A phone case with a small pouch hanging from a strap used to be a niche accessory. Now it is a familiar sight, and Custype is one of the brands selling it. The idea is simple: a case, a clip-on wallet and a strap, which lets a bag stay home on short outings.
Choosing among the options is harder than the pitch suggests. The catalog is large, and the details that decide whether a kit works for you, such as phone fit, strap length and card capacity, are easy to skip past while scrolling.
This guide pulls together what Custype publishes about its materials, sizes, styles, shipping and returns, plus a few general buying habits that apply to any phone accessory. Anything that is the brand’s own claim is labeled that way.
What a Crossbody Case Kit Is
A Custype kit usually has three parts: a phone case, a wallet or pouch that clips on and off, and a crossbody strap with adjustable length. Some kits add a wrist strap, an earbud pouch or a coin purse.
The point is carrying less. Your phone, a few cards and a small item or two ride on your body, which suits travel days, errands and workouts. Custype frames the idea with the tagline “carry less, feel more.”
Scale is the other thing to know up front. Custype’s store lists roughly 745 products across iPhone and Samsung fits, wallet cases, wristlets and standalone straps, so a little preparation saves time before you open a product page.
Custype’s Background
Custype describes itself as the originator of the crossbody phone case and says patents cover some of its designs. Whether it was literally first is hard to confirm from the outside. The claim does show what the brand wants to be known for, which is design rather than being the budget option.
The brand also says it makes its products in its own factory instead of hiring a third party. Owning production can tighten control over quality and lead times, though it cuts both ways. It also explains a practical detail covered below: returns are mailed to China.
Outside designers are part of the story as well. Katie O’Shea and Sara Torabi are named, along with Amy Suther, Duchess Plum and Elena Amo, among others, for limited prints. Collaborations like these place Custype closer to a fashion label than to a typical tech accessory maker.
As for the company itself, Custype dates its founding to 2014, well before crossbody cases became common. The main office is in the Wanchai district of Hong Kong, and a second operations office in El Monte, California supports U.S. logistics. No founder is named on the brand’s pages, so none is named here.
Materials and Hardware
The table below summarizes what Custype lists for its crossbody kits. Specifics vary by style, so treat it as the typical setup rather than a promise for every product.
| Part | What Custype lists |
|---|---|
| Outer surface | Vegan or microfiber leather, in smooth, Lychee-grain or crocodile-embossed finishes, with embroidery or prints on select styles |
| Shell | A rigid polycarbonate layer with a flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) bumper around the edges |
| Charging | Many styles work with wireless charging, and several are made for MagSafe or other magnetic chargers |
| Cards | Usually 4 to 6 on wallet-style kits, in slots the brand describes as RFID-blocking |
| Strap | Adjustable crossbody strap, about 1 inch wide, set anywhere from 45 to 57 inches; most kits add a detachable wrist strap |
| Personalization | Engraving on select cases, wallets and round pouches, not store-wide |
Finish changes how a case looks and feels, so check the listing for the individual style instead of assuming they all match.
Charging results depend on case thickness and on what is attached to the back. Taking the wallet or pouch off first is the usual way to get a dependable connection. That holds for magnetic charging with any bulky accessory, so it is not a quirk of this brand.
Four to six cards is enough for an ID, a couple of bank cards and a transit pass, which makes a wallet-style kit workable as your only wallet on a short outing. If you carry more, a larger pouch makes more sense than a slim attachment.
Choosing the Right Kit
Four questions narrow the field quickly. Work through them in this order, since the first ones rule out the most options.
Count the cards you carry
Think of a typical day. An ID, a card or two and maybe a transit pass fit a wallet that holds 4 to 6. If your list is longer, look at a kit with a bigger pouch.
Decide how the strap will be worn
A strap that adjusts from 45 to 57 inches covers wearing across the body or over one shoulder, according to the brand. If the wrist strap will do most of the work, length hardly matters. If hands-free carry is the goal, check that the range suits your frame and the way you plan to wear it.
Pick a price tier
Custype’s catalog spans about $38 to about $139, and its wallet-and-strap bundles sit between about $69 and about $95. Below that band you will mostly find standalone straps and simpler cases with no detachable wallet. Above it, the extra cost goes to premium finishes such as crocodile embossing, or to customization. To compare tiers yourself, browse Custype’s range at its own online store.
