I wouldn’t consider myself a particularly manly man, and I’m certainly not obsessed with fitness, but I do try to maintain an active lifestyle and excersize somewhat regularly. Sometimes, I go to the gym and workout, other times, I take the dog on a run or go for a bike ride. The biggest thing to keep me from being active outdoors is typically the motivation, which for me, comes in the form of music.
I find that I workout more consistently and feel better when I can rock out while I’m on the go. Unfortunately, I’m always a little too afraid to take my $700 iPhone with me on bike rides or when I run, for fear or dropping it or sweating on it, or otherwise destroying it. Third-party accessory makers have taken notice to concerns like mine, and one company has go so far as to create the ultimate system to keep my iPhone 5 (and yours) safe. Say hello to the PROTKT!
Overview:
The PROTKT bike mount and iPhone case from Wahoo Fitness is a genius pairing of two fantastic products for the most extreme cyclists and fitness buffs. The system is designed for convenience, protection, and versatility – allowing you to take your iPhone on the most extreme of adventures without worrying about the ramifications of wind, rain, dust, debris, or shock.
The PROTKT iPhone case is designed out of a rigid plastic, that adds incredible protection and a surprisingly tolerable amount of bulk. Using rubber seals on the headphone port and under the power button, as well as around the singular opening for inserting the phone, the case does a fantastic job of keeping the device protected from the elements. The PROTKT case is both crash tested and element tested and has an IPX5 rating, meaning it will can sustain splashing or sprayed water with ease (think: rain/splashing puddles/sweat). The screen of your iPhone, when in the PROTKT case, is protected by a layer of glass, and the camera and ear piece are both functional, also. The charging port and volume/vibrate controls are both concealed and inaccessible, so it may not serve well for long-term use without some in and out of the case.
On the back of the case are 4 small slits, which serve as mounting points for the case mount. A simple locking mechanism holds the mount in place to the back of the case, and it’s ready to be attached to your bike (or other circular surface). The physical bike mount is a simple 4-prong lock, which is secured to your bike with a couple zip ties (seriously – a $69 system and it attaches with $0.23 zip ties?). Surprisingly enough, the zip ties hold the mount in place very securely, and offer the flexibility to fit a reasonable array surfaces. While I had my doubts about the effectiveness of the zip ties, I was able to cinch the mount to my handlebars and keep my phone staring back at me both on-road and off-road, allowing me to listen to my music without worry of losing my iPhone, or sending it tumbling to the pavement.
Check out the tests Wahoo Fitness put this thing through – the results are pretty impressive:
Verdict: [rating: 4]
The PROTKT Bike Mount and iPhone 5 Case are a fantastic pairing for the most extreme of cyclists. Adding in Wahoo Fitness’ collection of additional mounts (PROTKT Bag-O-Mounts), the PROTKT case can be mounted, not only to your bike stem, but also to your hand with their customized hand strap, or to any GoPro mount, for ultimate versatility. While I can’t attest to the functionality of the PROTKT for scaling mountains, my iPhone did spend several hours getting pelted by rain and bumped around at a recent outdoor festival, and came out of the ordeal unscathed.
Pros:
- Stylish, durable construction
- Protection against typical outdoor elements
- Expandable mounting options
Cons:
- No access to charging port, volume controls
For $69, cycling enthusiasts and extremists will love the PROTKT Bike Mount and iPhone case. Check it out and the rest of the Wahoo Fitness line up at WahooFitness.com
