Harber London Legacy iPad Sleeve review: Tablet sleeves don’t come better than this

Call off the search, I’ve found the perfect carry case for your iPad. It’s called the Legacy iPad Sleeve and it’s from Harber London, a luggage and leather accessory specialist.

Harber’s latest product, the Legacy iPad Sleeve is part of a collection that includes sleeves for the current crop of iPad Mini, iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro, in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, plus laptops of 13-14in or 15-16in sizes. Safe to say, if you have an iPad or laptop, there’s a good chance one of these lovely new leather sleeves will fit it nicely.

I’m specifically reviewing the iPad sleeve for Apple’s 11-inch tablets, and in the brown colour option. Other colours offered by Harber include black and caoba, which is somewhere between black and brown.

Having reviewed (and bought) Harber London products in the past, I had high expectations for this handmade sleeve – especially considering the £219 price of this particular model. Despite the high price, my expectations were justified. This is a truly wonderful iPad sleeve.

As with other Harber products, the full grain leather is top-notch. It looks, feels (and smells!) like a quality item that is supple while also feeling like it has been built to last. But, as nice as the exterior is, it’s the interior that impresses most of all. I love the light brown colour and how much padding there is to protect the sleeve’s main compartment. The back is particularly well padded, and makes me confident that an iPad would survive life in there – and the occasional drop, I imagine – without any additional protection.

The lining of the iPad compartment really is top-class, with a suede-like finish that feels soft and luxurious. I especially like how Harber has extended the lining to act as a barrier between your iPad and the inner side of the zip, ensuring your tablet won’t pick up any scratches.

This compartment is large enough for both your iPad and Apple’s Magic Keyboard, or of course you could slot other items in there too, like an eBook reader, a compact-format magazine or a notebook.

The second compartment is a little smaller, but opens fairly wide and has plenty of room for accessories like wireless headphones, cables, sunglasses, a passport, fragrance and maybe a charger too. Both compartments feel generously accommodating, and neither caused the sleeve to feel too baggy when empty or bulky when full.

It’s comfortable to hold, even when full, and in the summer months I can see myself reaching for this far more often than hoisting a backpack over my shoulder and worrying about overheating. It may seem silly, but slipping an iPad and my AirPods case into the Legacy Sleeve makes me excited for the day ahead. My laptop and bulky backpack or messenger bag can stay at home; instead I can grab the lightweight sleeve and head out with everything I need for a day of work in a tiny, comfortable form factor. It’s liberating.

If you need to carry more, the relatively low weight of the sleeve means it can live in a larger bag without taking up too much space or adding noticeable bulk. Pair it with Harber London’s Overnight Bag and you’ve got the perfect weekend duo.

That lovely tan lining of the main compartment is missing from the smaller compartment, but I can appreciate how this would add complexity, cost, weight and bulk. In any case, the front compartment has a soft lining on one side and the same leather as the exterior on the opposite side. Both compartments close with a sturdy metal zip attached to a brown leather tag, and there’s a leather panel on the front with the Harber London logo. The rear is entirely blank.

Harber London Legacy iPad Sleeve review: Verdict

It isn’t cheap – the whole Legacy Sleeve range spans from £209 for the iPad Mini to £229 for the largest laptop version – but you really do get what you pay for. It’s a lovely product, from the unboxing experience to the look, feel and smell. Even before you start using it, it’s clear where your money has gone.

Fill it up, and it’ll become an essential member of your everyday carry, especially in the summer when lightweight simplicity is key. I also expect it to age beautifully, developing a gentle patina from regular use.