phirst-world problems

i recently upgraded my iphone (get it: phone/phirst-world? ugh, i know!) to the larger iphone 6. i would have stayed with the 5, but then camera on the 6 seduced me. anyway, 5 or 6, i can’t figure out how to keep the damn thing on me when i’m at the barn. it’s too big to be in a pocket, and frankly it’s not comfortable to have it wedged in the bed of my hip (especially when riding). also, in the texas heat, i sweat like a sinner in church, and that does not bode well for longevity.

as i’ll likely be making many, many road hacks and trail rides by myself as i try to bring auto back into work, i need to figure out how to bring the phone along for the ride.

here’s what i found via a very useful COTH thread and a other general searching on the internets.

daresoar phone silks. i’m not sure how i came across this idea–i’ll chalk it up to laine ashker’s serious social media presence. i like the concept, but i’m not sure how i feel about wearing a sleeve.

DareSoar Phone Silk. Available via Kickstarter.

i tend to wear long sleeve sun shirts in the summer to stave off the skin cancer and farmer’s tan. doubling up a layer is not very appealing. what i do like is the easy visual and tactile access to the screen.

spibelt. i came across the spibelt on the COTH forum and was really intrigued. and, i’m thrilled to see that it’s made right here in ATX.

spibelt photo from the spibelt website.

this looks like it might be a really great option: i like the streamlined design and the fact that it expands to fit a phone, but could also be used for smaller things at the gym. i’m not entirely sure what makes this version high visibility beyond the color, but i do like the idea of high visibility.

flipbelt. i’ve been eyeing the flipbelt for a while. i love that it is seamless and nearly invisible. on that note, though, i can’t imagine trying to fish my phone out from under my shirt, if it’s untucked.

flipbelt photo from the flipbelt website.

i’m not sure i love the way the phone is positioned in the photo above, but it doesn’t have to be fulcrumed on your hip bone (not that my hip bones are even visible!).

armpocket. the armpocket is interesting to me for its versatility. on a hack, i’d probably wear it around my calf (assuming the wrap is not too bulky). but, i could also wear it around my arm.
i like that i could see the screen at a glance, and that the phone is not around my hips/belly. don’t want to irritate the muffin top! i do wonder about accessing the phone, though. how easy or difficult would it be to get the phone out of the armpocket if i needed it?

the fanny pack. last in the list of options is the fanny pack. love it or hate it, this is the most functional of all the options. why, you ask: because it can hold a phone and cookies, of course.

they’re not the best looking accessory, in my opinion, but that’s not priority number one. i could easily access my phone (or cookies, or a snack for myself) and don’t need a belt to which to clip a rigid case. i guess i’d either go as inconspicuous as possible with black or grey, or get the lime green for a shock of visibility. and, as an added bonus, i’ll be ready for coachella.

so what do you think, arm band, belt-style band, iphone silk, fanny pack, or something that i’ve not even considered? i’d love to hear how you ride with your phone, especially if you don’t shove it into your pocket.