GadgetsDanchi & Renovation

Multi-Function, Phone Included! The ZENLET Neck Strap Carries Everything You Need

Hi, I’m Hide — tech journalist and part-time house-husband. Another interesting product from ZENLET, which I featured last time.

It’s called the “two-way” neck strap. You can hang both your phone and your ID, it doesn’t tire your neck, and the cord is even antibacterial — a product that focuses on straps, something nobody really paid attention to before.

Beyond “two-way,” you can wear it over the shoulder, customize the back, and switch between portrait and landscape
Beyond “two-way,” you can wear it over the shoulder, customize the back, and switch between portrait and landscape
**Official site: [ZENLET](https://shop.zenlet.co/?locale=ja)** **Product site: [ZENLET Two-Way Phone Strap x ID Card](https://www.makuake.com/project/zenlet_idcard/)**

For my articles, I sometimes receive products on loan or as samples from companies, within the bounds of Yahoo! News’ rules. However, if a product doesn’t meet my standards for writing about it after actually using it, or if its downsides significantly outweigh its good points, I return it and don’t write about it. I don’t receive any payment from companies.

Hang your phone and ID at the same time

The biggest feature is carrying your phone and ID together. The strap is round, so you barely feel the weight, and the soft, antibacterial material is gentle on your skin.

The cushy strap takes the edge off the weight
The cushy strap takes the edge off the weight
You need a case to attach the holder to your phone, but it works with most cases. The holder clips on and off quickly, but it’s designed not to fall off even if you swing it around — easy and reassuring.
You can charge with the holder attached
You can charge with the holder attached
Works with any folio case where the charging port opening is 15–20 mm wide
Works with any folio case where the charging port opening is 15–20 mm wide
## Use IC cards on both sides

Besides the ID card on the front, you can put another IC card in the back, so you can use multiple cards without taking them out.

You can put cards on both sides
You can put cards on both sides
Handy when your ID and building pass are separate cards
Handy when your ID and building pass are separate cards
The back cover is a special material, so it doesn’t clack when your phone’s attached. Rattling while you walk is its own kind of stress, so I love these little touches.
It’s cushioned, so there’s no noise and your phone doesn’t get scratched
It’s cushioned, so there’s no noise and your phone doesn’t get scratched
## Customizable back panel

You can swap the back panel to carbon or leather for a different look, and still fit an IC card. If you don’t need two IC cards, you can switch to a business card case, which makes exchanging cards smooth.

Choose from several back panels
Choose from several back panels
With the business card case, you can carry your ID, phone, and business cards all together — super handy
With the business card case, you can carry your ID, phone, and business cards all together — super handy
You can even make an original design for the back, so you could put your company logo on it and hand them out to everyone
You can even make an original design for the back, so you could put your company logo on it and hand them out to everyone
## A thick strap has other perks too

The strap is thick and stable, so it’s fine to hang whatever you like from the included accessory ring.

A two-hole accessory ring is included from the start
A two-hole accessory ring is included from the start
Even with frequently used things like earbuds attached, the thick strap keeps it stable
Even with frequently used things like earbuds attached, the thick strap keeps it stable
## A bit chunky for women?

The only downside is that it looks a bit chunky. As a guy, it didn’t bother me, but my wife worried, “It might stand out a little too much…”

The doubled-up part can look a bit prominent on smaller women
The doubled-up part can look a bit prominent on smaller women
That said, you can lengthen the strap and wear it over your shoulder, which is less noticeable if you don’t need your ID right out front.
It gets really long, so wearing it over the shoulder works too — nice
It gets really long, so wearing it over the shoulder works too — nice
It also supports landscape IDs, so you can show your staff ID clearly in meetings.
Works in both portrait and landscape
Works in both portrait and landscape
The business card case option is made just slightly smaller than a business card, so cards don’t seem likely to fall out and scatter even in landscape. I appreciate that attention to detail.

I bet many people just use a 100-yen-shop ID holder. ZENLET’s neck strap costs more, but it’s built for practicality and easy to use. Guys especially might want to consider it.

ZENLET makes other interesting products too, so check out their official site — you might find something you want. I’m tempted by something called the Memo X (lol).

Besides Yahoo! JAPAN, I also write for GIZMODO, BCN+R, and more — please follow along.

For my cooking and daily life as a house-husband, check out my Instagram. [Parenting, chores, cooking, and everyday life] Tech journalist / part-time house-husband. Renovated a 50-year-old danchi into a smart home. Writes the “Hidenori Kimura’s Tech Magic” column for BCN+R, official Yahoo! News Expert, GIZMODO writer.

https://www.instagram.com/hidenori.kimura/

This story was originally published (in Japanese) on Yahoo! News Japan Expert.

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