[GIFTED] For a long time I have run the risk of a broken phone while out hiking and simultaneously vlogging. I have often felt my phone shaking in the wind which brings about that nervous gut feeling that I might drop it, yet I carry on juggling my gear to ‘get the shot’. Thankfully, the inevitable hasn’t happened yet…but it is not something I want to risk with one of my most expensive possessions. Discovering the Yoyo Grip, I was keen to give it a go. Protecting my phone while also being kind to the environment (by using recycled materials).
The problem
Being a keen photographer and blogger, I have a tendency to go out with loads of kit. This is great and all, but can mean that I need an extra set of hands at all time to make sure I don’t drop anything. Usually my ‘big camera’ is around my neck, which is pretty safe. My GoPro is kind of bouncy as an action camera. But then I have my phone, which despite the little buffer from the case, is pretty fragile. Especially when you can accidentally chuck it from a height and have no hands to grapple for it.
Thankfully, I have been lucky so far and the worst drop I did was from the door of my car. This damaged the corner of the case and little else. It did really bring to mind how easy it can happen though. Plus, it is interesting to see how many people are swiping away on shattered screens on their commutes. (not right now, of course, but normally)
To be honest, I never really thought about whether there was a solution to it. I just tried my best to not drop my phone. Slight issues have arisen in my world as the zips on my waterproof coat jacket are rather temperamental. This means that even though I think it is zipped and safely holding my phone, it isn’t. Which can be the time my phone makes an impromptu meeting with the floor.
The Yoyo Grip
Of course, I could buy a new coat. I would, but being the greenie I am, there is still life left in it post waterproofing. So the next idea is to give that Yoyo Grip a try. The team at Oasis Studio got in touch and asked if I would like to give one of their Yoyo Grips a try, to which I answered an absolute ‘yes!’.
There are a couple of things which interested me and made the product stand out. The first, and main point, is that they are made with recycled inner-tubes from bikes. Knowing plenty of keen cyclists who go through inner tubes faster than they can cycle to Manchester and back (thanks to the glass and pot holes) it is great to see them being put to a new upcycled use. That coupled with the fact that they have been fashioned into something which solves a problem, is a win for me.
The Benefits of Protecting your Phone
While it is easy to see the financial benefits of protecting your phone, there are other reasons to keep that little computer safe from harm.
- Obviously, it will save you money. Many of the phones with smashed screens are past repair, which means that they end up going to landfill or you carry on putting broken glass next to your face (not a good option!)
- It is better for the environment. Phones are very carbon intensive to make (as the materials need to be mined) so a new phone will have the same amount of CO2 as running and charging your current phone for 10 years!
- Not having the faff of having to find somewhere trustworthy to repair your phone (with the unwanted expense!)
- You can use the money you save on travelling and enjoying the more experiential things in life (which you can photograph and record with your sparkly looked after phone)
Our phones are super expensive so they are worth looking after. I, for one, like my phone and want it to keep going for as long as possible.
Showing it some action
As you know, I head out to do my reverse commute every morning. This has long-continued into the lock-down too. The only difference is that rather than just my rucksack and phone, I now have my DSLR, my phone and two dry bags of bird food (yes, I am a crazy bird lady) Carrying so much gear with me and wanting to get some close-ups of my bird friends (with my phone, as my camera is set for a photography project) can be tricky. So it has proved to be the best chance I have to try out the Yoyo Grip in challenging circumstances.
To be honest, I though that the bungee was going to be too short for my extreme close-ups of geese and things, but I was surprised at the stretch. There is plenty of give to let you stretch to almost arms length while also making sure it’s short enough not to let your phone hit the ground when employing the safety bounce.
The Yoyo Grip handy bits
I am a lover of detail so wanted to share the handy (and nifty) bits about the Yoyo Grip. The first thing I really like about it is the understated simplicity about it. One size fits all. And snugly at that. They have designed it solely for the phone as it is the piece of equipment in our lives which a) costs a lot and b) is used a lot every day for consuming digital media. Our phones are becoming so much more than a simple call, text and email device (especially for us bloggers!)
Even with the simple design, it takes into account the different placement of the cameras to make sure you can use it and still get that snap. Sometimes it need s bit of a wiggle to get it set, but once in place it stays there.
The clip. A really, really, simple addition to the Yoyo Grip is the clip at the end of the bungee. This makes it nice and easy to loop the elastic through to make a wrist band or to clip to the zip on your coat or belt loop. I have been using it on my belt loop and pocket and have found it to be satisfyingly secure. I don’t feel like it will pop off. This is reassuring when I am attaching my phone to the other end of it!
The rubber section is also really quick and easy to put on and take off, which is handy for when you’re using your phone in the house (or at least, I find it handy)
Verdict on the Yoyo Grip
I really like it! I have given one to Jit and he likes it too. We have tried it out a few times and given our phones a good dangle over the canals as well as trying it in different pockets and situations. Being able to clip my phone safely into a bungee for when I am out and about is great. Women’s pants are notoriously bad for shallow pockets, so I’m glad to have the safety of the Yoyo Grip. Should my phone take a leap, it will spring right back to me…intact.
I reckon that the Yoyo grip is going to become a firm part of my outdoor and travel kit. It keeps my phone safe from falls (while I do something random like scrambling and sliding in mud wearing skinny jeans!) and also means I have one less thing to worry about with the rest of my kit.
Fancy keeping your phone safer too? Grab a Yoyo Grip here! Be mindful of your mobile!
Have you ever dropped your phone before? What do you think of the Yoyo Grip? Would you use one too?
Got any questions or would like to know more about what I think about the Yoyo Grip, then ask away!
Let me know what you think in the comments below
DISCLAIMER: Oasis Studio gifted me the Yoyo Grips to try out. As always, I have tested them to the Sarah standard. All words, photos and opinions are entirely mine and entirely honest. I only accept products I would choose to purchase myself.