Confirm the phone model last
Custype lists the iPhone 12 through 17 series, including Pro, Pro Max and Air versions, and Galaxy S22 through S26 models, including Ultra and Plus. Phones from the same generation can still differ in camera cutouts and button placement. Open Settings, then General, then About, and match the model name exactly.
A wrong model is an easy mistake and a costly one, since you pay the return postage when the choice was yours.
Styles Worth a Closer Look
Seven styles cover most needs in the range. They are grouped here by what they do rather than ranked.
Full kits
Original Design Set with round pouch. A case, a detachable round pouch and the crossbody strap, from about $89. It shows close to 90 reviews on Custype’s own site, the highest count among the styles covered here.
Heart Design Kit. The same core system with a heart-shaped detachable pouch, at about $82, with around 55 reviews on the brand’s site. It suits anyone who wants a little more personality.
Silver Edge Kit. The one with a built-in stand. It holds 4 to 6 cards in slots described as RFID-blocking, is listed as supporting MagSafe-style charging, carries a 6.6-foot drop rating stated by Custype and costs about $89. Our full verdict on the Custype Silver Edge Kit goes through the specs and the return terms.
Lighter options
Slim wallet case with flower charm. A wallet case with an attached strap and a small charm, and no detachable pouch. It fits someone who needs only card storage attached to the phone.
Double ring braided wrist strap. A braided vegan leather strap for about $32, 10.3 inches long, in six colors with dual metal rings. It is an inexpensive way to change how an existing Custype case is carried.
Specialist kits
Crossbody case with an AirPods pouch. A dedicated earbud pouch sits beside the usual wallet and strap, which helps if a commute means carrying both cards and earbuds.
Crossbody MagSafe case with coin purse. Crossbody cases tend to be built around cards alone. This one adds a small coin purse for cash, parking meters or transit tokens.
Custype Versus Bandolier
Bandolier is the other brand that turns up in crossbody case searches. Both describe themselves as originals of the category, so the label alone does not say which is the better buy. The table sets out the facts that do.
| Custype | Bandolier | |
|---|---|---|
| Based in | Main office in Hong Kong, operations office in California | Los Angeles |
| Price range | About $38 to $139 | About $102 to $198 |
| Look and materials | Vegan and microfiber leather on a hybrid shell | Leather with chain-strap detailing and a designer-bag look |
| Free shipping | Standard orders, no minimum, to most of 50-plus countries | Orders of $150 or more |
| Phone lines | iPhone and Samsung | iPhone and Samsung |
The price gap is the clearest difference. Bandolier’s Hailey and Emma styles sit at about $118 and $112, and the Billie Utility tops its range at about $198. Comparable Custype products come in roughly $30 to $50 lower.
Shipping widens the gap. Most single Bandolier cases cost more than $100, so reaching the $150 free-shipping line usually means a second item or a delivery fee. Custype’s free standard shipping has no minimum.
Neither brand has an edge on recent phones, since both serve iPhone and Samsung lines. Custype’s larger catalog may help if your phone is older or less common.
If budget and free shipping come first, Custype costs less. If one Bandolier design has won you over and price matters less, it is a reasonable brand too.
Buying From the Right Seller
Trending accessories attract copycats, and crossbody cases are no exception. The safest route is Custype’s own online store. If you buy anywhere other than Custype’s own site, make sure the seller is authorized by the brand. A listing that cannot show this is unverified: it may be a fine product, but it is not confirmed to be genuine.
These red flags are worth checking on any site:
- A price far below the usual range of about $38 to $139. Deals that deep are unlikely to be real.
- Stock photography with no consistent branding. Custype’s own listings keep a recognizable photo style from one product to the next.
- Vague wording such as “premium material” where Custype names vegan or microfiber leather and a hybrid shell.
- A web address other than custype.com. Lookalike domains are a common trick behind knockoff stores.
The returns page is another clue. Custype’s policy gives a physical return address in Foshan, Guangdong, and asks for a packing slip and tracked shipping. Stores that never plan to honor returns rarely publish details like these.
Buying from the brand is also the quickest path to support if something goes wrong. To go straight to the source, shop the collection at Custype’s own online store.
