Smooth Leather Goods for any Adventure with NOMAD
Calling ALL Nomads-Leather has never looked so good.
What started out as a Kickstarter in 2012, Nomad Goods launched a single idea - an ultra-portable, minimalist charging cable - and since then has built a freaking legit lineup of gear and goods for the modern nomad. If you are alive in the 21st century the chances of you having a iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or any form of electronic device that goes on your wrist, ears, or office desk, are close to 100%. So, finding a sleek, valuable, durable, and rugged yet smooth lineup of gear to protect, charge, and carry your devices is of most importance. Our crew found Nomad to be a brand worth exploring while you set your sights on the adventure ahead.
Nomad Goods carries a wide range of device sleeves, cases, chargers, charging stations, and desk essentials- all designed with you and the lifestyle we all live in mind. One quick browse of Nomad’s website, you will find the product lineup is vast yet specific to the essentials any guy could want when tackling the day ahead. Our crew wanted to take a deeper look into a wide range of the product line and test out various supplies offered by Nomad. Lock n’ load as we test out the Nomad Goods lineup.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
When you first jump on to Nomad Goods, you (and us) find a wide collection of goods from Cases, Power, Straps, and Gear- not to mention all in between. The sheer volume of leather goods is more robust than the menu at Cheesecake Factory, yet as refined as the menu at In-N-Out. Is anyone else hungry right now? Ok, moving along. The sleek design concepts are clearly presented and no matter what you are looking for it seems Nomad has it. Our crew honed in on a lineup of product that would cover the bases of carry and charge.
For this review we specifically focused on the iPhone Rugged Hard Case, Base Station Charging Station, Universal Charging Cable, and Slim Wallet (with Tile Tracking). Our crew grabbed hold of each product and tested it out in both work and play.
Rugged Leather Case FEATURES
Rustic Brown Horween leather from the USA
Develops a rugged patina
Thin construction
6ft drop protection
Compatible with wireless charging
Dual lanyard attachment points
Note: Lanyard not included
The Rugged Case is a simple, minimalist case that combines sleek design and sturdy protection. Within seconds of holding the case, the feel of the high-grade polycarbonate body was a sturdy yet lightweight case. The raised TPE bumper on the edge, wraps the phone like a glove but also protects the phone and screen from damage (if dropped) no matter how it slips out of your hand. The Horween leather wrapping (designed to develops a patina with time) is super smooth and a perfect texture for easy slide in and out of your pocket or workbag.
Integrated mount for Apple Watch charging cable
Ambient light sensor dims LED’s at night
USB-C PD 18W port
USB-A 7.5W port
Padded leather wireless charging surface
The Base Station (Apple Watch Mount Edition) integrates a sleek, modern design with a functional wireless charging hub. It features (3) high-power charging coils and a built-in mount for an Apple Watch charging cable. The station is small in footprint on your desk or nightstand, and is slim enough to have a low profile as well. The leather charging surface is really sleek and the ability to charge multiple devices at one time really adds value to this charging station.
Universal USB Charger FEATURES:
Kevlar® outer braid
Kevlar® central core
USB-A to Micro-USB core cable
Lightning and USB-C adapters
Metal alloy connector plugs
Integrated cable tie
1.5m Length
Apple MFi approved
We all know that iPhone cord looks like it went through a blender. This one is different. Designed to charge almost any device, the Universal Cable with Kevlar® quickly transitions between Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning connectors. It features a reinforced double-braided Kevlar® outer sheath and strong metal alloy connector housing, so you can literally beat this thing to crap and it will stand the test of time. Perfect cable for extreme durability and heavy everyday use.
Slim Wallet with Tile FEATURES:
Integrated Tile Slim for location tracking
Hidden sleeve to secure Tile Slim
Holds 7 cards comfortably with 2 cash pockets
Minimalist slim design
Horween leather from the USA
Develops a rugged patina
Who doesn’t love a slim wallet? The Nomad Slim Wallet with Tile was designed to be the one wallet that is not only minimal- but trackable. Think about that! The wallet can carry 12 cards and has a stealth pocket that hides a Tile Slim. The integrated Tile Slim uses advanced Bluetooth and crowdsourcing location technology to help you keep track of your wallet so that you never lose it. Constructed from American-made, Horween leather, the minimally treated, vegetable tanned leather is crafted to patina over time, ensuring it develops a look that changes as you add miles to it!
The lineup of goods from Nomad really does cover the everyday carry basics of anyone.
Our Initial crew Impression: Nomad has all the gear and goods bases covered.
TESTING IT OUT
Our crew took each product and loaded them up with our cell phones, credit cards, you name it- to try each of the items out as part of the review. While each product serves a different purpose, we wanted to test the entire lineup as a whole under a few different conditions: Durability and Functionality.
