If you want to have a reaction from the people around you the Speck ToughSkin is definitely the way to go. It looks like a tire wrapped around the iPhone, and the deep threads breathe masculinity…gone wrong. If your primary interests are moonshine, custom cars and cheap tobacco you can’t go wrong with the ToughSkin. I don’t share that lifestyle, but I still enjoy the look and feel of this case. It feels sturdy, and the grip is enhanced by the rubber threads.
When playing games using the Speck ToughSkin the added grip, and structure really helps. Due to the fact that there is structure to the case I move my fingers around, and this helps keeping my hands and arms fresh. As the friction also makes it possible to hold the case in any position, and even one handed it is a real saver when playing long sessions.
The case is also designed to minimise intrusion to the screen. Having the area around the front speaker feels good, and makes the screen seem bigger.
All buttons are accessible when using the Speck ToughSkin, and the volume controls along with the silent switch are actually easier to locate. This is due to having bulging rubber indicating where they are. The iPhone is dockable by removing the lower third of the case, as it simply hinges backwards. A large flaw is that after only weeks of normal usage the bottom part of the rubber is beginning to stretch. It no longer hugs the iPhone around the home button, and it annoys me when using the phone. Too many times I have managed to quit a game when trying to carefully massage the rubber into the home button cut-out, and accidentally pressed the home button in the process.
The protection offered by the Speck ToughSkin is really good as the rubber is thick, and absorbs shock quite well. The screen is not protected by the case against puncture accidents. Speck ships the ToughSkin with screen protection film that solves that problem. When it comes to shock and drop protection the Speck ToughSkin is as touch as a tire. It is not waterproof, but as there is a limited number of cut-outs it can be used in light rain.
I have to mention the poor hip holster as well. It is the lightest of all holsters I have seen, and it grips the case snugly. This is part of the problem as it is near impossible to remove the case from the holster when used in a belt. In 90% of all tests I had to remove the entire holster as well. There are two large pincers holding the iPhone, and they stick out in a strange manner. If worn beneath a jacket it protrudes in a strange way. I always like to have a holster for the protection oriented cases, but in the case of the Speck ToughSkin I would rather have the case barebones. Positive aspects of the holster are that you can wear the iPhone either screen facing inwards or outwards. It can also be used as a stand in landscape mode making it useful when watching videos.
Summary
Pros
Great impact protection.
All buttons work well, and the case is dockable.
Includes screen protection.
Improved grip when playing.
The hip holster can be used as stand when playing video.
Masculine look and feel.
Cons
Flimsy hip holster with strangely designed protruding plastic parts.
Hard to remove the iPhone from the holster, usually the holster also needs to be removed.
The rubber stretches, and becomes loose over the home button.
Bulky design.
The masculine look can seem childish to others.
Premium protection combined with a cool look and feel. The Speck ToughSkin might not be the thing to smack down on a conference table at a meeting. It is meant to be used out and about, but also enhances the gaming with the added grip. Some kinks in the construction of the holster, and stretching rubber at the bottom third draw down the overall impression. If you are looking for a great protection that draws a lot of both wanted and unwanted attention the Speck ToughSkin is easy to recommend.
Final Rating
Speck ToughSkin at Speck.com $34.95
Speck ToughSkin at the US Apple Store $34.95
