Given the crowded market for iPod cases, it's not difficult to imagine the folks at Marware sitting around a table and concocting the idea for the MetroVue, an iPod mini case whose name and multiple colors would seem to imply its target buyer to be a twenty-something year old fashion cognoscenti in a big city.

For those who take the extra time to make sure their belt matches their shoes, sometimes neither the iPod mini's single-color personality nor a lone protective case is enough, but Marware has your back with its MetroVue GuyPak and GirlPak, which include three different colored cases for matching your mood or your wardrobe.

Style is, of course, subjective, so we'll leave it to you to decide if the designs Marware came up with are to your liking. The GuyPak we evaluated includes three cases in conservative-enough shades of grey accented by an off-center yellow, red, or blue stripe.

Marware MetroVue GuyPack

The MetroVue cases are as simple as they look and require only flipping up the front and sliding your iPod mini into the clear protective slip to be ready to go. The slip is tight enough to secure your iPod mini but not so tight as to make removing it a burden. An opening at the top accommodates your headphone when the front is velcro'd down but otherwise you'll need to flip it open to view the screen, access the controls, or plug a dock connector cable in.

The basic design has an advantage over more elaborate cases that include screen or click wheel cut-outs, giving the minimalist MetroVue a sturdy feel and sleek design. The flip-top front also means that you can plug accessories like Griffin's iTrip or AirClick in without removing the iPod mini from its case, something most cases don't accommodate.

Like Marware's other offerings, the MetroVues feature the company's patented Multidapt clip system, which is compatible with a number of accessories. The low-profile clip means you don't have to worry about anything poking into you when the case is in your pocket, while the included spring-clip is much slimmer than typical cell phone-like clips that other companies include with their cases. One caveat to the Multidapt system is that removing the spring clip requires the use of a pen or other pointy object to release the clip.

At about $40 direct from Marware, investing in the MetroVue is a more expensive proposition than other cases. If you really dig the different colors, then each case can be thought of as costing a more reasonable $13 or so. If you're thinking of splitting the cost with your buddies and sharing the cases, keep in mind that in a bit of a skimpy move Marware includes only one spring clip with the three-pack -- additional ones will set you back five bucks a piece.

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Left: When opened, accessories that plug into the top of your iPod mini still fit.
Right: Removable Multidapt spring clip.