Update: Check out my review for the Nomad iPhone 14 cases.
I’ve never been a case kind of guy. Ever since I got my first smartphone, I’ve never felt the need to make it bulkier than it already is. Thankfully I’ve only dropped one phone in the last decade, but if I were more prone to dropping things, I would probably start looking at cases a little differently.
That said, when I got my iPhone X, I was alarmed at how pricey it was to fix if you managed to break the screen, so I finally decided to try out some cases.
I gravitated towards brown leather since I like the patina it can develop, and I can’t stand how silicon gets stuck when you try to put it in your pocket. I bought the standard Apple case but was intrigued when I saw what Nomad was offering and wanted to compare the two.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case-8](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28ca28c_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-8-980x653.jpeg)
Their case is somewhat similar in aesthetics, but the main difference is the durability between the two. Constructed of high-grade polycarbonate fused to a rubber bumper the case provides both perimeter and screen protection. Nomad states that the case will withstand 10ft drop protection, but I’m not about to test that on purpose.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28ca289_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-5-980x653.jpeg)
Both devices come lined with a soft material that will help resist scratches on the back of the phone.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28ca272_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-4-980x653.jpeg)
A significant difference between the two is noticeable on the bottom of the case. While the Apple case has an open bottom, it’s entirely closed on the Nomad.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552642c5e18cbf28ca2ea_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-7-980x653.jpeg)
Looking at them from the side, you can see a slight size difference, but it’s honestly smaller than I thought it was going to be.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28c9ee6_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-6-980x653.jpeg)
Inside the case, there is a removable sticker stating that the case is made of Horween leather from America but assembled in China.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28c9986_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-9-980x653.jpeg)
Once the sticker is removed, you can see the Nomad logo gently debossed.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28c9da5_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-12-980x653.jpeg)
The one thing I will say about this case that I’ve noticed is how deep the mute switch sits—it’s hard to get to easily. When I first got the case, I also saw the volume buttons would be triggered depending on how I held the case, but as the case broke in, that problem went away over time.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552642c5e18cbf28ca32d_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-2-980x653.jpeg)
The closed bottom adds an extra layer of protection, without getting in the way of the power cord or speakers.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28c9bc6_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-10-980x653.jpeg)
True to its word, it’s slowly developing a great looking patina. This is what my phone currently looks like after about three months of use.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28c9f45_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-11-980x653.jpeg)
You can see how the case lightly wraps around the front of the device, protecting the screen. It can be a bit tricky to get off at first, but it’s one of the side effects or a case focused on durability.
![Nomad Rugged iPhone Case](https://assets-global.website-files.com/64e552632c5e18cbf28c973d/64e552632c5e18cbf28ca271_Nomad-Rugged-iPhone-Case-13-1-980x653.jpeg)
Final thoughts
Overall, this case has grown on me considering I was against using them in the past. If you’re going to get a case, you might as well get something that will protect your phone from drops, have the smallest size possible, and look good in the process. I think this case does all three.