So you saw "An Inconvenient Truth" and traded in your SUV for a pint-size import. You plant trees in your spare time and make your own clothes from organic hemp. But what are you doing about the carbon footprint from your iPod case?

I like keeping my iPod nano protected, and it’s even better if I can do it in style. Agent18 thinks they have an answer, and they earn bonus points for being friendly to the environment.

A lot of the products we review here aren’t things you’d see walking around the mall. This one is — the Agent18 EcoShield is a popular iPod case available at Target and the Apple Store. Does the EcoShield deserve the attention? Keep reading for a hands-on look!

Usually I don’t say a lot about packaging, but the EcoShield’s is 100% recyclable. It showed up on my doorstep slightly battered from its journey through the mail, so I had more than one reason to feel good about disposing of it. Even better, I was able to remove the case without needing the Jaws of Life.

The iPod nano version of the case is eco-friendly recycled plastic and comes in two well-made pieces. On the front, a sturdy clear plastic piece acts as a built-in screen protector, but a cutout gives access to the scroll wheel (and was great for feeling out in-pocket operation). The slightly textured back doesn’t show fingerprints and feels pleasantly smooth in hand.

Taking the iPod nano in and out of the case was refreshingly easy. The two pieces kind of slot/snap together with little ridges on the top and sides. There’s enough give in the plastic to make it easier to pop the pieces together, but the case feels very secure when it’s in place.

Once the EcoShield is on, it’s surprisingly stylish. The "brushed" texture of the plastic complements the metal, and the design lets the Nano’s shape and color show. Overall, this case shows that you care about your iPod. It’s obviously serious about protection, but it looks good, too.

A large cutout at the bottom allows you to dock without removing the EcoShield. The corner cutout at the upper right is just big enough for two fingernails and provides an easy way to pop the case off.

These images also show the EchoShield’s slim profile. It adds maybe 2 mm to each dimension and very little weight. I could slide my Nano into a tight pocket almost as easily as if it were uncovered. The other slim options that still give you full access are "crystal" cases and silicon skins. The EcoShield looks much less goofy than most crystal cases, and silicon skins can feel sticky or gummy, which the EcoShield never will. Plus, it fights global warming.

Obviously the EcoShield protects your iPod from fingerprints and scratches, but what if you drop it? All I can personally attest is that my EcoShield-encased iPod survived a four-foot plunge onto carpet with no ill effects. I didn’t have the guts to test them myself, but the company blog has some wild stories. Most of them ended with the Agent18 case giving up the ghost, but the iPods made it fine.

The Agent18 EcoShield is the best all-around case for the iPod nano that I’ve used. Instead of wrestling with an exercise armband and a nice leather case, since I got the EcoShield I’ve been taking it everywhere from the street to the gym. I love having both my screen protected and my scroll wheel accessible at all times, and the EcoShield’s combination of solidity and style keeps growing on me. Agent18 has come up with one way of saving the planet that I can definitely get behind.

Where To Buy: The Agent18 EcoShield for 3rd-gen iPod nano is $19.99. It’s available at their online store and is also sold at Target and the Apple Store.

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