Terrible for the environment tho. A lot of companies sell a thicker reusable one for only like $10.
I don’t doubt that you have tested these things but honestly I have to put this in the same classification as the dork disc that comes on a new bike. Someone somewhere thought it was a good idea but I don’t see too many of them on bikes in the wild because it’s one of the first things people remove from their bikes.
I have used literally the same baggie for years with the same iPhone. I’ve actually fallen in knee deep water several times with the same bag and phone combo and zero issues ever.

People will spend their money however they want and if you want to buy a customized phone baggie then by all means buy one. You absolutely do not need it however.
I use this one from Silca.
Glad to hear you’re a Pixel user so am I best phones ever. I use some kinda jersey phone case I have few of them, always good way to go plus makes more room for other things help keep things organized. When come to pixel phones I have pixel 3 still running like I just bought it. With pixel 5 so close to coming out I would compare it with the 4a then make your choice.
Ziplock bag. Don’t overcomplicate it. about $0.03. I use about 2 a year
Nothing wrong with the good old and trusty ZipLock. I just had a talent to break them every couple of weeks…
So the switch to a dedicated bag had also (for me) environmental reasons. Additionally I really like that my phone wallet has a internal zipped compartment for keys - no worries about scratching my phone. Also I find it way easier and quicker to open / close than the ziplock. It’s way tidier than my Ziplock bag used to be and easier to get in and out of the jersey pocket.
After naming countless reasons for the wallet - I have to admit the main reason or at least a quite important is probably the looks. I like pretty stuff. ![]()
I use the Rapha essentials case, love it. I used to use plastic bags, but the essentials case is much easier to get my phone out t take photos while riding and keeps my phone dry even in the rain
Wow I love this forum. Thank you all for 30+ replies!
I should add, I really like being able to pull my phone out and quickly shoot a photo or skip/pause audio with one hand, then put it back in the pocket. That’s why I am reluctant to go back to ziplock, and all these great looking essentials cases also seem like “stop and use two hands” operations.
Maybe a handlebar bag is my best bet. Then I don’t have to worry about the sweat at all.
I always like digging around in my Ziploc near the finish line when I’m waiting for the rest of the field to finish. ![]()
Kidding aside I get it but it’s in my pocket so I don’t really care. I have another version that holds 2 CO2’s, a tire lever, a valve core, a tire boot, some bacon and a small chunk of microfiber towel. I think it might be older than my phone baggie. It looks terrible but it sits in my jersey pocket so I never see it unless something mandates me having to pull it out. Ironic that I don’t like under the seat bags but I’m cool with Ziplocs because I never see them. ![]()
No issues with my iPhone 11 Pro (no case) in my back pocket in the Texas heat and humidity, including through rain showers. I try to remember to put it in screen facing out and ports facing down, but often forget.
Is there an otterbox or similar waterproof case you could get for your phone? A lot of times you can find phone cases pretty cheap on amazon and eBay.
I’ve ridden for years with an iPhone 5, then 6, then 8 in my jersey pocket with no waterproof case or ziplock. No problems at all. Including during some downpours.
My S9 Plus has withstood 1.5 years exposure to sweat/rain with no issues. I make an effort to protect it if I’m carrying a bag, but I don’t worry about it if not.
That said, I have heard that USB ports can be difficult to waterproof, as was the case with early Polar M430 watches. Hence their switch to a proprietary port as mine has.
YMMV
I have a relatively basic Otterbox Commuter case on an iPhone 8 and ride with it in my back pocket on almost every single ride without issue. I make sure to put the screen facing away from my back and the case has a plug for the charging port. If it’s going to rain I put it in a ziplock though. Haven’t had a single issue with it in years and years of doing this.
I been using Ziploc bags for over four years. Mostly fair weather but got caught twice in a heavy down pour. Also I went down three times during this period ( t-boned a buck and did a somersault over the horns, being stupid and fell over the tracks trying to navigate around a parked passenger car, and stuck and plowed by a minivan) and didn’t get a scratch on my phone.
Edit: forgot to add that I also keep my wallet and keys in the same Ziploc bag. Phone back to my back with wallet over the glass and keys arranged to match the length of the phone.
Haven’t ever destroyed a phone but have managed to call 911 or change my phone to Spanish all in my pocket unknown to me during the ride. Phone goes in my top tube bag now. I’m in Texas, so this is pretty much a year round problem. I also worry about the fact that the phone/battery gets super hot in my pocket.
There is one important feature that makes the rapha-essential type cases better than ziplock bags or naked phones: the texture of the case keeps the phone in the jersey pocket in case of a crash. Sometimes even a big bump on road or singletrack may eject a naked, slippery phone from the pocket.
Don’t close the ziploc.
I used to use Ziplock bags, but was gifted a phone wallet (not rapha!). Wouldn’t be without it now - mine has zipped section one side that cash/ debit card go in, an open section the other side which my mask and hand sanitizer go in, and then phone in the middle.
I’d be terrified to fall on my back and hurt my spine… .but actually that happened to Nikki Terpstra (Dutch pro cyclist) and yes his phone broke, but it probably saved his spine, so yeah. Ziplock bag it is for me. (phone, card/money and a key to the house)