If you have read some of my posts, you know that I am an early morning runner. Running in the dark means safety gear, such as a reflective vest.
If you know me, then you might also know I am in the military. One thing you might not know is that the Army National Guard has me running on my military base in Clackamas, in addition to the military posts I am sent to about two to three times a year. Another fact you may not know, is running on a military base requires the runner to wear a reflective vest and they are NOT allowed to wear headphones. I love running with music, so the past couple of weeks, I have been getting a lot of use out of my RoadNoise Vest!
So what is RoadNoise? Well, it’s a reflective vest with speakers built into the shoulders. The speakers are right below your ears, and the sound is positioned upwards, with sound loud enough to play your music without being overpowering, and allows you to hear ambient noise around you. You can remove the speakers for easy washing after a sweaty run (race, relay, etc) and it comes in a few colors to almost appease us who like to color-coordinate.
What the website says: “ RoadNoise vests give you the ability to hear your footsteps, your breathing, and your surroundings along with your favorite music. There are no dangling cords while you run. Just plug in your device and you’re off running.”
This vest accommodates IPods or your Android smartphone. The vest fits me very comfortably; I strap it tight and there is no bounce. This past Sunday, I ran my 10 miles along a busy highway and although it was not as easy to hear when a military vehicle rumbled by, I could still hear, which makes me happy for my relay in August!
PROS
- Highly reflective 3M material
- Adjustable
- Form Fitting
- Bounce free when worn properly
- Several sizes S (32”) to XL (46”+)
- No batteries which means no cords outside of the one to plug your device into
- Sound naturally flows upward towards your ears, allowing you to hear sounds from the sides. If you turn your head, the sounds lighten so you can hear around you better.
- Washable (with device and speakers removed)
- Three colors compared to the standard yellow or white vests ( White with either pink, black, yellow)
- Great for when headphones are not allowed (races, relays, military bases, etc)
- Price is very reasonable for what you get
- Pockets fit up to an iPhone size device
- Mylar speaker cones are water resistant and can be used while running in the rain (great for us in the Northwest!)
CONS
- A little heavier than regular reflective vests, about 6.8oz, but when you remove device holders and speakers, it almost is comparable.
- Will be harder to hear in loud areas, such as a busy afternoon in a city
- Some run small (I usually wear a large, and in the RoadNoise, I wore an XL. I could wear a large, but it was snug)
- Sound quality is not as good blaring loud, but the speakers are not Bose and remember you are not paying the Bose price either
This is a great option for those who love to run with music, but are not allowed to wear headphones. they are a great options for doing several things to include gardening, walking the dog, running with your children and more. I have never run into anything quite like it before, nor seen anything to compare to it and I love this product. This vest was mentioned in several different Runner’s World magazines, to include the June 2014 issue. This means it is a great option for runners in terms of safety or options for earbud-less running.
I am so glad I have this option, and the ability to use it, in so many settings. In fact this vest is going to get a lot of use, not only while I am at military bases, but also for my Hood to Coast relay in August. This vest has truly been wonderful for me! Just this past week alone I have ran 25 miles. That’s a lot of running for me with no music, and I am glad I didn’t have to go there.
See it in action on Youtube
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