Nutshell iPhone/Otterbox case review

If you are like me, you want expensive stuff to really last. For my iPhone, that meant getting an Otterbox Defender. I always get a slightly nervous feeling when I see someone handling an iPhone without a case. It really doesn't take much of a mistake to destroy one. If you aren't familiar with Otterbox by the way, their cases are about the toughest thing going. Well worth a look.

The Otterbox Defender is a great case. You iPhone will survive a lot of situations that would demolish it otherwise. It does have one serious problem though. The included belt clip is junk. There is just no other way to say it. It is a hard plastic clip contraption that holds your phone by friction more than anything else. If you rely on the stock belt clip, your phone will fall out sooner or later. (The Defender will save it from damage mind you but but not from loss if you don't notice that it's gone) That's where Nutshell comes in. You know those thick leather holsters the police carry their guns in, think of that, but for a phone. Nutshell uses strong, high quality, leather and a very rigid reinforced steel belt clip. The interior of the case is felt lined and the Velcro tab secures the top quite effectively. Additionally, the interior side of the case is extra stiffened so that if your iPhone is inserted screen side in, there is almost no way to break your screen.

The example you see above has been worn daily for two years. It's picked up a few scuffs here and there but is otherwise functioning perfectly. In addition to snugly holding an iPhone/Otterbox combo, this case also works perfectly with the Mophie Juice Pack Air, at least on my 3GS.

The total price for this sort of protection will run you about $100. That sounds expensive to be sure but it really beats the expense and hassle of replacing a destroyed iPhone by a wide margin when you think about it. After two years of daily use in all sorts of conditions (NYC Subway every day, cycling all over the place, numerous vacations, and lots of roughhouse play with my kids) my iPhone doesn't have a scratch. That's the best recommendation I can make.