Slim waterproof and dust-proof pouch for phones and other valuables.
I exercise in the rain, and I also swim in my neighborhood lake, so I need a way to keep my expensive devices safe from the elements during these outings. The Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Small Travel Pouch has been ideal as my all-purpose phone case and wallet.
TRUzip Waterproof Seal
The pouch is made out of tough TPU material with a clear touchscreen-friendly polyurethane window on the front. Near the top of the pouch, above the window, there’s a waterproof seal called TRUzip. It’s a unique design; when I pill the zipper it moves across the bag and magically seals the edges of the opening. I really appreciate this closure style because the zipper seals the pouch. I’ve used pouches that require me to press the two sides of the seal together, and it always takes me several attempts to make sure the seal has been formed. The nylon cord zipper pull gives me quick access to the zipper.
The first time I used the Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Travel Pouch I was in a hurry to get to the lake for a swim, and I decided to use the pouch even though I hadn’t pretested it with paper inside. I always pretest with paper, submerging waterproof bags for anywhere from an hour to overnight. I was too eager to use the Nite Ize Pouch, and it turned out to be a wise choice.
I probably shouldn’t have gone swimming that day because I was very tired, and when I’m that tired I make mistakes. I had tossed the contents of my wallet (my I.D. and four or five cards) along with my iPhone (insides its OtterBox case) into the pouch before I left my house. When I got to the lake I tossed the sealed RunOff Pouch into my swim buoy. Just before I got into the lake I realized I had forgotten to put my keys into the buoy, so I reopened it, put in the keys, and closed the buoy. I was too tired to realize I hadn’t securely closed the buoy.
Fifteen minutes later I stopped swimming to tread water for a bit and noticed that my buoy was pretty droopy and deflated. I knew then that I hadn’t close it properly or remembered to inflate it. I decided to finish my swim since there was nothing I could do in the water. When I got back to shore I saw that I had only folded the top of the buoy once (it needs to be folded three or four times before I clip the ends together) and it had filled with water while I swam. I emptied the bag onto the grass and was relieved to find that everything in the Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Small Travel Pouch was completely dry. The pouch had been submerged in the water inside the buoy for more than 20 minutes. I was so relieved. I would have been devastated if I’d ruined my iPhone. (Nite Ize materials claim the pouch is submersible in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.)
Peace of Mind Protection
Since that day I’ve been using the Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Small Travel Pouch every time I swim. I haven’t made any more mistakes sealing my swim buoy, so all the pouch encounters is condensation moisture. I’ve also used the pouch inside my tote bag and inside my jacket pocket on rainy walks, and every time its contents remain dry. I have no trouble operating my iPhone’s touchscreen through the pouch’s clear window. I also tested a mediums-sized Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof. My iPad mini, in its OtterBox case, fits inside, so I have no worries spending time in the rain when carrying my precious. I have also used it to stash my week-long pill box, knowing that even if any of the pill containers pop open, the pouch will not let any pills fall out of the bag.
Even though this pouch can be worn or used while I’m in the water, I feel safer having the extra protection of a swim buoy. Another huge benefit of using the pouch outdoors: it keeps out sand, dirt, debris. I can toss my phone in my pack and forget about it until I need it. The Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof would be great for carryon luggage for toiletries because if any bottles leak, the mess will stay in the pouch.
The Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Small Travel Pouch has loop holes on each side of the pouch that can be paired with a Nite Ize carabiner to allow me to attach the pouch to the inside of a larger bag.
Details
Available in grey and blue. Sizes: small (6.8” x 5.4”) and medium (8″ x 7”). Made in USA.
Bottom Line
Lightweight pouch does an excellent job of protecting my phone, travel documents, and other items and devices when I’m outdoors or traveling. It’s so nice not having to worry about my phone when I’m in the elements.
$24.99–29.99 at Amazon. Get free shipping with Prime.
Manufacturer: niteize.com
Disclaimer: Always read the small print when you purchase a waterproof phone case, and the follow the manufacturer’s instructions. I use pouches as a second layer of defense since I have a waterproof cases on my phone. Always test the pouch with paper in it before you use it.
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