My advice, after using many different products, is to test batteries and solar chargers thoroughly at home to make sure they work as expected no matter how highly they are recommended.

We take intellectual property concerns very seriously, but many of these problems can be resolved directly by the parties involved. Sellers are responsible for following applicable laws and regulations, including posting items with accurate labeling and warnings. With that said, LifeProof (OtterBox) stresses that you should perform an underwater test of the case before subjecting your expensive device to such conditions.When you’re testing solar chargers, note how long they take to charge a battery (they usually work best to charge a battery rather than the cell phone or other device). These pits attract dirt and dust collections, and will need to be cleaned often if you want to avoid blocking the microphone to improve sound quality.

Place your left thumbnail in the indentation, hold your right thumb under the knob, and apply outward force with both thumbs. If you absolutely need to shoot into the sun… you can try and shade the lens with your hand, but this can be difficult to do and still tap the shutter button. LifeProof cases are known for being waterproof and especially drop resistant (see more about the drop testing below). If you have elastic horizontal attachment point, please be aware that the weight of the water can stretch the elastic on your pack.

The only requirement with many of these is that your backpack straps should already have a horizontal loop or tab for attachments. When deciding between the Standard and Large size it's important to take the time to measure your own phone and case or look the dimensions up online. When I’m hiking, my phone usually doubles as a camera – the more you handle your device in such conditions, the more likely you are to drop it. Attach this stick-on key zip pouch to the inside of your backpack, and your keys, wallet, passport, smartphone or other valuables will still be where you left them at the end of your hike.

These pouches are much larger than built-in shoulder strap pockets and offer more versatility in terms of what you can carry. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (at the bottom of the page), or else I'll slip a rock into your backpack when you're not looking. Each shoulder strap is equipped with a small slip pocket that can fit small, flat items like metro cards, IDs, and credit cards.What makes this pocket special is its weatherproof seam-taped nylon construction that makes it perfect for commuting and backpacking, where keeping your gear dry is key. Our phones travel almost everywhere with us – like to work and to the gym – so I don’t want to have to swap it every weekend for my outdoor trips. I’ve had many photographs published with my articles and used my own photos for the covers of all my books. As such, you might just as well have the additional area around your subject in case you want to use it later. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.