How to wear your phone while running

Whether you want to listen to your favourite music or you’re keen to capture your performance on your fitness app, for many people, their phone is a vital part of their running equipment. When it comes to running with your phone, holding it in the palm of your hand just doesn't work - take our word for it. While your jeans pocket might be the perfect place for your phone when you’re ambling around town, the pocket of your running shorts isn't’ always practical. Many men’s and women’s running shorts have no pockets or very shallow pockets, which are not particularly well-suited to carrying around today’s larger mobile phones. If you are going to keep your phone in your shorts, only use a large a zip pocket that’s approximately the same size as your phone, so you can be sure your phone won’t fall out and it doesn’t bounce around too much. So where can you put your phone when running? Here’s our guide to some more practical options. 

How to run with your phone

• Strap it to your arm

Not sure where to put your phone when running? Strapping it to your arm is a pretty safe bet. An arm phone pouch is a very handy bit of kit. It’s sweat-resistant and attaches securely to your arm so your phone doesn’t interfere with your stride. One of the biggest benefits of this solution is that you don’t have to remove the phone from the pouch to use the screen. That makes it a firm favourite for lots of runners.

• Stash it in your sports bra

Stashing your mobile phone in your sports bra might not sound like the most elegant solution to running with your phone, but innovation is a wonderful thing. There are specially designed sports bras on the market that have a phone-sized pocket in the front centre of the bra where you can keep your phone, keys, money and other valuables. The one downside is that the pocket might not be waterproof, but you could always wrap your phone in a plastic bag to protect it from showers. While that might sound like a viable solution to this very modern problem, it’s only recommended for A/B cups and chafing can be an issue on longer runs.  

• Carry it securely around your waist

Carrying your phone in a waistpack that you can strap securely around your waist is, for our money, probably the best way to carry your phone while running. At ASICS, we have a range of solutions for you to consider, from the Waistpack 2.0, with a stretch band to reduce chafing and bouncing, to the Katakana Pouch, which has plenty of room for your phone, keys, cards and energy gels. To be effective, you should look for a waistpack that has a stretchable and comfortable waistband. That will help to keep the pack tight around your waist and well away from the top of your legs.  

• Keep your phone to hand

There are handheld running cases available that allow you to keep your phone right at your fingertips. This secure band fits around your hand so you can see the screen and access the phone without having to remove it. Although pressing buttons while running can be tricky, just slow down to access all of your phone’s functionality. This solution is comfortable and convenient, sweatproof and water-resistant and can be worn without affecting your run. The potential downside is that carrying your phone on your hand can lead to muscle imbalance and even cause shoulder problems, making a waist belt or water carrier a better option. 

• A water carrier with a phone pocket

If you’re a regular long-distance runner, then you’ll no doubt be familiar with the water carrier. You wouldn’t necessarily want to wear a water carrier solely to carry your phone, as there are far less cumbersome options available. However, if you’re heading out on a run for a least an hour, you should take water with you to replenish the fluids you lose through sweat. In that case, it makes sense to find a water carrier or a bottle belt that also has a pouch for your phone. Many of them have zippable front pockets, making it a secure and convenient solution.