Gear Review: LifeProof Nüüd Case for iPhone

These days phones are becoming more and more handy, especially in terms of camera functionality. Take for example the latest generation of Apple iPhone 5s. Despite owning a DSLR with numerous lenses, on some hikes I only take my phone to save on weight. It fits into a pocket, and the iPhone's 8 megapixel f 2.2 lens does a remarkable job of both photos and video. Sure, nothing beats a DSLR, but pair a phone with apps, and you have a pretty remarkable package. With everything from social media, maps, night sky star identifiers, and plant and bird identifying apps, a phone is with me wherever I go. The only issue is, it's pretty fragile. Sure, it is constructed from a durable aluminum enclosure, and the lens is protected by a sapphire crystal, but one slip of my fingers while trying to pull it out of my pocket and I could shatter the screen, or worse, drop it in a pool of water. It was time to protect my camera and my options were either purchasing Applecare+ which means I could pay a $79 service fee (up to two times) to have what ever calamity I've put my iPhone through repaired, or find a good case. I chose the latter.

The LifeProof Nüüd case for iPhone (also available for select Galaxy phones and iPads) offers waterproof protection, while also protecting your phone from impact from a drop. Made from very strong but light plastic, it doesn't degrade your cell reception, interfere with the audio quality of phone calls, hinder the built-in camera, or confuse the light sensor. Simply snap the two parts together, sandwiching your phone, screw closed the headphone jack, and snap shut the lightning port cover and you're ready for the dangers of the outdoors.

The Nüüd case doesn't have a built-in screen protector, but rather a gasket that runs along the edge of your screen, sealing out water. This means no glare from a protective layer while outdoors, and that you interact with your actual screen.

When the inevitable happens, when you're quickly trying to pull out your phone to snap a photo of a bird by the water's edge, you can rest easy. Just because it is raining, doesn't mean you have to stop taking photos. The outdoors won't be quite so scary once you protect your phone with this fantastic case, which is waterproof, snowproof, dirtproof, and shockproof.

I only noticed two issues with the case, neither of which I found a deal breaker. The headphone jack is a little narrower, preventing headphones with large connectors from being able to plug into it and the edge of the case goes right to the edge of the screen, which sometimes makes swiping up or down to trigger menus a little difficult.

Stay up to date with LifeProof by following them on Facebook and Twitter and visit their website to explore the many cases that they make.