Not happy with my Nomad Leather 13 Pro case - appreciate suggestions for alternatives

[eoren1]

On my previous 11 Pro, I used the Apple leather case and really liked it. Loved the cutout bottom as it helped with orienting the device quickly and found enough protection for the dozen or so drops the phone sustained over 2 years.

For the 13 Pro, I decided to go with Nomad as their leather looked nicer than the Apple one. The leather is nice but the following annoy me:
1. The bottom panel is solid across and the cutouts for the speaker/lightning port are sharp enough that they make it uncomfortable to hold with the phone resting on me left pinky
2. The bottom being solid makes orienting the device a PITA
3. The sides being black plastic detracts from the leather. It looks to me like a cheap black plastic case since I never look at the back part
4. The NFC is very gimmicky - hard to get it to activate with my wife's 13 Pro and, no matter how much I messed with it, Venmo links open as Safari on another device before then opening Venmo. Clunky and hate that it forces you to use the Popl app to even access/use the NFC

So, would love suggestions for an alternative case.

I actually really like the color of Nomad's Marine Blue sport case but it looks like I'll have the same issues - bottom cutouts digging at my pinky and the ugly black plastic surround.

I could do leather again but was looking to change it up from the prior look. MagSafe is a must. Open bottom would be nice to quickly orient the phone. My family all got Speck cases and I like the feel of the bottom of those if have to have a solid bottom.

Thanks!

 

[eoren1]

Doing some Googling and the Moment leather in Indigo Blue and the Mujjo leather in Monaco Blue both look promising but neither shows the bottom. The Moment is leather wrapped over plastic so concerned about the same feel as the Nomad. Can't tell from the description if the Mujjo is just leather.

Also there is one from Saddleback Leather that looks like it has potential but concerned about the 'MagSafe compatible' notice (no magnet so will it attach to a holder or just allow charge through?) and the lack of color options is a bit disappointing.

The Vaja is very customizable which is nice and has huge cutouts. Curious if anyone has thoughts on their case.

 

[Aniseedvan]

I don’t have one but I am considering the Native Union leather case. I pre-ordered the CLic pop and sling which came this week and I love both. The Clic pop has the bottom exposed in the way you suggest, so I’d only hazard a guess the Clic Classic (which is the leather cases in the same range) would be the same.
I’ve had their leather airpod pro case on from the start and it’s very durable (and thin).

 

[WNYX]

I suggest Bullstrap. Their design is close to the open-bottomed Apple leather cases, even down to the buttons. Although Mujjo is popular, I am not a fan because their buttons are hard to press, especially in the winter.

 

[eoren1]

I suggest Bullstrap. Their design is close to the open-bottomed Apple leather cases, even down to the buttons. Although Mujjo is popular, I am not a fan because their buttons are hard to press, especially in the winter.

DONE! Ordered the Ocean case. Thanks!

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

DONE! Ordered the Ocean case. Thanks!

Gooood choice. When I saw you mention the open bottom I had to resist the urge to just jump to the end without reading the rest of the responses. Bullstrap is easily the best leather out there. The only reason I don't have one is because I prefer the closed bottom of the Apple leather case.

I have one that I bought for the Mini last year but that phone when to the wife and she prefers the silicone case so I never get to see it.

 

[Quarric]

I’ve got a Mujjo one. I’ve found no issues with the buttons being hard to push. It’s not mag safe though.
I’ve just got a Mous case as well, that is mag safe, but you might not like the sides.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I’ve got a Mujjo one. I’ve found no issues with the buttons being hard to push. It’s not mag safe though.
I’ve just got a Mous case as well, that is mag safe, but you might not like the sides.

I have a buddy looking at getting a Mous case for his 13PM. Care to expand on your thoughts for that one?

 

[WNYX]

DONE! Ordered the Ocean case. Thanks!

I look forward to seeing the pictures. I think I would have a hard time deciding between Ocean and Bourbon. I also like their logo.

 

[Quarric]

I have a buddy looking at getting a Mous case for his 13PM. Care to expand on your thoughts for that one?

