Gear Review: Phone Lasso

The following is a Sponsored Post brought to you by Phone Lasso.

The Test:

I tested the Phone Lasso on two partial-day hikes, over easy terrain and in good weather. With it, I attached my phone to the hip belt zippers of an Osprey Ariel 65, the zippers of my jacket pockets, and (post-hike) the belt loops of my jeans. I also used the included mesh lanyards to wear the phone on my wrist and neck.

How It Works:

The Phone Lasso is primarily a square of rip-stop adhesive with an attached webbing tab; it sticks to the back of your phone. The kit comes with a small aluminum carabiner, which loops through the tab. The kit also includes one wrist-length and one neck-length mesh lanyard.

Basic Specs:

Weight: Varies by source, but approximately 2 oz
Materials Included: Nylon Rip-Stop Patch, Aluminum Carabiner, Mesh Cord, Plastic Toggle
Price: $12.95

Pros:

For someone truly stressing about dropping/losing their phone (or iPod) while hiking, this could be a good buy. The adhesive is military grade, and strong enough to withstand the weight of a falling phone or affectionate tree branch.

I think the biggest (and simplest) pro I found in the test hikes was that, even when unattached, it made my phone easier to grab. During my thru hike, I spent a decent amount of time moving through dawn and dusk, and I’m probably not alone in having done those panicky hand swipes across the shelter floor to find a phone in the dark. The cord and carabiner add some physical presence to your device without weighing you down much.

Cons: 

To be honest, when I first heard about this product, I assumed it would have a retractable cord, like a tiny dog leash. If I could firmly attach my phone to a hip pocket or belt loop and still have an extendable range of motion — enough to snap a selfie or show my screen to a buddy — that would be a must-buy. As is, the Phone Lasso has not retractable, but static cords; one is sized for a wrist, the other is long enough to wear around your neck. The wrist feature is flat-out impractical for anything beyond a 1-mile waterfall hike, and the neck lanyard will only be useful to those with a shoulder strap pocket (or a shirt with a breast pocket, but you’d need a sweat-proof case). Overall, though, it’s hard to imagine a long-distance hiker utilizing either of the mesh cords because of The Common Principle Of Thru Hiking, which clearly states, “Anything That Can Chafe, Will Chafe.” Also, the neck lanyard pulls through the plastic toggle with almost no pressure, so you’d need to buy a clamp to hold the ends together. Especially considering that the Phone Lasso sells for about $13, having to purchase additional parts might be a dealbreaker.

 

 

Overall Thoughts:

If you are deeply concerned about losing or dropping your phone, the Phone Lasso may be worth it. Doubly so if you hike mid-weight, have a flexible budget, or use classic adventure pants with belt loops. If, however, you’re trying to save weight, money, or don’t wear pockets and belted pants, I’d say this isn’t a necessary item for your gear kit.

I do feel compelled to add — I still haven’t taken it off my phone, and I could see using this for international backpacking and city traveling.

If you’re interested in learning more about Phone Lasso, here’s the link.