do not enjoy carrying their phones while running.
Not only is it inconvenient to run around with a phone swinging in your pockets, but it also creates distraction should you receive calls or message alerts.
However, there are cases where carrying a phone while running could be a good idea. For example;
- If you intend to keep track of the distance covered in a single run
- Track the number of calories burnt.
- Measure the number of miles covered in an hour or so.
- If you intend to listen to some soothing music.
If that’s the case for you, here’s where to put your phone while running.
Where To Put Your Phone While Running
Whether you use it to listen to music, track miles, as a safety measure, or just keep it around in case of emergency — there is an array of comfortable and safe ways to carry your phone while running.
Since every runner has unique preferences, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, what’s best for you depends on your preferences.
However, all potential phone-carrying solutions take one approach: offer space to hold your phone securely while allowing quick access when running.
What you choose in the end will stem down to:
- Whether you prefer wearing running gear or not
- If you like to keep your run streamlined and minimalist
- The size of the phone pocket you’re after
- Placement of pocket in your option
Whatever your preference, plenty of solutions are available to keep you focused on the road ahead. Here’s how you can bring your digital device to the run with minimal hassle.
1. Tuck Your Phone Into a Running Belt With a Phone Pocket
A running belt is a perfect pick for hands-free hydration and phone storage. The expandable pouch can accommodate your smartphone, keys, water bottle, and fuel blocks you take on long runs.
A typical running belt will have a zippered pocket to hold your smartphone, a touch-capable cover, and the option to flip up for easy access. You can use your phone to connect with people post-race, capture running photos, and track your mileage.
Most running belts have tubular side pockets that allow you to spread your belongings more equally around your midsection. More importantly, you can fit a silicone hydrating flask inside a running belt to keep you hydrated during your ran without compromising your comfort.
Your phone and other cargo won’t flop around if you pull the running belt tight. However, ensure your running belt has a non-slip backing and an adjustable reflective waist grip.
Why Running Belt is The Most Popular Option
The reason people prefer to carry their phone in running belts while running include:
- They’re convenient — you can have several items in the bag
- The belt is discrete and non-bulky
- Running belt makes your phone and keys difficult to snatch
- Zippered or tucked option ensure your phone won’t fall
2. Stash It In Your Shorts Pocket
On days you’re going for a short run and don’t need to take much, you can slide your phone down the side of your shorts pocket. But first, encase your phone in a sandwich bag before stashing it in your shorts pocket to prevent it from getting sweaty.
Running shorts come in multiple lengths and colors but what makes them an excellent option is that your phone will stay put even without a zipper or other closure.
You can go for running shorts with a zipped pocket or one that combines a zippered back pocket and an open mesh pocket around the rest of your waist for easier access to the phone. You can seek more coverage for the runs during bad weather or cold seasons.
Most tight brands will offer you running shorts with larger pockets. You can wear shorts with a drop-in pocket in the back waistband or a slide-in, stretching side pocket to carry your phone.
Why Runners Chose Shorts Pockets Over Other Options
Many people prefer to carry their phones in short’s pockets while running for several reasons, including:
- Shorts pockets are close to the body and don’t billow or get in the way
- The phone won’t bounce around when running
- Pockets are suitable for wired and wireless headphones
3. Nestle it in a Sports Bra With a Cleverly Placed Phone Pocket
While running shorts can nestle your phone in the side or back of your thigh, you can also stash it between the shoulder blades in your sports bra.
A sports bra with a back pocket is excellent for hand-free runs. Most of these bras are made of four-way stretch material, spandex, and back pockets with small holes to keep wired headphones secure.
Sports bras’ stretching fiber can act as a phone holder for smartphones of different sizes. Your phone can stay put in the racerback pocket in the back.
The phone holder in sports bras distributes weight equally, unlike strapping your phone to one arm or stowing it in one leg pocket. Bras with pockets in front instead of the back eliminate the hassle and awkwardness of reaching behind when you need to use your phone.
A sports bra with a phone pocket also offers ample space for carrying your keys and other small items as you run.
Why Runners Choose Bra Pocket For Carrying Phone
- Convenient for using wired headphones
- Protect the phone from dropping
- The sweat-proof lining ensures you don’t worry about a sweaty phone
4. Pack It In Your Hydration Pack
Hydration belts look like running belts, only that they’re bigger. While you might grumble about the extra load, sometimes you’ll need the hydration pack — especially when running on trails you aren’t sure of the water supply. A hydration pack will give you additional space to squeeze in your phone after packing other necessities.
The hydration belt allows you to strap a hefty water bladder or bottles in the back or sides and your phone in the front zippered pocket. Since hydration packs are bigger than running belts, you might get more swaying and bouncing when you run.
However, identify a hydration belt that fits snugly on your waist to eliminate unnecessary bouncing movement.
Why Runners Choose Hydration Packs for Carrying their Phones
Runners prefer carrying phones in hydration packs because:
- The pack is versatile and allows them to carry more than just the phone
- It makes everything you carry for the run accessible
5. Use an Armband To Strap it To Your Arm
An armband is one of the most popular options for easy access to your phone while running. What makes this accessory most preferred for many is that you can glance at your phone screen while running.
There’s a huge range of armbands you can choose from, but a good armband should be sweat resistant while sitting securely on your arms with adjustable straps. Find an armband that fits snugly around your upper biceps and ensure the model you’re getting fits your phone.
You’ll strap an armband around your upper arm, then attach your phone to take it with you running. The phone casing of most armbands is water resistant to keep your phone secure from sweat or liquid drops.
If you’re looking for an armband with an open-face design, you can opt for one without a cover.
