How do you carry your phone?

Inconceivable · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2019 9:05 pm

I typically like my phone to be easy to reach so that I can use it for navigation, take pics, etc. Currently, I keep my phone in the side cargo pocket of my bike shorts. This seems to work well b/c it has a zipper, is easily accessible, and (knock on wood) it seems there is enough room for the phone to move around so I don't crush it between a rock and my leg when I crash.

Sadly, my shorts will soon be in need of replacement. I went to Bike Bling to check out some new shorts, and I've noticed that these days pretty much none of them have a cargo pocket. What they do have instead is this side pocket with a vertical zipper which faces backwards, so whatever you put in it ends up on your hamstring. I tried putting my phone in the pocket and it frankly feels weird.

The guys at Bike Bling said I was crazy for putting my phone in my pocket, and they always carry their phones in a pack or hip bag. I normally don't like putting my phone in my pack b/c it's a pain to get to.

So anyways... what do you guys do?

evdog · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2019 9:35 pm

I got a cheap cordura phone case that I hang off the chest strap of my main pack. Easy to access and works pretty well, except that it does flop around sometimes, but mostly it doesn't bother me. I did lose my phone in one of these when it slipped off the strap when I took the pack off, and I didn't notice. Now it is tied on with para cord.

When I take my osprey hip pack instead of the pack, my phone fits in the side pocket.

I also have a Bedrock tapeats bag. The phone often goes in that too. One handed open/close, useful for other things besides phone. https://www.bedrockbags.com/gear/tapeats-handlebar-bag

Dirtrider · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2019 9:56 pm

For the last 3 years, I have always carried my phone in the front pocket. If you have it in a pack and get hurt, you might not be able to remove the pack to dig it out. I can reach the phone in my front pocket with either hand.

On the shorts: Zoic, enough said there :thumbsup:

Great shorts, great company, and quick warranty service without hassle.

Canaan · **Posted:** Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:20 pm

Zippered hip pocket.

GForce · **Posted:** Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:57 am

I've been using this little cell phone case mounted on my top tube for years. Works great, phone is secure yet accessible, and it's not expensive. Sorry the URL link doesn't show a picture. There are other sites that have these possibly for less.

https://www.backcountry.com/profile-design-e-pack-top-tube-stem-bag?CMP_SKU=PRD002S&MER=0406&skid=PRD002S-BK-S&mr:trackingCode=5D7222E3-8348-E811-8103-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&iv_=__iv_p_1_g_52587942452_c_224494399614_w_pla-437534341086_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r_1o1_x_pla_y_7811_f_online_o_PRD002S-BK-S_z_US_i_en_j_437534341086_s__e__h_9031315_ii__vi__&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=_k_Cj0KCQiA6IHwBRCJARIsALNjViVIQ8BQ4tLQirhZwG6KJR8YIYyuknsi9DtAYxIrKyQ8fPHu2qlk1UAaApfCEALw_wcB_k_&rmatt=tsid:1042790|cid:213416677|agid:52587942452|tid:pla-437534341086|crid:224494399614|nw:g|rnd:16632487923319931640|dvc:c|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9031315&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6IHwBRCJARIsALNjViVIQ8BQ4tLQirhZwG6KJR8YIYyuknsi9DtAYxIrKyQ8fPHu2qlk1UAaApfCEALw_wcB

J.A.M. · **Posted:** Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:08 am

I carry mine in a plastic bag in a jersey pocket or in the hydration backpack.

b5driver · **Posted:** Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:18 am

I've used these for a number of years on my pack. You can usually find them at a pretty good discount.

https://www.timbuk2.com/collections/accessories/products/805-3-way-accessory-case

klurejr · **Posted:** Mon Dec 23, 2019 11:39 am

Most of my Jerseys have bottle pockets along the lower back. I keep mine in there.

When I wear a Jersey without those pockets I keep it in my CamelBak

pperrelle · **Posted:** Wed Dec 25, 2019 8:40 am

I keep mine in my shorts front pocket. Another shout out for Zoic shorts.

OldAndSlow · **Posted:** Sat Dec 28, 2019 4:07 pm

I put my phone in a top tube pack. It works well but it is not easy access and I usually turn it off. Not sure why I carry it. It is an interesting problem. Are you interested in working with me to design something custom? Maybe others can benefit.
pm me,
>andy

oldskool · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:33 am

Interesting that nobody mentioned the bar mounts that you can use for mapping. I just put my phone in the top pocket of my Osprey pack, but wondering how safe the bar mounts are for mountain riding vs the "non-bouncy" road bike setup.

Inconceivable · **Posted:** Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:55 am

Thanks for all of the responses!

Red Hot Sloth · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2020 12:11 am

I carry mine in a zip-lock in my front pocket. Is it the best solution, no, but it’s cheap, simple, easy and safer than most other options.
Crash enough times and you realize it should be within easy reach in case you can’t ambulate well enough to get your pack off to access your phone for the emergency phone call. Mounted on bars? If you crash and can’t walk, rarely are you close enough to reach the phone if your still conscious or the phone gets flung 20 feet out of reach.
The quickest, easiest access in those dire circumstances can mean the difference between getting help quickly or laying there waiting, hoping someone will come across you.
Or not, it’s your own recovery.

Shorts....ZOIC FTMFW.

CVrider · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:17 pm

I started jogging and got tired of my keys and phone bouncing around so I picked up a running belt to carry my phone and keys. So decided to try it out biking and it has worked out great for me.

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:30 pm

Inconceivable wrote:

Thanks for all of the responses!

Too soon...this thread won’t die yet.

My answer: it depends / all of the above.

Phone in pack: I do this 90% of the time because I prioritize phone protection over easy access because a) it’s expensive b) a broken phone is no help in an emergency. It is clipped face down into a hard plastic case in the top of my pack. If on a group ride and injured, someone else can call. If I’m solo and so badly injured I can’t get the phone out of my pack, I probably can’t get it out of my pocket. (Note: I have actually used my phone twice to initiate needed rescue, once for my buddy and once for me).

Phone in pocket: Yes, when I want to grab it quickly for action or wildlife shots. But I usually avoid putting anything hard or sharp in my pockets that could injure me in a crash. So usually no phone, and definitely no car keys. I also remove my wedding ring (ask Kimba...).

Toptube bag: Yes, along with trail snacks when bikepacking or full-day ride.

Handlebar: Never yet, but I just got one of these ( https://ifworlddesignguide.com/entry/209602-kt606-bike-combo-mount ) for a gift and it looks very secure, like a handlebar light mount. I don’t listen to music (ever) or use a GPS ( f*ck Strava) but I will use it for GPS for a ride on an unfamiliar and complex trail systeM, using Trail Forks or MTB Project to guide me. So it is secure — the phone won’t get tossed, but it is still vulnerable in a crash.

Packstrap padded pouch - I haven’t found one yet that I liked (see Evdog’s floppy comment) but this is probably best if you take lots of photos. Maybe I will see if OldAndSlow can make me a custom one.

It’s all good. Happy trails!

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