Sponsored post. All opinions are my own. FTC Disclosure here.

The folks at AudioFlood.com asked if they could send me a waterproof iPod shuffle and buds to review.  Yes! I was stoked.

shuffle

But I didn’t forget my friends either–I asked them for an extra to giveaway to one lucky ducky SBM Army member.

Wahooooo!  So here we go.  Review first, giveaway second.

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Swimming With Tunes

I started swimming with music during Ironman training.  I have tried several audio systems: one which was a waterproof case for my iPod.  That one scared me to death. If the case leaked, then what? Oh, that’s right… my iPod was ruined. I used it once or twice, and then I threw it in the back of the tri closet. (What? You don’t have a tri closet?  Oh. Well, it’s actually the coat closet. But we put our tri stuff in it.)

The second swimming music system I used was Finis SwimP3.  I liked it okay, but the left jawbone piece started buzzing after 5-6 swims–to the point where I had to clip it on the back of my head so I couldn’t hear the buzzing.  Not cool.

But I love swimming with music, so my quest continued.  When AudioFlood approached me, I was stoked. I had seen a few folks at the pool with the waterproof iPod shuffle, and I “needed” to try it!

Space Gray Waterproof iPod Shuffle Bundle

Not Just for The Pool

Yes, this puppy is waterproof and you can swim with it.

But you can also SWEAT on it–so this is an iPod for all the hot, sticky, sweaty activities. I am about to ruin my iPhone from all the running and sweating–so this is an excellent everyday music system alternative.

What I Think

Setup is a piece of cake. Unlike the Finis system (where seriously have to convert your audio files to a new type), you just plug this baby into iTunes and handle as usual. Charges via your computer, syncs like any other Apple product.

Easily clips onto goggle strap.

This waterproof iPod is an ear bud system. I was skeptical. Me and ear buds do not, historically, mix.  But this system came with about five pairs of buds to try – different sizes and shapes (oh, and the folks at AudioFlood will work with you until you get ones that do work).

I have swam (swum? 🙂 ) with the iPod for three swims now.  The first set of buds did not work for me, and I had to stop and fix them every so often. Still, was able to enjoy music under the cap.

photo 5 (1)

The different set of bud during the next swim were good, but I still did not achieve a full swim with no issues.

But this morning, (buds #3) were perfect.  I achieved an excellent “seal” and the right bud stayed in for the entire 2600 meters, with only one slip on the left ear. (I am thinking my left ear might be weird–and for the next one, I will try a smaller bud in the left ear, keeping the same one on the right).

Regardless, with the swim cap over the left bud, I was able to keep it in place.

Soooooo…. for someone who usually can’t “do” buds, I was very impressed.

photo 4 (1)

The Sound?

Amazing. Same sound you’d expect from the iPod–just loving you up while you swim.

The Grade

Solid A.  The sound is amazing.  The service from AudioFlood was amazing. They had a real interest in making sure I was happy with the product and the buds.  If you haven’t tried swimming with music, it will blow you away.  Amazing how quickly you’ll see 2000, 2500, 3000+ meters tick by when you have some of your favorite tunes to jam.

photo 2 (3)

The Playlist

I like to swim with slower, singer-songwriter stuff.  I like to run with Eminem and hip-hop.  Just for fun, here’s a sampling of what was in my water today. 🙂  A ‘lil nod.

    1. Let Her Go – Passenger
    2. Wings – Birdy
    3. The Space Between – Dave Matthews
    4. Parachute – Ingrid Michaelson
    5. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
    6. Say Something – A Great Big World
    7. Volcano – Damian Rice
    8. You Found Me – The Fray
    9. My Skin – Natalie Merchant
    10. At My Most Beautiful – REM
    11. Battle – Colbie Caillat
    12. FM Radio – Joshua James
    13. Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch
    14. Sometimes the Sky – Charlie Mars
    15. Falling Awake – Gary Jules
    16. Summer is Over – Jon McLaughlin
    17. Possession – Sarah McLachlan
Where to Buy

You can get the waterproof iPod at AudioFlood.com, for $125, or the bundle (which includes headphones) for $140.

The Giveaway

Click on the giveaway below. Winner will be displayed on the widget and contacted via email, so make sure your email is correct.  You can tweet about the giveaway daily–gaining more entries!

Enter now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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SBM News You Can Use

Registration for March’s Swim Bike Food ends on the 28th! Don’t miss out on changing your relationship with food… it’s a great thing.

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These super cute, super soft 2014 Tech Shirts are available to ship now!
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Finally, don’t forget to check out the newest venture, Swim Bike Train powered by PTS Sports. Training Plans and online support for your sprint, Oly and Half Iron races!

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24 Responses

  1. Thanks for the review Meredith! I entered to WIN! Ha! But I was curious… are you able to count laps while listening to music? I usually count in my head and I’m afraid the music would distract me as I am easily distracted.

  2. I love that play list! I swear it is so similar to my “Chill” mix. I have never been able to swim with music so this sounds so cool!!

  3. would love to win this, I have used it and love it> I am training for Ironman Lake Placid with the hopes of qualifying for KONA. I am helping a friend train for the Catalina Island swim and getting ready for ocean lifeguarding this summer so I swim a LOT. This would be a great training tool!

  4. LOVE! Your playlist looks cool too-why can’t you live closer to me. Maine is nice this time of year, ok it’s not really but the summers are beautiful.

  5. Can’t wait to win! I need this for when I can finally get back in the pool! That will bring me some motivation! This along with my soon to ship bia and I will be in heaven!!!

  6. Just (5 minutes ago) signed up for my first 70.3. Yikes! Lots of time in the water coming up, so can’t hurt to try to win this! 🙂

  7. I take pennies with me to the pool and every lap I move a penny over. I cant keep count in a 25 meter pool and I am trying to hit sixty or so laps but the pennies don’t lie And the great part is no one will bother to pick up a penny so they don’t get swiped between laps

  8. After trying my husband’s Finis and not liking it, I had to find this review. Order this and LOVE it.

    BTW, for those of you worried about losing lap count, and like the penny lady, I use something to count – plastic monkeys. I have a tupperware container full and count how many laps I plan to do and for each, I toss a monkey back in the bucket. The monkeys make me smile, people always stop and ask about them and I feel accomplished after whittling down the pile of monkeys to nothing. And, that is now why I refer to my swims as “XXX monkeys completed”.

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