iLounge

Company: Incase

Website: www.GoIncase.com

Model: Music Belt

Price: $25

Compatible: iPod 1G/2G/3G/4G, iPod mini

Incase Music Belt for iPod

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By Jeremy Horwitz

Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Monday, November 7, 2005
Category: Cases - iPod 1G & 2G (without Dock Connector), Cases - iPod 3G (with Dock Connector), Cases - iPod 4G/HP/U2 & photo (with Click Wheel), Cases - iPod mini

Pros: A clean, very nice-looking black neoprene waist belt for full-sized iPods and iPod minis, capable of holding your iPod and headphones in separate compartments. Uses two strong, unique plastic locks and adjusters to guarantee a firm fit on almost any size of waist.

Cons: The waist belt/fanny pack look isn’t right for some users, front compartment doesn’t seal closed in a watertight way.

We’re catching up today on a number of case accessories for discontinued iPods, and for that reason presenting shorter than normal reviews. This review covers Incase’s Music Belt for iPod and mini ($25).

When we first saw the Music Belt, we were surprised - perhaps unjustifiably - that it was two things: a fanny pack-like iPod holder (which can also be worn as a running belt by the athletically inclined), and also not patently ridiculous. In fact, though we prefer arm bands for our personal use during workouts, there are times and places when they’re not best-suited to our needs, and in those situations, we’d be inclined to use the Music Belt.

Incase uses a thick black nylon belt with a large, sturdy plastic locking mechanism to lock the Music Belt onto your waist, plus two separate plastic adjusters to give to independent control over the left and right sides of the Belt’s tightness. Unless you weigh 400 pounds, it’s basically guaranteed that there’s a way to make this fit you, and fit well.

Then there’s the central neoprene pouch, which in typical Incase fashion is black, and made not to look geeky. A small hole in the right side lets you pop out the earphone cables of full-sized iPods and minis, while a Velcro-sealed top flap closes to cover your iPod in the pouch. A separate mesh-covered, zippered pocket on the back side lets you store earbuds, your housekeys, or whatever other small item you’d want to carry around while walking or running. Other than its lack of appeal to certain users, our only issue with the design is that the central front compartment isn’t totally sealed closed - this is fine for most situations, but some might prefer a water- or just moisture-tight pouch in the front, which Music Belt doesn’t have.

If you have patent objections to running or walking with your iPod on your arm, in your hand, or in a pocket, the Music Belt’s a fantastic option - the only fanny pack alternative we’ve seen that we’d actually recommend. It’s not right for everyone, but those who like the idea will love its implementation.