How to Protect Your Phone While Traveling

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Caroline Morse Teel

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Don’t let a smashed, submerged, or stolen phone ruin your trip. Protect your phone from everything from water to germs with these accessories.

Incipio Stashback Case & Plex Plus Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Incipio’s Stashback case can replace your wallet and protect your phone. The case is shock-absorbent to spare your phone from any drop, and a secret back panel flips open to store up to three cards, IDs, or cash. Pair it with Incipio’s Plex Plus Tempered Glass Screen Protector to guard against scratches, shatters, and smudges.

Otterbox Universal Armband

If you’re taking an active trip that involves hiking, running, biking, or lots of walking, make your phone easily accessible (without having to carry it) with an armband case. Otterbox’s Universal Armband attaches your phone securely to your arm for any activity. The silicone cradle saves your phone from sweat and works with most models (four to five-inch smartphones: I tried it with the iPhone 7 and it worked perfectly).

Otterbox sends two different sized armband straps with every order, so you can get a custom fit whether your arms are big or small. The armband also has a key and cash pouch to store smaller items, and reflective markings to keep you visible at night.

Wireless Wipes

You’ve probably heard the disturbing fact that our smartphones are dirtier than the average toilet seat (and if you hadn’t, sorry to be the one to inform you). Pack some Wireless Wipes, antibacterial wipes designed for use on electronics, and sanitize your phone nightly while you’re on the road. Bonus: Wireless Wipes are safe for use on glasses too, so you can de-germ your sunglasses while you’re at it.

Lewis N. Clark Self-Sealing Waterproof Pouch

Document all your adventures, even ones in water, with Lewis N. Clark’s Waterproof Pouch. This pouch is waterproof in depths of up to 100 feet, and is totally clear so you can take photos and video without any distortion. The plastic is touchscreen compatible, so you can still use your phone when it’s in the bag. Just drop your phone in the pouch and the automatic, magnetic, double-closure ensures a tight seal.

VRS Design Damda Glide Case

Keep your phone, cards, and ID safe in one handy case. The Damda Glide has a small sliding compartment built in to the back of the case that will hold up to two cards. The door is semi-automatic, so you can open and close it with just a touch. Your phone will be protected with two impact-resistant layers that can prevent damage from drops up to 48 feet high.

Amphipod Handpod

Want to have your phone on-hand and accessible for navigation while running or walking? Amphipod’s HandPod Smartview Sumo lets you cradle your phone in your palm while still protecting it from the elements and from damage.

Otterbox Alpha Glass and Symmetry Case

If you hate bulky phone cases and screen protectors that get bubbly, you need Otterbox’s Alpha Glass and Symmetry. The Alpha Glass is made from an ultra-clear tempered glass, so it looks invisible on your smartphone screen–but is still shatter and scratch-proof. You won’t even notice that it’s there, until it saves your screen from shattering.

Pair it with the Symmetry case to protect your phone’s body—this is one of Otterbox’s thinnest cases, so it won’t add too much bulk. A screen bumper gives the front of your phone some extra protection, and the two-layer case will protect your phone from any drops or dents.

More from SmarterTravel:

Caroline Morse is a Senior Editor for SmarterTravel. Follow her on Instagram TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1 for photos from around the world.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.