This is my favorite thumb drive because it is fast, small. The bright orange color makes it easy to find and it looks like it would be able to survive a trip through the laundry.

^ So the back of the USB connector is sealed so water can't get in, or does it require a perfect seal between the connector and cap? If the latter I think I'd want to shake it a bit and point a fan at it for a day before trying it after being through the laundry.

Both the housing and the cap are made of a snug fitting silicone, like a sleeve. As long as the cap is on, it should not get any water in it.

^ well, I ask because it looks like someone threw in the word(s) waterproof (newegg) when it isn't actually claimed to be waterproof by Patriot.

Their product page states "water resistant" but not waterproof anywhere.
http://www.patriotmemory.com/products/detailp.jsp?prodline=4&catid=8&prodgroupid=47&id=688&type=11

Also in the laundry, detergent lowers tension of the water so it is easier for it to flow into a small crack between the cap and body sleeve, where there are immediate slits in the metal USB connector. For my own use I could not assume it is waterproof abaconn no water could get in, unless it is sealed internally between the USB connector shell and the PCB.

^ "as-in" = abaconn.

I should add, I received the Patriot USB stocking flash drive we saw a deal on a few days ago. On it, the entire flash drive electronics are built into the metal USB plug shell, though as a result it has slightly longer total length due to that. Trying to peer inside that shell, it might be completely waterproof inside, I have not tested that and don't plan to as it could destroy the drive if it isn't and wasn't left out to dry for long enough.

It seems possible though I don't know for sure, that the current mini drive featured has a similar construction, although the metal housing must be a little different as it is pictured flairing outward to a larger width while on the stocking version the metal is flat and straight the whole length.

^
Thanks.. weird filtering going on here.

The waterproof (resistant) part seems more a marketing thing. It's an $8 flash drive, and if you leave in your pockets and it get washed, life goes on, as with your wallet, cell phone etc;.

I agree, water resistant or not, you will still be sure to dry it out before plugging in, if at all. If I washed my $8 flash drive, I'm pretty sure I would just toss it. I know "for sure" I wouldn't be trying it out on my laptop.