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Has arm and smartphone firmly under control: mobile phone case for athletes
Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
You know that right?
You pull yourself up once a week, month, year (please tick the appropriate box and send in), lace up your running shoes, your weaker self has retired to your hut, and off you go, step by step, nature calls.
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Now all that's missing is the right soundtrack for the jogging round.
Or the odometer in your running app.
Or the Insta snapshot in between.
In short: what to do with the smartphone?
I've tried to hold it in my hand many times on my runs.
Not recommendable.
It gets a bit slippery over time and there is too much slagging in your pocket.
So: a bracket is needed.
For the arm, for the wrist, no matter what the resourceful product design has to offer.
I compared these five variants:
- 🛒 VUP + Mobile Phone Wristband
- 🛒 JetTech running bracelet
- 🛒 E Tronic Edge mobile phone sports bracelet
- 🛒 Portholic Sport bracelet
- 🛒 Ultrasport wristband cover for the mobile phone
That's how we tested
I run five times, about 40 minutes each time, each time with a different smartphone holder on my arm.
The products are partly for the wrist, partly they are strapped around the upper arm.
Before doing this, I take a close look at the product: What do I notice?
How is it processed?
What are the goodies?
Halfway through, I do the photo check with everyone - how easy is it to unplug the smartphone and plug it in again?
VUP + Mobile Phone Wristband
"All screens friendly", announces the packaging of the VUP + Mobile Phone Wristband.
Suitable for both iPhones and Android phones of many sizes.
Simply black and designed with restraint, elastic bands at the top and bottom hold the phone in place.
I'm skeptical when I try it out for the first time, but nothing actually jerks when I clamp my smartphone.
The holder closes with a wide Velcro fastener around the wrist, I just have to be careful not to press off the blood supply.
The highlight of the wristband: the smartphone can be rotated steplessly, horizontally, upright, crooked, whatever.
I choose the portrait version and start walking.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
The impression of walking:
After the first few steps, the
strap
loosens on the wrist, I pull it vigorously, now it holds.
What is really annoying: When running, the ball head attachment, with which you can turn the smartphone, bobs and bounces.
I try to turn the phone vertically, but the effect becomes even worse.
Plus point: I can operate the touchscreen while running, start music or look for the route, I can push away a call that is just coming in.
Great in good weather.
But when it rains?
display
VUP sports armband mobile phone case for all 4 to 6.1 inch smartphones mobile phone armband running armband for jogging running gym cycling hiking climbing arm pocket
From € 14.99
Price query time
October 24, 2020 4:29 p.m.
No guarantee
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Order at AmazonIcon: amazon
Product reviews are purely editorial and independent.
Via the so-called affiliate links above, we usually receive a commission from the dealer when making a purchase.
More information here
The photo test after half the distance is convincing: the smartphone can be removed from the holder within seconds (briefly photograph the picturesque forest lake) and just as quickly clamped in again.
When I remove the bracelet after 40 minutes, I have clear marks on my wrist - and the Waldsee photo is a little blurred.
But that wasn't because of the wristband.
👍🏻
Good workmanship, fits all common smartphone sizes, touchscreen can be operated while walking.
👎 Bracket springs when you walk, not rainproof.
JetTech running bracelet
Somebody with a sense for details was at work: With the JetTech running armband, the smartphone disappears in a rainproof plastic bag (attention: order the right size for your smartphone!) With a transparent cover.
There is also a key pocket on the belt.
It's quite small, but flexible enough for house or bicycle keys.
The workmanship is good, a belt extension is included for particularly pronounced biceps and triceps.
I buckle the bracelet around my left upper arm without an extension, pull it tight and off I go.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
The impression of running:
The bracelet is secure, even when running faster through woods and meadows, the smartphone does not risk
falling
out.
The transparent cover allows a quick look at the display, even through the plastic film I can still navigate through the phone's menus, only the fingerprint sensor does not work of course.
display
Sport armband mobile phone, sweatproof sport armband for iPhone 12 Pro 12 Mini iPhone 11 Pro SE 2020, Galaxy S20 S10 A50, Huawei P40 P30 P20, with extension band, for jogging, cycling, hiking, Up to 6.1 "
From € 8.99
Price query time
October 24, 2020 4:29 p.m.
No guarantee
Icon: Info
Order at AmazonIcon: amazon
Product reviews are purely editorial and independent.
Via the so-called affiliate links above, we usually receive a commission from the dealer when making a purchase.
More information here
Over time, however, the cuff inevitably slips towards the crook of your arm and rubs.
I lash up.
The photo test: fingering the smartphone out of the plastic pocket with slightly sweaty fingers after a few kilometers of jogging takes longer than with the wrist holder.
Have a quick look at the emails?
Probably not, I am glad when the smartphone is back in place.
👍🏻 Flexible key pocket, good workmanship, rainproof
👎 The cuff slips, handling requires dexterity
E Tronic Edge mobile phone sports bracelet
Why complicated when it can be made easy?
The E Tronic Edge cell phone pocket is a kind of flexible sock that hugs the forearm.
In addition to the zip pocket for smartphones of all types, there is space for keys, money, handkerchiefs or plasters, whatever you usually take with you on a jog.
Nevertheless, the bracelet is not bulky, nothing dangles, does not slip.
