Woolnut Leather Folio for iPad Pro
The Woolnut Leather Folio is a premium leather case for the iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard.
A few weeks ago, I started my search for a case or sleeve for my iPad Pro & ended up purchasing the Leather Folio from Woolnut. Here a meander through my process and my thoughts overall on this premium accessory.
The Process
I started my search with a couple of criteria in mind:
I wanted a case/sleeve custom-fitted for the iPad Pro and not a generic "first most laptops/tablets up to 13-inches" case.
I specifically wanted a case that would fit the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard attached.
I wanted the case to remain as minimal as possible (no pockets/extra compartments, etc.)
And if possible, I wanted a leather case.
You start with these criteria, and you quickly realize you've pigeonholed yourself into a pretty niche market. There are iPad Pro cases, but the number designed explicitly with the Magic Keyboard in mind shrinks the pool considerably. There are excellent leather options, but some can quickly climb to nearly $300, which was beyond what I was willing to spend.
I ruled out some products from companies like Native Union and Dodo Case because their shops didn't have sleeves designed to fit the iPad with Magic Keyboard. I also didn't want the case to attach themselves directly to the Magic Keyboard, which ruled out products from places like Pad & Quill..
Eventually, I narrowed my search to the Slim iPad Pro EVO No. 7 from Harber London & the Leather Folio from Woolnut. Both are wool-lined, zippered leather cases; both are made to accommodate the Magic Keyboard and cost around $150. The deciding factor between these two came down to the fact that the Woolnut case was available on Amazon with free 2-day shipping, while the Harber case had a 2-3 week preorder waitlist. All things seeming equal, the convenience of free & quick shipping won out.
Thoughts on the Case
Three Swedish friends using Scandinavian leather & German wool in the pursuit of designing a really lovely iPad case.
I ended up choosing the Woolnut folio cognac (though Woolnut also has black and a deep green leathers in this style). The exterior is made out of a beautiful deep reddish-brown full-grain European leather (the website describes the leather as "charismatic" if that description is at all helpful to you). At the same time, the interior is lined with soft wool felt. Finally, a smooth metal YKK zipper runs along the top and down the right of this case. Inside the folio, there are no pockets or compartments except for a leather pen holder for the Apple Pencil to slide into.
The built quality is impeccable, with no defects or areas where I would worry about the case breaking down over time. The material choices - from zipper to leather to wool - all feel premium. The leather had no imperfections across it and is poised to develop a beautiful patina over time.
Overall, I'm delighted by the fit and finish of the Woolnut folio. The case is perfectly fitted for the iPad with Magic Keyboard in mind, with just enough room for the Apple Pencil to remain magnetically attached to the iPad or placed inside the loop at the top of the case if you prefer. I've been keeping my Apple Pencil attached to the iPad because I also use a silicone sleeve on my Apple Pencil that adds enough friction to make sliding the pencil into the holder near impossible. Of course, given that the Magic Keyboard is the largest of Apple's iPad accessories, this case will fit a Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Folio, or bare iPad; know then that the folio won't be as fitted.
I had been nervous purchasing a case with a metal zipper, fearing the iPad becoming scratched if it bumped or rubbed against the edges of the case. Fortunately, the folks at Woolnut seemed to be thinking one step ahead and have added a leather strip on the inside that covers up the zipper when the folio is closed. Phew!
In this screenshot you can see how the leather ribbon around the case helps prevent the iPad from the possibility of being bumped or scratched by the metal zipper.
Because there are no pockets or additional compartments on this case, there isn't any room to store a charging cable or adapter. You'd be able to keep a cable inside this case I suppose (I wouldn't), but storing and travelling with a plug inside this case isn't practical or recommended.
Living in Canada and purchasing this case from Amazon.ca, I bought this case with free shipping for $170. In the US, the price on Amazon was listed at ~$123, while on Woolnut's website, shipping to the States was quoted at around $160. Before purchasing, do some comparison shopping to ensure the product's costs and shipping work out in your favour. This is undoubtedly an expensive case, though the look, build quality, and materials certainly support the price.
Overall I’ve been very impressed with this cases build quality, minimal aesthetic, and slim profile.
If this style of case appeals to you, the company also makes a range of sleeves/folios for Apple's laptops, the current range of iPad devices, & a collection of leather iPhone cases for all of Apple's latest phones.
