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!

The RexRegina Hamilton Case [$44.95 - TiPb Store link] is hands down one of the finest crafted leather pouches I have used to date. While this particular type of case may only appeal to a certain crowd, I can not recommend it highly enough for those of you who are fans of the pouch case. For the full run-down read on after the break!

This RexRegina Hamilton case is a perfect fit for any business man or woman out there that is looking for a classy yet simple case to keep an iPhone protected. It is made from the finest leather available directly from the Tuscany region in Italy. And once you get the case in your hands you can instantly feel it’s high build quality.

With it’s slim profile you can slide the case into a computer bag, briefcase, purse or pocket with ease. Within the first couple days of use the fit may feel a bit too snug for your liking but give it time, the leather will break in but not so much that the phone would easily fall out of the case. You can rest easy knowing that the fit is secure. Another nice feature is one that not many pouch cases actually have – access to the volume control and the ring/silent switch. The side height is designed to allow easy access to the controls, which is a welcome addition to a pouch case.

Like I mentioned early, these types of cases are not for everybody, but if you are someone who prefers high quality pouch cases it may be worth your while to give this case a try.

Learn more and purchase @TiPb’s iPhone 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: