George Costanza once said “important things go in a case” in one popular episode of Seinfeld. “You got a skull for your brain, a plastic sleeve for your comb, and a wallet for your money”. Well, the same can be said of drum gear. Snare drums, in particular, are often expensive, while having fragile parts that can easily get damaged or break. That makes a snare drum case a very wise investment.
We chose 5 best snare drum bag and case values to help narrow down your search. These models represent a range of quality levels, brands, and prices. Some are made for occasional use and to keep costs down, while others are heavier-duty and made for the road. No matter what your budget and design needs are, any of these products will give you a lot for your money.
On with the list! These are the best snare drum bag and case values.
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Protec HR Series
Snare Drum Bag
The Protec Heavy Ready is the least expensive option on this list. Years ago, snare bags at this price point were almost guaranteed to be poorly made. Stitching would come apart, zippers break, and some didn’t even have padding. Protec made their budget snare bags with a higher baseline. They’re certainly not high-end, but these bags can work very well for drummers who occasionally transport their gear.
This series comes in two snare sizes – a 14×6.5 and a 14×5.5, which covers the 2 most popular sizes of snare drums. It should also be noted that both sizes are on the roomy side. Most 14×6.5 snare drums will fit into the 5.5-inch-deep bag without a problem. 14×8 snare drums can usually fit into a 14×6.5 Protec. We usually prefer a snug fit if given the choice, but that’s a matter of personal preference.
The Heavy Ready has a moderate amount padding and a fairly durable outer fabric. While not extremely protective compared to higher-end bags, there’s more padding here than there is with most bags that sell for under $50. The interior has is velvety soft, which is another nice touch. On the downside, this bag doesn’t have heavy-duty zippers and there is no padding on the strap.
All in all, the Protec Heavy Ready is our pick if you just need the basics, but want something better than the absolute cheapest bags on the market. This bag is best used for carrying drums once in a while or to store snare drums in. It should be considered for lighter and less expensive drums, where maximum protection isn’t needed.
Gator Protechtor
Snare Bag
The Gator Protechtor is another budget model that gives you a lot for your money. It shares some similarities with the Protec bag above. Both are under $50 (at the time or writing) and have a moderate amount of padding. They both come in 2 sizes, as well – a 14×5 and 14×6.5. The Gators have a bit tighter fit compared to the Protecs.
There are differences, of course, between the Protec and the Gator Protector bags. For a little extra money, the Gator gives you a name brand with a bit of extra quality. The Gator isn’t premium, but compared to other sub-$50 bags, the stitching is a little tighter, the zippers are a tad more robust, and the seams are more trustworthy. We feel the quality differences between the Gator and Protec basically equal the difference in price, so either choice is a good buy.
The Gator includes a non-adjustable shoulder strap. It would be nice if that was adjustable, but the set length is comfortable. Overall, while any snare bag below $50 shouldn’t be considered premium, the Gator is a good solid bag for its price. It would be a great option for drummers who want a lighter-duty, well-constructed, name-brand snare bag.
Ahead Armor
Snare Bag
The Ahead Armor series is a big step up from the previous models on this list. Ahead played an integral part in changing the drum bag game with their Armor series, bridging the gap between traditional soft bags and hard cases. We dive into the series as a whole here, if you’d like to know more what the series has to offer. For more specifically about the Armor snare bags, read on below.
The Armor snare bags are popular for a reason. They strike a balance many drummers are looking for, with a good mix of protection, portability, craftsmanship, and cost. While not quite as protective as hard cases, this type of fleece-lined bag protects plenty well enough for most gigging drummers. Corners are supplemented with extra padding, the sides are semi-rigid, and the interior is very soft.
Then there are the stitching and zippers – parts that so commonly fail on drum cases. The case designers paid special attention to those two details. The Armor bags’ stitching is strong, both around edges and for securing handles. You won’t have to worry about yanking up a heavy snare drum from the ground with these bags. The zippers are also particularly well-designed. The pulls are not your typical thin brittle metal often found on drum cases, but they’re very thick and durable. The zippers open and close smoothly and hold strong.
In total, the Ahead Armor snare cases are a great choice for just about any drummer, especially if you play local live shows. These cases are well-made, fairly affordable, and come in many sizes. If you’re like so many drummers, looking for a case that splits the difference between hard-shelled cases and soft bags, we’d definitely recommend the Ahead Armor series.
Tama Powerpad
Snare Bag
Tama’s Powerpad line is a well-made series with a great look. We talked about the cymbal bags in Best Values: Cymbal Bags and Cases, and the snare bags are an equally-strong value. Much like the Armor snare bags above, the Tama Powerpads offer drummers some benefits of both hard and soft cases. It’s well-padded, semi-rigid, and easy to carry around.
The Powerpad bags even includes a few nice options Ahead Armor cases don’t. First, and maybe most obviously, the Tama Powerpad snare cases come in several colors. You can get black, red, blue, green, and beige. They all look great and incorporate stylish accents of a secondary color. Beyond the colors, the Powerpads also include backpack straps, in addition to the carrying handle. These straps free up hands and make loading gear easier.
The Tama also includes front storage pockets, making it the only model on this list with that feature. It’s a handy way to carry extra sticks, drum keys, music, tablets, cables, or any other small accessories you might have.
Finally, the Tama is high-quality overall. It’s right up there with the Ahead Armor, with nice stitching, plenty of padding, and smooth and robust zippers. All of that – the quality, color options, padding, straps, and cost – makes the Tama Powerpad snare bag a solid value. It’s a great bag for gigging drummers, especially for those who like to walk into the gig with a little style.
SKB Roto-X
Snare Drum Case
All of the models we discussed so far have been either soft or semi-rigid bags, but what if you need a case with ultimate protection and durability? In that case (no pun intended), we recommend the SKB Roto-X. This snare case can take a beating, while keeping your drum safe. It’s a great option for drummers who haul their gear in a band trailer or through air travel.
There isn’t much to worry about with the SKB Roto-X. The molded container and lid might show some scuffs after many uses, but they’re almost impossible to crack. The strap is thick and rugged. The handle consists of metal and rubber. The only part of these cases we’ve ever seen break was the clip, but even that’s been rare. And if anything does break, SKB will cover it for life.
Even with its rugged exterior, this case’s interior is quite soft. It’s not as heavily padded as the cases above, but there’s good reasons for that. You don’t need a bunch of padding to soften blows from the outside, since it’s a hard case. The interior padding is more about avoiding a lot of jostling and softening any minor blows from a drum shifting inside. SKB uses thin, but durable lining that does the job well. We like the choice, but some drummers also add a towel, especially if they’re using a small snare drum that might move a lot during transport.
The SKB comes in several snare sizes, all with the same design features. It’s the most expensive series on this list, doesn’t have any carrying straps, and weighs more than soft bags. However, the SKB will also almost surely last a lifetime. If you want ultimate protection for your prized snare drum, you won’t be SKB Roto-X won’t let you down.
Wrap-Up
Those are our picks for the best snare drum bag and case values. It’s always a good idea to protect valuable drum gear, so a snare bag or case is a wise investment. Hopefully, we helped you find the model that’s perfect for you. No matter which one that may be, you can be sure you’re getting a great value!
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Need a new snare drum? Check out The Best Maple Snare Drums, By Budget!