Take great open water swim pictures using the Joto Waterproof phone case
A waterproof mobile phone case like the Joto Waterproof Universal Phone Pouch is the simplest way to capture pictures of your open water swim adventures
Date: July 17, 2024
A waterproof mobile phone case like the Joto Waterproof Universal Phone Pouch is the simplest way to capture pictures of your open water swim adventures.
In open water, the phone case should fulfill two main functions,
-
keeping the water out of the phone to avoid damage while presenting a reasonably clear view for photos.
-
Maintain secure hold of the device, both in use and when stowed and not in use, allowing easy access when transitioning between the two.
We’ve had great results using this phone case with neck strap / lanyard in several different ways over four seasons of open water swimming.
The closure worked reliably; no leaks occurred in the phone case through failure of the “snap and lock” closure. The two hinged closure levers are easy enough to open, even with cold hands or gloves, and close securely so that the gasket seals the case opening.
No leaks have occurred due to development of holes or cracks in the clear plastic case material (or any other reason). Again, this is through 4 years of ageing and very regular seasonal use.
The Joto comes with a neckstrap / tether that’s proven useful in two different ways for Open water swim use.
-
When wearing a wetsuit, storing the phone inserted down in the chest area of a snug wetsuit works well. Maintain the neck strap at all times, adjust the length of this tether to suit the swimmer. Pull the phone out the neck of the wetsuit, (leave the neck strap in place) to take pictures, return the phone too the wetsuit when done.
-
The phone can also be stashed in the pocket of an open water swim buoy like the Orca Safety Buoy with Pocket as described in our blog post here. The strap can be looped around the tow line that runs through the pocket, so the phone is always secured.
Can something go wrong?
Following the swim, if you leave the case un-latched after removing the phone, then bundle the case with other wet open water swim gear, a little water will get in the case. Use a ping pong ball or something similar in size/weight to hold the case open to ensure it dries completely. Otherwise even a few drops of water will create enough water vapor to make your photos cloudy, or worse.
How are the photos? Our Joto has seen two generations of Samsung Galaxy mobile phones (S10 and S23) which are capable of good photo and video quality (by our standard). Whatever you think of openwaterlog.com photography in the water, the Joto case didn’t get in the way, and made the phone accessible and easy to handle.
There are other waterproof mobile phone cases; our test didn’t compare the Joto with any others that also might work as well.
A waterproof phone case is useful of course for kayaking, canoeing, boating, and any other open water activity. In some of these other uses the case is primarily insurance for an unanticipated immersion in the water. Open water swimming will test the phone case to the fullest, including long periods of full immersion. Be sure that your phone and waterproof case will tolerate it.