Baring in mind I’ve only had it about 3 hours currently, I like it. I went for the speckled black one, I’m not sure the speckled one is real leather like the solid black one, but it does have the sort of texture on the back that makes me want to run my fingers over it. The case is solid and fits snugly, there’s no way this case is going to have any issues with loose corners or anything. I’ll actually have to try to remove it, if it needs to come off, it’s well secured in there my phone.
Buttons are easy to push mute switch etc are easy to access.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Baring in mind I’ve only had it about 3 hours currently, I like it. I went for the speckled black one, I’m not sure the speckled one is real leather like the solid black one, but it does have the sort of texture on the back that makes me want to run my fingers over it. The case is solid and fits snugly, there’s no way this case is going to have any issues with loose corners or anything. I’ll actually have to try to remove it, if it needs to come off, it’s well secured in there my phone.
Buttons are easy to push mute switch etc are easy to access.

He sent me a link to the black speckled and it says fabric so probably not leather. He ended up pulling the trigger on the black leather variant.

 

[KO7]

Hmm doesn’t sound promising for me since my Nomad arrives tomorrow for my PM. I “need” the extra drop protection that the Nomad provides so I’ll give it a fair chance. Do love how the apple leather case feels in hand though.

 

[sonstar]

For the 13 Pro, I decided to go with Nomad as their leather looked nicer than the Apple one. The leather is nice but the following annoy me:
1. The bottom panel is solid across and the cutouts for the speaker/lightning port are sharp enough that they make it uncomfortable to hold with the phone resting on me left pinky
2. The bottom being solid makes orienting the device a PITA
3. The sides being black plastic detracts from the leather. It looks to me like a cheap black plastic case since I never look at the back part

All known complaints from those that have used them before.
My Mrs never has these complaints though with her 2.5 year old XR folio and now a new 12 max folio.
I had 11 pro and 12 max black cases.

You can get around the bottom with finger adjustment.
With a GSP the lip is minimal so don't see that as a problem with swiping, apples case is higher.
The sides can be a bonus especially with wet/sweaty hands, also is not sticky/clammy like apples leather gets especially in warmer/himd weather.

You either like them or hate them.

 

[KO7]

Update: My Nomad black leather case came in, and I returned the Apple Midnight one. I like the added peace of mind of the Nomad’s drop protection advantage. No surprise that the Apple one gives the phone a much more svelte profile in look and feel compared to the Nomad. The Apple’s leather feel is definitely quite a lot nicer straight out the box too, IMO. Both of them stick/stuck to my ESR HaloLock car mount well with no issues. So far, no complaints with how the Nomad feels resting on my left pinky finger.

 

[kingston73]

Doing some Googling and the Moment leather in Indigo Blue and the Mujjo leather in Monaco Blue both look promising but neither shows the bottom. The Moment is leather wrapped over plastic so concerned about the same feel as the Nomad. Can't tell from the description if the Mujjo is just leather.

Also there is one from Saddleback Leather that looks like it has potential but concerned about the 'MagSafe compatible' notice (no magnet so will it attach to a holder or just allow charge through?) and the lack of color options is a bit disappointing.

The Vaja is very customizable which is nice and has huge cutouts. Curious if anyone has thoughts on their case.

As far as I know EVERY leather case is leather wrapped over plastic. The only ALL leather case is the Saddleback one, and it's a bit ..... different.

 

[IconIc215]

Update: My Nomad black leather case came in, and I returned the Apple Midnight one. I like the added peace of mind of the Nomad’s drop protection advantage. No surprise that the Apple one gives the phone a much more svelte profile in look and feel compared to the Nomad. The Apple’s leather feel is definitely quite a lot nicer straight out the box too, IMO. Both of them stick/stuck to my ESR HaloLock car mount well with no issues. So far, no complaints with how the Nomad feels resting on my left pinky finger.

The feel difference is to be expected as it’s two different kinds of leather. How do the buttons compare between the two?

