Since I was 14 (or somewhere around there), I’ve carried a wallet. Since I was 16, I’ve carried a cellphone. Now, 12 years later, try as I might, I’m still forced to carry at least some of my life in a wallet, while my iPhone becomes an increasingly common way to pay for things. This has left me seeking a way to condense things into one pocket, and eliminate the need for a stand-alone wallet – and the best solution I’ve found is the Nomad Leather Folio Wallet for iPhone
Overview:
The Leather Folio Wallet for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus ($49.99 from HelloNomad.com) is constructed of genuine Horween brown leather, and a black plastic snap-on case. The inside of the folio features 3 card slots, and a pocket for cash, making it a great way to carry an ID and your most important credit card(s) without the bulk of a full-blown wallet.
So what is Horween leather? Simply put, Horween is an American tannery, based in Chicago, specializing in high-quality leather goods. In a partnership with Nomad, Horween produces vegetable tanned leather for each Leather Folio Wallet, lightly browned, meaning each Wallet changes and becomes unique to its owner with use.
As far as overall quality goes, the plastic case holds up to inserting and removing the phone quite well. Often, this style of case will crack or weaken near the corners, but in the 6 weeks I’ve used the wallet, it has held up wonderfully. I did run into one issue early on with the leather of the folio separating from the plastic case (at the top, near the camera), and after contacting the fine folks at Nomad, they shipped out a replacement, ensuring me that this is how they would treat any customer that had a similar complaint!
Aside from that 1 small hiccup, the case has held together wonderfully and has not separated more, as I continue to use it (more on the replacement below). In my real world use, I typically carry my wallet in my back pocket, and often did the same with my iPhone. While using the Nomad Folio, I continue to carry the phone (and a couple cards) in my back pocket, sitting on it at work or in the car, which has created some unique markings in the leather already.
In terms of the replacement case, as soon as I removed it from the box, I checked the glue around the camera cutout and found that it was slightly separated from the leather, too. From what I’ve been told, this is not by design, but instead, an issue with the glue either not being placed correctly or coming separated in the manufacturing or packaging process. This doesn’t seem to pose any functional issues with the case, but is worth noting.
Verdict: [rating: 4.5]
I have always been a fan of simplifying what I carry in my pockets, and the Nomad Leather Folio Wallet enables me to carry all my important credit cards, cash, and business cards, in the convenience of an iPhone case – freeing one pocket of the bulk of a separate wallet. The use of American-produced Horween leather give me a sense of patriotism, and the gentle tanning process means my wallet will be truly unique to me in no time.
Pros:
- American made materials
- Top-notch customer service
- Excellent card/cash storage
- The smell of real leather
Cons:
- Possible issues with the glue on the case
If you’re interesting in simplifying your wallet situation, and like the idea of an iPhone case with a built-in wallet, the Nomad Leather Folio Wallet is a delightful option for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus owners – $49.99 from HelloNomad.com.
