iPod cases are a dime a dozen, and you can find them nearly anywhere, from your local Apple store to Best Buy to the checkout line at the supermarket (I'm serious). But generally they're ugly, non-functional, or both. I've seen a lot of great iPod cases wind up collecting dust because you can't get to the controls or can't see the screen. Others have wound up in the trash because they're functional but are too thin to afford any protection or are just outright ugly.

The DLO Jam Jacket is the first iPod case in a long time that I've seen that blends the aesthetic and the functional. The black plastic case is only available right now for the iPod Nano and the 30GB iPod with Video, but it looks rugged and can withstand a fall or two as well as the rigors of daily use. You can still get to the iPod controls from the front and clearly see the screen, so your iPod isn't unusable while it's in the case. Additionally, on the back of the case is a cable management spool, so you can wind your headphone cord around the spool and tuck your earbuds safely into the notches made for them. There's even a third notch for the headphone connector jack. Altogether, the Jam Jacket makes for a sturdy, functional, and attractive case for iPod owners, and it only runs about $20.