The workmanship is flawless, seams, zipper, everything makes a very neat impression.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
The running impression:
I feel a little like a Jane Austen
fictional character who wanders
through the woods of an English county in forearm warmers.
When my smartphone vibrates, I'm back in the here and now.
Just looking at the display is of course not included in the E Tronic Edge bag, and the touchpad can only be operated when you take the device out of the bag.
display
E Tronic Edge mobile phone sport bracelet |
Mobile phone case Sport with integrated headphone holes for ALL mobile phone models |
Mobile phone sports armband with reflectors (M, black)
From € 13.97
Price query time
October 24, 2020 4:29 p.m.
No guarantee
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Order at AmazonIcon: amazon
Product reviews are purely editorial and independent.
Via the so-called affiliate links above, we usually receive a commission from the dealer when making a purchase.
More information here
On the other hand, the comfort of the arm sock is unprecedented: The construction does not constrict, no belt that chafs, but still offers sufficient support when walking.
Since the zip pocket is very spacious, the smartphone can be stowed away quickly and easily, even after the short test photo, without pulling and tugging.
👍🏻 Comfortable and secure fit, fits all devices, space for keys and more
👎 You cannot check the display while running, let alone operate it
Portholic Sport bracelet
The Portholic holder stretches around my upper arm like a blood pressure cuff.
That sits.
But comfortable?
The workmanship is good, and the extras are convincing too: a small key pocket, a pocket for credit cards or banknotes on the back, here too there is a belt extension for particularly defined upper arms, all good ideas.
As with many competing products, the smartphone itself is pushed into a kind of transparent case.
This means: You can check the display between two steps and rain cannot harm the smartphone either.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
Of course, the fingerprint sensor for activation does not work with this variant either, but swipe gestures and touch controls are largely recognized, even through the thin film.
But how does the Portholic fare on the run?
The running impression:
It may be because yesterday I was still
wearing the snug
forearm sock, but I find it difficult to get used to the Portholic cuff.
So that everything holds well, I have to lash it down very tightly.
That pinches and rubs after the first twenty minutes.
display
PORTHOLIC Sweatproof Sports Bracelet for iPhone 11 Pro Max XR XS Max Galaxy A50 A40 Huawei P30 P20 Xiaomi, Extension Strap, Card Slot, for Cell Phone Up to 6.7 ", for Jogging Cycling Hiking
From € 12.98
Price query time
October 24, 2020 4:29 p.m.
No guarantee
Icon: Info
Order at AmazonIcon: amazon
Product reviews are purely editorial and independent.
Via the so-called affiliate links above, we usually receive a commission from the dealer when making a purchase.
More information here
The compartment for the house key is well meant, but unfortunately designed in such a way that I cannot maneuver the normal-sized key into the compartment without tearing the small pocket at the opening.
I then put it in the credit card slot.
The experience with the test photo at middle distance: By the time I freed the smartphone from the plastic case, the gray heron, which just so majestically stalked in the forest lake, has long since taken off again.
👍🏻 Many extras (key compartment, credit card, XL belt), transparent film cover, rainproof
👎 Incorrect construction of the key compartment, not very convenient, difficult to handle
Ultrasport wristband cover for mobile phones
The nose knows the shortcut to the brain: If I have to think of Jacques Cousteau, it is probably due to the penetrating neoprene smell exuded by the packaging of the ultrasport bracelet.
I regret a little that I don't have an expedition into the depths of the Atlantic in front of me, but just a vile jogging round in the neighboring wood.
But hey, adventure is waiting everywhere, that's what the bracelet also seems to want to say: The workmanship is indestructible, the smartphone is pushed into the plastic case for this product too.
When ordering, you should therefore pay attention to the correct size.
It squeaks and jerks here and there.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Jens Radü / DER SPIEGEL
There is also a key compartment here.
However, this one is also a bit small, my front door key with a square head has to stay outside.
I loop the neoprene part around my upper arm and off I go on the forest path.
The running impression:
Neoprene is definitely more supple than competing products made from other plastics.
Nevertheless, this cuff also presses quite a bit on the upper arm.
Plus point: Because of the transparent film, I can also take a look at the display, check the rain radar, change the song with this variant.
During the photo check, however, the neoprene wristband was also disappointing: It took a long time to get the smartphone out for the photo and it felt twice as long to put it back in my pocket.
Then I'd rather leave it in.
Or give up that Jacques Cousteau feeling altogether.
👍🏻 Rainproof, supple neoprene, extras (key compartment etc.)
👎 In the long run uncomfortable, cumbersome handling
Conclusion
Breath in, breath out.
Forget your smartphone, work, the world for 40 minutes and just run.
I've always enjoyed running so far.
I was suspicious of joggers with total measurement belts, in-ear headphones and smartwatches.
But I have to admit: there are advantages to having a smartphone with you.
For the gray heron in the lake.
The soundtrack.
And how did the new route go again?
During the test, however, I noticed that I like the puristic version best: The 🛒 forearm sock from E Tronic Edge won me over with its zip pocket.
Not as oppressive and chafing as the upper arm cuffs of the competition.
Nevertheless, everything holds and does not bounce with every step as with the wrist mount from VUP +.
Of course, while jogging, you cannot check your e-mails or see who is calling with a glance at the display.
That may seem pointless to many.
But honestly: for me that is exactly the punch line.
Icon: The mirror
