Leaving your phone at home when you head to the beach or the lake is not really an option anymore—not, that is, if you need directions, entertainment, weather forecasts, the ability to take photos, and access to the outside world. So we all bring our phones, and risk getting them wet and ruined.
To avoid your phone suffering a ruinous (and expensive) expensive dunk in the water—and to save your rice for cooking—invest in something to protect your phone while you’re having a good time.
The DIY route is cheap but unreliable
A thin sandwich bag can give you basic protection against sand, salt, and water, but will really only guard against splashes—and a minor dent or rip could ruin everything. Thicker freezer or storage bags give you a little more wiggle room, and still allow touch screen access, but they’re also risky if you’re putting keys or anything sharp near or in it.
In a pinch, Mylar bags, plastic shopping bags, or a vinyl bag can get you home in a rainstorm, but if you’re looking for more surety, it’s time to consider a purpose-made product.
How gear can help
Water-blocking products come in a few designs, and they vary in both protection level and practical features. First, consider what kind of phone person you are. Do you need to be able to film video at a moment’s notice? Or are you more of an ignore-your-phone type? It’s important to think this through—if you are on your phone more than the average person, you’ll want touch-screen functionality. Into capturing content? Then your camera and maybe mic access are important.
Another important factor is how badly you’ll be punishing this gear. Are you looking to dive with your iPhone or kayak with your Samsung Fold? Aim for something a little more sturdy than a dry bag and look for shock absorption, depth protection, or other adventure features.
Carrying configuration is crucial here as well—do you need to dangle this from another bag or strap, or are you tossing it inside existing gear? A bag that’s riding on the outside means you’ll need a secure attachment to your stuff.
Dry bags are multipurpose
Most dry bags are made from some type of synthetic vinyl PVC or TPU, like the kinds used in table protectors, inflatable pool toys, and other flexible plastic goods. These can give you packable versatility and airtight phone protection in one product.
You can probably find a basic phone lanyard with a waterproof satchel at your local dollar store, but you’re likely sacrificing quality and peace of mind. You’re better off shelling out a few more bucks for a sturdier product.
Hard cases are the ultimate in protection
Hard cases with proper seals are the upper end of both protection and watertight reliability. They seal up your phone into a chamber so the water can’t get in. Many are clear to allow you to see messages, but due to the plastic bumpers that give you better shielding, you can’t answer them.
