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Why Road ID is a Must-Have for the Whole Family

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This post was originally published on 6/20/14 and was updated on 8/18/18.

Note: Road ID provided me with a gift code when the original post was written. I purchased all of the other products mentioned in this post on my own.

UPDATE: I was going back through some old posts recently, and this review of Road ID caught my attention. Why? Well, as a blogger, I receive lots of products to review. Some of them end up being useful and/or enjoyable for me or my family. Others get used just long enough to write up the review, then I give them away or they wind up in the back of a closet or drawer.

But a handful of products that I’ve reviewed over the years have become everyday household necessities. Road ID is one of those products.

Road ID Shoe Tag: A Must-Have for the Whole Family | Mommy Runs It

Road ID has updated their product lines quite a bit over the years, so some of the specific items that my family uses are no longer made. But the actual products aren’t nearly as important as what Road ID is in general.

What is Road ID?

Road ID is a line of identification gear designed for athletes and people who participate in outdoor activities. It’s personalized with your name, emergency contact info, pertinent medical information, and whatever else you’d like to put on it. The idea is that if you’re ever out running, cycling, etc. and you have a medical emergency, you’ll be easily identifiable, and your emergency contact info & medical info will be right on hand. This can save precious time in an emergency. These stats from Road ID’s website really struck me:

Each year over 450,000 of us are taken to hospitals unconscious and without ID. Year after year, over 122,000 runners, walkers, and cyclists are hit by cars. Thousands more suffer blackouts, concussions, heart attacks, heat strokes and other serious accidents.

Whoa. And if you need more convincing, head over to the Testimonials section of Road ID’s website and read some amazing (sometimes alarming) stories.

Here’s what I wrote in my original post:

This may be the easiest product review I’ve ever done. I can do the whole thing in one sentence. Ready? Here goes:

Every runner, walker, cyclist, triathlete, hiker, surfer, skier, and outdoor athlete should wear a Road ID tag. Period. 

Still 100% true. But I’d take it a step further and add that every child, pet, and pet owner should have one too!

Road IDs for the Whole Family!

The first Road ID that I purchased back in 2013 or so was for my dad. Before that, I’d never heard of Road ID. Neither had my dad – and he’s been running for more than 50 years. He’d always been very insistent about me carrying my ID when I was out running. That year, I bought him a Shoe ID (plus a shoe pouch, which Road ID no longer makes). Since then, he’s worn his Shoe ID on every run. Before that, he would carry a copy of his driver’s license & health insurance card in a baggie, which he tucked in his sock or pinned to the inside of his shorts. Once he had his Road ID Shoe Tag, he was able to ditch the baggie.

Next, I purchased a Shoe ID for myself, and I wore it diligently up until about a year ago, when I realized that most of the contact info was outdated. I need to purchase new one ASAP, especially since I do so much walking alone in fairly secluded spots.

Then I purchased a Road ID for each of my daughters. At the time, Road ID sold a dog tag, which I had customized with emergency contact information for the girls. Years later, they both wear their dog tag necklaces whenever we travel or visit crowded places where we could potentially get separated. Before the dog tags, we used to write our names in Sharpie on the girls’ bodies. That worked too, but they find the dog tags (which can be tucked inside their shirts) less embarrassing.

Road ID Shoe Tag: A Must-Have for the Whole Family | Mommy Runs It

Road ID no longer makes a dog tag, so if we ever needed to replace the girls’ ID, we’d probably get them each a Wrist ID. The Shoe IDs are nice too, but my Florida girls tend to wear flip flops 9 or 10 months out of the year.

I’m not sure if it’s new, but Road ID also makes a Pet ID, which comes with elastic loops to thread your pet’s collar through. And while you’re shopping for your dog or cat, don’t forget to buy one for yourself too – especially if you tend to take your pet outside to walk or play in the dark.

