The Best Running Armbands That Will Make You Forget You’re Wearing One

One of the most democratic things about running is that you don’t need a bag full of expensive gear to do it. No balls that require proper inflation, no bulky padding, no dorky helmet that’ll earn you a ticket if you forget it. Throw on a pair of decent running sneakers and some non-denim pants, and you’re basically good to go.

I, however, can’t stand to go running without my phone (I envy the runners who can get up and go without any additional equipment). There are two reasons I can't part with it. One, because I desperately need Carly Rae Jepsen to distract me from the panting and the cramping and all the joys that come with running, and two, because, you know, safety. Plus, because it’s 2019 and phone companies keep convincing us we need to carry increasingly larger small laptops in our back pockets, my iPhone 8 Plus is the size and weight of a thin lead brick, and I absolutely refuse to spend actual money on an Apple watch, even though, admittedly, this is perhaps the one instance where it might be useful. So for now, I’m an armband loyalist.

What makes for a good running armband? It's easy to take on and off, it's sweat-resistant, and it's secure enough to both protect your too-expensive phone and prevent it from bouncing constantly during your run. Below, the best versions for every kind of runner.