Muc-Off Rainproof Essentials Case: Quick Review – by Guitar Ted
Like most folks these days, I ride with a cell phone. (Why we call these things phones anymore, I don’t know.) Anyway, you know….you pretty much do it ‘just in case’. Maybe you have it connected to another device like a computer/”Garmin” for updates and whatnot. The thing is, we do this. So, a metric-ton of accessories exist to help you carry these devices. That’s where the Muc-Off Rainproof Essentials Case come in for me.
See, I don’t want to see my cell phone/device. It reminds me of what I am trying to get away from. I even leave it at home sometimes. Mrs Guitar Ted doesn’t particularly go for that though. So, I used to just, you know, toss the thing in a jersey pocket. Well, sweat and maybe other sources of moisture were an issue then. Okay, so I used these various zippered clear baggie things for a bit, but they were stiff and made it hard to remove the phone. So, I ended up resorting to actual food baggies. Not very glamorous, but effective, and it kept Mrs. Guitar Ted’s blood pressure down.
So, when Andy, of Andy’s Bike Shop, Riding Gravel’s technical support, showed mt the Rainproof Essentials Case, I saw an opportunity. One was procured for my testing, and here you are getting my take on it.
What It Is: The Rainproof Essentials Case is a storage device which Muc-Off purposes as a cell phone holder or as a flat repair kit. You decide, or get two, of course. The fabric is highly water resistant and the zipper is rubber coated for protection against moisture. Here is what Muc-Off says about the Rainproof Essentials Case on their webpage:
- Size: H14 x W22 x L25 cm
- Weight: 60g
- Constructed from a rugged, water-repellent, 900D Polyester with PU coating
- YKK® Aquaguard water repellent zip
- MOLLE webbing straps for attaching MOLLE accessories or onto other bags
- Inner zip pocket to store keys/cash/coins
- Inner divider pocket for your phone or cards
- Fits plus sized smartphones
The Rainproof Essentials Case sells for $24.00 USD.
Ride Performance: It has been pretty cold here in the Upper Mid-West and we haven’t had any rain for the Rainproof Essentials case to be tested in. But fat biking can work up a mighty good sweat, and that ultra-humid climate around the body during these sorts of heavily active rides can soak clothing and items carried close to the body. So, this is how I put the Rainproof Essentials Case to the test.
My cell phone is an iPhone 8 Plus, and so it’s a wee bit bigger than some cell phones. Not only that, but I have a Rok-Form case on it, so it is even bigger. I was happy to find that my device slipped into the Rainproof Essentials Case, but barely so. Still – it fit! And now my iPhone is protected from my elements, plus any other external weather related elements. Nice.
Now, I still have room for a credit card, ID, and some cash money too. That’s handy, and admittedly a lot classier than pulling out a sandwich baggie at the cash register when I am buying a slice of Casey’s pizza. (A Mid-Western thing. If you know- you know.) The case fits in any jersey pocket, and with the straps attached to the back, it could be lashed to almost any other bike packing type bag or hydration back pack. That could be a handy option.
At The Finish: This is a handy, well made bag that could be a wallet, a cell phone case, or a tool pouch and do any of those things very well. The divider inside helps with organization, and the zippered pocket can help secure items like coins, memory cards, chain master links, or keys. What’s inside stays dry and safe, so it is a great bag for cell phones, paper items, or for any small thing you want to keep dry.
For my uses, the cell phone, money, and card functionality makes this case an essential part of my kit now. I can pop out my cell phone easily, and I can stow money in there instead of floating it around in a sandwich baggie. I have yet to explore the possibilities availed to me by the loops on the back of the case, but I can see how that may open up more options to me as far as how to carry my cell phone, or maybe even as a small camera bag for a point and shoot camera.
However you decide to use this bag, it should prove to be a useful item and at this price, the value seems high. Well done, Muc-off!
See more on the Muc-Off website here; https://us.muc-off.com/collections/web-exclusive-products/products/muc-off-rainproof-essentials-case
Note; The Muc-Off Rainproof Essentials Case was provided to Riding Gravel at no charge for test and review. We were not paid, nor bribed for this review by Muc-Off and as far as we know they have no knowledge of this being in process. Riding Gravel always strives to give you our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
