Accessory Review: Waterfield Design Cases for Nintendo Switch

Cool. Hand mades have a quality that machine made can't match.

overkill

Great.
I think Doraemon's Magical Pocket can hold any items easily.
Just kidding.

Beautiful cases, but the soft case idea seems maybe not ideal for Switch with the sticks poking out. I'd tend to prefer a more semi-rigid design like the RDS cases or some of the PDP ones. A laptop or tablet is flat without actual stress point bits on the exterior like buttons and sticks.

They look great but HOW much???? Think I will pass

I like the City slicker - but I have the Official Switch Travel Case - and it provides much better protection - the only downside it not having a shoulder strap - although it does have a carrying handle - I am going to fit a shoulder strap.

I also have the official SWITCH messenger bag which is extremely good quality and seems to be the most practical. .

The PDP SWITCH backpack was delivered last week from the USA ( I'm in UK ) it's quite poor quality and impractically laid out inside although the exterior bag is nice. . .. .

My problem is I need to fit into my bag:

1 x switch + joycon
1 x pro-controller
1 x Battery powered pico projector
1 x Huge battery pack to power the Switch dock
1 x Switch Dock
1 x tripod for projector
1 x Pop up projector screen (72")
1 x hdmi cable
1 x Switch Mains power adapter ( you need this to run the docks you can hdmi onto the projector so you can play ANYWHERE with ANYONE at ANYTIME! )

@cfgk24 the Switch Everywhere Messenger bag will hold everything but the projector round about I think. Might require a bit of juggling around. All that might be a bit heavy to carry on one shoulder anyway.
But what about the foldable projector screen?

I sorta want the city slicker as it could double as a small purse... but I'll wait until I snag a few more games before I go all primo with the cases.

@NEStalgia I haven't done any heavy traveling yet with the switch version, but I have the city slicker for my 3DS, PS Vita, and now Switch. They are all extremely well built and I don't have any concerns over them standing up to a beating. At least, no more so than any other case.

As for the Switch case and the analog sticks, I wouldn't be too concerned. The Switch version of the city slicker has rigid inserts in the sides to protect the sticks. There's also a soft padded section that protects the screen that pretty much levels the screen with the sticks.

All in all, the I love the city slicker line. They are amazingly high quality, they look great, but have an equally high price...

Alex has that cute little smile in the thumbnail.

An article without a video works too.....

I am so happy that Alex has done a sequel review to the amazing Waterfield 3DS series Cityslicker cases.

The Switch Cityslicker is just a proper upgraded and gorgeous bespoke case over the 3DS series Cityslicker's.

Waterfield crowdsourced ideas on how to make cases for the Switch, and many ideas were considered and implemented.
The two biggest ones are what many EVA or hard cases fail to do; make the inside case super plush and protected. The Switch Cityslicker is far more protective internally than many cases from PDP, Hori, or Nintendo officially (especially the latter), including their hard cases. Only RDS Industries may compete. The double-layered full-grain cowhide leather and ballistic nylon is soft yet extremely hard wearing.

As for the analogue sticks, Waterfield listened to community feedback and designed two velco removable hard inserts to the two inside sides of the case to make sure that the case pushes out.

It is expensive but remember that this case is handmade, bespoke and uses many expensive pieces of material over other mass produced cases.

Thank you for Alex for the review! 😙👌🎮👊

Here's my Imgur album of my Waterfield Switch Grizzly Brown case ^^
Waterfield Switch Cityslicker Case https://imgur.com/gallery/nPWlJ

Didn't think you'd get these as they're American. I sent in links before to their promo videos. They look quality if a bit expensive too. The link says why you were given them.

@NEStalgia
Nope

Waterfield made a series of blogs and created the Switch Cityslicker based on community feedback.
One issue that was considered, designed and applied was how to protect the analogue sticks from being squished.
The solution was to employ two removable velcro hard inserts, which are located on the inside sides of the case. They push out the case to give room for both sticks.

Due to the super pushy material inside the case, the Switch is basically smothered in protection that many hard/EVA cases fail to do internally (RDS Industries I believe are an exception).

https://www.sfbags.com/pages/waterfield-nintendo-switch-case

The hard wearing ballistic nylon and leather is thick, not cheap, and very tough.
Cityslicker cases remain the strongest and toughest semi-soft cases currently available for portable game consoles.

