Proporta has developed an own unique idea for protecting the screen of the iPhone. I have encountered this sewn in aluminium sheet in a number of different case designs. There is even a Smart Case with the screen protection made from bamboo. Now I get to test how well the aluminium screen protection works in a pouch.
The Aluminium Lined Leather Pouch is a pull strap pouch made from great quality leather. Inside the front of the pouch a sheet of extremely lightweight aluminium has been sewn in between the leather, and lining. This sheet covers the screen only. For protection the pouch is great, especially for the screen. Sides, bottom and back are covered by a thin layer of leather and lining. For everyday use that is definitely enough, but personally I would have liked a sheet of aluminium for the back glass as well. When inserted in the pouch the top of the phone is level with the top of the pouch. This leaved the phone somewhat vulnerable, and I would have liked to see two millimetres higher sides.
This is a sleek well fitted pouch. Not too tight, but tight enough not to let the phone fall out by itself. You can shake it out to about 75% with one hefty shake. This needs to be a conscious shake though. Pulling it out using the pull strap is safer, but you need to use both hands. A third way to get the phone out lets you extract it using only one hand. Simply push it out from the bottom, then push on the back where there is no aluminium keeping it rigid. No matter what method you use the phone will emerge, and I like to have the different options.
The leather is soft, and has a nice shine to it. It also has a strong leather smell that is on the edge of becoming annoying. I am not aware if this is something that fades over time. The pinstriped lining is made from a thin fabric. When the phone emerges from the pouch it does have the same smudges it had going in. There is no wipe function from the pouch that other thicker linings can provide.
The design of the pouch is sleek, and sophisticated. Compared to a lot of other pouches I have tried it is quite mellow. The workmanship is excellent, and I have only seen one loose thread and that is inside the lining. Black leather with red threads is a great colour combination, and it is accentuated by the red leather pull strap end. I like the brand integration with the Proporta indented on the back, and a small hole showing the armadillo logo pressed into the aluminium. Details such as these are important to showcase the great screen protecting solution Proporta has pioneered for the last seven years.
Proporta has managed to create one of the best pull strap pouches available for the iPhone 4. Sleek, well-made and with a great level of protection there are just minor blemishes holding back the fifth star. If you want a pull strap pouch there is only one clear alternative when it comes to function and design: the Aluminium Lined Leather Pouch from Proporta.
Final Rating
Aluminium Lined Leather Pouch at Proporta.co.uk £29.95
