Nike said on Wednesday that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its Nike+ SportBand, which uses a sensor system in a Nike armband and shoe to help runners track their workout details.

The armband has a faulty seal, which was allowing moisture into some devices. The moisture ruined the display and was interfering with its ability to download data to Nike's online training site.

Nike's Director of Global Issues Management Vada Manager said the company is taking the product off the shelves and plans to have new product out by next year.

Consumers with the product can return or exchange the device, which sells for US$59 (S$89), at retail stores.

The sportband was launched in April as part of a larger line of Nike+ products, which became popular largely because of a system that allows Nike shoes and Apple's iPod Nano to work together to track workouts.

The Beaverton, Oregon-based company would not disclose how many of the sportbands had been sold.

But there are more than 1.2 million people registered on Nike's associated social and training site who use one or more of the Nike+ products. -- AP