Let’s be honest here, the iPhone is expensive and fragile. Period. If you want to keep your phone in good condition, you need to protect it adequately. For most of us, a simple leather case with a belt clip will be enough to protect the iPhone for years to come. But for the few of you that can’t keep your gadgets in good condition for more than a week, the Otterbox semi-rugged iPhone case might be the right product for you.

But forget about an ugly and bulky iPhone case here. The company defines the product like this:

"Slim, yet rugged, stylish, yet protective…introducing the OtterBox for iPhone, the first semi-rugged iPhone case from Otter Products. Satisfying the need for protection without compromising style, this "skin on steroids" offers interaction with volume control, camera, touch-screen and phone functions in an attractive new line known as the Defender Series™."

But don’t go underwater with this case though! The case is a high-impact polycarbonate shell that snaps together to safeguard the device and a completely interactive, scratch-resistant polycarbonate membrane to protect screens from dust and light water intrusion.

Three Donaldson Acoustic Vents protect front speaker, bottom speaker
and microphone openings of the iPhone case to allow clear sound
transmission while keeping out dust and moisture. Case provides access
to sync/Charge and headphone jacks through a silicone plug and
proximity sensor remains fully functional. Home, sleep/wake and volume
buttons remain accessible through silicone pass through buttons.
Includes holster style swivel belt clip for hands-free carrying.

OtterBox
plans to release a fully rugged iPhone case before the holidays as well
as rugged and semi-rugged cases for the new iPod classic, touch and
nano devices.

The case is available in black/black or black/yellow for $49.95. It will be available on October 19th.