You’ve heard me talk about products from Nomad before. From sweet straps for your Apple Watch to all-in-one charging solutions, the company is one of the best accessory makers for Apple devices. Some of its most popular and well-known products are its leather cases, and now the brand is adding a new one designed for the iPad Pro.
Called the Leather Folio, the case is designed to keep your iPad thin and light while protecting it with rich, high-quality leather. And, as you’d expect, it’s one of the best leather cases you’ll find for the iPad on the market.
Pricing and availability (and why you might want to act quickly)
The Nomad iPad Leather Folio and Leather Folio Plus give your iPad a stylish and distinct layer of protection while doubling as a handy display stand for hands-free viewing.
The 11-inch Leather Folio costs $120, while the Plus model is $130. Similarly, you’re looking at $140 for the 12.9-inch Leather Folio and $150 for the Plus. All four variations come in black or brown, and they’re available to order now.
Every time I write about Nomad’s products, I have to disclose something: They tend to go fast. Like, really fast. The company has gotten better at ensuring it has enough supply for everyone’s order, but if this is anything like the glow-in-the-dark Apple Watch band, you might want to grab your Leather Folio case sooner rather than later.
A premium leather protector for your iPad Pro
The first thing that struck me about the Leather Folio was just how thin and light it felt. Nomad doesn’t include a rugged shell to slot your iPad into; instead, it’s basically a slice of full-grain, sustainably sourced leather (available in brown or black) with a microfiber lining on the opposite side that wraps around your iPad with magnets. This keeps the weight of your tablet low while adding an incredibly premium touch.
Nomad sells two versions of the Leather Folio: the standard version that solely protects your iPad, and a Plus version that includes a flap so you have somewhere to store your Apple Pencil. I was sent the Plus version to check out, and despite not having an Apple Pencil, I prefer it to the regular Folio. It adds a sort of luxurious cherry on top of the premium cake that the Folio is, so I’d say it’s worth the extra $10.
The Leather Folio works with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros as well as the fourth- and fifth-gen iPad Air models; if you have a regular iPad or iPad Mini, you’re out of luck. Luckily, it doesn’t matter how old your 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad is; I have an 11-inch model from 2018, and it fits my device perfectly fine. The camera cutout is obviously way bigger than it needs to be, but I don’t mind it since I never look at the back of it.
As is the case with most premium folio cases for the iPad, you can fold the Leather Folio into a few different positions to prop up your iPad for hands-free viewing. I always enjoy curling the screen side into a triangle to stand it up for watching YouTube while eating breakfast in the morning, and you can do the same while setting it down on a table for a writing surface at an angle. And, since there are magnets, your iPad will automatically wake up and go to sleep when you open or close it.
I’ve used Nomad’s leather iPhone cases for years, and over time, they always develop a stunning patina that makes them look better and better. The same thing will happen with the Leather Folio; Nomad is using the same type of leather for this case, and over time, it’ll look uniquely yours.
Obviously, if you want to really protect your iPad, you’re better off with a more rugged option. The edges of your tablet are exposed to the elements, and I’m sure any sort of drop onto a hard surface will result in a crack or other damage. Still, if all you need is a bit of protection and don’t want to sacrifice looks, this is a terrific option.
