MP3 player for running

Maybe an iPod Nano or Shuffle? I don't own either, but they're small and portable. The nano is getting pretty sophisticated, from the looks of things.

I use an iPod Shuffle. It's tiny, weighs nothing, and I just turn it on and go. If you want to be able to scroll through a song list and selectively play things, then the Nano is probably a better choice.

I have an iPod touch and a case/strap that I wear on my left arm. I have an app on there that tracks my distance/number of steps, and it allows me to listen to my music within the app.

I have the iPOD shuffle 2 GB with the clip and love it. It is small and lightweight. Best of all it just clips to your waist band (can't stand something strapped to my arm when running). The battery life is like 15 hours so you don't have to charge it all the time. Personally I don't want a screen to have to look at when running. I can pause, forward/reverse songs and turn the sound up or down without taking the unit from my waistband. Just my 2 cents worth........

The Sansa Clips are great. I had one for 4 years of use in all kinds of Californian weather (hot, sunny, sweaty and cold, rainy - obviously no snow, but yes to freezing temps (high 20s)). Eventually it's backlighting gave out. 4 years for $30 is great in my book. Would have lasted longer if I had protected it

iPod touch + armstrap. Fine, the Belkin strap I have isn't small enough. Still bounces. I killed it the first time I tried running in the rain. Now it's battery dies in 8 hours ON STANDBY i.e. when it's not on.

Now when I'm biking, I do use my phone (Sony android) for music and GPS logging. Ziploc bag it in the jersey pocket. No good place to put it when running unless I take a water belt. And I only take a water belt when it's over 90F, because I hate the bounce.

Being a runner (some long distances), I highly recommend the IPOD shuffle. I have used it for years. It is light (major plus), has a built in clip (major plus), relatively cheap (~ $46, plus), and good sound. The memory it uses is Flash versus some more expensive IPOD devices that use mini hard drives. Flash has no moving parts to break or skip when continuously jarred by running. Also, since it has no display, the battery life time is much better (incredibly long compared to ones with screen). I charge mine every 2-3 weeks, but it doesn't always need it then (just don't want to run out of songs mid run).

Yes, you can not pick songs to play. You can only skip to the next one. I only load songs I like to run to, so not much of an issue for me. I occasional skip 1 or 2, but I like not knowing what's coming. It keeps you guessing.

I have to get new earphone's though. I just can't keep the ear buds in my ears while running. I use some ugly ones, but they stay very secure and sound great. Here is a link to them (Only $15):

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321470443&sr=8-2

My hubbie just bought me an ipod nano for my birthday. It is small and Belkin makes a rubber wrist watch strap that it clips on to. It also has a pedometer and radio setting. I love it!

This. I would also recommend better headphones than the one's that come with it. I have a nice pair of BOSE as does my husband. However, he wants these for Christmas for running:

http://www.polkaudio.com/headphones/ultrafit/ultrafit3000

I will add a vote for the shuffle. It is so handy and doesn't distract from anything. It is very affordable and lightweight. I had an old nano and some other mp3 players before but they always bothered me with the weight or size. I forget I'm even carrying the shuffle.

I use my Iphone. I do a lot of trail running, so I love the ability to have access to a phone, GPS, ect if need be. As far as controlling the bulk of your Ipod, you may want to invest in an armband. Mine has held up for a several hundred miles, now my biggest problem is finding a pair of headphones that actually stay in my ears.

I have the ipod nano, it's a replacement for my itouch which i broke (water damage from my water bottle).

I love it. It's so light, I don't have to wear an arm band, and it has the nike + on there, so I now don't have to wear the transistor on my shoe. Added bonus.