However, YMMV.

The idea of a designer game case is lost on me. I just bought a $7 microfiber sleeve and a $12 case with a zipper and toss it in my backpack. Been playing it everyday to and from work on the train without any scratches, scuffs, or issues.

I guess it makes sense if you actively carry the case around like a purse to display the case itself, but I think that's impractical.

@KidRad
pretty much...
where the hell have you been at?
lol

@roadrunner343 @TheOneInYellow That's pretty cool about the hard inserts for the sticks! That definitely fixes the primary issue with this type of case and makes it actually viable. I do have the RDS case and really like it, but it IS bulkier than I'd have preferred, where this are definitely a lot sleeker. Do they also prevent bending/flexing or do the inserts only cover the sticks?

I ordered all 3 of these a week ago, and the 10 card leather game sleeve. Too classy not to. But I forgot to cancel this updated design of the Butterfox case, which showed up on my doorstep the other day. And tbh, it's gonna be hard switching over cause this case just rocks. It's even smaller than the Sheika case but holds more! And 19 games, 2 microSD, and the middle pads prevent any pressure from being applied to the joycon analogs, even when chock full of accessories. I can fit

Switch + Joycons
games
10,000mAh portable battery
USB-C charger
6 ft USB-C cable
Samsung Galaxy charger (for online hotspot)
USB-A to microUSB cable for phone
Bose earbuds
tripod (for tabletop charging/2 viewing angles)

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@KidRad If you couldn't care less about playing in portable mode, why would you even concern yourself with looking at and commenting on cases for the portable? Seems a bit odd.

Also, while they are definitely expensive, the price for the City Slicker line isn't too astronomical, especially given the quality and materials they are made out of. I will admit, I was a bit hesitant about the Switch case's price, but after using their 3DS case for years (Which was $50) and loving it to death, I was okay with paying a bit more for the Switch version.

@ChessboardMan Yeah, I know - I'm experimenting with various kit bags lol . .
Determined to set up a Public Switch Space in Spain this summer.

@NEStalgia The rigid parts are only on the left and right sides, so it keeps pressure off the sticks, but wouldn't do anything for bending/twisting of the console itself. Though, the ballistic nylon and the leather flap are very heavy duty. So while it is a soft case, I think it would have to take a great deal of force to damage your console.

Also, I've never used the RDS case, but I do also have a Hori tough pouch (Bought it before the City Slicker was available, will use for a 2nd switch someday when my wife gets one) and I will say the City Slick is actually larger than that case. It is definitely sleeker looking and I think it provides more protection and it is my much preferred case, but if you are only interested in it due to a smaller footprint, it may not be a great fit for you.

@roadrunner343 Good info, thanks! if it's bigger, it might not do too much for me. Looking at the Hori, I do think the RDS is notably blukier in terms of thickness. it has a hollow bottom where the Switch fits in a molded firm EVA base that sits separated and elevated from the bottom vinyl with indents for the game caes, so it protects against shock better than the Hori, but also is much thicker to account for that. Good protection though. I'd be more concerned about twisting. I'm likely to keep it in a tote with other devices so there are chances of applying uneven pressure to the switch. The firmer RDS case would prevent flexing unless pretty extreme (not likely to happen) force bends the whole case. So I'm probably better off putting up with the bulk (which isn't so bad, but bag/case searches are about seeking impossible protection and perfect comfort. you should see my camera bag collection... Now THOSE are not cheap! )

@JaxonH Interesting that looks a LOT like the RDS only even thicker and bulkier, with more internal compartments for things. But a lot of elements look copy/paste between the two.

@NEStalgia

Hey dude, I probably wasn't clear so...have a looksee at my unboxing when I got my case last month ^^

Waterfield Switch Cityslicker Case https://imgur.com/gallery/nPWlJ

The stiffeners can be adjusted as they have velcro (I did after taking these pics).

Hope this helps ^^

@NEStalgia I guess that's the main difference - it's a little bit thicker. But it does have more pockets/pouches than the hori. Otherwise, it's probably about as small as can be, since it is just wide/tall enough to house the switch. I think the real problem is, no switch cases are small/sleek in my opinion. Maybe this is as close as it gets. It's definitely nice, but still pretty sizeable.

