Jump to: Sleeves -- Special Use Case

Padded Cases

Waterfield Designs iPod Case -- $40, www.sfbags.com
Waterfield is a San Francisco-based company that makes some really nice, stylish bags, sleeves, and cases for everything from your PowerBook to your cash and credit cards. Their iPod case is another worthy addition to their lineup. A velcro-secured front flap is generously padded, features an inner pocket for ear buds, and lifts to reveal a snug sleeve for the main unit, which is open in front for complete access to the screen and controls. The top of the case has a cutout for the headphone/remote jacks and hold button, while a bottom slot provides access to the firewire connector. An included quick release, swivel belt clip secures to the back of the case.

Waterfield has made a solid, good-looking case that should appeal to outdoors-types who take their iPods hiking and mountain biking. Though the Waterfield website doesn't specify, the case appears to be made frome the same ballistic nylon-wrapped neoprene as the company's laptop sleevecases. A choice of red, white, or blue trim smartly accents the black fabric. While I found this case a bit bulkier than the other padded cases reviewed (the belt clip is particularly chunky and solid), the extra protection will certainly appeal to some; I tend to take the subway a lot more than I ride a mountain bike, so the less space I have to occupy, the better. One size fits all three of the new iPods, and the Waterfield kept my 10 GB model (the slimmest of the bunch) cozy and secure.

Booq PodPaq 014 -- $39.95 (l) and PodPaq Nappa -- $44.95 (r), www.booqbags.com

Booq hails from Burbank, CA, near Los Angeles. It's an apt metaphor to think of the difference between their line of backpacks, cases, and bags and those from Waterfield Designs as the difference between L.A. and San Francisco. Some people like L.A.'s brand of city chic while others prefer the Bay Area's nature-meets-cyber pragmatic hip. Me, I live in New York and I have to say the Southern Californians at Booq have come up with some seriously stylish iPod cases that are right at home on the streets of the Big Apple.

The ballistic nylon PodPaq is very cool. Leather isn't really my thing, but the PodPaq Nappa is awful nice, as well. Both cases feature a two-piece design with a fold-over flap that secures via metal snap closures on the front and back. This design allows for removal of the flap, which is a nice feature if you want easy access to the front controls (for instance, if you keep your iPod in its case while using it with your home stereo). However, a drawback of the design is that the top sides of the iPod are left unprotected (see above right) -- not a big problem, but something to consider if you toss your pod into a backpack, briefcase, or anywhere else where it might come into contact with pencils, paper clips, or leaky water bottles. The flap has an interior pocket for ear buds, and both cases have separate cutouts for the front screen, control buttons, and scroll wheel, providing just a little more coverage than the Waterfield. More cutouts provide access to the top headphone/remote jacks and hold button and bottom firewire port.

With its chic grey/black/orange color scheme and nifty snap closures, the PodPaq quickly became my favorite of the padded cases. While the one size fits all design was a little roomy for my skinny 10 GB pod, the PodPaq's weather-resistant 1680D ballistic nylon and scratch-proof neoprene construction made me feel good about my iPod's well-being. An included belt clip swivels on a quick-release bolt on the back of the case, and nappa leather trim adds an air of sophistication to the hi-tech-cool design.

If the 014 is L.A. to Waterfield's Frisco, then the all-leather PodPaq Nappa is the Beverly Hills of the bunch. Sheathing your iPod in this baby screams executive luxury. The all-black leather is kid glove soft and backed with neoprene that promises not to scratch your pod. The PodPad Nappa differs from the 014 by adding an external front flap pocket to go along with the internal pocket, and sporting a non-swiveling, integrated belt clip. Your Armani-attired, music lover friends will love this case for sure.

Mattias iPod Armor -- $49.95/$54.95 with Armor Clip, www.ipodarmor.com
Time magazine called the iPod Armor the "Schwarzenegger of iPod cases." Yup: iPod Armor may seem like overkill to some, but if this isn't the ultimate in protection for your iPod, then I don't know what is. Constructed from anondized aluminum with an EVA foam interior, this is truly armor for your iPod. Forget velcro and snap closures - this case opens via a hinge on the bottom and features plastic-framed cutouts for top panel access. To operate the front panel you have to open the case up, but the point of a case like this is protection, and it will keep your pod's screen and buttons out of harm's way.

One size fits all iPod models, including the older, non-docking versions, and I actually found my iPod to be swimming just a little in the case's roomy interior. But it was safe and sound in there, that's for sure. I'm personally not a big fan of the front of the case, which has raised surfaces designed to look like the screen and scroll wheel hidden inside. I know I've got an iPod under there, so why not keep everyone else guessing as to what's inside the brushed aluminum box clipped to my belt? But hey, that's just me -- I like to pretend I'm a man of mystery. The optional Armor Clip is a very sturdy quick release swivel clip that mounts to the back of the case via an adhesive-backed metal bolt. Once the bolt is stuck on there, it won't come off. Trust me.