Reviews of waterproof cases for your iPod

Among the world’s most popular inventions — alongside the microchip, duct tape and the thong bikini — we must include the digital audio player. IPod sales alone have made Steve Jobs so rich he can now buy his own country. (Macland? Applestan?) To protect our precious digital players on the road, we now have a selection of waterproof and shockproof cases. Some shells resemble modified sandwich bags. Others look like “Star Trek” communicators. We tested three popular versions, using an iPod Nano.

Aquapac

First look: The Aquapac case is the simplest design. It’s basically a thick plastic bag with a clamping mechanism on one end and a headphone jack on the other. Plug your player into the headphone jack and clamp the bag shut. You can operate the click wheel on your iPod through the clear plastic front. It’s guaranteed to keep your device dry in up to 15 feet of water.

Likes and yikes: The Aquapac and the two other cases we reviewed passed a simple waterproof test: Cotton swabs placed inside the cases stayed dry in a running shower. Operating the iPod’s click wheel through the clear plastic cover was easy. But the case is soft plastic and won’t protect against a serious shock. The case we tested attaches to a belt loop with a carabiner; it jostled around, jerking at the headphone wire. Other versions come with an armband.

411: $40; available at REI , L.L. Bean, Bass Pro Shops; www.aquapac.com.

OtterBox

First Look: Otter Products has made hard plastic shells for electronic devices, including cases for the military, for 11 years. The OtterBox case is plain, and the plastic material as tough as concrete. The iPod case snaps shut on the top. A rubber seal holds your music player in place, keeping water out and absorbing the shock of a drop. You operate the iPod click wheel through a thin membrane on the case front.

Likes and yikes: You won’t have to worry about dropping your digital player when it’s in an OtterBox. It will take a good beating. We smacked the case pretty hard without making a scratch. But it’s only waterproof to 3 feet of water, so don’t try snorkeling or surfing with it.

411: $39.95; available at Apple stores; (888) 695-8820, www.otterbox.com.

H2O headphones

First Look: H2O audio cases are built for underwater use. Add the H2O waterproof headphones and you can take a music player swimming, surfing or kayaking. The case is submersible up to 10 feet. What sets H2O apart from other cases is the patented “scroll wheel,” which allows you to operate the iPod even while you’re wearing gloves. The clamp that closes the case locks to ensure it doesn’t pop open under water.

Likes and yikes: The scroll wheel allows you to control your iPod using five protruding buttons and a dial, a plus when you’re battling waves or swimming laps. The case is small and light. One drawback: Headphone wires with right-angle plugs won’t fit the protruding headphone jack.

411: $79.95; available at Apple stores, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics; (800) 708-6080, www.h2oaudio.com.