I’ve owned Apple’s original AirPods since the day they were first released. Given just how much I liked my experience with them, I was quick to order the AirPods Pro when they launched last year with active noise cancellation and other perks.
Nowadays, I take either my AirPods or my AirPods Pro with me almost everywhere I go so that I have quick access to headphones whenever the need arises, but I’ve never liked carrying a scratch-prone white plastic case without some form of protection on it. To fill that requirement, I rely on Nomad’s Horween leather cases for the AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Nomad’s Horween leather Rugged AirPods case has been around for quite some time, with a more recent revision adding some much-needed improvements including a fiber optic pass-through for the LED indicator on the front of the wireless charging case and a felt-like interior that grips the AirPods case more firmly without scuffing the white plastic as the original generation unfortunately did.
A felt interior cradles your AirPods or AirPods Pro with love.
I already enjoy many of Nomad’s Horween leather accessories, so this was a no-brainer for my original AirPods. Still, I needed something for my AirPods Pro, and luckily, Nomad only recently launched similar type of protective case for the latter, which is something I’ve personally been waiting for since my AirPods Pro were delivered many months ago.
A fiber optic pass-through in the front lets you see the AirPods charging status.
Just like Nomad’s original Horween leather Rugged AirPods case, the AirPods Pro version features a precise cut-out for the spine of Apple’s plastic case, enabling you to open your AirPods case without any interference.
A generously-sized spine cut-out for unimpeded maneuverability.
The fitment of the case is inexplicably good, with a tight/snug fit that feels about as sturdy as I could ever ask for from a third-party manufacturer.
Scary-good fitment comes standard.
If you have an active lifestyle, then you’ll be happy to know that the AirPods Pro case features an integrated lanyard loop for helping you keep your AirPods Pro in reach without losing them. Unfortunately, the basic AirPods case doesn’t feature the same lanyard loop…
A place to connect a lanyard and prevent lost AirPods Pro.
Like all Nomad products, the company keeps their branding to a minimum, with their seemingly inconspicuous name subtly etched into the top of the cases:
Minimal design and branding. Good.
If you’re in the market to keep your AirPods or AirPods Pro protected as you bring them out and about, then I would recommend these sleek and rugged options from Nomad. They are available in black or brown with both American Horween leather and water-resistant German Heinen leather options for the regular AirPods, but only in the Horween variety for the AirPods Pro. The Horween styles were displayed in this piece.
Pros:
- Best-looking AirPods cases on the market
- Snug fit with internal felt lining
- Fiber optic LED light pass-through
- Allows you to still wirelessly charge your AirPods
- Different colors to choose from
Cons:
- Semi-pricey
- Leather will scuff up over time if you abuse or drop your AirPods
All Nomad’s latest AirPods and AirPods Pro cases can be had from Nomad’s website for $40. An option is also available for the non-wireless charging AirPods case for only $29.95.
Will you be picking up a Nomad leather case for your AirPods or AirPods Pro? Let us know in the comments.