Tips on Drum Bags and Cases for Travel & Touring

Getting your drums safe from one place to another can be tricky. In this article, we will talk about different types of drum cases, cymbal and drumstick bags that provide you with comfort while keeping your equipment secure and protected from external impacts. 

Hard vs Soft Cases

The first thing every drummer asks is which case is better — a hard or soft one? This is not an easy question as both options offer their benefits and can correspond to your personal needs. 

Hard cases provide more reliable protection against drops, shocks, and temperature shifts. They can serve longer even if frequently used. Soft cases are valued for their flexible construction and comfortable carrying options, but can wear out more quickly than hard ones. 

Hard cases are considered better suited for travel around the world, while soft cases fit for drummers who mostly play local gigs. Which one to choose? It all depends on your need, required protection, and budget.

Three Best Drum Bags for Touring Drummers 

Let’s explore three common drum bags mostly used by drummers. There are more options on the market but each model that you can find online or in local stores can resemble one of those mentioned below. 

Soft Cases

These drum bags feature fleece on the inside and polyester on the outside. They are comfortable to carry thanks to reinforced sturdy handles. The bags are easy to fully open as the zipper goes down all the way, allowing you to put the drum inside or take it out of the case with minimal effort. Soft cases can protect the drums even if you drop them from a small height. 

Manufacturers design these cases not perfectly round, providing drummers with extra space for additional equipment. Their non-round shape also prevents the case from rolling around during travel. 

Soft cases are known for their lightweight construction. Although they can’t offer you heavy protection, they still provide you with easy and comfortable storage options. You can put soft cases of various sizes in one another and save space in your room. 

These bags are the best option for you, if you travel in your own car and another safe environment. However, if you transport your drums with other equipment around in the van, the provided protection may not be enough. 

Hard Cases

Thanks to solid synthetic materials, these cases offer heavy protection and are perfectly suited for drummers on the road. They withstand the force coming from all sides, keeping your drums safe from any impacts. 

Inside hard cases may feature foam padding on the bottom or be fully padded with foam. You can also find hard cases with straps allowing you to hold your drum in place and prevent any movement. They may also include special straps to tighten the case in a closed position for extra security and protect it from sudden opening. 

Hard cases effectively prevent any movement of your drum or its contact with other equipment in the van. If you look at the hard cases you may notice that some models have the cross shape on their cover and bottom. This feature allows them to fit one another and stack on the top of each other easily. 

However, hard cases also have some downsides. First of all, they are heavy and may look bulky, which makes them not the most comfortable option for drummers who need to carry their drums around a lot. But for those who want reliable protection, it’s the best option. 

Reinforced Drum Bags 

These don't use materials as solid as hard cases and aren’t heavy like them. On the other hand, they offer more reliable protection compared to soft cases thanks to reinforced sides. They keep their form even if there aren’t drums inside. 

What makes reinforced drum bags stand out is their stable and durable construction. Inside, they are lined with soft material preventing any scratches. Your drums fit perfectly in these bags thanks to well-tailored shapes offering additional space for tom holders. 

Reinforced drum bags typically come with adjustable and detachable shoulder straps with padding. It means you can carry around your drums with more comfort by throwing the strap over your shoulder. 

Additionally, reinforced bags feature comfortable handles. Literally, these cases combine all the best pros of hard and soft cases. These are the best options for drummers who sometimes travel in the car, sometimes in the van, providing them with reliable protection and reduced weight. 

Cymbal Bags 

Cymbal bags for travel and touring typically feature thick canvas material with leather inserts all around the bottom for extra security. Some manufacturers complement their cymbal bags with shoulder straps allowing musicians to carry them like a backpack. 

Cymbal bags may also feature the front pocket for drum keys and other essentials. Some may even include straps for holding drumstick bags. Inside, cymbal bags feature dividers designed to keep different cymbals separate from one another and protect them from damage. 

Drumstick Bags 

Drumstick bags for touring drummers may feature various materials – nylon, polyester, canvas or leather. All of them can withstand frequent use, while genuine leather proudly holds a special place. It’s lightweight, water-resistant, and durable, making it perfect for tours. Moreover, the leather provides you with an ever-lasting trendy look thanks to its unique grainy texture and a rich color palette. A special treatment applied during the production process helps leather serve as a reliable barrier against humidity or rain.

You can find several size options on the market — compact drumstick bags with dual pockets to keep your drumsticks or large drumstick bags with more compartments for a full set of sticks (drumsticks, brushes, rods, mallets) and additional pockets for accessories such as a metronome or your smartphone. 

Some modern drumstick bags may also feature rubber loops allowing drummers to place them on the tom drum and quickly reach the sticks. The zippers in the upper part provide quick full opening and effortless access to the sticks any time they need them. 

Conclusion 

Today’s market offers you plenty of options for traveling with your drums safely. You can opt for lightweight soft cases offering the basic protection, hard cases for intense touring, or reinforced cases featuring the pros of both. There are also reliable cymbals cases with dividers and soft lining offering to store several cymbals at once. For drumsticks, you can opt for nylon, canvas, polyester or genuine leather bags, each offering its own protection level. 

Explore a full collection of products for drummers in our category of Leather Drumstick Bags & Percussion Accessories. 

Recently we shared tips on How Professional Musicians Choose Drumstick Bags. Check out this article for practical advice.

Source:

The Drum Case Guide | Which Ones Are The Right Choice For You? | Gear Check | Thomann 
Tackle Stick & Cymbal Bags Overview