Ideally you'd need both kinds of protections because impact protective cases or covers
do not protect from weather elements of moisture or temperature. A simple search and
see what is out there, then arrange to inspect the product in a local store where you have
an opportunity to inspect and reject (without buying) while being critical of probable faults.
A search for 'protector macbook air 13 impact resistant' brought the usual slew of adverts.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=protector+macbook+air+13+impact+resistant+&t=ffsb&ia=products
I briefly looked at this, not knowing about the brand or its self-praised claims to fame:
https://www.urbanarmorgear.com/products/case-for-macbook-air-13-inch ~Yet I really
would look around before trying to find a local vendor who has at least two great ideas
in each category, to consider. Just to see them. And ask about their return policy.
One that looked a little promising, was not weather resistant but says it can sustain some
impacts and cites some numbers that are meaningless to me. But it may be OK, if you also
had a good pack or other padded case. Something that does not shout 'steal me' proudly.
{Also consider portable backup external storage drives and other accessories that may or
may not be used in your travels. Too much stuff packed along can be hazardous to you &
also may be inside a pack, so if an impact occurred those items may hit & damage MB/Air.
So you may need more than one pack, that is inconspicuous; for times when you know
ahead that you'd need accessories... Ones that won't jamb or damage the MacBook/Air.}
A portable eventually has to come home like a pigeon to roost and needs a place at desktop.
So other accessories could accumulate there to make it easier to use when not traveling.
And to make suitable backups to the files you'd accumulate on its tiny internal storage drive;
so it wouldn't get too full and then act slower than an old used model way too soon.
Some years ago I bought a nice RadTech neocase for an older Mac portable; still have it and
it looks very nice. Has zippers so the case stays on the 'Book and the book can be opened.
However, it could run hot given neoprene and the case being so well insulated. [It's removed
in use.] Also, I bought a nice sling-pack for the computer stuff to fit into. Not everything, and it
doesn't look like a computer case. And it still looks a bit like new, it gets stored in plastic, too.
A metal computer can be dented and dinged, it will show scratches and unlike polycarbonate
can look older by accident. So read reviews and then consider how many have been written
by those web-site doctors who may be paid to re-write reviews that aren't so hot, to look nice.
I'd get both a protective shell (with vents + bumpers) and also a pack. Try to keep the weight
down; the pack should have a place to carry other non-computer stuff; in bad weather it may
be weather resistant or better. A light jacket should fit in a pocket in the pack. If pack has a
water-bottle location, it shouldn't leak into the computer (by accident).
My better portable computer packs were modified other bookpacks that did not appear great.
And I made inserts from blue closed-cell foam pads that you may carry in the woods to sit on.
...Such as outdoor retailers may have. You can cut them and use contact cement to fabricate
shapes fairly easy, these fit into nondescript 'shells' and work nicely without advertising value.
These are good because they can be shabby after a time & be fantastic. And home-made.
One thing about a new metal 'book, is you may find it better to use an old dented, one daily.
Or some earlier white macbook circa 2010 restored/used that works great; looks clean/used.
A visit to a repair shop that has damaged metal &/or plastic Mac portables gets your attention.
At near 3 AM it's easier to keep writing than fall asleep...!
In any event...
Good luck & happy trails! 🙂
