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Pad & Quill introduces the first all-leather bumper case for iPhone X

Three years ago, Brian at Pad & Quill found his father’s old leather coin purse.  He was intrigued by the walled leather construction of the purse, and he set about incorporating that design into an iPhone case.  It took three years to develop their propriety tension method of containing the phone in the all-leather case, but they are finally ready to launch the Traveler Leather iPhone X Bumper Case.

This bumper is made only of full-grain leather – no plastic, metal, or silicone.  All ports and cameras are left uncovered, and all buttons are easily operated through the leather.  This handmade bumper case has UV-resistant nylon stitching.  Your iPhone X snaps into the protective leather case, and after a couple of days to break in, the Traveler will fit your iPhone X like a glove, and it will fit comfortably in your hand.  The Traveler Leather iPhone X Bumper Case is $59.95 at Pad & Quill.

Tech21 Evo Check Pixel 2 XL case review

When I decided to switch back to Android and buy a Pixel 2 XL after using an iPhone 7 Plus for a few months, I began shopping for cases even before the phone was delivered because I didn’t want my brand new phone to get a scratch. One of the first Pixel 2 XL cases that I was offered to review was the Tech21 Evo Check. Let’s check it out. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

What is it?

The Tech21 Evo Check is a snap-on cover for the Pixel 2 XL that is designed to provide drop protection up to 10ft and comes in clear/white or smokey/black as shown here.

Design and features

The box that the Evo Check comes in describes this case as an ultra-thin lightweight case. They are right, it doesn’t weigh much at all, but I don’t consider it to be ultra-thin compared to the Totallee cases that we’ve reviewed, but It’s thin considering that it offers drop protection.

The Evo Check has a 3-layer construction that consists of a semi-transparent flexible outer shell that cushions impact. This outer layer of the case is glossy and picks up fingerprints and smudges very quickly.

Inside the shell has a checkered pattern that is slightly raised.

You’ll also notice the frame around the sides. This skeletal frame has been designed to deflect force away from the phone if you drop it.

The wrap around sides uses FlexShock to absorb the remaining force. The sides also protect the display as they are raised slightly higher than the surface of the screen.

These 3 layers will protect the Pixel 2 XL from up to a 3m/10ft drop. Did I test that claim? Ummmmm, no. But I will say that this case feels substantial. Does “substantial” translate to “bulky”? Yes, I do think this case is a little bulkier than what I personally like. But I don’t usually buy cases that have drop protection features.

The Tech21 Evo Check case adds some extra width to the Pixel 2 XL. This is something I noticed the first time I tried to slip the phone into my back jeans pocket. Although it still fit in my pocket, I had to wiggle it a bit.

When the Pixel 2 XL is in the case, you still have access to the charging port at the bottom, the camera on the back, and the fingerprint sensor.

There are buttons on the right side of the case for power and volume. These buttons are not very finger friendly. I found them to be stiff to press and annoying to use.

Positives

  • Provides up to 10ft drop protection
  • Sides are raised to protect the screen when the phone is laying face down

Negatives

  • Back of the case is a fingerprint and smudge magnet
  • Buttons are hard to press
  • Adds some bulk

Final thoughts

As long as you don’t mind fingerprints and smudges on the back and the stiff built-in buttons which I found hard to press, the Tech21 Evo Check case will protect your Pixel 2 XL from most drops and everyday wear and tear.

Price: $44.95
Where to buy: Tech21.com and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tech21.

Alto Original and Anello iPhone X cases and neck strap review


The release of the iPhone X was exciting, but I had to convince myself it was worth it due to the hefty price tag. The larger display, yet smaller design topped with wireless charging ended up selling it for me. Now that I’ve got a mortgage payment in my pocket, I had to get a case right away. Luckily for me, Alto was on top of things and their Original leather case, Anello leather case, and optional neck strap arrived a day before the iPhone X was released.


Both cases are similar in design; a hard shell wrapped in aniline leather on the outside, and a soft microfiber lining on the inside. A few tweaks on the outside are what set the two apart.

The Original leather case is simple, which I really like. The green color is vivid, yet muted, and I’ve received quite a few compliments on the case. It snapped on super easy, yet is surprisingly resistant to being removed. It is thick enough to be protective, but still quite lightweight. Even in this case, my phone can fit within the old case of my iPhone 7 Plus. The camera cutout does not interfere with the flash, and has been evenly cut to be slightly wider than the cameras themselves.

