Waterfield Shield Case for Apple Vision Pro Review: Much better for travel than Apple's case

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Compact for Travel

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Waterfield Shield case for Apple Vision Pro

4.5/5 Buy by Waterfield

The Apple Vision Pro is a daunting combination of expensive and fragile, so the Waterfield Shield Case is designed to protect your device while remaining stylish and compact.

Apple released a travel case for the Apple Vision Pro, but it was too impractical and too luxurious for the job. Luckily, Waterfield designers have introduced a much more practical Shield Case.

I made a distinction in the Travel Case review that I would like to do here. There is a difference between a travel case and a storage case, and sometimes a case can be both.

The Waterfield Shield Case for Apple Vision Pro is definitely a travel case. You'll have to remove the headset's strap before putting it in the case, making it a less convenient option for daily storage.

However, when traveling, it is extremely important to have the smallest but most protective case. I think the Shield Case is the perfect solution here, and it looks great too.

I also checked out Waterfield's recommended companion bag — Air Porter backpack. I will also discuss its usefulness throughout the review.

Waterfield Shield Case Review – Design

I chose the waxed canvas bag with chocolate leather because I'm a dork who loves the Indiana Jones aesthetic. There are leather and 1050 denier ballistic nylon alternatives, as well as the option to go leather-free at a lower price.

Waterfield Shield case review: design with attention to detail

Regardless of the outer material, each Shield case is a bag that measures 7.5 inches tall, 7.75 inches long, and 5.25 inches deep. It weighs 1.3 lbs with canvas or 1 lb otherwise.

Waterfield is known for its attention to detail in design. Waxed canvas is a durable 14 ounce material that can be re-waxed if necessary.

The zipper buttons have a scratch-resistant black coating and holes through which the zipper can be inserted. The zippers are waterproof.

The interior is made of high quality neoprene, which provides thick cushioning for the Apple Vision Pro. The small accessory case has neoprene around the outer edge that adheres to the lenses without damaging them.

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Soft Protection

The bag feels durable and protective. I won't dribble it like a basketball, but the Apple Vision Pro feels secure inside.

The Shield case is the exact size and shape needed for use with the Apple Vision Pro without an attached strap. So, before inserting the headset, you need to remove the Solo Knit Band or Dual Loop Band.

The accessory bag can accommodate the charger, strap, cable, and cleaning cloth. There are dedicated slots for Zeiss optical lenses if you want to store them separately.

Waterfield Shield case review: battery storage, no cable routing

The cover of the bag has a slot for an external battery. It doesn't have any kind of cable management system, so you just shove the whole thing into a slot.

The outside of the lid has a zippered compartment. It can't hold a lot of stuff, but it does have a hidden AirTag slot.

Air Porter backpack

It was important to Waterfield to develop a Shield Case that was travel-friendly and modular. It works great as a crossbody bag, but also fits easily into several of the company's backpacks and duffel items — which is not possible with the Apple travel case.

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Fits in other Waterfield bags

I need to try out the Air Porter backpack. It's quite large at 22 liters, larger than my largest, fully expanded to 21 liters.

Color-matched waxed canvas with a chocolate leather insert makes it look similar to the Shield Case's larger brother. This bag is made with pockets and compartments and has become my new favorite travel bag.

It's designed with travel in mind, so it can be stowed under an airplane seat and provides access to top pockets. I can fit my entire office in this bag if I have room.

The side compartment is for my cables and chargers, including the collapsible 3-in-1 charger that I prefer.
The other side compartment is perfect for my Hidrate Spark water. bottle.
Slim front pocket is designed for quick access to documents, passports and other thin items.
The top pocket can hold an iPhone, spare battery, etc.
Spare top compartment is ideal for an extra Air Caddy to hold an iPad mini or Nintendo Switch.
Main compartment has plenty of room for a Shield Case.
Main compartment Pockets include a laptop compartment, a tablet compartment, and a zippered pouch.

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Plenty of room for more with the Shield Case inserted

After I packed the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch iPad Pro, Apple Vision Pro, portable mechanical keyboard, Magic Trackpad, iPad mini, chargers, batteries and cables, there was still room in the main compartment for something else . On a recent trip, I used the extra storage space of a HomePod mini connected to a battery pack and a game controller.

This truly is the perfect addition to the Shield case.

Waterfield Shield Case Review – Designed for travel

The most important part of the Shield case is its size. Even without the Air Porter backpack, it seems like a great option for the Apple Vision Pro. I can easily carry it on its own using the handle or shoulder strap, and it even fits into my other 21L bag.

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Half the Size of the Apple Travel Case

This was the biggest flaw of the Apple Travel Case. It was big and couldn't fit into any bag.

Waterfield's Shield case is focused on one very important use case – — be as portable as possible with minimal compromises. Having to remove the tape is a trade-off, but otherwise it's as little as possible without removing additional parts.

Apple Vision Pro has a unique form factor that requires a special case, bag or container. Unlike laptops and tablets, you can't just throw it in any bag without risking damage.

The Shield Case is a travel bag specifically designed for the Apple Vision Pro and its basic set of accessories. There is no room for a Magic Trackpad or keyboard.

Waterfield Shield case review: no room for additional accessories

No one has assembled a “laptop bag” with VR headsets yet. I'd like to see a universal shoulder bag that can fit the Vision Pro with a keyboard, trackpad, and other essential accessories.

Instead, the Shield Case is designed to fit the Apple Vision Pro and is small enough to slip into another bag. This is not a complete solution.

So, for those trying to use just the Apple Vision Pro, you'll still need more than one bag. This could be because accessory makers expect users to carry some other kind of bag along with a travel case like the one for the MacBook Pro. It is treated as an add-on or accessory, but this may change over time.

At the moment, I like to have a complete solution consisting of a Waterfield Shield case and an Air Porter backpack. I can comfortably carry everything I need while traveling without worrying about the fragile Apple Vision Pro.

Bag in a bag

Waterfield embodies the simple concept I've developed of making packing fun, from day trips to week-long adventures. The idea is that you'll have several smaller bags ready that can easily be packed into a larger bag for quick, headache-free planning.

Waterfield Shield Case Review: Bags to the End

For example, you can prepare an Air Caddy insert with accessories for Nintendo Switch, a Shield Case with Vision Pro accessories and Air Porter with travel stands and other products. When it's time to pack for your trip, each bag already comes with the accessories needed for the device, so all you need to do is add the device and then pack the small bag into the larger bag.

The Shield case is the perfect embodiment of this approach and suits my travel planning style. I can take the Shield Case on its own or pack it in a larger bag, always ensuring that the Apple Vision Pro is always in a safe and protective bag.

If you're looking for a well-designed travel case for your Apple Vision Pro, don't worry about the Apple Travel Case. Take the case with the shield. It is so simple.

Waterfield Shield Case Review – Pros

Precise, convenient storage for Apple Vision Pro.
Premium materials and thoughtful design.
Compact yet holds everything you need.
Perfect. fits Air Porter backpack.
Hidden AirTag slot.
Shoulder strap option.

Waterfield Shield Case Review – Cons

Requires removal of strap from Vision Pro
No cable management of external battery

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I really think this is the perfect travel bag for the Apple Vision Pro, at least the best one I've ever come across. However, I can't ignore the fact that this requires removing the strap from the Apple Vision Pro, which somewhat reduces its usefulness.

If Waterfield had compromised and made the bag large enough to leave the straps, it would have lost its position as a compact travel bag. I think they made the right choice.