Normally I’d balk at paying $80 for an iPhone case, but I really dig the Ion Carbon Fiber case. Yes it’s pricey, but its quality materials warrant the cost. The case is constructed of real woven carbon fiber (contrary to some interweb naysayers), with a full-grain sheepskin leather sheath — my preference is the black. The design is clean as well, with the carbon fiber coming through naked in a single thick stripe down the back. The problem with iPhone cases is you usually have to choose your poison — you either get a thin profile and sticky exterior that can make taking it out of your pocket annoying, or you get a slick exterior with a considerably more bulky silhouette. With carbon fiber you get a slim profile with a sleek exterior that slips in and out of your pocket with ease. Of course, there’s a cost for that convenience — about double or triple the pricetag of a regular case.

The packaging also includes a microfiber to clean the leather on the case, or your iPhone itself. There are a few other quality carbon fiber cases available in the marketplace, including the Clad Cases and Dro Concepts carbon fiber cases. Ion, however, gets the nod on the design front.