Nike Reflective Slapband 2.0 Review

7.5
7.5 score
[Editors rating (7.5) + Users rating (8.0)] / 2 = (WalkJogRun) score (7.5)/10


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Anyone searching for an easy way to increase their visibility in low lighting will enjoy the Nike Running Slap Band 2.0! It's made to ensure that drivers and other pedestrians can see you even when visibility is limited and offers a super-easy way to keep yourself that much safer! If you live to run in the early morning or later evening hours then investing in one of these is a must! It's ultra-lightweight and provides an effective alternative to your usual bulky protective gear which is why runners just can't get enough!

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Steel Frame
  • Silicone Finish
  • Reflective
  • Slap Band
Cons
  • No LED Lights
  • One Size

Versatility

This band can easily be attached to all sorts of areas to help increase your visibility in lower light conditions. Try snapping it on your wrist, ankle, or even your backpack to ensure that traffic and other pedestrians can clearly see you if you’re running in the early morning or later evening hours. Making sure that you’re as safe as can be is a must when you live an athletic lifestyle, especially if you like running during the hours of the day when lighting is at a minimal. Who could blame you though?! Some of the best runs are when it’s nice and quiet out because the sun hasn't yet risen or it’s already retired for the day!

One of the only sure-fire ways to guarantee that other people will be able to see you is to wear some kind of reflective gear that will increase your visibility. By reflecting light back towards the passerby this style of protective gear helps to set you apart from the business of the backdrop scenery which is often littered with city and traffic lights and can make it difficult for you to stand out.

The versatility that this snap band offers means that you can wear more than one and make yourself even more visible. Try wearing one on your wrist and ankle to help drivers to realize that you’re a pedestrian sooner and to potentially prevent a potential collision!

Silicone Finish

Comfort won’t be a concern while you’re wearing this option because it offers a nice smooth silicone finish. Silicone is a unique kind of polymer that comes to a beautifully supple finish when properly adhered. It is waterproof and will prevent any leaks and offers a great next-to-skin feel that won’t irritate your skin. If you’ve ever worn a band for long then you know that some of them can literally chafe your arm. This can end up being uncomfortable and can deter you from wearing one altogether down the road.

But your safety should never come secondary to your enjoyment! That’s why buying a band like this one is so important - because it’s both effective and comforting to wear which means that you’ll feel good about staying safe. Silicone is also ideal for wearing while you’re all sweaty because the moisture won’t penetrate the material so odors won’t sink in. Odor-causing bacteria thrive in moist environments which is why choosing the right material is a must with this kind of equipment.

Slap Band

You might remember being in grade school and having one of those ‘life-changing’ bracelets that you could snap on? Well, those aren’t just for kids who think they’re the coolest thing ever! This style is great for adults too because it’s so darn easy to use and can be a quick way to strap on your gear and go.

A slap-style band closes on contact which is great because you won’t have to fuss around with fasteners which can take forever to get right. Instead, you’re left with a band that stays perfectly in place and won’t ever come undone unless you pull it. But, don’t think it’s going to be tough to take off! In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth!

Removing a snap style band is as easy as putting it on and is a one-handed job which means that you won’t have to stop just to make any adjustments to your gear while you’re on the run.

Colorways

Another good aspect of this band is that it comes in your choice of several colorways. This is a nice feature because it lets you customize your look to suit your sense of style. Most safety gear is limited in its colors and you’re usually stuck with the same old yellow looks. Don’t get me wrong, yellow is a great choice and if you’re dead set on sticking to it then you’ll find the neon yellow version of the Nike Running Slap Band 2.0 quite attractive.

If you’re looking to switch things up a little try opting for the neon pink version which is a little more feminine and offers a nice change to the same old.

Safety Features

Studies have proven that reflective clothing and gear makes you nearly 80% more visible than if you were running without it. That’s a big difference! Recent findings suggest that neon colors alone aren’t enough to help drivers and other pedestrians see you better which is why you need to wear reflective items. This type of gear literally reflects the light back towards the driver so that you stand out from the rest of the background lights of the city. Whereas neon is better when worn in brighter lighting because then it stands out more than other colors but in low lighting, it offers little help.

