HipCase From Digital Lifestyle Outfitters

[Michael Johnston]

<img src="/images/reviewimages/dlo/hipcase_thumb.jpg" align="right" />

The DLO HipCase for iPhone is unique and functional. It combines good materials with an interesting design that keeps the iPhone at your hip. The case works well, but it has a few drawbacks.<!--break-->

The HipCase for iPhone is a horizontally-oriented "hip-style" case. It comes in brown or black leather and vegan-friendly Nylon and features a belt clip. The interior of each case is lined with its respective material. The Nylon case also sports a hidden pocket for storing credit cards or spare cash.
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<center><img src="/images/reviewimages/dlo/hipcase-black.jpg" /><img src="/images/reviewimages/dlo/hipcase-brown.jpg" /><img src="/images/reviewimages/dlo/hipcase-nylon.jpg" /></center>
This case is very aesthetically and functionally unique. The material used for each case is very sturdy and protects the iPhone well. Instead of being vertically oriented, the case holds the iPhone on its side so it can be easily retrieved via the bottom opening. The black leather and Nylon HipCase both have openings for the iPhone's speakers and all three have an opening for the headphone cable. There is, however, no access to buttons or the silent switch unless you open the case.

The HipCase does everything that it's supposed to, but I feel that it has a few disadvantages. For some odd reason, the brown leather case is designed differently than the other two. Instead of four open corners, it only has two. This means that, on the brown case, the iPhone speaker is obscured, which makes hearing it ring more difficult. It also has a tendency to hold down the power button. Not one of the cases has any sort of fluffy lining. Instead, your iPhone is subjected to the harsh leather or Nylon materials, which could scratch the chrome. The back of the case is also very flexible which allows the belt clip to press in on the thin metal back of the iPhone.

<center><img src="/images/reviewimages/dlo/hipcase-onbelt.jpg" /></center>

Overall, I was unimpressed by the HipCase. Although it has some admirable features, such as its unique look and high quality materials, its shortcomings cannot be ignored. The lack of a lining and weak backing keep me from recommending this to everyone. However, I do recommend it to those who aren't overly concerned with scratching the iPhone's chrome or if the style appeals to you.

The DLO HipCase is available in black or brown leather and Nylon. The Nylon HipCase retails for $29.99 and the leather retails for $34.99. It is available at the <a href="http://www.dlo.com/store/MiniStoreiPhone_Stor.tpl?command=showpage&cart=11894003852291646" target="_blank">DLO Store online</a>.

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[Danwood]

I've had this case sense day one -- and as a trim carpenter use is everyday in some pretty harsh condition. I'm very pleased with the way it has protected my iphone! Suprisingly this case still looks great! The cutouts allow the speaker to be relitively unobstructed so you can hear the ringer about as well as it gets. The leather interior hasn't produced any scratch's at all. Overall, I give this case 5 stars!!

[JRob]

I bought one of these cases at the AT&T store at the same time I bought my phone, 6 months ago (I got the black leather case). It's protected my phone very well. It's easy to get the phone out of the case (and put it back in). The cutouts let me hear the speaker and plug in the headphones without removing it from the case. If you need to adjust the volume (or send a call to voicemail), just open the lid and you can get to the volume rocker -- again, without removing the phone from the case.

Worrying about the clip damaging the phone through the "thin" case is just silly; as numerous online demos have shown, the glass is pretty darned strong -- and besides, the case is sitting on your hip. What's going to make the clip punch through the soft (yet thick) leather to get to the glass.

Only complaint: the stitching for the leather around the metal clip has worn out, so now the leather sort of "scrunches up" when I go to put the clip on my belt. Fortunately, I only do this one time each day.

I love this case. If it wears out, I'll get another one just like it.

[Justin Mellor]

This seems like the best case that I've come across yet. The price is right as well. Gathering from the previous post, it's sold in AT&T stores? That'd be a nice compliment to my purchase, and works out great since it's one less thing I would have to order online.