I really wanted to love this product…
I really wanted to love this product because the concept is fantastic. Having quick access to your phone without digging through pockets or bags is a great idea, especially for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Unfortunately, after using it on a hike for the first time, I found it more frustrating than helpful. The biggest issue is that the tether is always under tension when extended, which makes it difficult to comfortably use your phone for things like taking photos or checking a map. The constant pull from the retractor means the phone never really stays where you want it. If there were a way to lock the tether at a chosen length, it would be a huge improvement.
I also found that when the phone is retracted, the weight of the phone causes it to bounce around on the tether while walking. Again, some sort of locking mechanism to keep it secured in place when not in use would make a big difference.
In practice, I didn't find it much better than simply keeping my phone in a pouch attached to my backpack. For hiking, where I'm frequently checking maps and taking photos, I probably won't use it again.
That said, I haven't completely given up on it. I may try attaching it to my dry bag while paddleboarding, where I don't need to access my phone as often. It seems like this product may work better for activities where your phone stays mostly stowed and only needs occasional access.
Overall, I love the idea, but the current execution didn't meet my expectations.