Evan Rodriguez

One small add: “military grade” isn’t a certification so treat it as marketing - prefer cases that state a repeatable 6–8 ft drop rating and show visible corner air pockets or impact foam. For slim-but-tough, a TPU/TPE bumper with a PC back is the sweet spot; skip brittle all‑acrylic, and look for at least about 1 mm of raised lip over both the screen and camera. If you use MagSafe, make sure the ring is embedded and doesn’t create a hard ridge that defeats shock absorption on the back. Pair the case with a tempered glass screen protector (and optionally a thin strap or grip tab), and replace clear TPU cases every 9–12 months since they harden and protect less over time.

Use a heat protectant and work in thin sections, and comb each piece right before you pass the straightener... Lower the temperature to reduce snagging and help heat distribute evenly.