How to iPhone in the snow

Another blizzard is slamming into NJ today. We already have piles of snow on the ground and it isn’t expected to stop until tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I’m hoping to get out for a run with my iPhone.

One little problem with using an iPhone in the snow. You can’t operate the screen while wearing gloves or mittens.

The capacitive touchscreen relies on electrical contact with your fingertip. So the touchscreen stops working when you’re wearing gloves.

This is a real problem when you run with an iPhone. I had to use my chin once to stop the timer in 5F weather. Trust me – I already look uncool enough gasping for breath after the final sprint.

Dots Gloves sells special gloves for the iPhone – and they look wicked without any garishness. The problem is they don’t come in my size. Plus, I don’t want to ditch my old gloves until they’re really ready to go.

A quick Google search found a neat do-it-yourself article.   They suggest sewing “conductive thread” (whatever that is) on the glove’s fingertip. I attempted to strip wire from a telephone cord and sew the copper strands on the glove’s tip. A disaster – my sewing skills have not been tested since middle school.

I then moved on to safety pins and a few other ideas. Eventually blundered into  lapel pins – the kind that sticks straight through to a rounded backing. This provides wide contact with your fingertip and the touchscreen. Works like a charm!

I thought a Ziploc bag was the cheapest possible workout gear. Not so. You should be able to get a suitable lapel pin by asking a flight attendant. Even better – give blood. You’ll save a life while you get your free running gear.

My take: lapel pins work and are quick to install.  But Dots gloves are preferable if available.

Related posts:

1. Workout gear – Ziploc bag
2. Workout gear – Yaktrax
3. Workout hack 3 – got a light?

Tagged as: Gear, Gloves, iPhone, Simplicity, Weather