I Swim With My Phone Now
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Ideally, when I’m paddling in the murky but refreshing Atlantic Ocean at Brighton Beach, I am spending more time staring at Coney Island’s colorful roller coasters than my phone. But thanks to Pelican’s waterproof pouch on a lanyard, I’ve received and replied to a few texts while submerged.
Allow me to explain. I enjoy a solobeach tripin the summer, especially for a morning swim before work. And while I don’t actually think anyone at the best beach in New York City (seriously, why even bother with the Rockaways?) intends to rob me of my possessions, it can feel weird leaving a $1,000 mini-computer on the sand for half an hour or more as I drift down the coastline and feel sorry for all the people at home making coffee in their hot apartments.
Call it phone addiction or call it an anxiety disorder, but my floating lanyard allows me to truly relax when I’m in the water. I picked it out among many competing and more affordable phone-waterproofing options online because I’m familiar with Pelican’s near-indestructible travel cases, which are relied upon by photographers and musicians to keep their gear safe in the luggage hold. And, indeed, my phone has remained dry every time I’ve used this thing — I put it around my neck and then dive into the water without a second thought.
Tight seal aside (the pouch is rated IP68 for water protection, which is very high, as our tech writer, Jordan McMahon, explains in his guide toIP waterproof ratings), the flotation cushions are probably the best thing about the pouch itself. They’re small and unobtrusive yet really work, ensuring that I’ve never had to dive down and search for my phone on the sandy ocean floor. Instead, it simply bobs alongside me like a loyal friend (or loyal torture device designed to addict me to TikTok and shopping). The high-vis yellow lanyard also provides peace of mind, should it somehow slip off my neck and start floating away.
My phone remains fully functional while encased in the pouch, which has a clear touchscreen window on the front as well as a smaller camera window on the back. I have to tap a little harder on the screen when texting, sure, but reading a message or checking the time is very easy. As is taking photos while in the water, which is always a nice option to have, especially on vacation. I’ll definitely take the sling the next time I go snorkeling, as the pouch remains waterproof when submerged up to 3.3 feet.
Inserting a phone into the pouch is easy (you just slide it in and then snap the seal in place), and my iPhone Pro Max fits just fine into the standard-size case, although there isn’t much room to move and extracting it afterward takes a few frustrating minutes. The brand also makes a larger XL pouch as well as an even roomier floating bag that could also hold some cash and other valuables, but I’m not worried enough about my fellow New Yorkers breaching Beach Code to use this just yet.
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