 

[HelyCopter23]

On my previous 11 Pro, I used the Apple leather case and really liked it. Loved the cutout bottom as it helped with orienting the device quickly and found enough protection for the dozen or so drops the phone sustained over 2 years.

For the 13 Pro, I decided to go with Nomad as their leather looked nicer than the Apple one. The leather is nice but the following annoy me:
1. The bottom panel is solid across and the cutouts for the speaker/lightning port are sharp enough that they make it uncomfortable to hold with the phone resting on me left pinky
2. The bottom being solid makes orienting the device a PITA
3. The sides being black plastic detracts from the leather. It looks to me like a cheap black plastic case since I never look at the back part
4. The NFC is very gimmicky - hard to get it to activate with my wife's 13 Pro and, no matter how much I messed with it, Venmo links open as Safari on another device before then opening Venmo. Clunky and hate that it forces you to use the Popl app to even access/use the NFC

So, would love suggestions for an alternative case.

I actually really like the color of Nomad's Marine Blue sport case but it looks like I'll have the same issues - bottom cutouts digging at my pinky and the ugly black plastic surround.

I could do leather again but was looking to change it up from the prior look. MagSafe is a must. Open bottom would be nice to quickly orient the phone. My family all got Speck cases and I like the feel of the bottom of those if have to have a solid bottom.

Thanks!

bullstrap , though expensive, shows the bottom

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

bullstrap , though expensive, shows the bottom

Bullstrap has the best leather, hands down. If they sold one with a closed bottom it would be my go-to.

 

[KO7]

The feel difference is to be expected as it’s two different kinds of leather. How do the buttons compare between the two?

Yeah straight out of the box, the Nomad one feels like hard rough plastic compared to the Apple’s… it’s downright gross in comparison. My Nomad on the 7Plus eventually became supple enough so I’m not worried.

Preferred the buttons on the Apple’s as well. My Nomad’s volume up button is substantially stiffer than the volume down and power button.

Basically the Apple case wins hands-down in every possible way except for protection, and I’m sorta missing it now.

 

[eoren1]

Update: finally got the Bullstrap and it’s okay but already emailed support since the bottom right or the iPhone keeps lifting up from the case.

They sent me link to a YouTube video on how to properly install - which I did and redid.

Offered an exchange but advised of long delays.

 

[PKdeGallo]

The Bullstrap is nice but I find the magnets to be really weak compared to the Apple leather or even other cases such as the Cadaube ones.

 

[Madtiger27]

Yeah straight out of the box, the Nomad one feels like hard rough plastic compared to the Apple’s… it’s downright gross in comparison. My Nomad on the 7Plus eventually became supple enough so I’m not worried.

Preferred the buttons on the Apple’s as well. My Nomad’s volume up button is substantially stiffer than the volume down and power button.

Basically the Apple case wins hands-down in every possible way except for protection, and I’m sorta missing it now.

I would bet that the Apple Leather case is better for protection than Nomad (and pretty every 3rd party leather case).

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I would bet that the Apple Leather case is better for protection than Nomad (and pretty every 3rd party leather case).

Yeah I’ve seen that video as well. I’ve also seen a lot of folks criticizing it as a sales tactic from Apple… not knowing how many takes they shot, etc. but if legit, I’m impressed. I’ve always had good luck with my Apple leather cases.

Nomad smells way better, the buttons are crazy responsive and they seem to have resolved the sharp cutouts on the latest 13 Pro variant.

Edit: Disregard the above. At first glance I though it was the EAP video.

 

[sonstar]

I would bet that the Apple Leather case is better for protection than Nomad (and pretty every 3rd party leather case).

My max flew out of my hand yesterday from about 5ft and bounced across a timber floor, not a mark or scratch on it or the midnight leather case.
So the case did it’s job.

 

[Madtiger27]

it was the EAP video.

why you think EAP works for apple when he sells cases to compete against apple?

I understand he may fake his case drop test results, but why would he fake apple case drop test result? In the other video, you clearly see apple cases dropping and surviving.