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MacBook Air (11-inch) bags and sleeves

Check out the latest in bags and sleeves for Apple's smallest laptop.

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Protection for the 11-inch Air

There's no doubt about it—the 11.6-inch MacBook Air () is a hit. But one problem with a brand-new MacBook with a brand-new size is finding a way to keep it protected. We've searched high and low to find bags and sleeves that fit the smallest Air—purposely or not.

Case Logic 11.6" Netbook Sleeve

Looking for something affordable? Case Logic's 11.6" Netbook Sleeve offers soft-sided protection for a mere $20. Although not specifically made for the 11-inch Air, the Netbook Sleeve is exactly the right width, with about an inch of extra room at the top. Padded handles let you carry the sleeve on its own, and a hidden pocket with a nearly-invisible zipper offers room for a few smaller items such as a portable mouse and the Air's power adapter. At just 7 ounces, the Netbook Sleeve is among the lightest Air sleeves we've seen, and despite the low price, the sleeve comes with a 25-year warranty.—Dan Frakes

LaCie ForMoa 10.2"

Continuing the low-cost theme, LaCie's $25 ForMoa 10.2" is a whimsical, neoprene-foam netbook sleeve that fits the 11-inch Air well, leaving only a half-inch of extra space at the top when zipped up. Available in black or one of four bright colors, the ForMoa's bubble-wrap-like exterior provides a good amount of padding, and the sleeve's two nylon handles can be hidden inside the document-sized slip pouches—one on each side. Inside one of those pouches is a small, zippered pocket large enough to hold an iPhone securely.—Dan Frakes

STM Jacket XS

Rounding out the low-cost offerings, STM's $25 Jacket Extra Small (XS), available in brown or dark gray, is a step up in the features department. In addition to using water-resistant 600D nylon, the exterior of the Jacket provides a roomy, zippered pocket; an iPhone-sized pouch; a document slip pocket; as well as a low-profile handle and a removable shoulder strap for easier toting outside another bag. Yet despite these niceties, the Jacket is one of the thinner sleeves available for the Air. One caveat: The XS isn't made specifically for the Air, so it's a tight fit around the edges. But fit it does.—Dan Frakes

Timbuk2 Quickie XS

We originally reviewed Timbuk2's $45 Quickie for Laptops/Netbooks in size XS as an iPad sleeve, but it's a much better fit, literally, for the 11-inch Air—with your Air inside, there's just over a half-inch of extra room on top. The laptop compartment is lined with foam "studs" for cushioning, but the rest of the bag is just nylon, making the Quickie thinner than it appears. The sleeve's handles tuck away when not in use, and hidden under the water-resistant, Velcro-closure front flap are two expandable pouches large enough to hold the Air's power adapter, a portable mouse, and more. Unfortunately, though it looks like a miniature messenger bag, the XS version of the Quickie doesn't include a shoulder strap (or even rings for one).—Dan Frakes

Waterfield Designs Suede Jacket Sleeve & Laptop SleeveCase

Waterfield's Suede Jacket Sleeve (top; $25) and Laptop SleeveCase (bottom; $37 to $111, depending on options) provide basic Macbook Air protection that fits inside your existing bag or pack. The Suede Jacket Sleeve is made of "Ultrasuede" for a snug fit that protects against scratches; an embedded layer of neoprene on the bottom offers some cushion when you set your bag down. The thicker and more protective SleeveCase can be customized with a top flap, a shoulder strap, a piggyback pouch for carrying small gear, and leather trim, depending on how you want to travel with your Air. Each sleeve is available in horizontal or vertical orientation.—David Chartier

Booq Viper Hardcase 11

Soft-sided sleeves will keep your Air from getting scratched, and may even provide a bit of cushioning, but if you want the most protection, you need something more solid. Booq's $50 Viper Hardcase 11 () is a rigid case made of water-resistant ballistic nylon over a molded-foam shell. Inside is a neoprene pouch that fits the Air like a glove, as well as two half-width pouches and a document-sized sleeve that just so happens to let you bring along your iPad, as well.—Dan Frakes

Tom Bihn Ristretto for 11" MacBook Air

Light and functional, the $110 Ristretto for 11" MacBook Air brings Tom Bihn's vertical-messenger line to Apple's tiniest notebook. The new Ristretto has been reworked to fit the 11-inch Air but, like the iPad version (), still provides a surprisingly ample amount of room for your essential gear. Available in five color combinations, the Ristretto comes with a quality shoulder strap, but you can upgrade to the company's Absolute Shoulder Strap ($20) for an even comfier ride.—David Chartier