Because I am paranoid about breaking my screen, having a lip on the front of the case is very important to me. I am happy to say that both the Original leather case and the Anello leather case have an ample front lip, enough that my glass screen protector is just under the lip height.


The biggest difference between the Original and Anello is a metal D ring that can be used with their optional neck strap. Of course, you could put a dangling bit of jewelry, a key-chain, or anything else on it as well. It is held on by a rivet and seems very sturdy.


The Anello is also two-tone, rather than a single piece of leather. This gives a little extra color, which I really liked. Where the two colors come together, the seam is nice and even. As with the Original, the cutout for the cameras is well done and does not interfere with the flash at all.


When I saw the optional neck strap, it confused me and took a bit to realize that it could be a nifty addition to the Anello case. For day to day use, I would not use the neck strap. For a vacation, however, I can see how easy it would be to just keep the phone around your neck rather than in your hand. Then you can have easy access to take a quick picture of the scenery.


It is sewn well, with a well-made metal clasp, and seems like it would hold up well with day to day use.

I do not have a wireless charger, so I could not test if it impeded the wireless charging. I do have a small metal plate that I use to mount my phone to my car vent, and that worked perfectly inside of both cases.

Since the cases are nearly the same in base design, the last paragraphs here work to describe both cases.


The bottom is nearly completely cut out except for the edges, so there will be no problems with plugging in any Lightning cable. However, this could leave the bottom a little vulnerable to scratches. So far, mine has been well protected.

Both the volume buttons and vibrate switch are cut out, which could also lead to a few scratches on that side. I wish they’d have designed buttons into the case since there is a lot of open space on the sides/back, but some people like it this way.

Lastly, the Siri button has been cut out. While I dislike cutouts, I will say, they are well done and all the buttons are easily accessible.

Just after finishing up the above part of the review, I had a near disaster experience. As you can see, my stairs are made of cement and gravel. I tripped on the bottom stair with my phone in hand and on my way down had to drop my phone at a high rate of speed to prevent me from falling on it. The case took a bruising, but my phone stayed perfectly safe. Needless to say, I am now very satisfied with the protection of this case.

Overall, the Original leather case was my favorite of the two. I really liked the simplicity of it and how easy it was to slip into my purse. The colors of the Anello were great though, as the coral was vivid and the mild peach color offset the boldness of the coral. Some people may like the Anello case with the D ring and neck strap, but it was not my cup of tea. Both cases were very well made, seem quite protective, and really adds some elegance to the iPhone X. If you are wanting a nice leather case for your new phone, take a look at Alto’s lineup of cases.

Positives:

  • Very stylish and well made
  • Lightweight
  • Protective

Negatives:

  • D ring makes it so the case doesn’t lay flat (Anello case)

Price: Cases – $62, Neck Strap – $29
Where to buy: Alto and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Alto.

Gear4 Oxford iPhone case with D3O protection review

A good cover is the first thing people usually buy after getting a new phone. If you’re someone who works, studies, or plays in an environment that includes the possibility of falling great distances, getting smacked by something unforgiving, or otherwise compromising the wholeness of a large slab of glass, you’ve probably found that you’re in need of a protective cover, not just a decorative one. In answer to this need, manufacturers and materials scientists have been hard at work developing better solutions: cases that can be thin and light, yet protect a device from a high fall, or a huge impact, without being 2 inches thick all around. The folks at Gear4 have solved the mystery with an advanced material from D3O. Let’s take a closer look.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

I was sent one for a “regular” sized iPhone (7), and a Plus-sized iPhone (6/6s Plus). Overall, the two cases look similar: there is a black outer skin front and back, with two slots for cards in the inside front cover. A formed bumper is bonded to the rear skin. There are ports for all the needed touch-places: camera, ring silencer, speakers, AUX port and charging port. While roomy, the Lightning port may not be accessible from a dock or even some cables. The camera ports, however, are quite roomy and slant away from the inner cutout, to let in just that smallest bit more light.The Sleep/wake and volume control buttons are covered by domed actuators. I had no trouble pressing the actual buttons with them, and I don’t think they pressed in on the buttons while in the case. The last port is one that’s not usually added to a valet case: the receiver speaker. The only other case I’ve used that had this was the Moshi SenseCover in 2015. There is a pierced foil piece covering the front, and the cutout perfectly allows sound to transfer to the outside while the cover is closed.