Staying safe while you exercise can be tricky especially if you enjoy the morning and evening times. But, this type of gear helps to make you more visible which in turn helps drivers and other pedestrians to see you that much better.

Steel Frame

Underneath its smooth silicone exterior, this band has a tough and long-lasting steel frame. Steel is undeniably an excellent choice because it is able to withstand tough wear and tear without distorting or losing its shape. This style of running band needs to be very straight in order for the snap feature to work properly and the steel helps it to retain its pencil straight shape. The steel makes it so that you’ll be able to use your band for years to come without worrying about it losing its shape or breaking with continued wear. The silicone coating is just a nice feature that helps to make it feel more comfortable next to your skin and prevents any possible irritation from the material rubbing against sweaty skin.

Brand

Nike is one of the most well-known names in athletic apparel and with good reason! This label has a goal behind its designs which reads, “Our mission is what drives us to do everything possible to expand human potential. We do that by creating groundbreaking sport innovations, by making our products more sustainably, by building a creative and diverse global team and by making a positive impact in communities where we live and work.”

Based out of Beaverton, Oregon this iconic name includes Nike, Converse, Hurley, and Jordan brands which are pretty impressive if you ask me.

Weight

Weight is a big concern when you’re dealing with any type of running gear! If it’s too heavy it could make you tire more easily and affect your overall performance which is why choosing an option that’s lighter is the best thing to do. Well, you won’t have to concern with this band being too heavy! It weighs just 0.0023 grams making it nearly weightless. This is ideal for any kind of athletic activity because it will be comfortable to wear and won’t cause you any undue strain while you’re on the move.

If you're feeling a little too fatigued after your run you could try a recovery supplement to help rejuvenate you tired limbs! Check out our guide to the Best Recovery Supplements to find out all you need to know.

No Lights

LED lights are one of the preferred ways to increase visibility because they can help drivers to assess how far away you are and to determine that you’re a pedestrian. Some athletes prefer to have lights on their safety gear because they feel that it’s more effective than reflective gear alone. Blinking lights are often perceived as making you visible quicker than a steady light. Probably because the blinking would stand out from all of the background lights of a cityscape. A steady light might take longer to separate from the other lights and could slow the reaction time of oncoming traffic. Whereas, a steady light would let passerbys better assess how far away you are and also make it easier for them to figure out that you’re a pedestrian.

Despite its lack of lights, the Nike Running Slap Band 2.0 is still a good choice when it comes to safety gear! The reflective properties will help drivers and other pedestrians to see you better and will ensure that you’re much safer than you would be without any gear at all. If you're still not convinced that reflective gear is enough, check out my review on the FuelBelt Reflective Armband which includes dual setting LED lights and a reflective exterior.

One Size

One issue with this band is that it only comes in one size. Even though it would fit any arm fairly well it would have been nice to have an option to pick on that is the right size. What happens is that someone with a smaller arm is going to end up with quite a large wrap around their arm because it will end up being thicker when it overlaps. While having a little overlap might not seem like too big a deal it can get a little annoying if you prefer a more streamlined appearance. For anyone with a larger arm, there shouldn't be an issue with it fitting though it might not fully wraparound which can be a bit irritating too.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Nike Running Slap Band 2.0 is a pretty decent way to make yourself safer when you’re out running. It has a nice versatile design that can be worn on your arm, ankle, or even on your backpack. The slap closure system is very easy to use and saves you having to stop just to adjust the band. Its reflective neon color helps to make you more visible to traffic and other pedestrians which can prevent potential accidents from happening. The only thing missing is the addition of LED safety lights which would have made it far more reassuring but it still does a decent job.

Most people find this is a comfortable option thanks to its silicone finish that protects the skin from chaffing and irritation. A steel frame makes for a longer lasting design so you won’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon and its inexpensive retail price is pretty appealing too!

If you're looking for more great running gear check out my reviews of the Sprigs Armband and Deuter Race X! Or, have a look at our guide to the Best Running Armbands available.