How to protect your high tech gadgets while enjoying your summer vacations

CLEVELAND - Summer means spending time at the beach or at the pool. And you want to take your tech gear wherever you go, right? So what happens when your pricey gadget ends up in the drink?

You can buy bags to protect your stuff from the elements. Consumer Reports tested several ranging in price from $15 to almost $40 dollars.

The first challenge? Dropping each bag into water.

Testers did not want to risk real electronic devices, so objects that were similar in size and weight were used, such as paperback books and Post-it notes. All the bags kept the contents dry as a bone.

The next challenge? Sand. You know how that gets everywhere.

This time, the cases were dropped in sand and partially covered. The bags got the job done here, too.

The best of the bunch? DryCase bags. They also provided the most secure fit. A large DryCase bag costs $38, and a small one is $29.

Testers also tried out a regular grocery-style bag with a sealable top to see whether that protected devices as well. The Hefty OneZip gallon-sized bag protected against water and did a fine job with the sand. The Hefty bags cost just 10 cents a piece.

Consumer Reports says the Hefty bag should work well for trips to the beach or afternoons by the pool. For more extreme outdoor situations, like kayaking or mountain climbing, it’s probably worth getting one of the bags specifically designed to protect your electronic gear.