One hidden superpower of this case is that it is designed to be a stand where you can watch or create videos. If you’re trying to keep up with your team’s games while at your desk, this will enable those streaming presentations to be at the perfect angle.

At first glance, the case looks only slightly better than the thin silicon slip-on case that protected my original iPhone. Being a wallet case, it does have the addition of a cover, which comes in two different styles: a clip-closing one and a flap-closing one. The clip latch is centered on the case cover and clicks into the side of the soft liner on the rear piece. The flap is a magnetic-locked strap of the cover material that flaps all the way around the edge and secures to the rear of the case. But the bumper that surrounds the phone is quite a fantastic product. This is one of those energy-absorbing materials. It is flexible until it is struck by a certain amount of force. As soon as this happens, the molecules in the material shout “Shield Wall!” and interlock together for protection. (Sorry, I’ve been bingeing on The Last Kingdom on Netflix. The shield wall is a Medieval defense ploy where shields are made to interlock or overlap and can become a shell for the whole army, like a turtle. Riot police still use this tactic today. They just don’t shout the command like Uhtred does.) Here’s how Gear4 describes it on their site:

D3O® materials in their raw state flow freely when moved slowly, but on shock, lock together to absorb and disperse energy, before instantly returning to their flexible state. This reaction is counter intuitive. The greater the force of the impact, the more the molecules lock together and the greater the protection.

In early development media for this type material, a researcher released a video where he made a roll of the gel, wrapped it around his finger and then smacked his finger with a hammer. Hard. He slid out his finger and moved it to show there was no damage. (I sold a lot of cases with that video!) I’ve seen it used in whole iPad cases where testers would toss the cased device out a window onto concrete. It is amazing how well this works.

Placing your phone into this type of protective bumper, while allowing you access and being light, soft, and providing a grip-able surface is near perfect. Adding the feature of a stand for media or FaceTime, as well as the cover and wallet makes for a Trifecta.

Working at the Apple Store, I saw many folks whose iPhones had “committed suicide” by falling from a counter onto tile, concrete, or asphalt. Universally, the owner would say “but I put on a case to protect it!” Until the iPhone, I never worried about a case for my mobile phone. When I first unwrapped that smooth, full-screen beauty, however, I knew I’d just be sick if it got scratched up. Usually, I’d just get a silicone overwrap, which gave a bit of grip and some protection. After that original phone unclipped from my belt holder and smacked to the pavement on the corner, I realized what many folks have found since: a basic case can help with small tumbles, but most are not going to protect your device from a real drop. For that you’re going to need a more protective case and, traditionally, these are bulky.

Gear4 have a variety of case styles and colors for an array of current and just-past-current smartphones. The Oxford model is the wallet design I was sent, but they have many other styles, from the clear polycarbonate Soho with D3O edges to the heavily armored Battersea.  Any of them will give you more protection than the slim piece of plastic or silicone you’ve probably got on your device currently. Grab them while they are on sale for the holidays!

Positives:

  • Thin but strong edge protection
  • Wallet flap allows talking without opening wallet
  • Stand is adjustable for use as a videophone.

Negatives:

  • Some docks, cables, or third-party devices may not work with case installed

Price: $20 – $89.99 depending on design and device. As shown, $49.99
Where to buy: Gear4.com

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Gear4. Please visit for more info.

Organize yourself with the new Bellroy Work Folios

I’ve been thinking about adding a folio to my arsenal. I’m running to meetings all day long, and there’s something to be said for having all your paper and electronic doodads readily at hand so you don’t have to fumble around in your bag. 

Bellroy has built a reputation for innovative design using premium materials in small carry products, so I’m excited to see how this translates into their new folio designs. Two sizes are available: the A4 size will accommodate up to 8-1/2″ by 11″ (A4) papers/notebooks and a full-sized tablet, while the smaller size will accommodate  5.8″ by 8.3″ notebooks (like a Moleskine) and an e-reader or small tablet. Additional pockets will wrangle your phone, business cards, headphones, and other assorted bits.

After my recent review of one of Bellroy’s new bag designs, I’m sold on the quality of their products. The leather and materials are top notch, and construction is immaculate. And they look amazing. The Bellroy folios retail for $199 (A5 size) or $299 (A4 size). It looks like they *might* not ship in time for the holidays, but they’ll be worth the wait. Check them out at Bellroy’s web site.

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Organize yourself with the new Bellroy Work Folios originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 5, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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