Speck Products Active Sport for iPod nano

For those who work out, and especially those that use the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, Speck’s Active Sport case/armband is an excellent case — for several reasons, not all of which have to do with the iPod.

The Active Sport armband is made from molded rubber, reflective material, and mesh fabric. The outside contains a pouch for your iPod nano; slide the nano in from the top until the circular opening in the case’s face lines up with your iPod nano’s Click Wheel. (This version of the armband works with both first- and second-generation iPod nanos.) The iPod’s hold switch is accessible at the top of the pouch; the bottom of the pouch tapers slightly to hold your iPod in place, but is left open so you can attach the Nike+iPod Sport Kit’s dongle and your headphones. A sewn-in piece of flexible, clear plastic protects the nano’s screen and the soft fabric inside the pouch gently cushions your iPod.

Speck has included a couple of really thoughtful features in the Active Sport. One is a small hidden pocket behind the iPod that’s perfect for hiding a key or a couple folded-up bills. It will even fit an ID card, though the top of the card will poke out a bit. The reflective material on the outside of the case is a great idea for joggers who run in dim light or at night, since it will increase your visibility (although you should always wear some sort of reflective material when jogging outdoors).

Finally, Speck has also included a separate pouch for the Nike+iPod Sports Kit’s sensor, a huge boon for those of us who don’t intend to shell out $100 (or more) for Nike’s special sneakers. You slip the sensor into the pouch (which is made out of molded rubber and the same reflective material as the Active Sport itself), and then thread the pouch’s strap through your sneaker’s laced up shoelaces, securing it with Velcro.

Overall, the Active Sport is a fantastic case for the more athletic iPod users amongst us. –Dan Moren