Pros: Reasonably priced fabric handmade iPod pouches that range in style from furry, complete iPod holders to thick felt enclosures, with optional neckholders.
Cons: Limited iPod control or screen access while inside, both cases expose iPod’s top, while AirPodz version also exposes much of iPod’s bottom. Style of AirPodz is especially drab.
In our separate review today of furry pouch-style cases from HotRomz (iLounge rating: B), we noted that the “sock” category of iPod holders isn’t our favorite – the lack of screen and control access means that you’re basically just buying something to keep your iPod generally safe from the other contents of a bag or pocket. There have been some variations on the theme, such as the holiday-specific Marware Santa (iLounge rating: B+), and Apple’s notorious, generic iPod Socks (iLounge rating: B-), and we continue to cover these designs mostly because some of our readers enjoy them.
Pouches
Like HotRomz, Burning Love has developed a series of handmade furry Pouches that range in price from $13 to $16 – a lower price than the HotRomz cases, but also without HotRomz’ gift-friendly packaging, certificate of authenticity, and other made-to-order touches. The model we received is called the Valleygirl Pod Pouch ($13.00), an off-white satin sleeve with soft pink fur on its outside. Full-sized (20GB or 30/40GB) and mini iPod versions are available, and Burning Love includes a fabric loop for the mini case and sells an optional neckholder ($2.50) that we didn’t receive for review.
The case is as simple as it looks: other than the pink faux fur, there’s a small orange Burning Love logo tag on one top side of the case. Other versions – Tiger, Jungle Fever, Velvet, Fuzzy Furball, and several corduroy styles – are available as well, with the Chewbacca-like Fuzzy Furball priced at the $16 high water mark. None of the cases offer the same iPod top protection as the HotRomz versions; there’s not enough thread to overhang and cover the top surface. But like HotRomz, these cases have the same iPod control and screen access limitations – you’ll need to pull the iPod out or press the buttons through the case without looking.
Though the lack of top protectiveness on the Pouch would normally merit a bit lower of a rating than the HotRomz design, the fact that this case is sold at a lower price and with other color alternatives than HotRomz will make it generally just as appealing to fans of sock-like designs. Some may also want to try the neckholder option – we only wish we could say more on its value and comfort level.
AirPodz
Burning Love also sells AirPodz ($15.00), thick felt cases in several colors (gray, teal, red, pink, green), and sizes for both the 3G/4G iPods and iPod mini. As with the Pouches, these cases cover all of an iPod’s sides and faces except the top and bottom, which they leave entirely exposed except for one thin strip of fabric on the bottom. A fabric loop on the back can be used for attachment to an optional neckholder hook ($2) and a small orange Burning Love tag hangs off the side. Because of their thickness, button access is even more limited in AirPodz than with the Pouches.
We can’t claim to have been enthusiastic about our review sample in gray, which looked and felt mostly like a chalkboard eraser, albeit one more professionally made than some of the low-end cases we’ve seen. From what we can gather from Burning Love’s website, we saw the least interesting of the AirPodz, but in equal parts because of the plainness, the control limitations, and the exposed top and bottom, it’s not a design we’d pick for ourselves regardless of color.
Our Rating
Pouches
AirPodz
Company and Price
Company: Burning Love
Website: www.BurningLove.biz
Model: Valleygirl Pod Pouch
AirPodz Felt Pouch
Price: $13.00-16.00
Compatible: iPod 3G, 4G, mini