NXE ActiveSleeve Review

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

NXE ActiveSleeve Review

I have an ongoing issue when I run. I carry my Droid both because it tracks my runs for me but also because I am an early morning runner and feel better having my phone with me. The problem, as you may know, is that the Droid is not a small phone. It’s uncomfortable to carry in my hand and you don’t want to know how uncomfortable it is to run with a Droid bouncing around in your pants pocket. Let’s just say it leads to some odd-looking bruises on your leg. In any case, I’m always on the hunt for the perfect hands-free system. I tried a Belkin iPod Touch case, but it was a pain to wrestle the Droid in and out of it. So when NXE offered me the chance to review the ActiveSleeve, I jumped at the chance!

From NXE:

Moisture-wicking, Breathable Comfort — High-end, breathable material stretches to fit any arm size/shape with extreme comfort. Moisture-wicking technology keeps your device safe from perspiration while you exercise

Cushioned Pillow Pocket — Perforated foam-mesh lines the inside of the device pocket to keep your screen safe and provide added protection

Freedom — Ergonomic & Simplistic. Slip-on sleeve design stretches over arm and allows for free range of motion while staying where you want it to without hassle. A simple Velcro closure with textured grip tab allows quick access to device, as well as blind access when sleeve is worn under clothing.

Universal Device Compatibility — Sleeve pocket can adapt to most mobile phones and portable music player. Vertical Velcro strip allows closure flap to cinch down and securely hold device in place, even during the most active training.

Unlimited Possibilities — From running to cycling , the gym to the driving range, fresh powder atop the mountains in Nagano to the sun-kissed sand on the beaches of Hermosa, and everywhere in-between. The ActiveSLEEVE™ is limitless in its uses, and more importantly, it doesn’t limit YOU, the Athlete.

So how did it work out in reality?

NXE ActiveSleeve Review

First, I will say that NXE is right on about the universal compatibility. The ActiveSleeve fit my Droid perfectly, and there was enough room to get it in and out of the sleeve without anything being too tight or too loose. Once I practiced sliding the Droid in and out once with the sleeve on my arm, I could easily do it one-handed while running, very helpful if I needed to check on how far along I was in the run. With my old Belkin system, I had to unhook it from my arm to access my phone, and threading a velcro strap on and off was not something I am coordinated enough to do while moving.

Speaking of straps and things, the NXE forgoes the velcro strap that many armbands have in favor of a slip-on style. The tough part here is figuring out what size fits your bicep. NXE sent me several sizes, and I determined that the large was the most comfortable fit for me; snug but not too tight. It felt great, right up until I slid my Droid in and went for a run.

That’s where I had some issues, and it’s important to separate the problems caused by the ActiveSleeve versus the Droid. The ActiveSleeve issue was mainly that it bunches easily. It’s fairly unstructured, which is nice and comfortable, but it tended to bunch with too much arm movement. Part of this was also because my Droid is a really, really, heavy phone, and unfortunately its weight contributed to the bunching factor. The Droid bounced a great deal in the ActiveSleeve, and at one point almost dragged itself down to my forearm with all the movement. With a lighter item the ActiveSleeve doesn’t move nearly as much, so if you don’t have an exceptionally hefty phone this shouldn’t be an issue. It also only became a major problem after around 45 minutes of running; on a shorter run the constant slide down/adjust up wasn’t as irritating, but once I was getting tired it became more annoying. So if you’re doing weightlifting, or biking, or running in a shorter spurt you won’t notice it nearly as much.

NXE ActiveSleeve Review
(ActiveSleeve holding a Larabar and a ClifShot packet)

You can use the ActiveSleeve for more than just a phone, though. It’s the perfect size to hold a few energy gel packets, or if you’re weird like me, a homemade energy mix in a mini-shampoo bottle. Since these are far lighter, there’s less bouncing, plus it’s far cleaner and easier than pinning gels to the inside of your shorts or storing them in your sports bra! Even if gels aren’t your thing, the nice thing about the universal nature of the ActiveSleeve is that it effectively gives you an extra pocket that you can access on the go…so if you need to transport anything small, whether it’s gels, half an energy bar, medication, etc., you can keep it handy and know it’s safe.

So the ActiveSleeve wasn’t my ideal system, but it’s very, very good for a universal sleeve. It’s clearly built with quality in mind; everything from the stitching to the material is perfect. There are no loose edges, and the only irritant I found was the inside tag, which kept working its way out. A quick snip and that would become a non-issue. Beyond that, my only other nitpicks are that there’s no easy way to run headphones if you’re using a wired set, and no keyholder or keyring hole. The headphone issue isn’t a big deal if you don’t mind the headphones poking out from behind the flap, and the keyring issue is one that can be fixed with a safety pin if you really need your spare key on your armband.

The true proof the ActiveSleeve is a great piece of gear, though, is that I plan to use it in my upcoming half-marathon this April. It will be perfect for storing a commercial gel and a shampoo bottle with my homemade goop, keeping them at my fingertips but out of the way until I need them!

