iSobre MacBook Air sleeve

Remember the Manila Mac AirMail sleeve that was announced just after the MacBook Air in January? It's the one that looks like the manila envelope featured in the MacBook Air television commercial. I wasn't too fond of the AirMail when I reviewed it on 21 March 2008.

A better alternative has arrived: the iSobre sleeve for MacBook Air. Hailing from southern Spain, the iSobre is made of genuine leather and opening the package brought back fond memories of getting my first baseball glove. iSobre is made from the same leather that professional baseball players gloves are made from – hence the scent.

iSobre offers two models – the Student (€29.99, US$46.55, pictured) is made from high quality suede (pig skin) and the Executive (€49.99, US$77.59) from high quality full grain leather (cowhide). The tanning process for the Executive sleeve takes longer, accounting for the increase in price. The fit and finish is excellent and craftsmanship is top notch.

The iSobre sleeve isn't skin tight like some other sleeves but this makes it easy to slide the MacBook Air in and out. It's also not padded at all either, just leather, so it's not recommended for any kind of impact protection. It's strictly a light duty sleeve, but it does it in style. The iSobre is what the Manila Mac should have been and is highly recommended.

Videos of the iSobre (in Spanish) are available on YouTube.