Securing phone on trails

[Zevida]

This weekend I dropped my phone for the second time while trail riding. I can’t mount from the ground so it’s a problem, fortunately I was able to put my horse in a gully to remount. But I have a horseback riding vacation coming up and I’d like to find a way to carry my phone where it is secured to my body but also easily accessible for me to get out and take pictures and videos, but that if I “drop” it from my hand it’s still attached to me/the horse/the tack so it’s not truly dropped.

Any recommendations would be great!

[Ceffyl_Dwr]

https://www.dadasport.com/en/accesso…alize-belt-bag

I went with this belt bag because it was the only one that I could find that wasn’t bulky. It holds my phone, cards and some treats. That’s it. I tried Target, REI, Smartpak… you name it. I kept coming back to this one because of its slim design. I actually use it daily as a wallet.

[EquineJunky]

I have used the Cashel Ankle Safe for years.

[Ponycatraz]

I picked out a waterproof running belt from amazon. They are cheap, comfy to wear, and no bounce!

Mine is big enough for keystone knife in one pocket and a phone in the other with room to spare.

[Scribbler]

You need a tether on your phone. My new Garmin inReach has a tether and clip. Now I think my phone also needs a case that has a tether on it.

I find my phone very very slippery, and try not to use it riding

[AKB]

I had a big thigh pocket added to my riding pants. The phone can be accessed quickly, and shouldn’t cause injury if I fall.

[hoopoe]

many tether systems come with a silicone wrap that you put the phone inside. Has a lower profile so you can opt to slide the phone into a cargo pocket. A bulkier case and tether system might limit where you can easily store while in the saddle.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/nite-ize--hitch-phone-anchor-tether--19273697?cm_mmc=PS--Google--GSC%3ENonB%3EProduct%2520Type-_-19273697&product_id=19273697&creative=108421552444&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjw4_H6BRALEiwAvgfzqzZf7A7QlRswF8ilLBK7mkIX-tsmVqOENM1aDSFSmA7HW37G388QahoCT3AQAvD_BwE

this one comes with a disc you slip inside your case and replace the phone over it.

[Scribbler]

@hoopoe

many tether systems come with a silicone wrap that you put the phone inside. Has a lower profile so you can opt to slide the phone into a cargo pocket. A bulkier case and tether system might limit where you can easily store while in the saddle.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/nite-ize--hitch-phone-anchor-tether--19273697?cm_mmc=PS--Google--GSC%3ENonB%3EProduct%2520Type-_-19273697&product_id=19273697&creative=108421552444&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjw4_H6BRALEiwAvgfzqzZf7A7QlRswF8ilLBK7mkIX-tsmVqOENM1aDSFSmA7HW37G388QahoCT3AQAvD_BwE

this one comes with a disc you slip inside your case and replace the phone over it.

Yes! Exactly what I need.

I have my barn keys attached to a loop inside my fanny pack pouch. I would love to have the phone also anchored inside my pouch with this.

[Equibrit]

This keeps your phone accessible; https://gearbeast.com/universal-cell…iABEgIfXvD_BwE

Put it in a pocket and the lanyard round your neck, or clip it somewhere. This seems to have the best clip attachment.

They have several models; https://gearbeast.com/summer-2020/

[Scribbler]

That looks good too. However I never ride with anything around my neck!

[Equibrit]

@Scribbler

That looks good too. However I never ride with anything around my neck!

I don’t think it’s mandatory.

[Zevida]

@Scribbler

You need a tether on your phone.

Yes exactly! It’s not just securing it - I have armbands or pockets that can do that - but preventing it from falling if I drop it because I want to use it while riding to take pictures and video.

I ended up buying this one https://www.hangtimegear.com/ which is more expensive than some of the other ones posted above, but should allow me to use the current case and I can put it on my belt with my belt clip and still be tethered to me.

I definitely don’t want to wear it around my neck - I also have a pouch already for that, but would not be great to have that bouncing against my chest or fly up and bash my face while cantering on the trail. :lol:

I’ll post a review after I get it and am able to use it.

[Zevida]

@Zevida

I ended up buying this one https://www.hangtimegear.com/ which is more expensive than some of the other ones posted above, but should allow me to use the current case and I can put it on my belt with my belt clip and still be tethered to me…

I’ll post a review after I get it and am able to use it.

This works great. I have a belt holster that the phone clips in and then I have this around the phone with the tether attached to a belt loop. At one point I didn’t get it snapped into the holster and a minute later realized it was dangling - exactly how it’s supposed to work. The tether does make it a little harder on pictures since you can’t hold it as far from you. But all in all I’m happy with the purchase and will keep using it on trails.

[FatCatFarm]

I’m on my second Horse Holster. I got one of the newer, bigger ones that will hold my phone, glasses and chapstick, with a front pocket for like a trail map. I use the velcro cinch and wrap it around the top of my calf, over my tall boots or half-chaps with the holster facing out. Very easy to reach down, lift the flap and pull my phone out or put it back up. Doesn’t slide or move. Love them.

[Vyce]

Geeze there seema to be a lot of good products out there. In the warmer months I’ve just been using a pair of very ugly jeans from a thrift store that have back pockets with a button flap over them, perfect size for my phone. (And also look horrible on me ) or when those are in the wash, a fanny pack. Over the winter I’ve just been using my zippered coat pockets.

[endlessclimb]

Is the strap short enough to do calves? I really only need to it hold my phone, as trail maps and such end up in the saddle bag.

[FatCatFarm]

Yes! I am 5’2" with average size calves. Not skinny; not fat. And over my tall boots or over my half chaps, the horse holster stays put very nicely. Unlike when I tried wearing it on my thigh, where it constantly wanted to fall down around my ankles with any movement. To the point I was contemplating returning the darn thing until I decided to try it on my calf and, voila! Actually it’s the perfect spot as it is easier to get it from there than at my hip/thigh.

[avjudge]

Thanks! I’ve been wondering about a calf holster and first-person endorsements (esp. with pictures) have been hard to come by!

My main summer tights don’t have decent pockets (but are otherwise great), and since in warmer weather I ride with a tank top not tucked in, a fanny pack would ride up (uncomfortably) onto bare skin at my waist.