I have a $4 or so case for my LTZ that I got off ebay. I have seen those cases with pics of peoples kids on them
I have had the otterbox defender now 3x for the same iphone. They definitely take the abuse but the rubber housing wears out and gets stretchy. The prices online are reasonable for the investment protection and peace of mind. I work in construction and it really takes a beating on the sites.
A coworker got rid of the otter box for his S4 cause he said it kept falling apart. I said well what good it that if its suppose to be water proof?
I'm not sure they are fully waterproof?? My cover is more of an impact protection and dust, sand etc. You might get a few seconds out of it if it did fall into the water before the water got inside
As far as I know, at least when I was shopping, LifeProof is the only truly waterproof case for the iPhone. It's totally enclosed and o-ring sealed all the way 'round. As long as the charging port door is closed, and the headphone jack is plugged or the headphone dongle is screwed in, it's water tight and dust proof as well. My iPhone is nearly a year old, if I open the case, it looks exactly the same as the day I bought it. Not a scratch, rub mark, not even a fingerprint. I work in an extremely dusty, abrasive environment, and my phone rides in my pocket, sometimes with keys, always with wood chips , and I know what my previous phones have looked like at this point. Being totally waterproof was important to me so that while watering on the golf course, I can wear headphones and listen to music, take calls, etc. and not worry if a valve blows up in my face (120 psi geyser!) or I take a direct hit from a head nozzle (happens!).