GelaSkins for the iPod Nano (Hex Appeal)

CNET editors' take

• Reviewed by:
  Jasmine France
• Reviewed on: 08/25/2006
• Updated on: 10/23/2007

There's no shortage of protective, stick-on skins for the iPod available on the market, but GelaSkin has taken that existing idea and put a fresh twist on it. The thick, textured stickers are decked out in cool art by well-knowns (such as Van Gogh) as well as up-and-comers (such as Aaron Kraten). You can choose from more than 50 designs, depending on the iPod you have. (GelaSkins makes the stickers for the 4G, 5G, Mini, Classic, Touch, and all of the Nano generations.) I had no trouble finding multiple designs to suit my taste--particularly the colorful and fanciful doodles of Alex Noriega. If you have trouble deciding yourself, If you're having trouble deciding, I fully advocate buying more than one--why not change it up every few months? Keep an eye out for the promotions GelaSkins run from time to time, and you might even get a deal.

Pictured above is a handful of the designs offered by GelaSkins. Clockwise from top left: Cocktail, Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, Panic by Aaron Kraten, and Starry Night by Van Gogh.

As far as protection goes, it's about what you'd expect from a product with the tag line: "Protection with Style. Not Bulk." In other words, it offers protection from scratches, and that's it. And be forewarned that GelaSkins do not wrap around the edges of the iPod, so you can still collect nicks, dings, and scratches there. A clear screen protector is included in the package as well, but make sure you follow the instructions and dust the screen thoroughly before sticking it on; otherwise, you'll get some unsightly splotches that are particularly noticeable with the backlight on (oops!).

Compare prices for GelaSkins for the iPod Nano

The manufacturer sells this product directly from its Web site, where you can find information about the various designs.