Returns, Shipping and Support
The table covers the terms Custype publishes. The two that matter most are who pays return postage and where returns go.
| Topic | What Custype says |
|---|---|
| Return window | 60 days from delivery for most products, 30 days for a smaller set |
| Condition | Unused, unaltered and without scratches or signs of wear. Contact support first, then ship with tracking and the original packing slip |
| Return postage | You pay if the return is your choice, such as a wrong size or color or a change of mind. Custype pays if it sent a wrong model or a defective item |
| Return address | A facility in Foshan, Guangdong, China, because the brand runs its own factory there |
| Refund timing | Processed 2 to 3 days after arrival. PayPal usually takes 1 to 3 business days and cards 5 to 7, depending on the bank |
| Refund method | Original payment method or store credit. A promotional gift in the order must come back too, or the refund is reduced |
| Cancellation | Full refund if the order has not shipped or entered production |
| Warranty | No separate written warranty beyond the return policy |
| Standard delivery | Free to most of 50-plus countries. U.S. orders usually take 6 to 12 business days and orders abroad 8 to 10, with Japan fastest at 3 to 5 |
| Expedited delivery | $29 for U.S. orders, 4 to 6 days, not refundable once the order ships |
Because returns cross an ocean, postage adds up, and third-party reviews of the brand raise that cost. Confirming your size and phone model before checkout is the simplest way to avoid paying for your own mistake. Cancelling quickly, before the order ships, is the cleanest exit.
Defective items go through the standard return process, with the brand covering postage. Buying from an unverified third party can put that process out of reach, which is one more reason to stay with confirmed sellers.
Caring for Your Case
Vegan leather is less forgiving than genuine leather, so a few habits make a visible difference. They are listed here by the moment they apply.
- Cleaning: Custype’s own guidance is a soft, slightly damp cloth and nothing more. Harsh chemicals, soaking and hard scrubbing can scuff the surface, change its color or start peeling along the seams.
- Charging: if the case supports wireless or magnetic charging, take the wallet or pouch off before it goes on the charger. It helps the connection and keeps a bulky attachment from pressing against a hard charging puck again and again.
- Wearing: light cases, such as the beige or light pink options, can pick up stains from dark denim, dyed fabric and unfinished leather bags. Limit long contact if you choose a pale color, especially in hot weather, when dye transfers more easily.
- Hardware: metal rings and clasps can dull from rubbing against clothes and bags. A dry cloth after heavy use keeps grime out of the joints.
- Straps: when you switch between the crossbody strap and the wrist strap, detach the one you are not using so it does not dangle and wear.
- Storage: keep the case where it will not be squashed under other items. Vegan leather can crease under steady pressure, while genuine leather tends to spring back.
If a case arrives faulty or falls apart early, use the return process described above instead of attempting a repair.
Common Questions
Who pays if I need to return a case?
It depends on the reason. You pay when the choice is yours, for example a wrong size or a change of mind. Custype pays when it shipped a wrong model or a defective item.
How long does delivery take?
For U.S. addresses, standard delivery usually takes 6 to 12 business days, and the $29 expedited option takes 4 to 6. Orders abroad generally need 8 to 10 business days.
Can I cancel an order?
Yes. A cancellation before the order ships or enters production is refunded in full. After that, the normal return rules apply.
Which phones are covered?
iPhone owners can look at the 12 through 17 series, and Samsung owners at Galaxy models from the S22 to the S26, with Pro, Pro Max, Air, Ultra and Plus versions included. Check your exact model before ordering.
Do the cases work with wireless chargers?
Many do, and several are made for MagSafe or other magnetic chargers. Thickness and attachments affect the result, so detach the wallet or pouch first and read the product description.
What are the cases made of?
Most pair microfiber or vegan leather with a hybrid polycarbonate and TPU shell, in smooth, Lychee-grain or crocodile-embossed finishes.
Can a case be personalized?
Selected products can be engraved, including some cases, wallets and round pouches. Not every style offers it.
Is Custype a legitimate brand?
Custype dates its founding to 2014, operates its own factory and says patents cover select designs. Buying from its own online store is the simplest way to be sure of the seller.
How do I reach support?
Custype lists [email protected] for questions about a product’s material, sizing or hardware.
Shortlisting goes fastest in this order: cards, strap, budget, then phone model. After that, the catalog shrinks to a handful of candidates.
