Having adored my OG Switch's Cityslicker for over two years, I didn't consider anything but another WaterField for my new Lite. While such intellectual laziness might often be a recipe for despair, ruin, and unsightly dents in sensitive electronics, that was very much not the case here. The Pouch is exactly as protective as it needs to be while maintaining a slim form factor. I wouldn't advise hanging it from a car bumper or from your favoured dog's collar, but outside of those surely niche use cases the Pouch functions perfectly. The folds that comprise the lower corners of the case are rigid enough that pressure on the sticks isn't of any concern; similarly, the screen isn't being compressed, although the disturbingly smooth inner lining renders that a nonissue anyway.

'Protectiveness' and 'durability' are all well and good, but appearance is, naturally, paramount. While it may be a little understated if you're time travelling to an early-2000s LAN party, and it certainly lacks the je ne sais quoi to assist little Timmy in ascending to ruler of the sandbox, it is more attractive than a gaming case has any right to be, and won't appear incongruous amidst even high end bags and cases. To the denizens of a boardroom or Viennese café, it would appear to be little more than a tasteful toiletry bag or similar... until the zip comes off and your Pokemon-playing shame is exposed for all and sundry to see.

This is an attractive and functional case that is well worth the price tag, and then some. Along with the premium price comes premium craftsmanship and aesthetics that feel tangibly different to even the nicer of 'regular' cases. For the niche this product occupies there really is nothing better.