Did you just get a new iPad Air 3? Now that the iPad Air can use accessories that were once only available on the Pro model, such as Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio, your iPad Air 3 can be a serious workhorse. But you don't want to damage it while toting it around, do you? Fortunately, a sleeve is an excellent answer for when you need to transport your iPad Air 3 around town. Here are some of our favorite sleeve options to protect your new iPad Air.
Take it on the go
This shoulder bag from tomtoc perfectly fits any tablet that's 10.5-11 inches in size, so it's great for your iPad Air 3. The sleeve has its patented CornerArmor, so the sleeve will absorb impact when it bumps into something, saving your iPad Air 3. The inside is lined with a soft microfiber material, and there's a pocket on the outside for any accessories you need, including Apple Pencil. The shoulder strap is adjustable and makes this the perfect sleeve to take while you're on the move.
Minimal style
The MOSISO Sleeve Case is perfect for your new iPad Air 3. Your iPad Air 3 will fit perfectly in this polyester sleeve, and it has a zippered pocket on the front to store accessories like charging cables and earbuds. The inside of the sleeve is lined with a fluffy fleece material to prevent scratches, and there's enough padding to keep your tablet safe.
Like a pro
If you like the look and feel of felt, then this sleeve is a good option. It will perfectly fit the iPad Air 3, along with other similarly sized tablets. It's made with a felt material on the outside, and flannel-lined interior, giving you that distinctive look when carrying your tablet around. This sleeve is slim, lightweight, and will keep your tablet in place until you need to use it. You can choose between black or gray felt.
Classy leather
When you need that extra touch of professionalism and elegance, you go for leather. This Wallet Sleeve Case from ProCase is made of a genuine leather exterior that takes you to the next level. The interior is lined with microfiber to prevent scratches, and the sleeve carries an overall slim and lightweight profile. A small pocket under the flap allows you to store a credit card or two in it, just in case. There's even a stylus holder for your Apple Pencil. You can look like a million bucks without spending a lot, which is always a bonus.
Simple yet elegant
Tomtoc makes good quality products, and this simple sleeve is another excellent option. This sleeve fits tablets between 10.5-11 inches, making it an excellent companion for your iPad Air 3. The interior features a soft microfiber lining to keep your iPad Air 3 safe from scratches and nicks, and the outside has a pocket for any necessary accessories. This sleeve is lightweight and slim, making it easy to fit inside of other bags. It even absorbs all shock, so your iPad is totally safe and protected.
Stand out from the crowd
Fashionistas will love this tablet sleeve from Fintie. The exterior is made from soft, vegan leather that comes in your choice of color, including a bold and vibrant purple. The soft felt interior makes sure your iPad Air 3 doesn't get scratched up, and it will protect it from everyday bumps and nicks. A magnetic snap fastener keeps it all secure, so your iPad won't come out if you accidentally drop it. There's a slot to keep your Apple Pencil safe too. The sleeve is also slim and lightweight, fitting nicely inside other bags.
Just the basics
This Fintie sleeve will hold just the bare essentials. It's made of premium vegan leather and has a main compartment for your iPad Air 3, and above that is a slot for your Apple Pencil. It's simple, keeps your iPad safe when you're not using it, and keeps the Apple Pencil within reach at any time. Plus, the price is right.
Stylish minimalism
This sleeve is super simple: just slide your iPad Air into the case and fasten the buckle to keep it safely inside. The notch design makes it easy to get your tablet out when you need to use it. Your Apple Pencil can safely rest at the top where the buckle is, so you'll have everything you need. The vegan leather gives the sleeve a professional aesthetic.
Go vertical
Felt is a popular choice when it comes to protective sleeves, and ProCase makes quite a few options. This felt sleeve is in a vertical orientation, making it great for those who want to store it in a vertical shoulder bag or backpack. This one also comes with a button fastener to keep everything safe and secure in the sleeve. They also throw in a bonus accessory pouch with a button fastener, so you can store earbuds, cables, cards, and anything else you need on-the-go.
Foldable sleeve
If you want a sleeve that can also function as a viewing stand, then the Apple-exclusive Decoded Leather Foldable Slim Sleeve is for you. With this sleeve, you can easily slide your iPad in to carry around with you everywhere. But when you're ready to use it, the sleeve itself can fold up and give you a comfortable viewing angle to work with, from typing to viewing. It also has a pencil holder, so your Apple Pencil is always ready to go.
Stow your stash
Want something slim and lightweight, but can also hold some small accessories and cables? The Native Union Stow Slim Sleeve gets the job done. This high-quality leather case has enough room for your iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and even Smart Keyboard Folio, and it can be carried alone or in your bag. The front of the sleeve has a stowaway pocket so that you can stash your charging cable and other small accessories, such as AirPods, in there.
Carry ALL DA THINGS!
This one isn't precisely a sleeve, but more like a hardshell portfolio case. But you can easily slide your iPad Air in this case, and then some. You get a divider in the center to hold all of your essential iPad accessories, like dongles and Apple Pencil, and a mesh compartment pocket can store your cables. If you rely on your iPad Air as a workhorse machine, this portfolio case can carry your entire mobile office.
Protect your iPad Air 3
You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
No matter how you use your iPad Air, you're going to want to keep it safe and secure while carrying it all over town. A sleeve is the simplest solution, but sometimes you just want something simple, yet effective.
Out of these, if we may make any suggestions, we like the tomtoc Tablet Shoulder Bag, because the sleeve itself doubles as a bag. No need to throw this into another bag — just put those straps over your shoulder, and you're good to go! It also has plenty of space to hold your necessary accessories as well, because who wants to be without their charger?
Another great option is the Decoded Leather Foldable Sleeve. This Apple-exclusive is not just a sleeve, but it doubles as a viewing stand for your iPad Air, whether its in portrait or landscape orientation. You can also have it in a comfortable angle for typing, so you can always be productive. And if you want just to carry everything and then some, you can't go wrong with the tomtoc PadFolio Portfolio Case. Your iPad Air slips in easily, and you have mesh pockets and a center divider to hold all of the accessories you'd ever need while on-the-go. It's a great comprehensive solution.
