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review

Aquapac Stormproof Phone Pouch

7
£16.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Handy high quality, low weight weather protection for smartphones, without bulk
Weight: 
14g
Contact: 
www.aquapac.net

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With mobile phones worth so much, both on a financial and personal level, it's crucial to have some way of protecting your communication device when you choose to take it along on a ride that'what Aquapac's Stormproof Phone Pouch is all about.

The Stormproof Phone Pouch is low on weight but high on protection, and comes in 2 sizes, catering to most brands of smartphone and small GPS device. I had a look at the Mini, which is designed to fit the iPhone like a glove, and accommodate smaller phones. Aquapac as a company is known primarily for its fully waterproof pouches and protective cases. The Stormproof pouches, however, are designed to do just what the name suggests, and give electronics protection from even a heavy rain storm or a quickly retrieved splash in a puddle, but are not actually submersible. The pouch's IPX6 water resistance rating means it is officially fire hose proof. This decision cuts down radically on the bulk of the case and its fastening system.

At just 14g this is an incredibly lightweight case, with a simple roll top and clip fastening. Clear panels allow for screen visibility and complete functionality of a touch screen. At the rear, another clear area is designed to allow the camera to be useable. The rest of the case is a rugged and weather resistant TPU-coated Ripstop Nylon, with welded seams. There's also a clip area on the pouch to allow for easy use of a karabiner, strap or similar attachment, whilst there's an optional adjustable lanyard as part of the package.

The pouch is extremely easy to use, although it's a snug fit if you want to use any kind of protective case on your iPhone as well. The bumper style of iPhone case for the iPhone 4 just about fits, but anything else would be too large for the pouch. This means, most crucially, that although the phone is protected from moisture and dust, it's still potentially vulnerable to knocks and drops. Once in, it's easy to use the controls of the phone and the touch screen and voice calls are clearly audible. The camera, whilst useable, does have the interference of the clear plastic to disturb the clarity of any image.

The build quality is excellent, all except the main clip fastening, which bends and deforms a bit too easily for my liking. Aside from that, the pouch should last well.

Compact and easy to use, the Stormproof pouch is a good option to consider as a low impact way of protecting your smartphone when it's in your jersey back pocket, your rucksack or your bar bag. It's not bulky, it weighs little and you don't have to take your phone out to use it. For £16 it's a pretty good deal.

Verdict

Handy high quality, low weight weather protection for smartphones, without bulk.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Aquapac Stormproof Phone Pouch

Size tested: Mini- Orange

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at anyone wanting to take their smartphone or small GPS outdoors in potentially bad weather- joggers, cyclists, walkers and the like.

Also a great option for commuters and tourers wanting to give their phone some added protection while in a rucksack or pannier.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

TPU coated Ripstop Nylon

Welded seams

3 roll seal fastening with micro buckle.

Supplied with adjustable lanyard

Integral tab for strap or karabiner attachement

2 sizes available- Mini and Small- Mini suitable for iPhones and smaller.

Choice of grey or orange

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10

Everything very well made apart from the buckle which was a little flimsy.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Confidence inspiring protection for the phone.

Easy to operate touch screen through clear plastic.

Clear plastic can make screen visibility in bright sunlight tricky.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Everything apart from the buckle should last really well. the buckle was too flimsy though.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Excellent weight for a decent sturdy long-term reusable protective pouch.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good value for money considering how long it should last and how versatile it is.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed very well at protecting phone from moisture and debris while outdoors.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Size, lack of bulk, weight, ease of use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Buckle.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes. Any who do anything outdoorsy.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A good lightweight way of protecting your precious phone, but could have done with a better buckle.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

Add new comment

15 comments

Avatar
dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes

yeah, +1 for sudocrem  1

Avatar
Lara Dunn | 12 years ago
0 likes

Don't think you can effectively use the touch screen through a freezer bag though can you?

Also, personally speaking, I find that freezer bags don't last long, and I'd rather not see a hole result in the death of my iPhone.

Avatar
The _Kaner | 12 years ago
0 likes

I've a pouch I git free with a pair of Speedo swim shorts...does the job nicely- double ziplock and a nice velcro patch to keep it closed over..

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Napalmhaze | 12 years ago
0 likes

Yeah that looks really bulky compared to the old sandwich/freezer ziploc bag trick.

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Giant Rob | 12 years ago
0 likes

Freezer bag for me too.

Avatar
bendy | 12 years ago
0 likes

I find breast milk storage bags from Boots are very good. Just the right size for an iPhone/iPod/Android phone. They are pretty thick and have double zip-lock type fastening. Also good for taking more drink powder on sportives when you don't want the rubbish that comes out of the barrels provided.

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to bendy | 12 years ago
0 likes
bendy wrote:

I find breast milk storage bags from Boots are very good. Just the right size for an iPhone/iPod/Android phone. They are pretty thick and have double zip-lock type fastening. Also good for taking more drink powder on sportives when you don't want the rubbish that comes out of the barrels provided.

that's a nice tip straight outta left field...

Avatar
bazzargh replied to bendy | 12 years ago
0 likes
bendy wrote:

I find breast milk storage bags from Boots are very good. Just the right size for an iPhone/iPod/Android phone. They are pretty thick and have double zip-lock type fastening. Also good for taking more drink powder on sportives when you don't want the rubbish that comes out of the barrels provided.

Good tip. I can get some at the same time I buy nappy rash cream for saddle sores, and baby bottle sterilizer for the bidons - then it'll all look a lot less weird...

Avatar
Simon E replied to bazzargh | 12 years ago
0 likes
bazzargh wrote:

I can get some at the same time I buy nappy rash cream for saddle sores, and baby bottle sterilizer for the bidons - then it'll all look a lot less weird...

If you look bleary-eyed and haggard and wander around looking clueless and carrying a scrap of paper with a list written on it then everyone will know you're a dad who's been sent on an important mission
 3

I can vouch that Weleda nappy cream is good for grown-ups' sore parts as well as for babies' bottoms.

Avatar
adscrim | 12 years ago
0 likes

Zip lock bag that something from wiggle came in - thicker than a freezer bag, which I'd been using before and with duct tape (halfed length ways) reinforcing the sides, it's bomb proof.

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Giant Rob | 12 years ago
0 likes

Freezer bag for me too.

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PJ McNally | 12 years ago
0 likes

+1 for freezer bag. Here in Sri Lanka, it's been keeping my phone happy in the tropical rainstorms.

Riding in tropical rain is awesome.

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dave atkinson | 12 years ago
0 likes

a sandwich bag? you want to get yourself a freezer bag.

 4

Avatar
eddie11 | 12 years ago
0 likes

yep, sandwich bag here too.

Avatar
spicypedro | 12 years ago
0 likes

I use a sandwich bag. Does nobody else use a sandwich bag?

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