The NXE ActiveSleeve is a great choice if you’re looking for an armband style carrier for your phone, mp3 player, energy gels, etc. If you have an extra heavy phone it might be a bit of a pain, but for lighter devices it’s awesome. And in fact, the fine folks at NXE want you to experience just how great the ActiveSleeve is, and we have several to give away.

GIVEAWAY: We’re giving away one small, one medium, and one XL set of sleeves. All you need to do is leave a comment telling us what athletic activity you plan to use the ActiveSleeve for, and what you want to store in it, along with what size sleeve you want to win. Use the instructions below to check the size you need:

(SLEEVE SIZE): (BICEP CIRCUMFERENCE IN INCHES)S: 7″-10″, M: 9″-13″, L: 11″-16″, XL: 15″-18″

NXE ActiveSleeves can be purchased for $29.99, and each package contains two sleeves, one black, and one white.

What I Like: Two sleeves in one pack is a great value; Very well-built; soft insides keep your device from getting scratched; Material is cool and comfortable against your skin, even after prolonged exercise

What Needs Improvement: Tended to be a bit slippery with my Droid in it; Tag slides out as you move; No extra holes for a spare key

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Zek
Zek has been a gadget fiend for a long time, going back to their first PDA (a Palm M100). They quickly went from researching what PDA to buy to following tech news closely and keeping up with the latest and greatest stuff. They love writing about ebooks because they combine their two favorite activities; reading anything and everything, and talking about fun new tech toys. What could be better?

13 Comments on "NXE ActiveSleeve Review"

  1. Interesting. Being a guy (different clothing options, maybe), and because I have a lighter phone, perhaps it’s different for me, but I use some soccer shorts with decent, integrated front pockets that hold my phone well (in the warmer months, of course), and just use fleece or gore-tex pants (depending on the weather) when it’s cold with front pockets, and that works well for me. The phone is in a ziploc sandwich sized bag for perhaps obvious reasons.

    I’ve often thought, though, about wearing a cycling jersey with a back-of-the-shirt pocket. Those are generally used to hold gels and the like, but I wonder how they would be for a phone? It may work better.

    Good luck next month!

    • I think guy pants might have bigger pockets. My shorts have tiny pockets just big enough for a key or a small gel, but not nearly big enough for my Droid. And I tried running with the Droid in a regular pants pocket and the weight made it twist all around and stuff…I really think the Droid is just too hefty, and that’s the big issue.

      If you end up trying a cycling jersey I’d be really curious how that works out for you. I’ve thought about it, but since I don’t do much cycling it seemed like a big thing to gamble on.

      Thanks…I am going to need all the luck I can get!

  2. andreasr2d2 | March 15, 2011 at 4:01 pm |

    I’d use this for cross country running and to hold my Droid. I’m a medium and I’d really appreciate winning one. Thanks for the giveaway!

  3. RT @GearDiarySite: NXE ActiveSleeve Review + Giveaway! http://goo.gl/fb/xlvEg

  4. RT @geardiarysite: NXE ActiveSleeve Review Giveaway! http://bit.ly/eABWVR

  5. NXE ActiveSleeve Review + Giveaway! | Gear Diary http://bit.ly/gYPQGY

  6. thanks for the initial announcement and subsequent giveaway. i, too, need something to hold my droid while running / walking. my tiny hands just aren’t up to the task anymore. size small would be great. thanks again!

  7. i am a runner & i have been looking for something that will stay on my arm without sliding off while i’m running. the droid is a heavy (and rather large) phone so it can be distracting during my runs. i would love to try this product out & will definitely be telling my friends about it! i love the way it looks. can’t wait to try it out!! i would need a medium. thanks!!! 🙂

  8. RT @geardiarysite: NXE ActiveSleeve Review Giveaway! http://bit.ly/eABWVR

  9. meaton171 | June 13, 2011 at 3:59 pm |

    I know this is a little late. I have been desperately looking for an armband to hold my Droid X WITH an Otter Box Defender series case on it. Would anyone know if this armband will work????
    I cant find anything…….HELP

    • Hey meaton!

      I think a Droid X with an Otterbox is going to be a bit heavy for any armband. If you’re running with that combination, I’d strongly suggest a Spibelt or similar belt pack. It’s going to be a lot more comfortable and you won’t end up with a tired arm from lugging a heavy phone on it while you work out.

  10. I need a sleeve to listen to my tunes from my ipod touch while i do parkour and free running. the activeSLEEVE looks great and im sure the small one would be perfect for me. Im active all around and would use it skateboarding, running, biking, snowboarding…….just about anything!

  11. I don’t like regular armbands that slip through a belt loop in an ipod case, so this sleeve looks promising. I’ve just ordered a new iPod nano 7th Gen and this sleeve claims to fit it and I think it would work great for a half-marathon I’m running in February. I believe a medium or large would fit me.

Comments are closed.