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Hardware bags and cases are useful for storing all your cymbal and drum stands. They are crucial for use while traveling to gigs, and can also be used for simply storing your gear when you’re not using it.
It’s important for gigging drummers to have hardware cases, as your stands can easily get damaged or lost when transported to and from gigs and rehearsal studios.
Hardware cases also make it easy to transport your kit from one venue to another, as they hold all your stands in one place. You can carry a single hardware bag to your destination instead of carrying stands back and forth.
In this guide, I’ll show you a few of the best hardware bags and cases available. I’ve compared them according to design, durability, portability, and cost.
In a Rush’ Round-Up
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
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Best Protection
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Easiest to Transport
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Best Storage Capacity
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Best Premium Soft Case
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Best Value Overall
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Best Budget Option
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Hardware Bags & Cases
When testing each hardware bag and case for this list, I ran quite a few tests to ensure that they were the best possible options.
I first checked how much space each bag and case had. I placed all the standard hardware pieces inside, including cymbal stands and drum stands. I then added a few extra accessories to see if they’d fit.
After that, I looked at durability. With so much weight constantly being carried around, hardware bags tend to break over time. I wanted to see how each case handled a full set of hardware.
I also wanted to see how comfortable the case was to carry or pull around with hardware inside.
Finally, I considered how much each option cost. I weighed that in with the features offered to establish the overall value.
Drum Hardware Bags Reviews
SKB Mid-Sized Drum Hardware Case With Wheels 33” Long
SKB Mid-Sized Drum Hardware Case With Wheels 33” Long Review
Up next for review is the SKB Mid-Sized Hardware Case, and unlike the other soft-case drum hardware bags in this product guide, this is an immensely sturdy polyethylene hard case that is the best hardware case for professional drummers.
Unlike traditional nylon-woven drum hardware bags, this SKB injection molded hard case can support an enormous amount of weight on top in a tour van without damaging any of the equipment inside.
For drummers who are serious about protecting their equipment on tour, a hard case is essential for withstanding knocks and bumps on the road.
This 33” long SKB drum hard case is slightly short in length but it has more than enough room to store a full drum set’s worth of hardware. It will, however, require cymbal stands to be disassembled in order for them to be stored inside the hard case.
With a full set of hardware inside it, I love how solid it feels when moving it around. I definitely felt like all my stands were well protected.
The pull out handle and built-in roller blade wheels are smooth and sturdy, enabling you to transport this drum hardware case anywhere with ease.
This is the best drum hardware case for any drummer looking to store all varieties of drum hardware. It is the perfect solution to store and transport all the drum set hardware pieces for a full drum set, including cymbal stands, a hi-hat stand, a snare stand, and a drum throne.
Pros
- Indestructible build quality
- Best drum hardware case for touring drummers
- Pull out handle and built-in roller blade wheels
Cons
- Short length requires hardware to be disassembled
- Expensive hardware case
Humes & Berg Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 36” Long
Humes & Berg Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 36” Long Review
The Humes & Berg Drum Hardware Bag is a top quality drum hardware bag that offers value for money and excellent protection for all of your drum hardware.
This bag has been designed with professional drummers in mind, in order to withstand frequent shows and touring. This drum hardware bag has lots of user-friendly features and boasts a durable construction that is built to last.
I am impressed with the build quality of this drum hardware case. Whilst it is a more affordable offering than many of its competitors, it does not compromise on quality.
It utilizes a high-density woven outer fiber that is resistant to tears and splitting. The straps and handles are very comfortable and the zips and buckles are strong and sturdy.
This drum hardware bag takes advantage of ultra-smooth, easy-rolling wheels plus a pull-out handle – that allows for effortless transportation of your equipment between shows and rehearsals.
I found this to be a very well-constructed drum hardware bag that makes for the perfect workhorse. It can easily store all of the drum hardware components that make up a standard 5-piece drum set.
Pros
- Solid construction and build quality
- Lots of internal space for hardware
- Ultra smooth rolling wheels
Cons
- Zips are not the most sturdy from experience
Gator GP-PC300 Drum Hardware Case 45" Long
Gator GP-PC300 Drum Hardware Case 45" Long Review
A key reason that Gator is considered one of the world’s leading providers of cases for musicians – their designs are flawless. The GP-PC300 is an incredibly secure and protective case specifically designed to be used with drum hardware.
For the GP-PC300, Gator has used roto-mold, a material that offers several benefits. It boasts good water resistance, which is important if you intend to transport your drum hardware outdoors.
