YETI’s First iPhone Case Hands-On: The Best Part Isn’t the Protection

5 hours ago

YETI LoadOut Phone Case in navy on an orange iPhone Pro Max with the ring stand folded, next to a YETI sticker

A while back, we covered YETI’s first iPhone case when it launched in Canada, and the company has since sent one over for me to check out. It’s called the LoadOut Phone Case, and the version I have fits both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and this year’s 6.9-inch iPhone 18 Pro Max.

YETI LoadOut Phone Case retail box for iPhone 6.9-inch Pro Max 2026 and iPhone 17 Pro Max, showing 3X protection and kickstand icons

On the box, YETI promotes 3X protection and a built-in kickstand. Once it’s on your phone, the case feels substantial, and it offers increased protection if you work in an environment where you might drop your iPhone.

A Thick Case With YETI Branding

Empty navy YETI LoadOut iPhone case at an angle showing its side button covers, a bottom lanyard tie slot and the ring stand folded, next to a YETI sticker

This is not a thin case by any means. If you prefer something slim that barely adds to your iPhone, this one will feel like a big change.

There’s YETI branding on the back, with the logo stamped near the bottom of the case. If you’re a YETI fan, you’ll be fine with this.

Back of the empty YETI LoadOut iPhone case with the ring stand folded flat and the YETI logo at the bottom

Inside, the case has a felt lining, and it carries another YETI logo. The bottom corners also have lanyard ties, so you can attach a lanyard or wrist strap.

Inside of the YETI LoadOut iPhone case showing the felt lining with a YETI logo

The Rotating Stand Is the Best Part

Plenty of cases now have stands built in, as we saw with ESR’s Stash Stand cases earlier this year. On the YETI LoadOut, the stand is my favourite feature. It’s a ring on the back that flips out and can twist to support your iPhone in different orientations, so you can prop it up in portrait or landscape.

YETI LoadOut iPhone case standing in landscape with its ring stand flipped out as a kickstand

Side view of the YETI LoadOut iPhone case ring stand rotated on its hinge to prop the case up in landscape

That same ring doubles as a loop, which gives you a way to hold your iPhone securely. When you don’t need it, the ring folds back down flat against the case. According to YETI, the kickstand is MagSafe compatible too.

Is It Worth $80?

Overall, it’s a nice case. My main issue is the price. The LoadOut Phone Case sells for $80 on Amazon.ca, which is high for a case. YETI does back it with a five-year warranty and offers it in 11 colours.

Since it fits both Pro Max models, it carries over if you upgrade from an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and our look at the iPhone 18 Pro portrait mode might help with that decision. If you’re a big YETI fan, this YETI case might hit your wish list.

Would you spend $80 on a YETI case for your iPhone, or is that too much for a phone case?

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