Review: Vaja i-Vod 3G

Pros: Great quality leather and nicely designed. Good functionality and protection.

Cons: Price is higher than most leather cases, but again it’s the quality of leather and construction you’re paying for.

I think by now most of the iPod nation knows the reputation behind Vaja cases, be it for PDA’s, cellphones or iPods. Vaja makes some of the best cases in the world for your digital devices, including our favorite music player the iPod. Vaja recently released the new redesigned I-VOLUTION i-Vod3G to accomodate 3G iPods.

A Case of a Different Breed

The i-Vod3G case is a breed unto its own. There is no case like it being made with its semi-“puffed” leather exterior and innovative design. The i-Vod3G’s seams are neatly tucked like a fine uphlostered peice of leather furniture. There are no stitched seams to be seen. The i-Vod3G is constructed from a bonded-leather process, making everything nice and neat. The front of the case wraps the iPod’s face in a protected mask of clear, semi-hard vinyl… a feature missing from the previous i-Vod for classic iPods. The back of the i-Vod3G has a metal post for attaching the industry standard swivel belt-clip. You can also order an i-Vod3G without a belt clip, making the case even more streamlined than it already is.

Functional Design

Like most sleeve case designs, you slip the iPod in through the top, and access to all functions is a finger tip away. The puffed exterior is soft to the touch, while the rigid interior provides stiff protection against any mishaps. Although the top corners are not covered by the case, it’s an intentional form follows function design making it easy to pull the iPod out of its well fitting, snug-but-not-too-tight leather home.

Conclusion

This is definitely one of the top cases for iPod… well-made and with quality, hand-picked Argentine leather. Whenever I open cases sent to me by Vaja, the room fills with ‘this is real quality leather’ smell. Although some of you might not care for the $65.90 price tag for a Vaja case, or could care less about its “puffy” look, I think you can’t go wrong with an i-Vod3G… or any of their cases for that matter.

I’d also like to note that Vaja offers customized i-Vod3Gs on its website for those who want a case with engraved name and one of many leather/color combos not offered in the standard model.