Why Runners Carry their Phone in Armbands When Running
The armband has several benefits that make it an appealing option to many runners, including
- Convenience and ease of use
- Constant access to your phone makes it excellent when tracking your pace
- Wired-headphone friendliness
6. Use a Lightweight Vest-Like Running Backpack
Consider a lightweight vest-like backpack if you don’t mind bringing a little extra on your run. The option has slim pockets that can fit smartphone devices of any size.
The phone pouch in most running backpacks has two headphone jack ports to fit wired headphones. The backpack has an adjustable sternum buckle and two adjustments on the shoulder to help you keep the backpack secure and stable.
Running backpacks are popular because they are ultra-lightweight, and you will hardly feel them on your run.
Why Runners Carry Their Phone in Running Backpacks
You can go for a running backpack because:
- It offers a lot of storage space not only for your phone but for other necessities, too
- It distributes weight evenly, preventing sore shoulders
7. Use Lightweight Race Vests
A race vest is excellent if you bring many items to the run. The vest can help you carry your phone, water, keys, and wallets when going for long runs.
What makes race vests excellent is that they’re lightweight such that you’ll bearly know you have them on. More importantly, you’ll carry your phone where you don’t see to help you focus on the road without distractions.
Plus, the vest spreads the weight of everything you carry during the run, so you don’t get sore shoulders.
You can slide your phone, keys, or anything you want to keep secure in the large pouch, and they’ll sit neatly around your waist with no bounce.
Why Runners Carry Phones in Running Vests
The advantage of a running vest as a phone holder when running include the following:
- Ample space for phones and other small items
- It’s the best option when carrying many items
- The vest distributes weight evenly, preventing sore shoulder
8. Clip Your Phone to Your Clothing
If the options of armband and waist belts frustrate you, you can put the phone in a zippered pack that clips on the sports bra magnetically to keep your phone dry.
Clipping keeps your phone from falling out of your sports bra or waistband.
The pouch can include a separate pocket for cards, keys, or cash and come in several sizes to accommodate different phone size. While other runners clip the pack at the back of a racerback bra, you can wear it in the front or on the waistband of your shorts.
If you want to clip the pouch differently, you can pick a design that closes with velcro instead of a zipper. You won’t have to worry about water damage because the pouch is water-resistant and will protect your screen.
9. Attach it to Your Water Bottle With a Phone Case
You’ll probably bring a water bottle if you’re going for long runs to stay hydrated, so you can opt for an option that allows you to carry your water and phone in the same band.
The combination includes a phone case attached to a water bottle with adhesive straps. Most water bottles with phone holders have double-walled insulation to keep your water cool for a long.
The zippered phone pouch has adjustable hand straps to hold your phone securely and a touch conducive cover to give you quick access to your phone.
Inside the phone pouch, you’ll find the headphone jack openings at the bottom and a separate small pocket to store items like a key holder, your ID, or a protein bar.
The only problem with this solution is that it can be annoying because you have to carry your water bottle everywhere. However, it’s an excellent option when you don’t want to wear extra running gear.
10. Tuck It Into Leggings With Side Pockets
Leggings with angled pockets on either side are widely popular in the running community. Most leggings are designed with four-way stretch pockets to allow for a generous amount of storage space.
While most leggings don’t specify the pocket dimension, many people running confirm that you can tuck your phone up to 6.5 inches because the pocket can stretch.
11. Slip It Into The Tank Top With Side Pockets
Tank tops are excellent ladies’ exercise clothing because they keep you less warm. When equipped with side pockets, this exercise clothing can offer a perfect way to carry your phone while running.
The built-in side pockets keep your phone readily available for your daily runs. The side pockets in a running tank top are designed with flaps to secure your phone while running.
You should go for stretchable top tanks to carry a phone of any size in their pockets.
12. Use a Phone Grip to Hold Your Phone Securely in Your Hands
If you prefer to have your phone handy at all times, you can keep it secure with a slim, elastic phone grip. The phone grip is made from stretchy cotton that sticks to the back of a phone or phone case with an ultra-durable 3M adhesive.
This option has nothing high-tech about it — only plenty of peace of mind because all you need is to slip a finger or a few through the back loop to lasso your phone to your hand.
The universal size of the phone grip should suffice for all phones. The XL version is a bit longer and works great for tablets.
13. Encase Your Phone If You Must Carry Your Phone in your Hands
While uncomfortable, some runners prefer to palm their phones for easy access. After all, the primary reason to run with your phone is to reach out for help in an emergency.
Sure, the music, the podcasts, and the audible books are nice, but for the most part, you want to carry your phone while running to reach out in case something uncertain happens. If you must carry your phone when running, you should get a heavy-duty, drop-proof case. The casing will protect your phone from breaking if it falls or there’s a spill.
Choosing The Best Way to Carry Your Phone When Running Shouldn’t Be Difficult
While there are several ways to carry your phone when running, you are the ultimate decision-maker.
If you like running with only clothes — without any gear — you may want to opt for a garment with built-in phone holder pockets such as:
- Sports bras
- Running shorts with zippered pocket
- Tank tops with a side pocket
- Leggings with side pockets
- Using a phone grip to hold your phone securely
On the other hand, if you don’t mind extra running gear, you can go for lightweight accessories such as:
- Armbands
- Running belts
- Hydration pack
- Lightweight running backpack
- Race vests
- Clipping your phone onto your clothes
- Attaching your phone to your water bottle
Other factors you should consider are pocket placement and size. If you need quick access to your phone all the time, you’ll be better off with a phone pocket in front of your body. If you consider your phone a distraction while running, choose an option with a phone holder at the back or sides.
Also, check the pocket sizing to ensure your option provides enough storage space for your phone.