There is a big difference between the iPod nano and the iPod touch.  The iPod nano is based on a flash drive which is not affected by vibration, so you can strap it to your arm and take it running anywhere. However, the iPod touch (like the iPod classic) is based on a miniature hard drive which IS affected by vibration. If you take it running, the hard drive will quickly "park" itself to protect itself from damage. In other words, it will keep shutting itself off and will require continual resets. The only exception is if you run on a treadmill where you can prop the iPod touch on a stationary surface.

So, two reasonable options: either (a) get an iPod nano, or (b) get an iPod touch if you want/need the larger screen and larger memory, and then get an iPod shuffle (which is flash drive based, like the nano) for running.

spdybike,

hey, you are correct - the Apple website indeed says the iPod touch is flash based.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch?mco=MTcyODE5Mg 

I'd got my original info from the CNET review of the first generation iPod touch, which says "HDD Capacity 32 Mb". Normally HDD = hard disk drive. 

http://reviews.cnet.com/portable-video-players-pvps/apple-ipod-touch-first/4507-6499_7-32851723.html?tag=mncol;rnav

Usually CNET is accurate, but evidently not this time! 

I had the classic until recently (they're apparently not rain-proof) and traded to the new Nano. So far I'm liking it much better. I had problems with skipping and cutting off songs while I was running with the classic and it wasn't even a year old. It could have been a defective ipod, but I never seemed to have the problems when I wasn't running. I'm big into my playlists so the shuffle wasn't a good option for me. The new Nano is small and light and I haven't had any problems with it. And thankfully, they're coming out with armbands that aren't leather! Yeah!

So which did you end up choosing and how do you like it?

If you want something for just music the shuffle is a great option.  If you want to have something that is Nike+ compatible, I would go with the Nano.  If you haven't checked out Nike+, you should.  I love it.

Mike

I've got the 5th generation Ipod (30 gig video) which is the same size as a touch.  While I like having thousands of songs at my disposal, I don't like wearing it around my arm.  It's always sliding down, and I have yet to find a decent sports band that doesn't tear where the plastic meets fabric.  I'm going to get a shuffle (what I call the paperclip ipods) for running.  They hold more songs than I could ever run for anyhow.

JR

I've been running with a touch for a year now, and the big problem I've found is that when it's cold outside, the touch doesn't work as well.  If I go to change a song, it takes me like 3 times of trying for it to respond.  By then I've messed up my running zone!  I would go with a nano. I have used my husbands during a run and it's much easier to change songs/operate during a run.

i like the ipod nano, it's much lighter than ipod touch.