Spotted at CES: Skech Trax iPhone 4 case

Today, while checking out the variety of iPhone case options available in the iLounge Pavilion at CES, I saw a display that caught my eye: iPhone 4 cases made from recycled bicycle tires. As a Portlander, I am legally obligated* to follow up on any product that is recycled or bike-related, so I went over and checked them out.

They are made by a company called Skech, and I actually got my hands on the Skech Trax case. This is a flip style case (like a steno pad, not like a book) with a nice soft interior and the exterior is made of the aforementioned used tires. This is cool because all the cases are a little different and have some cool texture to them.

I also liked that the inside material is available in a variety of colors, and the flap that covers the screen also includes a couple of card sleeves for business cards or ID and a credit card if you need to travel light. It has a hole for the camera, and the top is open for access to power or the headphone jack. There is a magnetic clasp to hold it shut the rest of the time, and the whole thing feels really well put together.

Be aware that it is not the most protectionary of cases, but it will keep your keys off the screen while your phone is in your bag, and look reasonably nice outside your bag too.

Skech makes a variety of other iPhone cases, but this one stood out and I wanted to show it to all of you.

*There was an ordinance passed in 1998.**

**Yes, I am kidding.

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Source: http://www.skechit.com/en/shop/item/trax

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iPhone

Today while checking out the variety of options available in the iLounge Pavilion at CES, I saw a display that caught my eye: iPhone 4 cases made from recycled bicycle tires.

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iNproStore

This is a great case. The design and textures is truly unique plus I am assuming it made from recycled tyres. Another small but very useful feature is the additional slots for cards. Its often the simple little things like that makes it more usable on a day to day basis.

January 29 2012 at 9:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Two Fedoras

I bought a previous model (Custom Jacket Flip) about a year ago for my wife. the flap that flips it has gott a little less stiff, but other than that it is a great case. She's the type of person who just throws her phone in her purse, etc. . . and this has protected it from every potential scratch or break. The only drawback is that we use a dock for charging, so she has to take it completely out of the case, but that is a dock problem, not a case problem.

January 17 2012 at 10:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brian Kendig

I love the protection that flip cases provide, so I looked at this on Sketch's site. I immediately noticed a problem with the case: it flips down, not up. This means that you can't plug in the charge/sync cable with the case closed, and also you'll have the front of the case hanging down while you're trying to use the phone (and the phone or your credit cards might slip downwards out of the case while you're using it). Also, I notice that the photos on the site don't show the face of the iPhone, so I can't see whether this case might interfere with trying to touch/drag near the edges of the display.

Right now I use a PDair flip case: "http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30817". It's the same thing except that it flips up, while still leaving room at the top to connect headphones while the case is closed. I much prefer PDair's design over Skech's, though PDair's flip case is only available in leather, and I would much rather have one made from recycled bike tires.

January 13 2012 at 9:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Brian Kendig's comment

Victor Agreda Jr

The clip that holds the iPhone in place is actually out of the way enough to where it doesn't interfere with touching/dragging near the edges of the screen. Good points, however.

January 13 2012 at 2:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply