Do you feel safer with expensive gear on the floor? Sounds like a catch 22
it can't fall from the floor. And, it can be covered in plastic sheeting.
Yes, plastic sheeting is my friend
You are, of course, taking a chance every time you bring recording gear out into the field. I like to minimize the chances something bad will happen to it. Gear on the floor in a padded bag and with plastic covering it, increases the odds my expensive equipment makes it through.