Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Roo Sport (The Perfect Runner's Pocket) Review and Giveaway

If you've been running for a while, I would bet that you have gadgets.  Whether it's a GPS watch or non cotton shirts or running tights or compression gear, I would bet that you have invested money into this sport beyond just shoes.  And I would bet that you carry your phone with you.  And if you don't, you wish that you easily could.  I use my phone as my camera, GPS tracker, and for music.  And just for safety reasons I like to have it with me.  Sure, some of my clothes have good pockets, the ones that are secured with a zipper and that don't bounce, but truthfully not many of them function very well.  I first got a Spi belt thinking that it would be great to store a bunch of stuff in.  And it really does expand to fit a lot.  However, it bounced.  It didn't matter how tight I tightened that thing, it bounced.  And it bugged me.  I moved to the i Fitness belt and found that I loved it.  No bouncing and it held everything nicely.  But it was still a belt and vainly I didn't like to wear it.  It made me look fat. And it made me sweat more all around it.  There was always the pain of trying to adjust it so that it fit nicely over my clothes and not under them and on just the right place.  I opted for not wearing it on daily runs and saved it for during races.  But it's really not smart to run without my phone.  And I'm usually wishing that I had it when I come upon some great scenery.  I bet you've been in a similar situation.   So, like in most inventive cases, someone had the same problem and solved it.  Meet Roo Sport.


Created by Brenda, a 25 time marathoner and super sewer.  She was approached by a friend who asked her to sew something up for an upcoming marathon to hold all the necessities.  A couple of years later and the real Roo Sport was born.  It really is brilliant.


You can see I'm wearing it during a 5K a couple weeks ago.
The inner pocket that is secured with velcro is made from a water resistant nylon.  It is the perfect size that fits my iPhone or any other smart phone.  It has a place to plug in my earphones and is easily accessible.  The back pocket is made of lycra and stretches to hold keys, money, gels or anything else and is secured with a zipper.


The whole little pocket then simply snaps in place with two really powerful magnets to the waistband of your shorts.  I've worn it both in front and in back and the really amazing thing is that it doesn't move and I forget it's even there.  Since I received the Roo Sport, I have worn it pretty much every single time I've been running.  And I love it.  Love it.

Here's my little secret.  I haven't worn it just for running.  I went to the store last week and didn't bring my purse.  I put my debit card in the zippered pocket and my phone in the other and left.  I did my shopping and didn't quite know what to do with my arm that is usually dragging with my big heavy purse.  There was no putting the purse in the cart and then not being able to walk away from it.  I felt free.  It was awesome.  And no one could tell that I had my money and my phone right there in that magical little pocket.  It got me thinking about traveling.  If I was going on a trip and especially out of the country, I'd be sure to take my Roo Sport.  What a great place to put all your important things and not worry about them being stolen.  Hey, it would even be great at a place like Disneyland.  Really, the possibilities are endless.

My only constructive criticism would be to make it more waterproof.  I know that it's water resistant, but there is still some condensation on my phone after a long run.  I know I could put it in a baggie, but I don't want to.  That makes it even harder for taking pictures.  And it really could be just a tad bigger.  It fits my new iPhone 5 with the headphone jack, but it takes some adjusting the cord.  Other than that, it's brilliant.  Just brilliant.

Now the great part.  Roo Sport is willing to give one to a lucky reader.  Here's the catch.  You have to report how you like it if you win; on your blog, Facebook, or twitter when you're done trying it out.  You get an entry for each task you do.  Please leave a separate comment back here for each one.

*Like Roo Sport on Facebook and leave them a comment saying that Jen sent you over to check them out.
*Follow them on Twitter
*Follow my blog or tell me if you already do.
*Leave a comment telling me if you carry your phone with you on your runs, why, and how you do it.
*Go to Roo Sport and enter your name and e-mail under the weekly contest on their header for another chance to win a Roo Sport pocket.
*Re-post on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter sending to them my blog for a chance to win.

Giveaway ends Saturday October 27th and the winner will be announced on Monday October 29th!  Good luck!

If you just can't wait to try it you can order one here  for $19.99  I would bet that it will be some of the best and possibly the least amount money you've spent on running gear.  They will also be at the Provo Halloween Half this weekend.

58 comments:

Denise said...

Now following The Roo Sport on Twitter. @Dean923

Denise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise said...

I entered the Weekly Contest on theroosport.com!

Denise said...

I carry my phone on most runs these days - for safety reasons/in case of injury, and sometimes when I run at work I use an app for tracking rather than wearing my Garmin. I carry it in an iFitness belt during races, I have a cheapy arm band at work and I also have a bottle that holds it - but that is a bit heavy. I love this one because it holds multiple items.

