I try to keep my accessories to a minimal aesthetic and I want to ensure the quality matches Apple’s hardware experience. Consequently, I am extremely picky when it comes to my everyday carry items that pair with my gadgets. Thankfully, I stumbled across Woolnut’s leather sleeve for MacBook and love the quality craftsmanship.
Woolnut Leather Sleeve for MacBook
Until I found the Woolnut Leather Sleeve for MacBook, I was letting my MacBook Pro 13” jumble around in my TUMI Alpha Brava bag like an animal. Don’t get me wrong, the TUMI has a nice section in the main compartment just for laptops and tablets, so it was contained. However, I always wanted some extra protection, especially if I wanted to just grab my MacBook and run to the coffee shop.
I was lost for a case or accessory that matched the TUMI style. I didn’t want to just toss it in any old neoprene zipper case, snap it into a cheap hardshell or, worse, wrap it in a skin. Woolnut answered the call.
The Leather Sleeve for MacBook by Woolnut is made with full-grain leather from Scandinavia. The good kind. Like, the kind you can smell as soon as you open the product box. That intense leather smell that hits like fine chocolate or great coffee. It sits on your hands and you can still smell the leather after walking away. Inside, you find 100% natural wood felt from a German manufacturer, that has led manufacturing efforts for more than 120 years.
The materials are combined in a modern looking sleeve with tight stitching and precision cut sizes. The Leather Sleeve for MacBook is advertised as a tailor-made fit for every MacBook model and I agree with this claim. In fact, it took me a while to break in the sleeve to easily pull the laptop back out, once inserted. Over time, the leather has begun to comfortably wear around MacBook’s shape and I can easily insert and retrieve it, yet it stays securely inside when carrying it around. The leather is extremely soft to the touch, but still easily holds its shape based on the thickness and wool lining.
It is just larger than the MacBook Pro 13”, at 9.3 inches x 12.6 inches x .28 inches (WxHxD).
One little item that may go unnoticed if you aren’t looking for it is the horizontal stitch at the open end, which is intended to keep the opening from stretching to the point of failure. Just another way they pay attention to the details.
I’ve been carrying the sleeve for about 3 months at this point and I’m using it as my everyday carry. While we slowly return to office, I am commuting and working downtown about 3-4 times per week and the Woolnut sleeve is along for the ride every time. Being somewhat nomadic, even at the office, I often use the sleeve as a pillow on top of which I place the MacBook. This means if I’m on an unfamiliar surface that might be extra dusty or crumbly, the sleeve acts as a safe place for the hardware.
The contemporary design is void of any large branding or logos, save one side has the word “Woolnut” stamped unobtrusively on the bottom. Given the price point and the quality class in which this sleeve sits, I’m glad to see the manufacturer take a second place to the large Scandinavian canvas.
Conclusion
I am looking forward to seeing this sleeve age with me over time. The 100% full-grain leather will begin to naturally patina the more I use it.
If you are worried that this is an overly gushing review or that I’ve been somehow compensated for the favorable commentary, I have not. Just keep in mind that I’ve waited years to find a quality product. Woolnut did provide this unit for review, but I reached out to form a relationship.
After seeing the product images and reading the materials description on their site, I was really excited when they agreed to send me a sample in cognac, a rich brown colorway. I was more excited when it came in the mail and that leather smell hit me upon opening the shipping box.
At $82.50 Euro ($96.52 USD, at time of writing), it is certainly an investment. I plan to have a 13” MacBook or MacBook Air model for the foreseeable future. Consequently, at this price, it would be something I hoped to use for many years to come. Given the durability provided by quality materials and incredibly well manufacturing, this is a safe investment piece for your premium Apple hardware. Offer your MacBook a comfortable place to call home, that is as premium as your hardware.
The Leather Sleeve is available in green, black, and cognac and fits both the 13” MacBook Air and 13” MacBook Pro. Having both devices, I can confirm the fit is incredible on each.