So is the Incipio flip case really leather...?

[ozric]

This is part of a review that I originally posted on amazon, but deleted after Incipio got back to my email to them with a response (see below).


Incipio claims the case is made from "premium top-grain leather", but I really have my doubts. Upon fairly casual examination of the case material, it is obvious that the grain is too uniform in its microdimpled appearance to be real leather. It actually appears to be a vinyl fake leather, and the inner "suede" lining is microfiber, not natural suede.

I'm a bit disappointed that a fake leather case should cost so much. Let's not even get started with the shoddy attention to detail. The inner window edge on my case isn't even straight, and looks like it was manually (and rather poorly) cut freehand. The stitching isn't straight either.

The saving grace is that it does a good job of protection, the clear window is truly clear, and the flap shuts well with the hidden magnetic catch.

The only reason I got the Incipio case is that I need wider headphone jack clearance to enable use of my Westone UM2 in-ear monitors.

Here is Incipio's response:

"The Leather Flip case for the Zune is 100% genuine leather. We stand by our products. All of our cases are manufactured to the highest quality. This case has been treated to be water repellent. If you have any doubts that this case is real leather, we encourage you to cut off a piece of the leather and burn it. (It should smell like a burnt steak) If you decide to burn the leather to prove that it is infact leather , we will send you a replacement."

While this is really good customer service, I still am really doubtful - but I could be wrong, of course. None of my other premium leather goods have such a uniform, synthetic look and feel. I don't have the inclination to test the case by burning it I am outside the country now, so it's not worth the bother to return the case to Incipio.

I feel Incipio is somewhat deceptive in their marketing because even the inner lining is described as "micro suede", and zune.net mistakenly calls it "suede" in their product detail on their site, as does a review on gotzune.com. It is not real suede.

[Darth Camel]

Okay then. Personally, I don't care whether or not the inside of the case is real suede or microsuede. I just want a case that protects my Zune, is functional, and makes the Zune easy to listen to on the go. It doesn't look half bad either. $20 isn't that much money for me, especially since it's one of the best (if not THE best) Zune 80 cases out there.

[ozric]

Well, at the time I bought the case it was only because people said it was the best there was, and there was a lack of alternatives. Now in the same price range, there are some very nice choices, which I'm sure are higher quality. Even the official Zune leather case looks like much better attention was paid to fit, finish and materials.

Oh, another downside to this case: the microsuede is dyed with some cheap color which has rubbed off onto and stained the rear Invisible Shield I have on my Zune. Not good. If I was still in the States I would have just gotten a refund or had them send me one of their new aluminum cases.

[OoooF4LiFe]

DC pretty much said it all. I've got one of these for my 80 aswell (as long as your talking about the kickstand model). Holds it snug, closes tight, and plenty of room for cords.

On a related note the threading on the inside of the front flap was fraying off of the side, which gives me an annoying thread every now and then. Without the "pat-on-the-back" support you got, I instantly took a lighter to the threading around the edges of the inside micro suede (or whatever you think it is, I really don't care). Gave the case a nice crisp edge to the inside suede, and it hasn't frayed since.


Lame, since it's their poor construction led to it fraying, but I guess I'm just old fashioned. I bought it, I'm going to make it work. I'd rather a crusty lining, then something that won't protect it if I drop it.

[ozric]

I already said this case does do a good job of protection. Overall it's decent, except for what I've said. Just a little balance for the overly glowing reviews for the case (flip model, not kickstand).

[steve500]

Well folks...I did the burn test - it's definitely fake fake fake. For one thing...it kept burning and growing rapidly...real leather takes quite a bit to get it going. Another thing is that it smells more like burning Styrofoam or Legos than it does Leather. I was at a burn test for some airline seats (needed to get FAA approval) and there is NO mistaking the smell of burning leather.

Also, I noticed how thin the material is where it wraps around at the corners...it's really, really hard to get leather to be paper thing and durable.

Let's see if these guys give me a refund - sounds like they were counting on no one pulling the BS flag out! Unfortunately, despite the shoddy workmanship and deceptive description, it's still the best case out there - at lest for my needs. I was also less than thrilled with the fact that it came in a little bit of plastic wrap - no box, nothing....but my girlfriend just bought one and her's is in a box so there's some progress at least!


Time to go order another one! (Saw your review on Amazon by the way, just voted it up !

[ozric]

Thanks! I feel justified

[steve500]

Originally Posted by ozric

Thanks! I feel justified

Looks like Amazon suddenly stopped carrying it!