The best waterproof phone cases for cycling

A waterproof phone case keeps your phone dry while out on the bike

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Garmins and Wahoos may be the cycling computer of choice for most, but our phones are an equally essential piece of technology on any bike ride we go on.

If the rain falls, we want to protect our phones from getting wet or having mud splattered across them, and that’s where a dedicated waterproof phone holder comes in handy. Some people like the phone kept dry in their back pocket, but for others they want it visible at all times up front.

Whatever your needs and preference, we have rounded up some of the best waterproof phone cases on the market right now.

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

With each product is a ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Best Deal’ link. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay.

Rapha Rainproof Essentials Case

The most popular waterproof phone case on the market, its longevity at the top of the table shows no signs of easing. Rapha have produced a really quite simple but stylish phone case that is almost always sighted on every group ride at least once.

Sure, it’s not practical in the sense that you can read your phone through the leather, but the buyer knows this. It’s waterproof, the phone stays dry, it stores itself neatly away in any back pocket, and the leather - coming in five different colourways - gives it that premium look without breaking the bank. £27 is your price tag.

Universal fitting, it was big enough for my bulky Oppo that is quite a big larger than most phones; if you have a smaller phone, fear not, though, the additional space will not flop around.

It did feel like the zip was the wrong way round - it felt awkward having to pull it up to close - and it is a bit faffy if you require quick access to it. But this phone case is for those who want to keep their phone on their person but not really be bothered by it while riding. If that’s you, join the hordes who already own one.

Buy now: Rapha Rainproof Essentials case at Rapha for £27/$37

Zéfal Console Dry

When we rely on our phone for navigation, we don’t want the rain to prevent us from knowing which way we go at the next turn-off. Zéfal’s Console Dry ticks most boxes: even when the rain falls, you can still touch the screen without too many issues through the plastic film, while the waterproof casing doesn’t allow any drops to seep through.

Connected to the bike by a twist-and-lock mount, it’s placed on the stem, the perfect position for in-the-saddle use, while also not getting in the way of anything else.

Where the phone case started to score negative marks, though, was when the heavens really opened and it became harder to see the screen. Similarly, it was never easy to fold the excessive fabric over, allowing wind often to creep in and balloon up inside, meaning that I was forever pressing the plastic cover down to be able to see the screen better. Once would be ok, but it meant that I was loath to take the phone out of the casing mid-ride, knowing I’d face the same frustrating issue straight away.

Zéfal claim that the sizing is universal and it may well fit most phones, but my Oppo’s screen was too big, meaning I couldn’t see the top notification bar and the front and back cameras were hidden should I have wanted to unclip the phone from the mount but keep it in its waterproof casing.

All in all, it’s a good choice for most phones - providing the rain isn’t torrential and you’re prepared to be patient with rolling the fabric over to prevent the gushing wind from entering.

Buy now: Zéfal Console Dry for £25

Sea To Summit TPU Guide

With a waterproof rating of IPX8 - in layman’s terms that means it would survive an hour immersed at 10 metres below the water - this is probably the best case on the market if keeping your phone bone dry is the priority and you don’t need near-constant access to it, Better still, it’s cheaper than most of its rivals.

A thick zipper ensures that no water can find a path to your precious phone, while there is even space for headphones, that port also carefully sealed off from any invading water. Crucially, the phone can be used well through the plastic sheeting without too many major obstacles.

Sea to Summit haven’t made this as a cycling-specific product - it’s designed for all outdoor enthusiasts - so that means it belongs in the back of a jersey as opposed to up front on the stem.

They claim it’s a universal size but I had to force my Oppo into it to ensure it fit. I appreciate my phone is bigger than most, but I’m not the only one with a phone longer than 16cm, meaning it’s not applicable to everyone.

Buy now: Sea to Summit TPU guide for £25

Zéfal Console Pack T1

Designed for riders who want direct access to accessories as well as being able to see their phone come rain or shine, the Console Pack T1 by Zéfal is a neat product that does exactly what it sets out to do.

The waterproof plastic film repels even the heaviest of precipitation, and the phone stays in place without any issues thanks to two layers connected by velcro. There’s also a hole for headphones, although I never used that due to a dislike of having wires running across the frame. Inside, there’s ample space for keys, money, food, an inner tube, Allen key, or whatever else would most commonly be stuffed in a saddle bag.

Positioned right at the end of the top-tube and against the stem, I did find that you had to pull the straps very tight to prevent any wobbling, and I was also irritated by my legs occasionally rubbing up against its bulk when standing and attacking on a climb or for a sprint.

Overall, it’s a very reasonably priced top tube bag that offers two products in one, but it’s definitely better aimed towards tourers rather than riders who want a blast.

Buy now: Zéfal Console Pack T1 for £24.

SKS Compit Smartbag

Only compatible with the SKS Compit Stem Mount that attaches to the bike by placing it between the spacers on the steerer tube or a Compit mount that attaches around the handlebars, the Smartbag is a not-too-bulky waterproof phone case that fits even the largest of phones without obstructing any of the screen. That is, aside from a button shape at the bottom of the screen which just looks weird when the device isn’t an iPhone.

When the rain fell, it would fall off as quickly as it landed, and while it remained possible to use the touchscreen in the wettest of conditions, if any water pooled on the plastic film then touch access was made more complicated. Similarly, in bright sunshine it was often difficult to clearly see the phone.

There’s space below the phone for small accessories such as keys, money and a smaller power bank, although any bigger items such as allen keys are best left in saddle bags or jersey pockets. There is also a port for headphones that stayed in place, but that was against my personal preference.

You have to have a little patience to locate and then get to push the side buttons, but once you can see the screen, it’s a good option for most rides where there is a risk of rain.

Buy now: SKS Compit Smartbag for £17

Altura Slim Pocket Wallet

It’s not the smartest phone case you can buy, but Altura’s take on a waterproof pouch that attaches to the bike might just be the best in terms of simplicity, usability and practicality.

Coming with two velcro straps that wrap around the top tube or the stem (I preferred the latter), the protective waterproof film repels water as one would hope, and still allows you to use the phone’s touchscreen relatively unhindered.

A thick zip lock at the bottom keeps the water and wind out, making sure that no air bubbles are trapped which could prevent a clear look at the phone. The only main drawback was that after using the phone following rain, the plastic film needs a decent clean otherwise the watermarks start to obscure the view.

At £20 it’s about par for course for such an item, and unlike other similar products on the market, Altura’s version fits even the biggest of smartphones.

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Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutia of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.

Height: 5'9" Weight: 137 lb.

Rides: Orbea Orca Aero, Cannondale Topstone Lefty, Cannondale CAAD9, Trek Checkpoint, Priority Continuum Onyx

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