Product Review: NATHAN VITAband, the New Road ID

I prefer to run solo most days and I actually like running before the sun comes up...and after a long day at work. But I’m always afraid that something could happen (like being attacked by a mob of squirrels) and no one would have a way to contact my husband. Yes, these are things I think about. NATHAN Sports recently released its newest product, the VITAband. For a while I couldn’t stop myself from thinking it was some type of VITAmin, but then one day I finally got it….Vitals….VITAband. (Sorry. Some days I’m slower than others.). I’d been promising myself and my husband that we’d get two Road IDs, but once I checked out the vitals of the VITAband (pun totally intended), I knew I’d found our solution. I received my NATHAN’s VITAband and was eager to set it up. But before we go into that, let me share the specs. According to NATHAN,

• It’s durable, waterproof, and hypo-allergenic
• It links to an online emergency response profile via 1-800 emergency number
• It holds a printed, personal ID chip with your name, and the name and number of an emergency contact

I immediately went to the online portal to create my profile. I simply entered the unique identification number printed on the back of the band and entered my personal medical information (name, gender), emergency contacts, allergies, medications and medical conditions. Done! It took about 10 minutes to set up my profile, but it took about three weeks for my personal ID chip to arrive. I actually thought I had somehow fudged and contacted NATHAN to make sure it was on it’s way. Oh, but it gets better. The BEST part about the VITAband is that it can also contain a chip that acts like a debit card. Sounds like something from the rapture, huh? Honestly, it’s not that serious. You basically set up a pre-paid debit account (You only need  $20 to start an account) and that account is linked to a chip that provides secure access to cash. The chip hides underneath your personal ID chip. So need a bottle of water or a new outfit while you’re out on your run? Covered. No more carrying wadded up sweaty cash. But if you don’t need anything that fancy, not to worry, it’s totally optional. Information can be accessed and updated 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. The catch? The profile is maintained through an annual subscription. It will also be offered in kid-friendly sizes in early 2012. I can’t wait to buy my niece and nephew one! The VITAband can be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Sports Authority, City Sports and independent retailers. It retails for $20, come in two sizes with five color options. A one-year subscription costs $19.95 and a two-year subscription costs $34.95. Although I wasn’t thrilled about the subscription, I waste more money on Starbucks coffee in one. I’ll gladly trade in my daily fix for knowing that I’ll be safe while running the streets.

Also in Black Girls RUN!