Road ID Products

Road ID offers 5 different forms of the ID. You can find all the specifics on RoadID.com, but briefly they have:

  • The Wrist ID Elite – customize your wrist ID with a variety of faceplates, band types, sizes, and colors
  • The Wrist ID Stretch – silicone wrist band with no clasp or buckle; sized for women, men, and kids (with extra awesome color choices)
  • The Apple Watch ID – stainless ID form-fitted for your 38mm or 42mm Apple Watch Sport band
  • The Shoe ID – a high-visibility hook-and-loop strap that securely hooks onto your shoelaces
  • The Pet ID – thread your pet’s collar through two elastic loops connected by a nylon band

Each ID is laser engraved with your personalized information. Just to get an idea, here’s mine:

Road ID Shoe Tag: A Must-Have for the Whole Family | Mommy Runs It

Road ID has also updated their interactive ID feature, which used to come with a subscription fee. Now every ID (except the Pet ID) comes with an Emergency Online Profile, where you can input information about your medications, allergies, etc. Every purchase includes 6 months of service, and then it’s only $9.99 per year after that.

On top of all that, Road ID has same day shipping (order by 1pm, weekdays only), free shipping on orders over $35 (US only), and free shipping for gift cards of any amount.

I’ve written a lot about running safety here, but I truly believe (thanks, Dad) that one of the most important pieces of safety gear that you’ll ever carry is your ID. I love my Road ID, and if you don’t have one yet, I hope you’ll check them out! Also, follow them on Facebook for info about sales and giveaways.

Stay safe! xo

Mommy Runs It

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sometimes father does know best! Great article and I agree whole heartedly with everything you said

    Reply

    • The great thing about the shoe tag is that once you put it on your shoe you no longer have to worry about forgetting your ID until you get s new pair of shoes. I am disappointed they no longer make the shoe pouch. I put the key to the house in the pouch when I go out. That way the front door is locked. I have a key pad outside the garage to open that door, but if there is a power failure the key pad is useless, which is why I carry a key.

      Reply

    • I’m used to automatically having it in my purse, you know? It’s one more thing to remember. That’s why I love the shoe tag. I hooked it on once and now I never have to think about it.

      Reply

    • Smart. I find my Road ID to be much less cumbersome than a ID card, but the important thing is carrying ID and staying safe. Thanks for entering!

      Reply

    • Ha, I’ve said the same exact thing. I guess the only thing with that is to make sure you don’t have a security code to access your info.

      Reply

  23. I don’t always take ID with me, though I know I should. I have my phone display “In case of emergency call…” but that only works if my phone isn’t damaged. I keep “meaning” to buy a RoadID, but the procrastinator in me puts it off.

    Reply

  34. I keep meaning to buy one and have not yet. I carry a driver’s license for long runs and when it’s hitting dusk but I need to be better about it!

    Reply

    • Thank goodness for running skirts & shorts with pockets! Before I had my Road ID, I would carry my driver’s license in one of my pockets. And before I discovered running clothes with pockets, I went out without ID.

      Reply

  36. I don’t carry an ID and I was just reminded the other day what a good idea it would be to carry one! A Road ID was suggested to me and then I saw your giveaway….maybe it’s a sign! 🙂

    Reply

    • I’ve tried carrying ID in my arm band but it always felt uncomfortable. But the arm band in general is a little uncomfortable and itchy for me.

      Reply

  40. I do not always remember to carry ID with me when I run. A shoe tag would be perfect because I couldn’t forget it.

    Reply

    • As Sharon noted, before I got my Road ID I would tuck a copy of my drivers license in a small card holder (not a baggy) and then place it in my sock. I kept the card holder in my shoe when I was not running so I would never forget to take it with me.

      Reply

  41. I actually don’t carry a form of ID.. that’s really not a good idea. I hope I win this! If not I will definitely carry my id or purchase something like this!

    Reply

  45. I carry my drivers license and a credit card, along with a generic identification tag on my shoe that has my wife’s phone number and a few other things on it during bike rides.

    Thanks for participating in the bloghop!

    Reply

    • Smart! Last summer I went running in a strange city. I had ID but only a little money, no credit card, and my phone died. I got back to my hotel but it could’ve turned out badly.

      Glad to see a guy blogger in the blog hop – are you the first?

      Reply

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