For many users , the basic protection of a silicone polymer or other rubberized skin will suffice . This will protect your nano and its sieve from scratch , stain and other defect , and furnish a modicum of auspices against encroachment .

Most people credibly already recognize aboutApple ’s iPod nano Tubes(5/$29 ) . These introductory rubberize cases were the first announced for the nano and are made by Apple itself . They ’ll provide you with introductory protective cover from scratches and nicks and they fall in five color choices : purple , pink , naughty , green and clear .

If you do n’t postulate a five pack , another option is theiPod Nano Skin from PodsPlus($12 ) . The silicone skin protects your nano from scratches , and extend play - through snap wheel security as well as openings for all ports , and a lanyard strap . Even easily , it comes in 12 color choices : light patrician , black , dark orange , white-hot , grey-haired , raging garden pink , lime green , light-headed orange , orange - red , pink , purple and chicken .

zCover(2/$25 , pictured left ) is also offer up a line silicone cases for the iPod nano . Available in nine colors , these slip will protect your iPod nano from scratches and grinding , and provide access to all controls . Not sell individually , the cases add up in Duo Packs that each contain one laniard style and one sheath style casing . Color options include black , red , gamy , pink , purple , green , grey , clear and glow - in - the - saturnine albumen .

Thenano SkinTight from Speck($20-$35 — Available late October ) is that company ’s basic rubberise nano case . you may dictate it with or without a beltclip , depending on how you ’ll use it . Though this is little more than a skin , Speck exact it will protect against the “ episodic driblet . ” Other variations on the SkinTight include theProtect and Connect , which impart the belt clip , lanyard , caribeener and wrist strap , and Speck ’s Nano armband ( see above ) .

The Tough Skin($35 — Available former October ) is another of the many rubberise nano cases available from Speck . The silicone iPod cover provides safe harbor for an iPod nano , and clips onto a knock for active use . IT offers slightly more tribute than the Skin Tight , and comes with a rugged - look excogitation reminiscent of a mountain bike pace .

Speck ’s nano Grass FunSkin($35 — Available former October ) is designed to be , well , play , as the name implies . Though it ’s fundamentally just a rubberized case , interchangeable in map to the SkinTight , its vivid green case with “ grassy ” galosh excrescence give it a unique look .

If you ’re not unbalanced about he grass on the ground , maybe the clouds in sky will do , instead . Speck ’s nano Cloud FunSkin($35 — Available former October ) is another innovation with “ fun ” in psyche . This puffy instance ( pictured correct ) face sort of like someone stuffed an iPod nano down the Michelin Man ’s pharynx , but in a good fashion . Like all of the rubber cases from Speck , it comes with an optional belt clip .

But the most interesting of Speck ’s fun compositor’s case has got to be the iGuy . Speck ’s nano iGuy($35 — Available previous October ) is a pliable , posable action flesh for your nano . It has all the auspices of a veritable rubberise example , but will also stand up on its own and allow you bend it all about into activity affectedness . Of course , it also provides consummate access to all your controls and the dock .

Some users require something more furrowed than a standard silicone polymer or leather typesetter’s case can furnish . If you plan to batter your nano about on the racquetball court , or to take it with you down a double black — or even an well-fixed green if you are n’t much of a skiier — deliberate a case designed to take a beating . These sports - orient and hard shield case will protect your nano against scratches , blemishes , impacts and compression equipment casualty .

The Incase Neoprene Sleeve($20 ) is the only fun suit for the nano currently for sale in the Apple Store . The Neoprene cover charge will protect it from scratch and minor drop , while providing accomplished access to the click wheel and all of the restraint . A clip on the buttocks will allow you hook it on your smash or an armband for music on - the - go .

For canonic protection against scratches and compression wrong , Agent 18 ’s clear polycarboniteShield 4($20 — Available October 12 ) iPod nano caseful should do the thaumaturgy . The hard case will keep your nano safe , while allowing access code to the hold switching , headphone Jack-tar , dock connexion and click wheel .

