Our mobile phones are completely woven into our lives – and savvy travellers know a few key hacks to make them even more useful. Simple tweaks such as investing in a waterproof pouch for beach getaways or an airplane seat stand so you can ditch the in-flight entertainment for a show you actually want to watch, can be game-changing when you’re away from home comforts. A third inexpensive accessory has won me over recently, and it’s been equally as handy in London as on holiday: the QDOS PowerLoop 2-in-1 phone strap.
Okay, perhaps it’s not the most exciting buy – but my daily life now flows much more seamlessly. My commute is entirely iPhone-powered (to pay for the tube, a morning coffee, to check the time). On holiday, I’d simply accept the tedium of endlessly hoicking it in and out of my bag to photograph everything I see. Being able to keep my phone on my person with the strap banishes any rummaging entirely, while also acting as a deterrent for thieves (my previous phone was stolen, and I’m still not over it).
In just a couple of weeks, I’m sold. On my commute alone, the lack of handbag fishing to tap in and out of stations has been a revelation, and a recent weekend away marked a virtually rootle-free break; unheard of as I can be so snap-happy. It could be more attractive – I much prefer the look of Casetify’s chic leather and chain straps – but given it’s also a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, I’m happy to trade aesthetics for the peace of mind that comes from being unlikely to run out of juice on the go; something that can range from minor irritant to considerable stressor (I do a lot of solo travel, and get anxious if my phone dies when I’m on my own abroad).
I’m hardly an early adopter – mums with pushchairs, savvy tourists and conscientious Londoners have been sporting these for years – but now I have this strap, I won’t leave the house without it. It helps minimise day-to-day faff, keep one of my most precious (and pricey) assets safe, and ensures I always have a charger to hand – all for just £25.
You can buy the QDOS PowerLoop 2-in-1 Lanyard on the brand’s website, or read on for all of our travel phone hacks. We’ve also compiled a list of the best eSims to help travellers beat hefty roaming charges.
Pros:
- Made from eco-friendly recycled fibres
- Tangle-free design
- Soft and comfortable against skin
- Charges phones swiftly
- 480 Mbps data transfer speeds
Cons:
- While it’s handy to have a cable, you’ll still need to remember to bring your power bank or find a suitable charging point
- Not the most aesthetic design
- Not compatible with Lightning ports
More phone straps we love
Great Job Anoushka Dutta & the Team @ Condé Nast Traveler UK Source link for sharing this story.
