The Week in iPhone Cases: Paper, rock, scissors

The iPhone 5’s launch has come and gone, but the excitement in the case market is just getting started, with dozens of announcements appearing in our Macworld inboxes on a daily basis. From the stately to the sporty, and from the quirky to the…homemade, we’ve got some great new cases for you in this week’s roundup.

Camalen: The Wallet Snap (iPhone 5; $89) combines a snap-on shell with a wallet using a special magnetic-attachment system that keeps things secure while allowing you to separate the components as needed. The wallet section has several compartments for cash or plastic cards; both components are made from handcrafted leather and come in plain black, croc black, orange, or tan.

Element Case: The Sector 5 (iPhone 5; $160) is a bumper constructed from aviation-grade aluminium. A simple, single-screw removal system makes the bumper—which comes in anodized grey—easy to install and uninstall, while a set of interchangeable plates protect your handset’s back from bumps and scratches. The plates come either in carbon fiber or ultrasuede.

Griffin Technology: The Otis James collection (iPhone 4, 4S, and 5; $75) encompasses a series of sleeves created by renowned designer Otis James. Handmade in Nashville, TN, the sleeves are built from natural materials, such as wool, silk, and linen, and come in three different patterns. Each case provides a convenient way to carry your iPhone, as well as an external pocket in which you can stash a cable or a pair of headphones.

Hadaki: The Coated Phone Pod (all iPhone models; $17) is a sleeve designed to help you securely carry your iPhone while making a bold fashion statement. In addition to bright colors and voguish motifs, the sleeves feature a magnetic clasp that keeps your phone secure until you need it, as well as a soft, fleece interior that keeps the phone’s surfaces free of scratches during transport.

Miniot: The iWood 5 (iPhone 5; $103) brings Miniot’s distinctive wood-based designs to the iPhone 5 with a new case made entirely out of rich, natural materials. The case, which is available in walnut, padouk, cherry, wenge, oak, mahogany, or maple, features an excellent grip and ensures full access to all of your handset’s ports and controls. The case even reproduces the iPhone’s volume buttons in wood.

Rokform: The Rokshield v3 (iPhone 5; $49) combines two cases in one: An outer bumper, made of tough, shock-absorbing rubber, keeps your phone safe during active use and transport, while a lighter interior frame provides everyday protection with minimal bulk. The case, which is available in black, white, white/pink, black/gunmetal, black/red, or black/blue, is also compatible with a number of optional accessories that make it easy to mount your phone on a number of surfaces.

Satechi: The Bikermate (iPhone 4, 4S and 5; $25) is a mount system designed to fit on most bycicles and capable of playing host to a number of different smartphones, including most iPhone and iPod touch models. The Bikermate’s foam-padded pocket keeps your device safe from dust, dirt, and moisture while ensuring full access to its screen and controls.

Studio Hanson: Although you’re unlikely to find this case for sale in retail outlet, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share a most-curious take on iPhone protection. Portland, OR, based Randy Hanson, has devised a method of creating a simple (but highly effective) case made entirely out of masking tape. It’s probably not going to save your handset from a nasty fall—and its value as a fashion statement is dubious at best—but it’s a fun and easy do-it-yourself project that won’t cost you much.

Systm: The Chisel (iPhone 5; $35) features an inner shell built from Poron XRD, a special foam designed to keep your iPhone safe from shocks, an inner TPU layer, and an external hardshell, all engineered with maximum protection in mind. The Chisel is available in black/asphalt, asphalt/pop ping, or white/black.

The Hammer (iPhone 5; $30) is a simpler case that nonetheless shares a Porox XRD core with the more feature-rich Chisel. The Hammer comes in black or pink with a special textured exterior that enhances your grip when holding the iPhone.