Waterproof/water-resistant case for iPod Touch 5th generation?
July 19, 2013 10:15 AM Subscribe
I've been having trouble finding a waterproof or water-resistant case for an iPod Touch 5th generation. Any suggestions?
I have already checked Otterbox and Griffin, and it seems that while they make waterproof cases for other devices, the cases that fit the iPod Touch 5th generation aren't advertised as waterproof or water-resistant. (I feel like a marketing hack spelling out the whole name, but I feel the need to be specific because of sizing issues). I would be happy with either brand if they make a water-resistant case that would fit my device (maybe it fits in the iphone case that Griffin makes? or one of the other cases is largely water-resistant but they don't state that? Otterbox notes that neither of their cases protects against water).
My ideal case would be waterproof, because who doesn't like dancing in the rain, but my budget isn't limitless and I would be happy with mostly water-resistant. I carry my ipod everywhere and I worry about sweat or setting it down on a wet surface or just regular rain (iPods have failed from minor moisture - I suspect that is an intentional design flaw to get us to replace them more often). I already have a generic small dry-sack for reading in the bath or canoe trips, but it's too bulky for everyday use and you can't use the headphones while it's sealed.
I would also prefer a slimmer case to a more bulky one, as I carry my iPod in my pocket or in a small handbag (don't like belt clips - too many lost/broken devices that way, and don't always have a belt or trousers to hook it on). I would probably go for a slim water-resistant case over a bulky waterproof one. Colour isn't a big deal, though I might need therapy if all I can find is hot pink.
Just a final note - I'm in Canada, and may not have access to all brands available in the US, but please recommend away and I will check. Thank you very much for your help.
I have already checked Otterbox and Griffin, and it seems that while they make waterproof cases for other devices, the cases that fit the iPod Touch 5th generation aren't advertised as waterproof or water-resistant. (I feel like a marketing hack spelling out the whole name, but I feel the need to be specific because of sizing issues). I would be happy with either brand if they make a water-resistant case that would fit my device (maybe it fits in the iphone case that Griffin makes? or one of the other cases is largely water-resistant but they don't state that? Otterbox notes that neither of their cases protects against water).
My ideal case would be waterproof, because who doesn't like dancing in the rain, but my budget isn't limitless and I would be happy with mostly water-resistant. I carry my ipod everywhere and I worry about sweat or setting it down on a wet surface or just regular rain (iPods have failed from minor moisture - I suspect that is an intentional design flaw to get us to replace them more often). I already have a generic small dry-sack for reading in the bath or canoe trips, but it's too bulky for everyday use and you can't use the headphones while it's sealed.
I would also prefer a slimmer case to a more bulky one, as I carry my iPod in my pocket or in a small handbag (don't like belt clips - too many lost/broken devices that way, and don't always have a belt or trousers to hook it on). I would probably go for a slim water-resistant case over a bulky waterproof one. Colour isn't a big deal, though I might need therapy if all I can find is hot pink.
Just a final note - I'm in Canada, and may not have access to all brands available in the US, but please recommend away and I will check. Thank you very much for your help.
Response by poster: Those LifeProof cases look terrific - but I'm still having trouble finding them for ipods. BestBuy.ca only carries the iphone cases.
posted by jb at 11:07 AM on July 19, 2013
posted by jb at 11:07 AM on July 19, 2013
Rustoleum offers a product (starting only recently in a consumer-intended form) NeverWet is a hydrophobic coating that can be applied to iPhones, which allows them to tolerate immersion in 6" (15cm) of water. The coating can wear away, so you will probably want to re-treat the exterior at least, every month or two. It appears to be available through Home Depot in Canada, online or in stores.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:32 AM on July 19, 2013
posted by Sunburnt at 11:32 AM on July 19, 2013
Best answer: First of all, it takes a lot of moisture to kill an ipod/iphone. If you were told that was the point of failure, it was likely that some humid or slightly damp/rainy situation tripped the water damage sensor in the dock jack on the bottom or headphone plug, but wasn't actually the cause of failure. It's just that it's very hard for them to tell, and it's an easy out for them to have to deal with helping you.(and weed out people who lie about water damage, honestly)
That said, the only one that is actually seriously water resistant is that lifeproof one. And i decided to do some internet sleuthing for you while i sit here dying of boredom waiting for a phone company tech.
Lifeproof themselves appear to sell it and ship to canada, but it's "out of stock". I did considerable other searching and couldn't really find anywhere that wanted to sell them in or ship them to canada, including ebay.
After some more digging i realized it wasn't on sale anywhere, and like their iphone 5 case was at first it may have sold out or just be facing production issues.
Otterboxes really aren't waterproof or even resistant, they're more like wearing a denim jacket in the rain. It'll protect you for a bit, but will quickly soak through. The double layer really overbuilt iphone 4 one saved my phone from several spills/drops into wet places, but it made a disgusting mess inside the case and on the back of the phone(which ended up molding without me realizing!).
I'd just wait a bit for the lifeproof case to come back in stock.
posted by emptythought at 4:24 PM on July 19, 2013
That said, the only one that is actually seriously water resistant is that lifeproof one. And i decided to do some internet sleuthing for you while i sit here dying of boredom waiting for a phone company tech.
Lifeproof themselves appear to sell it and ship to canada, but it's "out of stock". I did considerable other searching and couldn't really find anywhere that wanted to sell them in or ship them to canada, including ebay.
After some more digging i realized it wasn't on sale anywhere, and like their iphone 5 case was at first it may have sold out or just be facing production issues.
Otterboxes really aren't waterproof or even resistant, they're more like wearing a denim jacket in the rain. It'll protect you for a bit, but will quickly soak through. The double layer really overbuilt iphone 4 one saved my phone from several spills/drops into wet places, but it made a disgusting mess inside the case and on the back of the phone(which ended up molding without me realizing!).
I'd just wait a bit for the lifeproof case to come back in stock.
posted by emptythought at 4:24 PM on July 19, 2013
Response by poster: emptythought: thank you very much for your help. I will keep my eye out for them.
Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid: I have heard of iPods/iPhones failing due to moisture (sweat, rain, etc), but it may be urban legendish (don't know anyone personally - the one person who dropped hers in the toilet revived it by leaving it in rice to dehydrate). But I do worry that there may be an element of planned obsolescence in the design.
I think I'll go find a basic protective case (which did keep my 3G one fine for several years), and keep an eye out for when the Lifeproof cases become available here.
posted by jb at 9:31 PM on July 19, 2013
Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid: I have heard of iPods/iPhones failing due to moisture (sweat, rain, etc), but it may be urban legendish (don't know anyone personally - the one person who dropped hers in the toilet revived it by leaving it in rice to dehydrate). But I do worry that there may be an element of planned obsolescence in the design.
I think I'll go find a basic protective case (which did keep my 3G one fine for several years), and keep an eye out for when the Lifeproof cases become available here.
posted by jb at 9:31 PM on July 19, 2013
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posted by mykescipark at 10:27 AM on July 19, 2013