Not sure how many of you guys are into fitness, but I thought I would post this review on a sports armband that I purchased recently for my iPhone.
I have owned numerous brands of iPhone armbands over the years, and after been dissatisfied with my last one (Bone Collection Sports Pal armband), I decided to have a lookaround on the net to see if there were any that would suit my needs better.
I first saw the Armpocket armbands on the Macrumours forum. They were very highly regarded on every post I read on there and also elsewhere on the Internet. So I decided to order one.
I chose the Armpocket Aero i-10 for my iPhone 5. I don't require anything bigger as at most I only have my locker key in my armband. The armband has a little pocket inside to store a credit card, locker key. The other armbands that Armpocket make, have varying amounts of space in them, depending either, on if you have a protective case on your iPhone, or you require more storage space inside for which to store things.
I use the armband when training in the gym, I get rather sweaty, in light of this I was a bit concerned that the sweat from my arm might seep through the armband and into the area where my iPhone is. But after reading the many reviews and various posts on forums, this wasn't a thing that the Armpocket armband suffered from, and I can also confirm this in my usage too.
The inner of the Aero i-10 has two little compartments that will hold a credit card and a small key. The inner also seems to be a nylon type material; I can imagine that this is for to stop water/sweat penetration.
The iPhone is inserted into the armband by opening the zip, which runs around the sides and top of the armband, you then tuck the iPhone inside through a little loop, and close the zip. On the bottom of the armband are two small openings; these are for to insert the earphone plug (depending on which way around you insert your iPhone). On the side of the armband is a little loop; this is used for storing excess cable from the earphones. This is a nice little touch.
The front of the armband has a see-through plastic window. This covers the screen of the iPhone. I found the plastic was a little loose, but despite this, it was easy enough to press through to access the touch screen control on the iPhone.
I choose the medium strap length. I would say that if you have really muscular biceps that it might be too short. Perhaps Armpocket might want to do a large strap length to go along with the small, medium strap lengths that they do now.
On the arm, the armband is exceptionally comfortable. This is due to the memory foam on the back of the armband that goes against your arm. You can scarcely feel that you're wearing it. It is way more comfortable than other armbands I have owned.
I emailed Armpocket before ordering my armband to ask about washing the armband, due to it getting sweaty. I was told the best way to wash it was either a cold handwash or a cold machine handwash setting, and to use a delicate detergent such as Woolite. I thought I would pass on this information to potential purchasers.
All in all I find the Aero i-10 to be an exceptional armband and I feel that the quality of it will stand up to a fair few years of use in the gym.
This is where I purchased the sports armband from:
http://www.gadgetcase.co.uk/iPod-iPhone-Armband_c_42.html
This is the website for the armband manufacturer:
http://www.armpocket.com/
Here's some pictures of the armband:
Showing the memory foam back of the armband. This is what makes the armband exceptionally comfortable.
Showing the front of the armband.
Showing the inside of the armband where the iPhone goes and also the little pocket where you can store a credit card, bank card or locker key for example.
Showing the zip around opening and the little tab where excess cable can be folded away and tucked under.
