Review: DLO Podfolio For 5G iPod

I’m a sucker for great iPod cases. Thankfully the DLO Podfolio is a great iPod case. It combines a great look and feel with great functionality. The Podfolio supports the 30, 60, and 80 GB iPods in one size case.

About the case
DLO’s Podfolio for the 5G iPod is a very slick case worth considering if you want to add functionality to your iPod while still retaining a good look. As you may have guessed from the name, the Podfolio is a flip case which functions as a cover and pocket for money, credit cards, or notes. The cover is held secure by a small protruding magnet directly under the play/pause button. The Podfolio comes in only one color and size; a soft black leather adorns the case while the inside is a different material. Access to the headphone jack is somewhat spacious (depending on your earphones) and the USB port is not blocked, allowing cables to be plugged in and taken out easily. Access to the hold button is only available while the case is flipped back. Also included, and one of my favorite things about the Podfolio, is the inclusion of a nice, sturdy clip which other cases have lacked.

Durability
As I said, the durability of the Podfolio is nothing to write home about, but if you plan to toss it in your purse or glove compartment it will protect your iPod sufficiently. The aim of this case is to add style rather than protection, which is why you can expect someone like a businessman to use this because it is fashionable and would probably go well with a suit. Since I am far from a businessman, who’s to say I can’t subject the Podfolio to something more than a briefcase?

As you may or may not know I love bike riding. I ride everywhere and I hate slow people, probably because I actually go fast and not because I think other bike riders are slow. Sometimes I like to listen to some tunes or a Podcast here and there which is why I will only buy an iPod case if it offers a good clip. My previous case, the Marware Sportsuit Convertible was good but the clip couldn’t be trusted so I only used it with the armband. It became daunting switching back and forth from armband to clip so I put it away and use my iPod bare naked. The Podfolio was a godsend for me. I know I may talk a lot about clips but when you’re riding fast the last thing you want is your iPod falling out, hitting the concrete, and breaking into pieces.

My first durability test was to take it with me on my bike route to school, listening to the latest addition of Macbreak Weekly along the way. I had no problems whatsoever with the case, none at all. The clip was tight and did not loosen up during my bike trip. Flipping open the flap to access the click wheel got somewhat annoying after a while, but it was something I could live with. Even when going over bumps the case did not come off, and I went out of my way to run over stuff to get it to come off but it stayed on.

My next test is kinda like watching Fear Factor. The second stunt always involves something horrible or nasty like eating parts of a cow or bobbing for pig parts. You know the outcome, the strong go on and watching the weak fail is like watching it in slow motion and makes you agitated. That is the second test: my little brother. I’m not too keen on letting my brother use my stuff, especially since he dropped my iPod on the concrete without a case, ate through a pair of Apple earphones, and totally nuked my PowerBook keyboard (which will cost me $200 because 5 keys do not work at all now). But I’m not so mean that I won’t let my brother enjoy an episode of Lost or Ask a Ninja. I gave him the iPod in the brand new Podfolio and 2 hours later I got it back. His earphones were chewed completely and the top part of my case, the part covering the top of the screen was bent forward a bit. It was bent so much it managed to stay in that position. I had to remove the iPod and smooth it out.

Like I said, the Podfolio is something to add style to your iPod but not really protection. The case is flimsy, although advertised as firm, but offers some protection. The pocket could have been positioned on the outside of the case with a fold-over flap to double as an earphone pouch because there is barely enough space to squeeze the Apple earphone cables inside the pocket.

Overall I give the DLO Podfolio a 4 out of 5.

About DLO
If you do like the Podfolio you can buy it for your iPod 5G (30, 60 and 80 GB models) here. IPod Nano cases are available for the 1G and 2G models here. DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters) specializes in a wide range of products for the iPod from cases to adaptors.