Are strap cases really useful when travelling? What do you think?

I make my own and wouldn't be without it. It's long enough that it can still slip into my open purse pocket, but it's always around my neck or inside my zipped purse when I am traveling.

I love my phone lanyard because I'm always traking street photos in addition to consulting the phone frequently for navivation during my wanderings. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

• When you wear a phone around your neck the charging port is pointing upward. Bad things can happen if something drips or falls into that port. You can buy (on Amazon) small rubber plugs to block the port. Alternatively, you can connect your portable charger to the phone at the very first sign of rain. Or you can stow the phone inside a purse or bag temporarily. Don't forget that, for a long time after rain stops, there can still be drips from trees or overhead structures.

• The phone is likely to swing around a lot when it's dangling around your neck. As it bounces against your body, apps may close or open, which is annoying. I try to remember to turn the screen off if I don't anticipate using the phone for a while. If I'm using it pretty constantly, I keep it in my hand.

• You must be very careful to control the phone in museums and shops, lest you damage something.

I recommend using the lanyard for some time before leaving on a trip so you become accustomed to it. I like mine so much that I use it just about any time I leave my apartment.

The style of lanyard I purchased has a plastic rectangle with a tab to which the lanyard is clipped. The plastic rectangle fits inside the phone case behind the phone. The tab on my first lanyard failed after about 9 months of constant use in Europe and 13 months of occasional use at home. I assume it was the twisting around that stressed the plastic. I hadn't noticed a problem.. At the time of failure, my phone dropped onto a carpeted surface without any damage. There's a theoretical possibility the lanyard could fail in a less fortunate location. It might be prudent to replace the lanyard or plastic rectangle after a reasonable period of use rather than waiting for failure. My lanyard came with three plastic rectangles.

I have a concern about a lot of these straps because a lot of them are not breakable. I was in Naples and watched a local have her wallet snatched and it occurred to me that if I have my phone or other possession strapped to my body with an unbreakable strap what would’ve happened in that instance is that I would’ve been drug into a busy street. The snatcher was on a bicycle, rode by and grabbed the woman’s wallet and kept going. Didn’t even slow down. If she had that wallet attached to her with an unbreakable cord she would’ve been pulled into the traffic and severely injured. Yes she would have had her wallet, which is good, she would’ve needed her identity at the emergency room

I’d rather give up my possessions than my life

Where in Asia are you traveling? Were you thinking of safety for the phone, or convenience?

I travel to several Asian countries regularly, I can't say that I have commonly seen lanyards being used. Phone theft is much less common than in the US and Europe in the countries I am familiar with. For instance, people use phones openly on public transport and I have seen many phones left briefly unattended at restaurants. I carry my phone in my purse and have no hesitation walking down the street using it or on the subways.

That said, I used a lanyard this spring in Barcelona. Loved the convenience! Followed that trip up with a trip to Japan and another to S. Korea where I did not use the lanyard. I guess I just didn't think of using it.

I saw someone in London yesterday with a phone on a long over-the-shoulder lanyard / strap. They still had the phone stuck in the back pocket of their pants though. It was really risky looking to me still.

btw, It would be great if the OP could come back in the thread say hi. I haven't reported the post, but "Ahsley" from London posting in the England forum about a trip to Asia has my antenna twitching a little.

Ashley, come back and let us know you're sound. Cheers.

Carol, mine is breakaway. I made it from a lanyard I had from work.

I have this one amazon lanyard and just used it on a trip. I kept the phone in my front jacket or shirt pocket so its not just hanging loose. Otherwise, at home without pockets, I let it dangle. I've been satisfied.

Hey everyone,

Thanks a lot for all your replies!

To answer ORDtraveler, for this trip it will be more about convenience than safety. As you mentioned, there aren’t as many security concerns in Asia as there are in Europe. That said, once I’ve bought it, it could be quite useful for future trips to Europe, so security is still a consideration!

GerryM, I'm here. And I didn’t quite understand your comment. Why did you say ‘has my antenna twitching a little’?

Stan, thanks for sharing this model! While researching the different models available, I’ve noticed there’s something for every price range! Some even go over £100! I’m looking for a middle ground – I don’t want a cheap AliExpress product, but I’m also not keen to spend £80 or £100 on this accessory. I found this one: https://coconutmoodclub.com/products/iphone-strap-case-hanami-edition?option1=iPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max – the price and the quality seem reasonable. Has anyone ordered from this site before and can share their feedback? Or does anyone have other site recommendations?

Ashley

I ordered one from Amazon and used it my last 3 trips to Europe and loved it. I wore it crossbody and the lanyard was long enough to slide the phone in my jacket pocket when not in use. And it was cheap. Look up Hotemia crossbody lanyard and it will pop up. Very easy to use, adjust the length and I felt secure. I wear a crossbody purse as well.

I use one everyday, and have for a couple years. Mine is a phone case with cross body strap. Nothing handier. I am a woman who dislikes carrying a purse, so my phone is over my shoulder on a strap and I don’t have to worry about dropping it when I am riding my horse.

https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Compatible-Crossbody-Protection-Shockproof/dp/B0C8MJ92W7/ref=sr_1_4?crid=MR6SZ4SIMKL0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vKQMY6LdBd5yuceCzV7bZRSOA4eZ60bDay3xkAsUAzC_--e5JdU0q_K4PK7m7wCEJ7Sz_JF69H2u6CsTpc44GpTaUH8GnWQQqyh2y6Cjsdbiw1B4_18iUY8Lgr9D6JkVkqaBopdLQ8l7A8t7nlw-X_Q8sh5HBSwLOzy1ewmUqgH9nkaIa7lQCcCp_yb9aslWdZHkN3416lSzFrUD7S-xWyJuLLR0XkIFjHr4tP8pwgU.eg9Gz37uA8n09CxORThUDRP4hujG7OqWCa8pO0N1eXE&dib_tag=se&keywords=iPhone+case+with+strap+iPhone+SE&qid=1726675985&sprefix=iphone+case+with+strap+iphone+se%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-4

Ashley - got it - convenience primary, security secondary!

I hadn't used a lanyard prior to visiting Barcelona earlier this year. I bought an inexpensive model, not knowing how I would like it. I really liked it for both convenience and security. I was able to use the camera quickly without digging through my purse to find the phone, follow Apple Maps while walking, use Apple Pay, etc. Cool weather, so I had the phone under a jacket that had a bottom zipper. I could open that zipper to increase the lanyards "reach". Security-wise, I felt that with the phone under my jacket, generally hidden from view, it was less likely a target than if in my very obvious purse.

I'll be using one ( bought an upgraded model) on an upcoming return to Europe in a couple weeks. Given my positive experience, I'm still not certain why I didn't use it in Japan or S. Korea this summer. That visit, I returned to several familiar places where I had always carried my phone in my purse. Old habits die hard, I guess.

I'm here. And I didn’t quite understand your comment. Why did you say ‘has my antenna twitching a little’?

Ah my apologies. We get quite a few spammers and your post in the England section when you are talking about products for using in Asia, and the little typo spelling your own name made me think you might not be a genuine person That's why I asked. Please don't take it personally.