Anonymous said...

I always carry my phone! This looks so useful!

Roya
www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

I follow them on Twitter!

Roya
www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Entered the weekly contest!

Roya
www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog!

Roya
www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Yes I do run with my phone but I use it as my GPS on the Run Keeper app and for music on Pandora. I would love to use my iPod for music but my iPod doesnt have GPS to track my runs. Would love to carry both but dont have the pockets so Im thinking the Roo Sport would be great!

Unknown said...

I liked them on Facebook! I hope I win!!

Unknown said...

I follow your blog!

Unknown said...

I don't carry my phone because it seems like a hassle, which is precisely why I'd love to try this out! It seems like a genius invention! I would love to carry my phone at my marathon in 2 weeks so I can take pictures and call people when I get to the finish.

I will also gladly review it on my blog. :)

Unknown said...

I entered to win via their website!

Unknown said...

liked the roo sport on facebook

Unknown said...

follow your blog

Jeano said...

Hey, that sounds cool! Count me in!

Unknown said...

Tried to carry my phone but I gave up.. don't like to wear my spibelt every run. Would love to try a RooSport!

Evelyn said...

I have one of these. They are fabulous. Brenda is the mother of a friend of mine. I'm so glad that it's become so popular!

Unknown said...

I already follow (and love!) your blog and I'd love to win one! I always carry my phone for safetys sake (and for time keeping- its really irritating that Garmins rarely show actual time as well as running time) and because tbh Im of the tech generation who cant be without one!

Unknown said...

2. I have liked and commented them on facebook (Fiona Kate McGruer)

Unknown said...

3. I have liked them on twitter (@ScallywagSprint)

Unknown said...

4.I already follow (didnt realise it was to be a seperate comment at first!)

Unknown said...

5. Entered the contest with my email!

Unknown said...

6. Posted about the giveaway! http://cadsandscallywags.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/hill-sessions.html

Penny said...

I like RooSPORT ON FB

Penny said...

I follow them on twitter

Penny said...

I use a spibelt now to carry my stuff in.

Penny said...

I follow you already

Penny said...

entered weekly contest

Penny said...

facebook giveaway

Penny said...

https://twitter.com/PinkHatRunner

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog through my wordpress reader.

Anonymous said...

I always carry my garmin, and I would like to carry my phone every time I run. However, I have not found a good solution and hate carrying it in my hand, so many times it gets left at home. I would love the opportunity to try the Roo Sport!

Mommy Run Fast said...

Oh, these are so cute! I love that you use it in place of your purse sometimes, too. I confess I don't always carry my phone- this would help!

Mommy Run Fast said...

Tweeted!

Jeff Gallup said...

I liked Roo Sport on FB!

Jeff Gallup said...

Following Roosport on Twitter

Jeff Gallup said...

I follow your blog!

Jeff Gallup said...

I do carry my phone.. sometimes just in my hand... other times in my Nathan hand held pouch.. but this looks way awesome!

Jeff Gallup said...

Went to Roosport and entered their weekly contest.

Jeff Gallup said...

Tweeted your contest! I'm @barefootincline are you on twitter?

Unknown said...

I NEED a Roo... thanks Jen. I will order one from the link you provided. Mike

Louise Cunningham said...

I follow them on facebook and told them you sent me!

Louise Cunningham said...

I follow them on twitter! @lcunningham8332

Louise Cunningham said...

Ive been following your blog for a long time now! Love it!

Louise Cunningham said...

I carry my phone with me for the GPS, I put it in a bondi-band pocket on my wrist

Louise Cunningham said...

I entered RooSport's contest!

Michelle said...

Just followed Roo Sport on Twitter.

Michelle said...

Added your blog to my Reader

Michelle said...

Liked Roo Sport on FB (and left a comment).

Michelle said...

I carry my phone and an epi-pen on every run, since I was diagnosed with exercise-induced anaphylaxis earlier this year. This would be a much easier way to carry this stuff, though!

Michelle said...

Entered the weekly contest on Roo Sport, too!

jacobmontereal said...

I'm going to tweet it too. Thank you.

Jacob of running Philippines

Lisa said...

I like them on fb!

Lisa said...

I follow your fabulous blog!

Lisa said...

I carry my phone when I'm alone in a pocket or my hand (inconvenient/uncomfortable). When I run with others, I usually don't, but probably should!

Unknown said...

I recently found a cool app http://copy9.com/phone-tracker/. Very easy to use software to spy on someone else's phone, namely, for telephone your boy. At the moment, you feel like a god when you distinguish a lie from the truth.

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