Smartphone-carrying male accessory for when the weather is hot and only have hip pocket for phone

DullGreyGuy

Mistral001 said:

I recently lost my smartphone when out in shirt sleeves and only had a hip pocket to carry my Smartphone in.  BTW, I found it eventually in a café I had visited about 30 minutes earlier. If I keep relying on a hip pocket or just holding my phone in my hand everywhere I go this summer, I will surely lose it again with probably worse consequences.

I have been looking at belt pouches on eBay, but, they are quite big and do not look too secure. Also, I do not really want to look too like a tourist when shopping in Tesco's!

Has anybody got any suggestions for solving the problem?  

I have a recent Samsung Galaxy which is 168X78mm wide. 

What trousers do you have that only have back pockets (I assume thats what you mean by hip)?

Easiest solution, buy other trousers with more suitable pockets. 

You can get clips like https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/products/belt-clip-v3 that allow you to clip it to a belt or strap or such, not going to be as bulky as a pocket to put them in but does look like something with "snatch me" written on it

Could go mini-manbag like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peicees-Crossbody-Running-Shoulder-Keyholder/dp/B0DFP4YNSL/  or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Levis-Crossbody-Solid-Batwing-Black/dp/B08BLSBFB8/ 

Or if you insist on impractical trousers you could just tether it to you so you can't drop it again https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doormoon-Universal-Anti-Drop-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B07ZSDFY85/ 

Emmia

DullGreyGuy said:

Mistral001 said:

I recently lost my smartphone when out in shirt sleeves and only had a hip pocket to carry my Smartphone in.  BTW, I found it eventually in a café I had visited about 30 minutes earlier. If I keep relying on a hip pocket or just holding my phone in my hand everywhere I go this summer, I will surely lose it again with probably worse consequences.

I have been looking at belt pouches on eBay, but, they are quite big and do not look too secure. Also, I do not really want to look too like a tourist when shopping in Tesco's!

Has anybody got any suggestions for solving the problem?  

I have a recent Samsung Galaxy which is 168X78mm wide. 

What trousers do you have that only have back pockets (I assume thats what you mean by hip)?

Easiest solution, buy other trousers with more suitable pockets. 

You can get clips like https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/products/belt-clip-v3 that allow you to clip it to a belt or strap or such, not going to be as bulky as a pocket to put them in but does look like something with "snatch me" written on it

Could go mini-manbag like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peicees-Crossbody-Running-Shoulder-Keyholder/dp/B0DFP4YNSL/  or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Levis-Crossbody-Solid-Batwing-Black/dp/B08BLSBFB8/ 

Or if you insist on impractical trousers you could just tether it to you so you can't drop it again https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doormoon-Universal-Anti-Drop-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B07ZSDFY85/ 

A hip pocket would normally be the front/side pockets at the top of a pair of trousers/jeans which tend to come as standard on mens trousers, and are usually available on women's trousers and some skirts.

I wouldn't put anything of value in my back pocket, that's just asking for trouble.

Mistral001

Savvy_Sue said:

My answer is to insist on a phone which is small enough to comfortably fit into my pocket, and to have pockets in all my clothes which are sufficiently deep to contain it. And yes, I check when I'm buying anything new that the pockets will 'work'.

However, one difficulty is that most Android manufacturers believe that bigger is better, so every time I have to replace it, I have a greater struggle to find one which meets my specification. Staff in mobile phone shops agree that I'm not the only one who wants this, but there's apparently not enough demand (as I stand before them, demanding!) 

And my choice of clothing is similarly limited by the mistaken belief that women don't want / need pockets on skirts or trousers, because it 'spoils the line'. So does the drawstring you insist on putting in elasticated trousers and skirts. Let me deal with 'the line', just give me pockets! 

However, because my phone is ALWAYS in my pocket, I very soon notice if it's not, and miss it, and feel naked without it. It's very rare for me to leave it behind, and when I do it's usually at home ... 

Lanyards - has phone design changed so that there's no longer a little hole you can thread a thin loop from a lanyard through? I think cases used to have a little hole too, for the same reason. 

