If you’ve grown tired of the feeling of silicone, TPU, or plastic touching your fingers when holding your brand new Google Pixel 4 XL, then you’re really going to like the Nomad Rugged Case. Luxurious black or rustic brown Horween leather wraps a protective yet slim body. If you’ve gotta cover up your phone, this case will almost make doing so regret-free.
The Nomad Rugged case consists of a DuPont polycarbonate frame with a rubber TPE bumper (for 6′ of drop protection) in a thin and refined case with a raw, vegetable tanned panel of leather on the back made by Horween Leather Co. of Chicago, one of America’s oldest tanneries.
Horween leather will develop a lovely patina over time, but it starts as smooth and unmarked.
If you like the security offered by using a wrist or neck lanyard, you’ll appreciate that you can attach one on either side of this case.
The interior of the case is lined in a soft microfiber.
Notice how the case comes up on either side of the Pixel 4 XL’s display; this offers face-down protection and it helps protect the display (or your glass screen protector) in a particularly nasty drop.
One of the things I most like about the Nomad Rugged Case is that it protects the glass LED and camera lens array on the back of the Pixel.
The volume rocker and the power button are both covered with a soft-touch rubber; the power button has ridges on it that offer a subtle yet easy to feel difference when you need to find one or the other by touch.
You can still use your favorite wireless charger when your Pixel is in the case.
The Rugged Case’s Type-C cutout is large enough to accommodate after-market cables; be sure to check out two of my favorites — the Nomad USB-C Universal Cable ($34.95) and the Nomad USB-C to USB C Cable ($29.95). Both cables are 1.5 meters long (about 4.9′), and they have a sturdy rubber tie attached to keep them neat. Both cables can deliver up to 100W PD, push 20AWG for fast charging, sync at up to USB 2.0 speeds (you give up some speed because these are longer cables), and they are built with Kevlar for long life.
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- Nomad 3m USB-C Cable with Kevlar
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- Nomad 1.5m USB-C Universal Cable with Kevlar
The Nomad Rugged Case is the perfect choice for anyone who wants the warm feel of leather in their hand with protection for their 4 XL from even some of the worst drops. I’ve been using mine for a week, and I am already getting signs of use on the leather back that will contribute to its eventual patina; the Nomad Rugged Case’s patina will only get more unique as time goes by.
The Nomad Rugged Case for the Google Pixel 4 XL retails for $49.95, and it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: 6′ drop protection; Sides comes up to protect display; The cutout around the camera and LED array is raised and protective; The Horween leather back will gain a lovely patina with use; Case allows aftermarket cables for syncing and charging
What Needs Improvement: Nothing
Does this case work with Google’s back button navigation gesture? I’m notices many cases don’t work with the back button gesture because the edge of the case is so close to the edge of the screen.
Does this case work with Google’s back button navigation gesture? I’m notices many cases don’t work with the back button gesture because the edge of the case is so close to the edge of the screen.
I had no issues doing the swipe gestures on the right or left side. All good.