STM redesigned its popular Cocoon case for the iPod nano($35 — Available November ) . The iPod nano Cocoon will protect your nano in two agency ; a silicone skin provide introductory resistor to gelt ( and access to all restraint and the docking facility ) while a removable hard shell will protect it from drops and compression wound . Tote your nano in the hide with the include cervix laniard when you ’re out on the township or belt down it in the hard character , which attaches to your belt , for more adventurous outings . A small mesh pocket within the grueling shell will even bear your earbuds .

Speck’sNano armband($30-$35 — Available tardy October ) wraps the company ’s SkinTight case in an adjustable armband strap so you’re able to give it your in force plot . A cord clip predict to keep your earbuds tangle - devoid while your torso stays in move . It ’s also available as an armband - only option , without the skin .

For a variety of protective cover at a great price Speck also offers theSee - Thru 3 - pack($30 — Available late October ) . This three - fer iPod case deal comes with three separate hard shell cases in clear , pink , sorry , opprobrious and red-faced plastic for little more than some exclusive cases price . All will allow you to enter the headphone jack , hold switch and click wheel .

The iPod nano is one of the well - look pieces of gadgetry good to amount our way — why swaddle it in something that detract from its killer industrial design ? These fashion - forward cases will protect your iPod from sugar and impacts ( and in seed cases concretion damage ) without sacrificing trend .

The Leather Folio from Incase($25 ) will give your iPod fashionable protection in a shameful leather typeface . A suede cloth lining maintain everything cozy on the interior , while a fold - up outside suit protect your screen and soundbox , and flips open to provide access to all your controls . The front side belt time let you start the sheath and get to your buttons , without absent your nano from its holster .

Also from Incase , thenano Wallet($20 ) is a slimly less expensive selection without all of the features of the Folio . amount in black or pink leather , the wallet is a fold - over pillowcase with a suede interior and air hole to lay in your quotation or business card .

The Caribineer Case from Belkin($25 ) is one of a trio of new leather case from the longtime accessory shaper . It features a svelte scratch - proof design ( pictured right ) that does n’t add much heft to your nano , with a carabineer clip and locking clip , and access to all port . Color choices include black , white , pink and blue .

The nano Book($70-$85 ) slip from A.B. Sutton is the first really gamy - closing nano case we ’ve seen . It features a fold - over flapping purpose with a leather warp remindful of a leather - bound journal . The silk interior will keep your nano just as pampered as you are , and provide access to all the control . you may choose from a extensive range of interior silk pattern , as well as two unlike case designing . Monogramming is usable in six unlike fonts .

A.B. Sutton ’s every bit fashionablenano Slip($50-$75 ) is another purpose worthy of the billionaire of atomic number 14 valley , but usable for less than $ 100 . The Slip features a sleeve design that you slide your nano into , hence the nbame . It also has a variety of silk lining and monogramming options , and ( like the Book ) is severally numbered .

The Tunewallet nano($40 ) , from Tunewear , is another fold - over manner leather fount that can double as a wallet . An home air hole will arrest your credit and business cards and cash . The Tunewallet nano comes in three color choices , two styles of bootleg and white .

Belkin ’s Flip Case($25 ) is a flip - up front - trend caseful with a belt / multi clip on one side for easy access . The cable management sac will help you keep track of your earbuds , while four colouring choices will give good deal of options for accessorizing .

Belkin ’s Folio Case($25 ) is another wallet or book - panache case , that opens up sideway . It comes with a lanyard shoulder strap and centering close when you do n’t need to get to your click wheel . Open it up , and you ’ve catch access to all control and ports . It descend in four color selection .

Difusi ’s Nano Valet($25 — Available mid - October ) is yet another case employing a fold - up design . The leather outside ( depict left ) come up in three color choices , black , reddened and linden tree , and fold up over to give access to all of the iPod nano ’s control . It comes with a belt loop , key clip removable hard shaping holder with bound clip and an eight - in carrying strap .

Mathew Honanis a San Francisco - based author and lensman . His body of work has also appeared in Macworld , Wired , Time , and Salon .

For more on iPod cases , please visit theCases Product Guide