Marware's Sport Grip line of cases are first-rate, combining the perfect balance of basic practicality and a low price tag. The Sport Grip for iPod shuffle remains in daily use here, even after receiving a dozen other suitable alternatives from other manufacturers.

Marware Sport Grip for iPod nano

Marware's new Sport Grip for iPod nano is about as basic as protection comes for the nano, but it's totally sufficient. The iPod nano is loaded into the nicely tactile silicone skin through the window for the screen, leaving no edge exposed. Tolerances for the screen, click-wheel, hold switch, dock connector, and headphone jack are all perfectly precise. A tapered edge surrounds the click wheel, keeping controls easy to access.

Screen and click wheel protection is handled by plastic protectors for both that you can peel on and off. The screen protector is very effective and virtually invisible, just make sure to wipe your nano's screen before applying or dust will create mini air bubbles. The click wheel protector is a bit less nice, with air bubbles being an inevitability and making it very apparent that something is stuck on top of your click wheel. Of course, you can keep your iPod nano bare if you prefer. The click wheel's functionality is negligibly affected by the plastic protection.

Sport Grip with removeable screen and click wheel protection applied

Available in ten colors and costing only $10 a piece the Sport Grip for iPod nano is sure to satisfy a wide number of users. Our only complaint is that in its effort to craft a minimalist case Marware forgot to include any way to attach the nano to yourself or your belongings. It would have been ideal to see a key ring, carabiner, or lanyard option like the Sport Grip for iPod shuffle features, but Marware does offer the Sport Grip Extreme with those features.

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