Photo: Nike

Complicated GPS devices, heart monitors and sensors are staples of many a runner's wardrobe. But for those of you who want to pound the terrain without being hooked to too many gadgets, there's one running accessory that you might want to try: The Nike Sportband.

It's pretty simple, really -- it looks like a watch and, by communicating with a small sensor that you insert in or attach to your shoe, it measures you mileage, pace, time and calories burned. Once you've logged a few miles, you hook it up to your computer, and it downloads your workout data to the Nike Plus website, where you can monitor your progress, set goals and keep tabs on how many miles you've covered, giving you grounds for major bragging rights. And at $59, it's not as expensive as buying an iPod and Nike+ Sport kit combination.

Sounds pretty cool, huh? Not quite so fast -- The New York Times (and its readers) recently reviewed the product, and while it's pretty good at doing what it's supposed to, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The battery in the sensor wears down pretty quickly, and it's not rechargeable or replaceable. However, it is covered by a one-year warranty. A new sensor will set you back about $19. Furthermore, it needs to be calibrated. You can set it for walking or running, but it's possible that following a walk-run method, for instance, or changing your pace to suit different terrain might lead to inaccurate results. Finally, it doesn't measure your heart rate, so it won't help you figure out how your overall fitness and endurance is improving over time.

Still, if all you want is a tool that will tell you how far and for how long you ran and how many calories you burned doing it, there's no need to invest hundreds of dollars in a fancy schmancy gizmo -- this small, sleek, easy-to-carry gadget could be just the thing for you.

Have you tried it? Let us know your thoughts.