Waterfield Designs 11-inch Laptop Muzetto for Air

Like Tom Bihn's Ristretto, Waterfield Designs' $219 11" Laptop Muzetto for Air is an Air-sized addition to an existing line of bags—we previously reviewed the iPad-sized version (). Quality leather construction and a minimalist design make this premium messenger bag the perfect stylish companion for jeans or for a day at the office. The bag includes enough extra space for for some magazines or a couple books, as well as a few cables, a wallet, your phone, and other small items. The Muzetto's padded, leather strap is one of the nicest we've seen.—David Chartier

Janine King Designs 11-inch MacBook Air Sleeve Bag

The $50 11-inch MacBook Air Sleeve Bag from Janine King Designs offers the water-resistance and foam-padding-protection of a traditional sleeve along with an external pocket for storing your computer's charger and assorted items, and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap. These bags are made to order and are available in a variety of colorful upholstery fabrics, pre-treated to repel moisture.—Serenity Caldwell

Pack & Smooch 11-inch Hampshire Sleeve

Designed for the nature-conscious working professional, Pack & Smooch's $71 11 inch Hampshire for MacBook Air is made of thick Merino wool with tanned-leather accents to provide a solid but soft home for your laptop while on the road. The sleeve sports a smaller pocket on the front for thin items such as pens, notepads, or cables; a snap-closed flap keeps everything safely inside.—Serenity Caldwell

Rib & Hull 11 Inch MacBook Air Sleeve Case with Pocket

The $61 11-Inch MacBook Air Sleeve Case with Pocket combines German designer-wool felt with vegetable-tanned leather for a classy, yet comfortable look. The case features a small, external pocket for small items, and snap closures keep your MacBook Air safe from the outside elements. The sleeve is available in red, stone brown, truffle brown, or anthracite grey.—Serenity Caldwell

Stash Messenger Bag for 11" MacBook Air

Crafted with the utmost care, Stash Bags' $115 Messenger Bag for 11" MacBook Air () provides a sleeve-like-fit for your MacBook Air (inside a thin compartment along the back), while offering room for your other day-to-day gear thanks to a large main compartment and five smaller pockets. The company uses vintage fabrics and waterproof canvas for the bag, which is available in gray tweed wool, dark denim, black vintage herringbone, brown and gray cotton plaid, blue and black plaid, black and white houndstooth, and black and gray cotton plaid.—Serenity Caldwell

Borsa Bella 11 inch MacBook Air or Netbook Laptop Bag

Available in an astonishing variety of fabrics and colors—12 at last count—Borsa Bella's $46 11 inch MacBook Air or Netbook Laptop Bag uses layers of fleece and quilted fabric to provide your laptop and assorted accessories with cushiony protection. Featuring two zippered pockets and a removable nylon strap, the bag can actually be machine-washed if you dirty its fashionable fabrics.—Serenity Caldwell

BodyGuardz protective film

Even if you're careful not to drop it, once the Air's out of its bag or sleeve it's vulnerable to the kinds of scuffs, scrapes, and scratches that seem inevitable in day-to-day use. Unless, that is, you've protected your laptop with a Bodyguardz protective film for the MacBook Air. Made of the same material automakers use to protect the fronts of vehicles from rocks and other paint-scratching hazards, this transparent, super-thin film is virtually scratchproof—the company will actually replace the film if it ever scratches or tears. Applying a BodyGuardz also gives the Air a grippier finish, reducing the chances the notebook will slip out of your hand. Just be sure to watch the installation videos before applying. (Pricing is based on how much of your Air you want covered.)—Dan Frakes

Targus netbook sleeves and bags

Finally, while accessory vendor Targus doesn't yet have any products specifically for the 11-inch Air, the company does have a line of netbook-sized sleeves and messenger bags that will work in a pinch, especially considering Targus's affordable prices. The $25 12" Netbook Sleeve with Accessory Pocket (top) is a basic neoprene sleeve with a zippered external pocket. The $25 12" Sport Netbook Sleeve (bottom left), also made of neoprene, adds carrying handles, a shoulder strap, and a bit more storage. The $40 A7 12" Netbook messenger (bottom right) features a heavily cushioned laptop compartment and more storage space in a messenger-bag design. While the laptop compartment of each is made for thicker-than-the-Air netbooks, the padding should be enough to keep your Air from bouncing around.—David Chartier