A part of the attraction of Valve’s handheld Steam Deck PC-meets-console is the inclusion of a free onerous shell carry case. It is definitely a strong providing, however not so compact. Whereas the official variant has a carry deal with and a few spare compartments, there is not any subtlety to strolling round with a case embellished with a brand of its contents.
Primarily based out of San Francisco, WaterField Designs manufactures fashionable and practical equipment for all method of {hardware}. At the moment providing a small choice of instances for Steam Deck, this nylon pouch affords handy safety in numerous colours. I spent just a few days with their Steam Deck pouch to find out if it is well worth the asking worth.
Pouch for Steam Deck: Worth and availability
WaterField Designs sells the pouch for Steam Deck completely by means of its first-party retailer for $79 and is offered in numerous colours, together with waxed canvas, black ballistic, Forza blue, Forza inexperienced, and Forza pink. An extra carabiner is offered with any alternative for an additional $3.
WaterField has offered us with a Forza inexperienced pattern which measures 34.29 x 4.44 x 11.68cm and weighs 16g when empty.
Pouch for Steam Deck: What’s good
My first impressions of the Steam Deck pouch matched my expectations; it is a rugged nylon case with no indicators of poor or lazy building. Some mass-produced equipment typically exhibit proof of nook chopping, with frayed stitches weakening handles that preserve you from trusting them to guard your costly {hardware}. Fortunately, no pink flags appeared throughout my preliminary inspection.
A carry loop is mounted to the left aspect and held up in opposition to harsh pulling. The Steam Deck is a weighty console, heavier than the Nintendo Swap, so a single deal with must be dependable. Each zips for the principle compartment and aspect pockets are comparatively unassuming, however the grips sport a cute little WF motif on one aspect. There are refined firm logos dotted round, however nothing to loudly announce that you simply’re carrying an costly console.
A part of the advertising for this pouch reveals it inside bigger luggage from the vary, which makes extra sense than carrying it individually. Nonetheless, it is rugged sufficient to place my thoughts comfortable and extra versatile than a cumbersome hardshell case. Competing in opposition to the official possibility means the inside must pack some substantial padding to guard the 7-inch display screen of your Steam Deck, and opening it up reveals that Waterfield Designs understood the task.
The within of this pouch contains a plush lining, which is probably going what you anticipated. It is softer than the fabric contained in the official case, however you lose the stiff plating. Fortuitously, WaterField Designs went an additional step with an extra, double-thick wall formed across the Steam Deck display screen that additionally acts as a slim storage sleeve.
Naturally, you will not need to stuff an excessive amount of into this skinny pocket because it’s doing many of the work of defending valuable glass, however I used to be capable of slip in a few microSD playing cards in protecting jewel instances.
A double-thick wall formed across the Steam Deck display screen additionally acts as a slim storage sleeve.
The design aesthetic stands out probably the most contained in the entrance zip pocket, banded with gold nylon liner in a hexagon sample and one other motif reminding you this pouch was home-grown in San Francisco.
It had me considering of the yellowish shade themes within the futuristic Deus Ex video games and that I ought to instantly set up these on Steam Deck.
This entrance part is much better suited to bulkier equipment and is the place I saved a USB-C dock for connecting further peripherals. There is a separate pouch inside to maintain exterior storage gadgets or no matter else you want. Relying in your area, this part won’t have sufficient house to retailer your AC adapter, resulting in one of many solely downsides of this pouch.
Pouch for Steam Deck: What’s not so good
Since I am working from the UK, I get the chunky three-pronged AC adapter offered by Valve. It isn’t transformable and has no likelihood of becoming inside this pouch, in contrast to the a lot skinnier two-pronged USA variant. This unlucky concern is not a blemish on WaterField Designs; they function within the States, so catering to your private home viewers is smart.
Nonetheless, worldwide transport is offered, so you might want to think about which equipment you propose to take throughout your travels. Discovering a suitable USB-C adapter with a extra compact, transformable design may get you round this minor concern. At all times keep in mind: match the facility ranking on unofficial adapters and double-check compatibility earlier than plugging something into your Steam Deck.
The one different concern I had with this pouch was the protection of protruding thumbsticks when transporting the Steam Deck. Valve’s official carry case has cut-out sections to stop them from being knocked or twisted throughout transit, however there’s nothing inside this delicate variant to match. They are not so frequent, although anybody with entry to a 3D printer may attempt thumbstick protectors (through Printables) to maintain them inflexible and secure from injury.
Pouch for Steam Deck: The competitors
Any firm designing carry instances and pouches for Steam Deck instantly compete with the free hardshell variant offered by Valve. As I discussed earlier, the official possibility is powerful and affords loads of safety, however removed from refined with a print of the console’s brand. Anybody seeking to transport the hand-held with somewhat extra model and flexibility will doubtless choose up a alternative sooner or later, with delicate pouches providing extra choices.
Looking out on Amazon at present affords largely hardshell instances, even when specifying delicate pouches. Some low-cost choices can be found, produced from felt and different supplies, however characteristic photos of the standard suspicious 3D render and no real-world pictures of the Steam Deck saved inside. It is a pretty normal observe utilized by firms focusing on the most affordable worth level, making it troublesome to decide to a purchase order.
Proper now, it is tough to suggest options for a versatile Steam Deck pouch. A budget choices commonly disappear from storefronts, then resurface just a few weeks later underneath a special model title with the identical product photos. You could find extra inexpensive variants, however $79 appears like a good shake for the WaterFront Design fashions. An unlucky draw back to first-party-only gross sales is you will not be capable of use any retailer credit score or vouchers you might need from different retailers.
Pouch for Steam Deck: Do you have to purchase?
You can purchase this if …
- You needn’t transport too many cumbersome equipment.
- You will have entry to a slim AC adapter for the console.
- You need a fashionable and versatile Steam Deck pouch.
You should not purchase this if …
- You’ll want to journey with bigger equipment.
- Your area makes use of a big AC adapter with no options.
- You need to shield the Steam Deck thumbsticks throughout transit.
WaterField Designs have hit the mark with this versatile pouch, conserving your Steam Deck safe for fast journeys and even safer when saved inside giant baggage. Accessible in numerous colours to match your different journey equipment, it options high-quality building and sufficient house to retailer the necessities.
Limiting gross sales to a first-party storefront is not perfect for individuals who desire to buy elsewhere, however the worth level is honest. It is a rugged pouch that ought to final for a few years and stays one of many greatest Steam Deck instances. Bear in mind to examine the AC adapter on your area since some are too cumbersome to slot in any aspect part and would possibly want a alternative.
Accessible in canvas, black, blue, inexperienced, and pink colours, this versatile pouch has simply sufficient house to move your Steam Deck with just a few slim equipment.
