Including the Hybrid Shell, we’ve tested and reviewed four cases from InGear.  Our experiences with the the Flexi-Edge, the Jazzy and the Polarize have been positive, and would recommend these competitively priced examples to all our readers.  Unfortunately, we won’t be recommending InGear’s Hybrid Shell in the same way, and here’s why:

This is a two-piece case consisting of a solid plastic front surround and a softer TPU base, and the two click together to form a shell for your iPhone 4.  At least, that’s the theory.  Now, before we go any further, our test iPhone 4 was wearing Power Support’s anti-glare screen protector, however as all InGear cases come with a screen protector anyway, we doubt this would make much difference to the fit.

The problem was this: the colored surround didn’t clip on to the main case section properly.  It would clip in place on one corner, only to come off again on another, and once it was more-or-less fitted, the edges didn’t quite match up, giving it a rather scruffy look.

We had four colored surrounds to test – in white, black, gold, pink and yellow – and some did fit better than others, but none in a way we felt happy enough to leave on for any length of time.  The fit just didn’t feel secure enough not to come apart when the phone was in our pocket or bag.

Like the Flexi Grip Edge case from InGear, the brighter surround pieces in pink and yellow didn’t look very good at all.  The colors used gave them a cheap, ugly quality which didn’t suit the phone.  The black one was the most acceptable for all the wrong reasons, in that it masked the overall design and its fitment shortcomings.

So, of all the InGear products, this has been the only one that has disappointed us and, at $22.99, it’s the most expensive too.  If you want to, it can be purchased via InGear’s website, though our advice is to save yourself some dollars and go for their Flexi Grip Edge instead.