MacBook SleeveCase
The waxed canvas SleeveCase from WaterField Designs has been my go-to sleeve for many of my Apple Devices over the years.
I don't gamble on cases for my Apple devices. Especially when I plan on being on the go with my device, a high-quality case that keeps it protected & pristine is a must. And for my MacBook Pro, I turned, once again, to WaterField Designs and purchased the MacBook SleeveCase.
But full disclosure, the SleeveCase wasn't the first case I tried. I initially got lured in by a trending London-based company advertising on social media, which offered a gorgeous-looking wool & leather sleeve for the new MacBook Pros. But when the case arrived, I found the leather flimsy & noticeably scratched right out of the packaging. To make matters worse, I was also shipped an incorrectly sized sleeve. And to make matters worse still, the return process has been a slog, including a half dozen emails over several weeks first to approve and then arrange the return, with the added expectation that I will shoulder the cost of any duties & taxes incurred for having been sent an incorrect & damaged product. If I don’t sound impressed, its because I’m not.
I went back to the SleeveCase because all my cases from WaterField have outlasted the products I originally purchased them for. My first SleeveCase was purchased in 2016 for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and it's a case I've continued to use to this day, currently with the 9th Generation iPad. So as long as you have a product that'll fit inside these cases, I can foresee you owning them for the rest of your life.
Seven years on, my the SleeveCase I originally purchased for the 9.7” iPad Pro now houses the 9th generation iPad.
The sleeve I purchased was in the vertical/portrait orientation, although a horizontal/landscape style also exists. One bonus is that the vertical orientation lets me connect to MagSafe to charge while the laptop is inside the case. And since a couple of my bags are also vertically oriented, having the opening at the top allows me to pull my Mac out without needing to remove my case from a bag. If you use a messenger-style bag, the landscape version of the case might suit you better. My one complaint about the SleeveCase is that I wish it had another option for closing the flap apart from a hook and loop/Velcro design. It's not about the Velcro losing its grip; most hook and loop systems can last be opened upwards of 20,000 before losing half their grip strength; I just hate how it sounds.
I have such a soft spot for distressed waxed cotton… it’s weird I know, but I am who I am & I like what I like!
From an aesthetic standpoint, this sleeve is opinionated. It's a bit chonky, leans towards the heavier side (0.99 lbs), and the waved canvas version screams burly & rugged with its distressed design. If you want something a bit more muted, the ballistic nylon might be more to your liking, but for me, I'm a sucker for the material contrast between this sleeve & the MacBook Pro. The materials age beautifully, the leather gaining a deep patina while the waxed canvas shows a history of wear over time but can be re-waxed to refresh the fabric.
The SleeveCase provides a striking contrast to the aesthetics of the MacBook Pro. . Depending on how you plan on using this case, keep its dimensions & weight in mind when considering the sleeve for yourself.
Lastly, service from WaterField has always been exceptional. When I had a problem with one of my bags because of a material defect, I was immediately dispatched a replacement even before sending back the product. The company just trusted that I'd return the defective product in time. And shipping and duties were both covered for the return and the replacement. First-class service all round!
These cases aren't cheap, the 14-inch SleeveCase for my MacBook cost 79 USD, but the value-for-cost is undisputable. Each sleeve is tailor-made to the specific device you order it for, ensuring a perfect fit, and options to customize the case by adding D-rings or a shoulder strap are also available at the point of sale. This is a handmade case using premium materials that'll protect whatever device you put inside of it for decades and decades to come. You can't beat that.
Note: Waterfield Designs also makes SleeveCases for a number of other devices including: iPad Pro, iPad Air, MacBook Pros (13, 14, & 16"), MacBook Air, and... ugh... Microsoft Surface, PixelBooks, along with various Dell, HP, Lenovo & other PC laptops.