DURABILITY
When it comes to durability, the measure really varies by what you use it for. When it comes to a phone case you (or our crew) measure this by the ability to keep its shape/structure/aesthetics and does it protect your phone if dropped or banged up against something. For a wallet its does it sustain the everyday use in your pocket and for a charging station, it is not so much a focus. A charing cable though gets beat up more than a load of laundry in a dryer and thus, durability is essential here.
Phone Case/Wallet
We clicked in the iPhone 11 into the case and guess what?- It fit like a phone would in a case. We know, mind freaking blown. But, in terms of durability, the case really does hold it’s own. We dropped the phone from various heights and it did not crack or break and the case itself held up well. The back leather does take on some minor imperfections, but that is what makes leather wear a great aspect of the design. The wallet really does retaining the stiffness yet over the time of se, it did soften up a little inside and this created a very smooth yet worn-in feel and usability.
Charging Cable/Dock
The charging docking station just freaking sat there on the table. Yeah, come on man get a job why don’t ya!? The cable on the other hand- what a game changer. We have torn through so many chargers in our days and the process of buying more chargers that do the same thing is stupid. But, with Nomad, we love the fact that the design here does retain its structure and charging capability after several attempts to damage it. Tossing in and out of a bag, hanging it over the edge of a desk to charge, no matter how you charge- it will be there ready to juice ya up.
Overall we would say the durability score is a 10/10
FUNCTIONALITY
What the Func?(tionality). But for real- what is the point of a solid charger, phone case, wallet, the like, if it is not functional? We all have blindly ordered the phone case online and it came not as expected, or wallet shopped and they are all the same. When it comes to functionality it needs to meet both the intended use and the ability to stand the test of long term use.
Phone Case/Wallet
When the phone case and wallet was loaded up and set up, the design concepts, construction, and overall presentation/use is spot on. The smooth phone feel is perfect for easy slide in and out of a pocket or backpack/workbag. It was a bit on the smooth side, so if you are a drop heavy phone carrier, this may not be the best. The wallet is one of the best feeling wallets we have tested (and we have tested a crap ton), and the Tile feature is really helpful if you lose your stuff like we do.
Charging Cable/Dock
The charging station was one of the fastest setups we have ever seen and the wide space for placing your phone on the docking pad is a good use of real-estate. The pad at times can be a bit finicky if the phone is not placed right, but it is a really solid charging dock that we actually trust is not damaging our phone. The charging cable couldn’t be better. Its length is perfect and the outer core is as tough as they come. The ability to swap out the end connectors for other ports or charing needs is genius and saves from having more than one cord for the various electronics you have.
Overall we would say the functionality score is a 9/10
OVERALL TEST RESULTS
Nomad is so legit. We have wanted to test out their lineup for a while and now that we had a chance to give the cases, wallets, and charging features a go we are believers. The Feel of the wallets and cases are really sleek and smooth. The Tile integration in a wallet is freaking genius, and the docking station that can handle your phone, earbuds, and watch with only one charing port plug in is something we all could use. From the technical specs, brand design, and offerings, Nomad has all you need and more!
Overall Test Score: 9/10
STANDOUT FEATURES
Nomad has more products than we would have imagined and if the sleek lineup we reviewed is not enough of a standout for you, here are some key features we discovered:
Nomad has been around since 2012 and they have been executing each and every year with new designs and products all the time
The lineup of goods is vast as it is impressive. Price point on point too for the quality of each item
The phone cases are beautifully crafted and the chargers are meticulously thought out.
The leather is perfect- and so is the wear of the leather as you use the cases and wallets
Nomad really is a one stop shop- wrap your phone in a case, your laptop in a sleeve, and toss in a charger. Heck, why not grab a watch strap and headphone cases while you are at it?
BONUS FEATURES
As a bonus feature, Nomad offers a wide range of other resources for the everyday nomad. Their blog features cool finds and articles to help get you geared up and ready to go!
Nomad brings the technical and practical aspects needed for any adventure.
Overall duuude Factor: Nomad’s lineup simply can’t be beat.
Price: Varies on Product
***duuude Readers Shop Nomad Deals!!***
BRAND INFO
Nomad began as a Kickstarter project in 2012. Noah Dentzel & Brian Hahn met in Santa Barbara, California and set out with a vision of creating a minimalist iPhone cable that would seamlessly integrate into your everyday carry. Like many startups, Nomad relied on help from friends, family and strangers to bring Nomad from concept to reality. Starting off in Noah's grandma's basement and bounced around from Agoura Hills to San Francisco and finally back to Santa Barbara, California, where they are headquartered now.
Nomad offers a wide range of essentials to keep your everyday carry game on point. Check out the collection Nomad and and set your sights on some great products.