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 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 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 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