As for camera bags? You don't have to tell me. My Wife and I run a photography business on the side... I have a ThinkTank suitcase and a couple Crumpler/LowePro bags. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry (Though, it's less painful when I compare it to the cost of the Camera/Lenses they protect). Thank God for tax write offs!

EDIT: I guess I should clarify, it seems a bit thicker when I have it loaded with stuff. The Hori is semi-rigid, so it's the same thickness when full or empty. Still, I would say if your main concern is size, buying this case won't help you there too much. But it is freaking awesome =D

PDP SWITCH backpack in action
https://youtu.be/TNMc6EvkvfU

@cfgk24
That's a solid backpack. I love all the compartments it has. I keep a 2nd dock in mine, pro controller, charge grip, extra set of Joycons, HDMI and official adapter, Pro Controller USB cables... I like having a bag ready I can toss my case into and just go, and be fully prepared.

We'll see how this Waterfield multiplayer pro bag compares soon enough

These seem pretty neat, but I'm good with what I have. I use a HORI Touch Pouch for my Switch and one of the pockets of my messenger bag is the perfect size for it.

@KidRad Sure, lots of things are overkill. I'm all for negative opinions, but as someone who openly says you don't want to travel at all with your switch, then obviously an expensive, extremely high quality case isn't for you. You also included a lot of criticisms which I assume weren't directed towards this specific product, but it's a little hard to tell (I.E., half backed, twerpy). Not trying to stifle criticism, the price is definitely difficult to swallow, but that's just about the only criticism I can think of when it comes to this particular case.

While they look nice, I typically avoid using anything with a magnetic clasp to house my electronics. Yes they may only have a tiny magnetic field, but I'm very cautious about what that will do to the console long term.

Also consider how they snap together strongly and how that may affect your console's screen or the joycons. (You are essentially slapping the console with a leather-wrapped metal object.) I've seen this do damage to phone screens before, although the clasp was directly on top of the screen and not to the sides like these cases.

I may be overthinking these, but those are my 2 cents.

Thought to update everyone's concerns about the case by posting pics on Twitter.
This includes a look at the interior, and the velcro hard stiffeners too.

https://twitter.com/theoneinyellow/status/854240634839990273

Inside my Switch Cityslicker is:

1. Nintendo Switch Neon,
2. 2x Joy-Con Straps,
3. TaoTronics TT-BA07 Bluetooth Transmitter,
4. Anker PowerLine USB-C 3.1 cable,
5. Plinth Tablet Stand.

The concern about 'slapping the console with a leather-wrapped metal object' is very much unfounded, because there is a thick red partition (that has one microfiber side) to further protect the Switch screen side. Don't forget the thick ballistic nylon outside material and internal padding between the clasps to the Switch!

Magnetics and electronics in 2017 has vastly improved, with many devices able to be protected well. The clasp's magnetic field is not much more than what smartphones radiate, or background magnetic radiation either.

In either case, whether this is a case for you or not is dependent on you yourself.
I wanted a beautiful case that also protects inside and out. Many EVA cases can only do the latter (out).

YMMV

Enjoy!

Edit: added extra info and cleaned up post grammatically ^^

I've ordered an RDS Industries case from Amazon USA which is arriving this week. The official Nintendo one is a little too soft for my liking, and the HORI Tough Case doesnt look much better. Plus this has a handle and potentially could hold two additional Joy-Con.

@SomeWriter13 I think you are overthinking it a bit, but that's fine - You're free to do so =) The switch screen isn't impacted by magnets, and it hasn't really been a problem with storage media for years. I udnerstand the concern though.

As for the magnets? There's no way they will cause damage by physically snapping shut. They are strong, but no where near that strong. They are also never in direct contact with the switch. I'm not going to say I like this design better than the old snaps, because it is a little less secure in my opinion, but it definitely requires much less force to close, so the risk of damaging something should be much less than the old style snaps.

And in case you missed it, @TheOneInYellow addresses most of your concerns as well and provided some picture. Worth checking out if you are at all interested.

I already got my CitySlicker from Waterfield Designs about a week ago. I got it in blue with a leather shoulder strap.

Picture on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSyW9YdBEff/?taken-by=therealphle

It's awesome, but I already knew that because I own the CitySlicker for the 3DS XL and the Suede pocket for 3DS XL, both from Waterfield Designs and they are both awesome.

@roadrunner343 thanks for your thoughtful reply! I'll check out the twitter pictures. ^_^