iPad: Back Cover or Skin?

[ppark]

Hello everybody, I used the search function and saw that a lot of people are fans of the Zum, Smart Feather, or a similar back shell + smart cover combination for a compact combo.

Something from Otterbox, Lifeproof, or Gumdrop seem to be advised to protect from drops and physical damage.

I do not think I need a shell as intense as the Otterbox for my lifestyle, I will most likely be picking up a leather smart cover really soon. My question is whether a back shell does anything more than just protect from scratches. I only wonder because the plastic on the shells seem so thin that I'd still be wary of having it dropped accidentally from a foot or more off the ground.


Edit: Oops, I thought I had posted this in the Accessories sub-forum. My apologies, please feel free to re-locate to proper area of discussion.