Quick Tracks: Pros/Cons & Conclusion - SportWrap Photo Gallery - Discussions

Packaging & First Impressions

If you already own the Apple iPod Shuffle armband this review is not for you, it will only make you hurt. The XtremeMac SportWrap for the iPod Shuffle looks a bit like a Goth turnakit. It is made of the strong but soft neoprene material with a little plastic window where your iPod Shuffle goes. The armband is all Velcro on one side and slips through a plastic buckle to attach back on itself. On the inside there is a flap that covers the back of the iPod Shuffle which is also held down by Velcro. In the iPod Shuffle compartment there are holes at the top or bottom for the headphone jack and a loop on the side to hold the extra cord. All in all, very good design.

Run Steve Run!

If there are any instructions with the SportWrap, you certainly will not need them and who cares, instructions are for kids, like Tricks. To get the iPod Shuffle into the holder, you pull back the Velcro flap and place it in, front facing the clear plastic so you can use the controls. The headphone jack can be seen through the hole at the top and cleverly that is where you plug in your headphones. This leads us to our only complaint which is that the hole for the headphone port is not big enough for a plug to go through. What ends up happening is the neoprene gets caught between the iPod and the plug, not making for a good connection. We found that if you snake the plug through the hole first and connect it to the iPod before putting it into the holder it worked much better.

We here at iPodTips were really excited to hit the road with the SportWrap. We had plans of running a marathon but decided that the gym and treadmill would be a much more real life test. The SportsWrap takes a bit of practice to get on but once it is on your arm and adjusted it does the job wonderfully. Unlike Apple's rubber based armband, the SportWrap's neoprene keeps a much better position on the arm. We also appreciated the loop for wrapping up the excess headphone cord. After thirty minutes or so we were completely sold, XtremeMac's SportWrap for the iPod Shuffle is a winner.

Pros, Cons & Rating

Pros Comfortable and lightweight Very adjustable Good value Cons A little difficult to get on Have to put in headphone first

Conclusion

XtremeMac's SportWrap for the iPod Shuffle is the best on the market. The SportWrap combines good design and great value compared to Apple's offerings. If you work out with the iPod Shuffle, this is your new workout partner.

Specs

• $29.95
• Made of neoprene
• Fits 10" to 17" arm sizes

Available at Amazon and XtremeMac's Website