LensCoat® Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED DX VR II

Always worried about dings when I pack my gear, but this cover's thick neoprene lets me toss the lens in my bag without a second thought. It even has cutouts that line up perfectly with the zoom ring, so function isn't sacrificed for protection.

The neoprene fits snugly around the zoom ring without interfering with its rotation, and I’ve already noticed it saved the barrel from a nasty scratch against a fence post.

Took this lens out on a dusty trail hike last weekend, and the cover took a few knocks against rocks without leaving a single scratch on the glass housing. The snug fit means it doesn't slide around in my bag either, which is exactly what I wanted for such a compact telephoto.