The day will come when our mobile phones will be built to survive the British weather, until then, a cheap (relative to replacing your phone) and simple solution is to put it in a sealy bag like this product by Donkey Label.
They are available in 3 sizes and are perfect to house your expensive smart phone to protect it from the elements. The medium sized pouch was spot-on to park my Samsung Galaxy in. With the flap of the Pack Animal folded down and the seal closed, the bag is pretty much water proof, enough to give you peace of mind that if you got bumped into the canal your sense of humour may stop working but your phone will still be happy and able to tweet your mishap.
The face of the see-through plastic pouch uses a material that enables you to still use the touch screen of your phone even with gloves on making it ideal for winter riding or if you ride with full finger gloves.
The pouch does make an already large smart phone even wider (about 1cm broader) than it already is making it more awkward to stuff down the front of your trousers (remind me never to borrow your phone – ed) but it's not a problem for then it comes to sticking it in the back pocket of your cycling jersey.
In use, I found that my worn down finger tips could work the touch screen better, no issue with furiously swiping the screen to the point of gouging a trough in it trying to answer the bloody thing. What I thought would really suffer is the sound but it was only mildly softened in fact there is the advantage when using the phone outside in the pouch that you don't get the rustling mic sound in the wind so oddly enough you can hear better. It does feel a bit odd putting what looks like a miniature freezer bag to your head though. It doesn't work as a freezer bag, the plastic goes brittle.
It is a shame that you need to take your phone out to charge it (unless you have a wireless charging plate) if it didn't have to come out for charging my phone would live in the Animal Pack.
An open pocket on the outside of the pouch is handy to put your cash card or folded money in or maybe your front door key.
Of course, you don't have to use it for just your mobile phone, you might have something else you want to keep dry like erm… I can't think of anything else right now, maybe biscuits?
The pouch works very well and hasn't split during the past couple of months testing it and does a good job of protecting your mobile communicator from gathering further scratches and most importantly it has kept it dry during some pretty filthy weather and endured several days sledging in the snow. It is a very worthy mobile phone accessory for anyone who gets exposed to lots of wetness, those long rides in endless rain, touring or living on a boat as I do (it is inevitable that your will drop your phone in the drink at some point).
Verdict
Good mobile phone accessory for anyone who gets exposed to lots of wetness but expensive for what it is
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Donkey Label The Pack Animal
Size tested: n/a
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?
The pack animal replaces the ghetto sandwich baggie and will protect your phone from the elements and ensure you can call or text (both work through the clear front panel) your special lady or guy friend to pick you up when you bonk.
it kept my phone dry when out bonking
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Small (3 1/8" x 5 3/4") : Iphone (3, 4, 5) with no case
Medium (3 1/2" x 6 1/8") : Iphone in thin case or similar sized phone
Large (3 5/8" x 6 1/2") : Samsung or Android (or Iphone in a super thick case ) those other huge phones
Ipad-Mini (6" x 9") : – Available Feb 10th.
Ipad (8 1/2" x 11") : – Available Feb 10th
Goes brittle in really cold, freezing conditions.
Available in lots of colours.
Simple construction seemed very durable for the time tested (2 months)
Keeps your mobile safe from the elements and you can still operate your phone with it on, if that is what you need, perfect.
Not suitable for really cold weather like Iceland.
if you are going to be taking it in and out all the time which you will need to for charging etc the pouch will probably, eventually split.
it weighs next to nothing
it does give your phone a larger foot print but is no thicker so it still slips in nicely into you jersey back pocket
it's a lot of money for what looks like a sandwich bag but it is a quality one with a logo on it, in the right size.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It did it's job and now lives in my bike bag
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
It will save my phone and probably has done already on many very wet rides. It is also brilliant for when wearing gloves and trying to operate your phone.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
If I didn't have to take my phone out to plug in the charger it would live in the Animal Pack all the time. Maybe invest in a charge plate?
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes and will continue
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, to my all weather friends and fellow pirates
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
This model is version 3. Improvements include the new design, new colors, rounded edges on the top and bottom for easier storage in your pockets and softer materials.
About the tester
Age: 40 Height: 179 Weight: 79
I usually ride: Bike that I am testing at the time My best bike is: Condor Pista fixed. Kinesis Convert 2 geared work horse, Look KG241 skinny whippet
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, bare back
9 thoughts on “Donkey Label The Pack Animal”
….. or buy some freezer
….. or buy some freezer bags for £1.
You live on a boat?
You live on a boat?
Granted a freezer bag does
Granted a freezer bag does work but so too does a bin bag with some holes cut in it work as a waterproof gilet.
If you are protecting your £500 smart phone with a freezer bag you may be someone who rides a £4000 Colnago in Aldi clothing? There is nothing wrong with it but it is a bit conflicting. The Animal Pack is a lot more robust than a freezer bag so you won’t need to pack a back up in case you get a hole in one and if you excuse the pun is cooler than a freezer bag.
TR McGowran wrote:If you are
Plenty of those around :-/
‘A lot more robust than a
‘A lot more robust than a freezer bag’
It’s a plastic bag that goes in your pocket, how robust does it need to be?
:O
Having tried and tested, I
Having tried and tested, I can fully recommend these: http://www.krusell.se/en/products/sealabox
… for those unhappy with their freezer bags.
My phone was £29.99 from
My phone was £29.99 from Tesco. I put it in the back pocket of my Aldi jersey.
No conflict there.
Just can really see the need
Just can really see the need for this – 99% of people have their mobiles in some kind of case anyway…the product also just looks too big….I use and old toe cover job done…
If you have an iphone5 in an
If you have an iphone5 in an Incase snap case go for the large, the medium is a touch tight
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