I agree with you about the trend in bigger phones. When I changed my phone last year, nearly all of the phones within my price range were bigger than my previous phone, and frankly I thought that was going to be a big advantage as it would be easier to read.  I never thought about it fitting into my pocket.  

I have still got my old phone and now when I see it sitting on the shelf I get nostalgic for it!

Mistral001

Emmia said:

Mistral001 said:

Emmia said:

Would a phone lanyard be suitable?

I have this one in a soft gold / green colour(olive) but it also comes in black, dark grey and a few other colours.

https://amzn.eu/d/fbDcBki

Edit: I normally have my phone in my shorts/jeans  pocket, rather than dangling but using the lanyard means that if it pops out it just hangs down, and doesn't drop out.

This one is perhaps more "male" in design.

https://amzn.eu/d/e35NyJY

I have thought of lanyards.  Using the landyard idea might work if only to attach the phone in hip pocket to my belt.  Certainly worth considering.  

If you're doing that you'll find yourself constantly clipping and unclipping the phone, for example if you want to pay for something, or to check something, answer a call... 

Alternatively you'll permanently have a long trail of cord dangling outside of your pocket.

A heavy duty retractable ski/work pass holder attached in the same way as the lanyard to the phone might work better, but I've found these break if tugged too vigorously, and may not give you the length you desire to let you pay, check your phone etc.

From a sewing perspective...
Does your phone fit completely inside your pocket? If so a press stud/popper at the opening might be much easier to fit to close the pocket, than a zippered pouch (but you wouldn't be able to also put your hand in your pocket. Alternatively could you extend the depth of the pocket inside, by opening up the end of the pocket and adding additional material? You can buy sew in pocket replacements that would be the right weight of fabric - but whether that will work will depend on the length of your shorts vs. the depth of your pocket and your sewing skills, or the sewing skills of someone you know). 

https://amzn.eu/d/8DaSJ7h

Iron in ones are also available, but I've found the glue on this sort of thing weakens over time, so you might end up with your phone escaping down your leg.

Good suggestions.  I have extended the life of many of my clothes and shoes by making repairs. I think I started a thread here once on whether people here darn their socks. I get out the old darning needle from time to time when needed.  

Unfortunately, my sewing skills only go as far as making simple repairs, and not alterations such as sewing on zips or press stud/poppers.  Any alteration where stitching could easily be seen, I keep away from as my sewing, though strong, is usually not pretty! 

EssexExile

Sorry if it's been mentioned before but I've had what Amazon calls a Universal Tactical Molle Holster for years, it works fine.

Savvy_Sue

flaneurs_lobster said:

Savvy_Sue said:

My answer is to insist on a phone which is small enough to comfortably fit into my pocket, and to have pockets in all my clothes which are sufficiently deep to contain it. And yes, I check when I'm buying anything new that the pockets will 'work'.

However, one difficulty is that most Android manufacturers believe that bigger is better, so every time I have to replace it, I have a greater struggle to find one which meets my specification. Staff in mobile phone shops agree that I'm not the only one who wants this, but there's apparently not enough demand (as I stand before them, demanding!) 

How about a flip phone? Half the length of a standard phone so will fit comfortably in most pockets.

Will require deep pockets, in the idiomatic sense rather than literally, they are not cheap - but the form is a refreshing change from the usual slabs.

Hinges and I don't get on well ... I used to have a Psion, long before we all carried smartphones (which were the size of bricks). I broke several hinges, somehow ... It lived in my handbag rather than my pocket, in a cover, and I tried to look after it very well. 

Savvy_Sue

BTW, for the suggestion of making your pockets deeper, you'd probably be able to get that alteration sorted at a Repair Cafe. I'd recommend pre-buying the pocket you want added. 

Phones in back pockets end up gently curved, to fit the contours, and not necessarily working very well ... 

Mistral001

Update 
I have now received the lanyard that I ordered on Ebay.  It can be secured to the mobile case through the opening at the charging socket.  There was no need to glue it to the mobile or case.  Tying the chord to the belt and keeping my mobile in my side pocket of my trousers works well.  I can put the chord into my pocket, so only a short length of chord is visible.