Klein Tools recently sent over one of their new Tradesman Pro phone cases in XXL sizing (55474).
These days, contractors, tradesman, and pros of all kinds use their phones more and more. There are useful apps, Bluetooth-connected tools that export data or allow for customizations, and most smartphones have LED flashes that can double as flashlights. They’re also of course used for communication purposes.
Advertisement
Personally, I’m not one for phone cases. I used to have belt holsters for my smaller phones and also my first smartphone (an original Droid with keyboard), and then leather sleeves for later smartphones. For my last two or three phones, I went with a simple case that wraps the back and sides.
Klein’s XXL phone case fits my Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and the fixed-angle metal belt clip can fit belts up to 2″ wide. The case is very large and can fully protect my phone. It also has a magnetic flip closure.
The Klein Tradesman Pro phone holder is large enough that it can probably fit phones wrapped inside bulkier cases, but perhaps not the thickest of cases.
When it’s not in my hand, my phone is in my pocket. Sometimes it moves to my back pocket if I need easier access to it, or if it gets in the way.
The Klein XXL phone holder measures ~7.5″ long x 4″ wide x ~1″ at its thickest when not compressed and a phone is inserted.
Advertisement
Frankly, it looks comically large in my hand, but it doesn’t feel as huge when attached to the side of my belt.
The holder is made from 1680D ballistic weave and feels quite durable. The XXL size is the latest addition to the Tradesman Pro phone holder lineup, which also includes small, large, and XL sizes. The other sizes have been around for longer, and online reviews seem to be positive.
It’s not for me, but it’s good to know there are professional-looking phone holsters out there.
Price: $25
Buy Now(via Amazon)
This is not something that I’ll be able to test long-term, but am open to sending it to a volunteer.
Klein says that the XXL phone case will fit:
- iPhone 6 Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, S8 Plus, S9, S9 Plus, Note Edge
- Other large phones of similar sizing
Thank you Klein Tools for the review sample.
Jim Felt
I’m good.
I’ll just wait for the Leatherman (or Gucci, ahahaha) version.
Like you I’ve always just used a fitted case. And sometimes a screen protector cover.
In spite of my joking the thing does appear nicely designed.
fred
Why wait?! Buy a pink one from Prada for $760 at Bergdorf-Goodman. Or this more manly one for a mere $380:
https://www.prada.com/us/en/men/accessories/technology/products.saffiano_leather_cellphone_case.2ZH067_2B22_F014B.html
Tom
I would be interested in trying it. I have a 7 Plus.
Hilton
To be honest, either it’s a proper leather holder or it may as well be reasonably priced.
I bought a couple of these from Banggood;
https://tinyurl.com/y3x3fsfy
Steve
Those look like good cases Hilton, and boy is the price right. I have developed an aversion to velcro and they don’t have a clip but I bet they work every bit as good. Thanks for the link.
Nathan
for a basic holster it makes some sense – looks OK. I’d buy one without the logo more likely.
I normally don’t use a holster either now – but I’m not a trade worker either.
I use a case and tempered glass screen protector. To your other point – I do use a number of apps that I find very useful either working on car or doing wood work.
Adam
I use an Otterbox Defender case, which is tough enough that my phone has survived being run over by my girlfriend’s wheelchair.
I don’t work in the field anymore, but this pouch seems like it would be useful if I did. I like the idea of not having to fish around in my pockets with dirty/greasy hands.
Wayne R.
I’ve used phone-jackets & belt-clip-holsters-thingies from both Otter Box and, better, Seidio. I like them a lot but the bigger the phone the more stuff catches them.
My current phone is just jacketed & in my pocket. Sometimes hard to hear but catches on nothing.
I’ve used things like this pouch years ago and found they muffled the rings/alerts too much, but they worked well otherwise. The Ripoffs brand has been my favorite.
https://ripoffs.com/
Jim Felt
Hey.
Maybe Klein or some other actual tool brand will finally bring out a murse!
It would be for the truest of millennials amongst us.
Kidding.
Nathan
There are days I sort of wish I had a fanny pack.
That bigger phone comment is pretty true to. I have a fairly large device and I could see holstering it would catch alot.
I’ve thought for a while now that I might want to hang it from my neck on a different lanyard.
Tom
That’s similar to my thought. I recently switched to Apple’s leather case. It’s very thin, and it slips in my pocket well (much better than my previous rubberized case), but it doesn’t provide a lot of protection. The Apple case, though, would fit inside a holster like this, so you can preserve the small form factor while gaining the extra protection of the holster.
Ron M
I just picked up a Google Pixel last night to replace my Iphone 5s. I bought the Otterbox because I like the sleeve encasement but have always hated the hardshell because they break after awhile and hate going thru the motions of getting another hardcase, even if they are “free”. So something like this is of interest to me. On my iphone, I had a CLC holder which I liked, I attached a key ring/carbiner to attached to whatever, belt loop, backpack, etc, I’m interested in this Klein piece but would prefer to try it out in the store instead of buying online. I checked online an I think Home Depot has them online and I thought that I saw somewhere that they are USA made. So I’ll be watching the comments.
PS, I’m a newbie poster but have been lurking awhile. I have bought quite a bit after seeing it mentioned here, usually the Milwaukee/Ryobi cordless stuff.
RCWARD
That’s a big no
Seth
If it’s not spoken for already I would like to try it. Framing a pole barn and would like a way to secure the phone to the pouch and not have to worry about it getting banged around.
Brian M
Definitely not. I have an iPhone X with a slim case with a nice lip to help protect the screen (or screen protector) and I always put my screen facing my leg while in my pocket.
I don’t want anything bigger; if a phone doesn’t fit in my pocket, I won’t buy it.
Bruce
I run Otterbox fitted sleeves on my phones. But then I use a horizontal turtleback belt case for carrying it around. Made in the USA. One of my employees does the pocket carry case. I’ve never seen his phone with an intact screen. He seems fine with it. Any really active job (not shop job) is going to have too much banging around for today’s large smartphones to survive in a pocket.
Fm2176
I have this case’s smaller brethren, the L and XL (iirc), picked up on clearance at HD. The XL fits my entry level smartphone and is great for what it is, but I just keep mine in a pocket. I really don’t care for being attached to a phone (though admittedly I’m typing this on mine).
JML
Amazon and other vendor sell leather and ballistic nylon pouches that will fit even the largest phones with an external case attached. I have an iPhone XS with a Pitaka MagCase Pro (awesome design that I use in the car with their matching magnetic holder) and it’s really too big for back pockets or most other pockets. So I got a ballistic nylon pouch and a dressier leather one from Amazon into which I can slip the iPhone while it wears the protective case. These things come with rings for lanyards or carabiners, with all sorts of belt attachments. And they’re pretty cheap, too (the ballistic nylon case was under $9 and is extremely well built).
Matt
I’ve been using the same Klien XL holster since 2015. Used with S7 and S9 with otter box commuter case. I highly recommend this holster. Use it everyday and it shows, but still in good condition.