Did you see the sweet wrap on my HTC One M8 through the clear GemShell case by Speck that I reviewed the other day? If you want protection on your phone, but don’t want the bulk of a case, then a wrap is the way to go. There’s a few companies out there that come to mind when it comes to making wraps, I can think of at least one other major manufacturer, but the ones I’m writing about today are from a company called SlickWraps.

Price: $19.95

Design

SlickWraps designs are classy, there are a number of designs that they offer for the HTC One M8. They even make wraps for a bunch of other phones and even devices like gaming consoles. For the HTC One M8 they make skins that range in series like carbon, wood, leather, glow, metal, cork, natural, color, designer, and naked. Each series has a handful of colors or other patterns and the packaging includes a screen protector and one or two application styles. For instance, you can apply two pieces that cover the BoomSound speakers on the front or you can a single piece that covers the speakers and the strips along the sides of the screen. Also inside the packing is a microfiber cloth, sticker, and a QR code that will direct you to a website with installation instructions/videos. I like how SlickWraps cut out spaces for the cameras, speakers, flash and even the HTC logo on the back of the phone. Applying a wrap around the corners of the back of the phone can be a difficult challenge so instead of creating any dissatisfaction, SlickWraps added smaller pieces that avoid the curves that would cause any loose flaps.

Protection

What’s the biggest thing we are trying to protect our phones from if they get dropped? Scratches dents, and cracked screens, right? Wraps offer protection from daily wear and tear like scuffs from going in and out of your pocket or purse and will give you some level of resistance if it hits the ground. And just for the record, SlickWraps can’t protect your phone from any of this BendGate hubbub so please don’t make a video proving me right.

Use

A wrap from SlickWraps won’t cover your phone from all of the above hazards, but neither can most cases so use at your own risk. Application was pretty easy. I admit, I was a little intimidated at first, but everything went on pretty well after watching the videos. The main part the covers the back of the phone gave me a little bit of trouble since there are so many openings that I wanted to get just right. I peeled this piece off a couple of times before I settled for something I was satisfied with. I had hoped the wrap would offer a bit of grip, but maybe the carbon series wasn’t the right choice for that extra benefit.

Verdict

A wrap by SlickWraps won’t protect you phone from the worst case scenarios, but it will offer a level of protection that isn’t accompanied with all the bulk of a case making it hard to fit in your pocket or car dock. I like the elements that SlickWraps has to offer, because they give your phone a twist from the others while still maintaining a slim profile.