Aquapac Stormproof Phone Pouch

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.