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Float Your GoPro (or other Waterproof Camera)

GoPros don't float. Here's a good option for a floating wrist strap that works with GoPros and other small waterproof cameras.

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By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 5 months ago // Categories: Mounts & Grips
Tags: Travel Photography

There are several ways to make your GoPro float. This post focuses on one option. For a more general overview with other options, I have a separate post on how to make a GoPro float.

GoPro HERO9 Black Bundle for $399.98

GoPro is running a deal on the HERO9 Black, their current flagship camera. It's a bundle that includes the HERO9 Black, a 1-year subscription to GoPro, a Magnetic Swivel Clip, a spare battery, a Floating Hand Grip, and a 32GB SD card. It's all for $399.98.

The new breed of lightweight waterproof cameras have opened up all sorts of new possibilities for capturing things that were hard or expensive to capture before. Whether you’re taking your GoPro to wet places no camera has a right to go, feeding GoPros to Great White sharks, or taking family snapshots at the beach, waterproof cameras are wonderful right up until the point where they slip out of your hands and sink to the depths below. Because, unfortunately, most cameras don’t float.

If you’re using a GoPro, GoPro themselves have their GoPro Floaty Backdoor. It replaces the back of the waterproof housing. It’s an insurance policy if your camera gets knocked off a surfboard or kayak. A floating handle like the GoPro’s The Handler or the Bobber are also good options for handholding.

The FloatPro tackles the problem quite differently, creating a floating hand strap that is more flexible and can be used on other lightweight cameras. The manufacturers, a small (but growing) British company who sent me a FloatPro to try out, say that it will float cameras weighing up to around 8 oz (226g). That covers most of the action cams like GoPros as well as the smaller point and shoot tough digital cameras that are coming out.

The FloatPro is made of neoprene and foam, with a bright orange trim to help with visibility. I like that it’s smoother and slimmer than some of its bulkier competitors that I’ve tried.

FloatPro Floating Wrist Strap for GoPro and Waterproof Camera (Orange)....
FloatPro Floating Wrist Strap for GoPro and Waterproof Camera (Orange)....
  • Save your GoPro & waterproof camera from sinking! FloatPro offers the highest quality floating straps in...
  • Great for vacation trips and water activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, surfing, rafting,...
Check Price on Amazon

It will work well with a GoPro but isn’t limited to GoPros. Because it uses a standard lanyard loop, it will attach to any camera or just about anything else that has its own loop that you need to keep close at hand. And actually, the standard GoPro housings don’t come with loop attachment, so to attach one of these to a GoPro you’ll probably want to put it through the holes in the attachment at the bottom of the housing. That’s not ideal, but it works.

The strap includes a simple tightening toggle and unclips to make it easier to get your hand through. It’s soft and light and adds extra security on boats or anywhere else where a hand strap would come in useful. For under $15, it’s a pretty inexpensive insurance policy for keeping your camera and photos safe next time you head to the water.

The FloatPro is available at Amazon. A similar alternative is the floating strap by Nordic Flash.

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Find Them At

You can find FloatPro floating wrist straps at Amazon.

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-02-27 at 22:42. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • 03 300x200 - How to Make a GoPro Float
    How to Make a GoPro Float
  • GoPro HERO7 Black Wet
    Tips for Using GoPros In and Around Water
  • 20160529120504266 300x200 - Do GoPro Touchscreens Work Underwater?
    Do GoPro Touchscreens Work Underwater?
  • Svalbard with a GoPro HERO5 Black
    Does GoPro Wifi Work Underwater?
  • CamKix Bobber for GoPro
    CamKix Bobber for GoPro Cameras
  • GoPro Water Droplets
    Adding a Water Repellent Film to Reduce Water Drops on a GoPro Lens
  • Oumers Side Power
    An Extended Battery in a Waterproof Housing for the GoPro HERO7, HERO6, and HERO5 Black
  • Backscatter Flip7 Underwater Filter System for GoPro
    Backscatter Flip7 Underwater Filters for GoPro Cameras
  • Telesin GoPro HERO5 Dome Port
    Using Dome Ports with GoPros for Over/Under Water Split Photos
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on October 9, 2020

Categories: Mounts & Grips
Tags: Travel Photography

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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