If you’re the type of person that doesn’t like to put a physical case on their iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S, the Golla line of pouches may be more up your alley. While you aren’t using your iPhone they’ll do a great job of protecting it as well as giving you a bit of storage space for things such as credit cards or an ID.

I took a look at two different kind of Golla pouches – the Golla Jacinda Smart Bag and the Golla Bay Pouch. The main difference I noticed between the two were the material type. The Bay Pouch had more of a corduroy feel to it while the Jacinda pouch was more of a mesh on the inside.

Both cases fit the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S extremely nicely. I felt like the fit wasn’t loose enough that my iPhone would fall out but it wasn’t tight to where it was a pain taking it in and out each time. I also liked the ability to keep my credit card, bank card, and ID in the front slot.

I hate carrying a purse so anytime I can get away with not having one, I do. This case made that possible. I found myself frequently using the carabiner to attach my phone to my belt loop or laptop bag. I thought this was extremely convenient. I never really found a use for the lanyard.

Pros

• Very nice fit with both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S
• I felt as if it honestly did protect the phone in most instances
• Great for anyone who wants to carry their device naked or with just a body shield
• Extra room for credit cards built into the case
• The included carabiner makes it super easy to clip the case onto virtually any bag or pair of pants
• A wide variety of colors, patterns, & styles to choose from

Cons

• Doesn’t play nice with form fitting cases which will make the phone too thick to fit. Certain thinner cases seemed to work but thicker ones won’t.
• Doesn’t provide protection while you are actually using the device
• You will have to take the device out or put it in bottom up when you need to charge your iPhone

Conclusion

I’d recommend this case for anyone that typically prefers keeping their iPhone naked. If you use an actual form fitting case on your iPhone you’ll most likely have to remove it in order for it to fit inside a Golla bag. This would probably go along nicely for those that use products like Wrapsol or InvisibleShield.

The Golla Bay Pouch and the Golla Jacinda Smart Bag are both available in the TiPb accessory store.

Giveaway

We’re giving away a couple (2) of Golla bags! Just head on over to the TiPb iPhone accessory store Golla bag page, pick the one you like best, and paste the URL into a comment below along with the reason you like it. If we pick you, we’ll send it to you! (U.S. shipping address required!)

Ready… set… go!

If you had to go into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu death match with your precious iPhone 4, which case would you be better off taking with you — the Golla Stunt Pouch or Otterbox Defender? Soft, plush fabric with the security of a magnetic flap and belt loop, or hard plastic beneath flexible silicone in a easy on, easy off holster? That’s the challenge they put to me and my husband, Antony in the debut episode of TiPb’s Amazing Case, our hardcore, case vs case tests of strength, durability, and performance.

We figure if either — or both — of these cases can survive being slammed to the mats, rolled on and over, pinned and punished, then they can survive pretty much whatever normal, day-to-day use throws at them.

Follow on after the jump for the tale of the tape, and the give-away!

Golla Stunt Case for iPhone 4

Golla Stunt is perfectly named for the stunts we’re pulling in TiPb’s Amazing Case. It’s a side-loader and claims durable fabric and a magnetic flap that’ll keep your iPhone 4 secure and scratch-free. The belt loop, while harder to take on and off, also means it’ll stay on until it’s ripped off. There’s also a zippered pocket inside for your credit cards, ID, cash, gym membership, or hospital card (depending how the stunt ends!). And if the dark tones of the Stunt don’t knock you out, there are a ton of other colors and styles to choose from.

• Soft materials
• Fun and trendy patterns and colors
• Large belt loop
• Magnetic closure

Otterbox Defender for iPhone 4

The Otterbox Defender is rugged in the rock-em-sock-em tradition, and promises protection from drops, bumps, dust, and shock. The screen is covered, the casing is covered, even the buttons and ports are covered. The silicone outer skin and the hard plastic shell are a one-two punch of protection, and notched inside its holster, it clips, it swivels, and it secures your iPhone to your belt yet lets you snap it off in an instant when needed.

• Layer 1: Thermal formed protective clear membrane. Protects keypad against scratching, as well as dust intrusion (layer optional depending on the level of protection desired)
• Layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell for an added guard against drops and shocks
• Layer 3: High quality silicone skin to absorb bump and shock
• Full access to all keys, ports and functions

Fight! (And give-away!)

Check out the video above to see the results of our Golla Stunt Pouch and Otterbox Defender Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu death-match, then head on over to the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store, find your favorite Golla bag (they’ve got tons of styles) and paste the link in the comments below. We’ll pick a couple of you and send you Golla bags of your very own. (Make sure you leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win). US mailing address required.

Are you ready? (Are you ready?) Bring it!

Why did I choose the iPhone Golla Bags for iPhone [$19.99 - TiPb Store link] for my first TiPb accessory review? Well, I have tried a wide variety of cases. Being active, I need a case that can withstand life’s little brutalities (includes being dropped, kicked, drooled on by a baby, or just plain surviving a day in my purse). So, when choosing my first review item the question that came to mind was: which iPhone case would Sarah Conner use?

Well, she would probably have a triple-lined Kevlar pouch with extra ammo clips, but if she was stuck with stock, I think she — like me — would go for the iPhone Golla Bag. Here’s why…

These soft, padded pouches come in a variety of colors and designs, from flowery pink to camouflage chic and so can blend in with whatever you are wearing, and are affordable enough that you can justify getting a few and keeping them around to mix and match.

