Nike+ gear… Is it worth it?
I was very much intrigued with the Nike+ gear that I came across in their online store. The small sensor that you can only put on certain Nike+ shoes that are specially made for the iPOD sensor. Your iPOD gets to record distance, pace, duration, and other details about your run. You also get to upload them on Nike’s database to monitor your runs and check on performance.
Since they could not force everyone to buy iPODs, either they were expensive or other people already had their own portable music players, Nike designed the Nike+ sportband which does exactly the same thing as the iPOD, except of course play music.
Since not everyone would buy or wear Nike shoes for differing reasons, some entrepreneurs came up with the Lace ID (at $4.95 and $9.95 for 3 pcs) and the Shoe Pouch ($6.99), which serve as a way for people to use the Nike+ sensor on any shoe. Basically, what they do is allow people to put the sensor on top of their shoe by making the laces go through the shoe attachment. (See pictures below)
Well, I’m not really sure whether this is worth it or people would be better off getting themselves a Garmin, a Polar or a Timex.
April 23, 2008 at 1:51 pm
It might be a less accurate device, but it will definitely help motivate you. I’m thinking of buying my wife a set to have her start running. Thanks for telling about the Lace ID.
April 23, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Oh btw, do you know where I could buy a shoe pouch in Manila? Thanks.
April 23, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hi Taki! I’m not sure coz I saw the Lace ID and the Shoe pouch in Runnersworld Magazine. Since it’s international, I’m not sure if it’s available here already. You know what, Nike sells something similar. They call it a shoe wallet/purse. It is also placed on top of the shoe. You can try to use that, it might work. Same principle… but it might vary a bit coz it’s not as tight as the lace id or the shoe pouch.
April 24, 2008 at 10:06 am
i suggest you get a garmin instead… it’s more accurate and tells you a whole lot more useful information than the nike sensor (read the bullrunner’s old entries comparing them
i think i saw these sensor pouches being sold at the mac store in greenbelt 4…
April 24, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Onga eh joe! The garmin is still on my wishlist. Hehe!
July 24, 2008 at 10:04 am
Hi Eric, I read your question at Happy Feet and decided to reply more lengthily here. The Nike+ Ipod provides value for money and is accurate too provided you calibrate the sensor. Bull Runner discovered large errors in distance measurement but she didn’t calibrate her sensor. The Marware shoe pouch is available at IMac stores. I’ve heard there are still a lot of bugs with the recently released Nike+ band though.
I wrote a comparison between the Garmin 305 and the Nike+ Ipod here:
http://runningdatcom.wordpress.com/my-running-gear/
July 24, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hi DATC!
Thanks for the info. Congratulations on DATC, Jr.!
The Garmin is still on my wishlist… right now, I’m contenting myself with a TIMEX watch and the Nike+ sports kit that’ll be given as a gift
November 1, 2008 at 4:33 am
As someone who hasn’t run in about 13 years, I can say that this was well worth it. I bought the 3rd gen 8gb ipod refurb from apple directly and got it for 99$, got the sensor from amazon for 26$ and a sensor pocket for 3$ from amazon also. It might not be the most exact device ever, although i have yet to calibrate it and it seems within .02 of a mile for me. The cool part of it is the gadget-geekyness and the nikeplus.com website, where you can join challenges with people you’ve never met. just a nice motivational tool. also, you can get it to talk to you in a german female voice (Mach Schnell! Mach Schnell!) i’m even thinking about getting the amp+ watch to make it even easier