Nomad’s new iPad folios bring back the leather touch

Although Apple has abandoned leather in its product line, third-party accessory makers are moving full steam ahead. Nomad’s latest cases for iPad Air and iPad Pro, the Leather Folio and the Leather Folio PlusThey have a similar design and features to Apple’s Smart Folio cases but with a leather finish.

Leather Folio cases attach to the back of the iPad with magnets and provide a sleeker profile than the company’s other iPad cases. They automatically wake and sleep the iPad when it is opened and closed, and the front cover can be folded back to use as a stand in landscape orientation, like Apple’s cases. Inside there is a microfiber finish to keep the screen protected.

The Plus model, which costs $10 more than the standard Leather Folio, adds a magnetic flap to hold the Apple Pencil in place more securely.

The leather on the outside of the case is quite thin and soft to the touch – no pebbles or texture. You can opt for black or brown colors, and there are sizes available for the 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro, as well as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Aside from the leather finish, the Nomad cases are pretty basic. Although the iPads they work with have been around for over half a decade, Nomad isn’t doing anything different with these cases in terms of functionality, aside from the basic Apple Pencil flap. There’s no way to fold the cover to hold the iPad in portrait orientation, the amount of protection provided against drops and spills is minimal, and the cases don’t provide much additional grip. It doesn’t take long to find other cases with many more features on Amazon, often for much lower prices.

On the other hand, the magnets are strong, the microfiber lining is soft, and the Nomad leather cases are easy to take on and off the iPad when you don’t want them.

The biggest hurdle might be the price: The basic Leather Folio costs $120 for the 11-inch size and $140 for the 12.9-inch version. The Plus model, which only adds the Apple Pencil flap, costs up to $150.

I have a feeling that many people will find it difficult to justify spending so much on an iPad case, even if they are looking for something with leather, and it’s not difficult to find much cheaper alternatives. TO Torro leather cover It has the exact same feature set and can be purchased for as little as $70, for example. A Pitaka faux leather cover. It’s even more affordable and offers a variety of support options, without compromising on thickness or weight compared to the Nomad.