On the less fashion, more function side, Golla pouches allow for easy access for your phone in any situation. Small enough to fit into your purse, convenient enough to attach to a belt loop via the carabineer (D ring), and flexible enough to offer a strap and a lanyard (for those who, like me, have no clue what that is, it is a looping rope with a spring clip), you have all the carry options you’ll need.

In the heat of battle your Golla Bag may be subjected to various terrains and elements, and luckily the Golla pouches are easy to clean. Most stains will come out with a wet cloth, and that includes blood, dirt or anything else you may encounter (just short of Judgment Day).

The inside of the pouch is soft and will protect the phone from scratches, though it comes at the price of having to take the phone out of the pouch each time you need to use it. There are two strips of Velcro on the front of the bags which keep the iphone secure so you don’t have to worry about it becoming unattached and having the phone fall out. The pockets are great in that you can go jogging and bring your phone and have space for some cash and keys.

If you are like me and lose your iPhone ear buds and accessories all the time, the Golla pouch has two extra pockets in order to keep all of your iPhone items in one place when you need them. The side pouch has a zipper for extra security.

Though I love the D-ring for its versatility. The downside to using the D ring is that I worry about getting my precious iPhone caught on something as it dangles. (I also managed to damaged the D-ring on one of the cases during my first week of testing — don’t ask).

Overall Golla bags are a fun versatile pouch that is affordable and comes in a wide variety of looks. Not yet tested against the T-1000.

The iPhone Golla bags were provided for review by TiPb’s iPhone accessory store.

Read on for the full review!

Construction/Design

The case is accessed by flipping open the Velcro front flap. Once open, you have two areas to store stuff. The first area is clearly reserved for the iPhone and stands our by the bright red interior color. The second area is a slightly shorter pouch where you can easily stash cash or other very small items; even the ultra small Apple Bluetooth Headset.

Flipping the case over reveals a loop to place your belt or backpack through. Some may sigh at this because of the extra steps it will take to place this case on your belt, there is no “button” or snap to open or close. I happen to think this is a great idea. Now you don’t have to worry; you know your Golla case isn’t going anywhere. You also have a metal clasp that can be used to attach keys to the case, or use it to attach the case to another bag, perhaps to a backpack. On the left side, you have a very inconspicuous zipper which reveals compartment on the underbelly of the case. Again, it looks sharp since the inside of the compartment is a bright red. This provides excellent contrast with the black external color of the case.

The Golla case is made from 80% polyester and 20% nylon for a rugged yet smooth feel. I don’t have to worry about the case or seams tearing, it is solid. The case appear to repel water well, though it is not water tight by any means, but if you spill a liquid on it, it typically will repel it and the case itself will not stain. However, it should be kept in mind that this is a soft case so if dropped, will probably not provide very much protection. The case is designed to keep your iPhone safe from everyday bumps and bruises.

Conclusion

If you are not a fan of the black look, there are several styles available; one is bound to fit your taste!

Pros:

• Stylish
• Practical
• Many compartments

Cons:

• Little padding if dropped
• Closing flap is not secure- use Velcro
• Metal clip seems more like an add-on

Rating:

To get your Golla guerrilla groove on, tune in after the break for a review of this swanky iPhone case from Golla!

Case Design

I’ve had the good fortune to try a couple different Golla cases, and there is a consistent theme throughout their product line. Golla cases are all about utility and design, which makes it a nice choice when selecting a way to carry your iPhone when it isn’t in your hands.

The Golla Camo pouch arrived to me with the signature caribiner-style clip to attach to a belt loop, purse, etc., but the other carrying options include a belt loop and detachable lanyard.

Washed green camo cloth comprises the exterior of this pouch case with a softer green material lining on the inside.

A Velcro-secured cloth flap secures your iPhone safely inside this pouch case. It is a snug fit for your iPhone, so there isn’t much in the way of room for carrying anything else in the case. Many of the other Golla cases have pockets for cash, credit card, license, etc., but not in this case (no pun intended).

This Golla case is somewhat minimalist – that’s not a bad thing, but then again, it would be nice to get a bit more bang for the buck. For instance, I would prefer to have a bit more padding for my iPhone. In the event of a drop, this case will likely prevent scratching and scuffs to your beloved iPhone, but may do little to prevent impact damage.

Final Impressions

The Golla Camo Washed Green Vertical Pouch for iPhone (available at the phonedifferent store here for $19.95) is a nice case for going casual with your iPhone and it gives you three different ways to attach the case to your person: caribiner-style slip, belt loop, and lanyard. Golla has always done well in giving their customers both style and utility.

My only concerns with this case are value and protection, both of which are related. Although $19.95 isn’t bad for a case to protect your iPhone, I would like to see a bit more padding for my money so that I have a little more peace of mind if I have a clumsy moment and (heaven forbid) drop my iPhone.

Even with these concerns, though, the Golla Camo case is a fun and utilitarian way to carry your iPhone – a nice break from the usual leather, Nylon, rubber, or metal cases you see all over the place. Give the Golla Camo case a try – it just may be what you need to stand out in the urban or actual jungle!

Pros:

• Several different ways to carry the case
• Velcro closure keeps your iPhone securely in place
• Stylish and fun camo design

• Could use some additional padding for protection
• A little pricey given lack of padding

Design: 4
Features: 4
Usability: 5
Cost/Benefit: 4

Overall: 4/5