Roto-mold is also highly durable and can withstand the wear and tear that is inevitable when transporting and storing drum gear. It’s also lightweight, considering its physical attributes, making it ideal for a case of this nature.
The corners of a hardware case are the most susceptible to breaking, so Gator has reinforced them with layers of robust material to ensure that they stand the test of time.
Even when the case was packed full of cymbal stands and other heavy gear, it remained easy to move around.
It’s also strong enough to bear a lot of weight without causing any damage to the material or structure.
With a sturdy set of wheels and a handle installed on this case, moving your drum hardware from the van to the stage or practice room is made easy.
A set of heavy-duty straps ensures that the case can be securely fastened. There’s no chance of the lid popping open once these straps have been fixed in place.
Out of all the hardware cases I tested out, this one had the most storage capacity. So, it’s a great option for drummers with large setups.
Pros
- Very protective and water resistant
- Heavy-duty straps and locks
- Large size allows it to fit lots of drum hardware
Cons
- Heavier than most drum hardware bags but very robust
Protection Racket Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 38” Long
Protection Racket Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 38” Long Review
This Protection Racket Drum Hardware bag has been the respected go-to choice for gigging drummers. This functional, roadworthy drum hardware bag provides a high level of protection and lots of room for lots of valuable pieces of drum hardware.
Protection Racket is a well-known player in the industry; manufacturing strong cases that are dependable for rehearsals and shows.
This drum hardware case carries a premium price tag, but it is designed with great attention to detail and possesses an immensely strong construction. The whole case is stitched with bonded nylon that is ultra-resilient and will not deteriorate, break or tear.
It’s definitely one of the best soft cases I’ve used. It just feels so luxurious and premium, ensuring all your hardware is safe inside.
The case features two indestructible rubber handles at each end for carrying, and smooth inline wheels combined with a retractable handle that allows for effortless transportation.
The base of this Protection Racket case is supported by poly-prop and plastic runners across the length of the case for extra support and rigidity.
Overall this is one of the best drum hardware bags on the market, offering immense strength and protection. It’s a no-fuss option that I have used for years without any problems, and it has made transporting my drums a breeze.
Pros
- Immensely strong construction
- Lots of room inside
- Best drum hardware bag for serious drummers
Cons
- Not as much protection as a hard-shell case
- Expensive hardware bag
Gator Drum Hardware Case With Wheels 36” Long
Gator Drum Hardware Case With Wheels 36” Long Review
This Gator Hardware Case is an excellent soft case hardware bag that offers great value. Although it is a fabric case, you can be confident in the durability and quality of this case.
The 36” length of this case means it has plenty of room for all different types of stands and other miscellaneous drum hardware, and the strong wheels and handles allow you to transport it easily and efficiently.
This case also had a bit more height than all the others, allowing me to stack my stands up to fit more in.
The Gator hardware case is the perfect roadworthy companion for any drummer.
Gator has really delivered with these strong and well-built drum cases. It’s one of the best drum hardware bags for reliable protection.
Pros
- Ultimate protection for gigging drummers
- Lots of space for hardware components
- Strong wheels and handles for easy transportation
Cons
- Handle is unable extend
Gibraltar Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 44” Long
Gibraltar Drum Hardware Bag With Wheels 44” Long Review
The Gibraltar Drum Hardware Bag is an affordable yet high quality solution for drummers who want the added advantage of wheels for ease of transportation.
I found this to be one of the best drum hardware bags with the optimal balance of price, functionality, and durability.
This Gibraltar hardware bag is constructed of tough nylon and features comfortable and padded straps and handles throughout. The hardware bag has ABS perimeter reinforcements for added rigidity and strength.
The inline skate wheels make rolling this case a breeze on flat surfaces, and it’s going to save your back a lot of stress as the weight of drum hardware certainly adds up.
This is a sturdy and reliable hardware bag that is able to store numerous pieces of drum hardware. It can hold multiple cymbal stands, a hi hat stand, snare stand, drum throne and more if required.
If you are looking for a larger hardware bag that offers great value for money and you want to transport your drums to rehearsals and shows, this is a solid hardware bag to choose from.
Pros
- Smooth inline skate wheels for easy transport
- Large drum hardware bag with lots of room
- ABS perimeter reinforcements for added strength
Cons
- Too large to fit in a small car trunk
- Nylon material can tear and break
Things to Consider When a Drum Hardware Bag
Weight
All hardware cases have different weights. Heavier ones are more durable, but they’re harder to transport around. Hard cases are also heavier than soft bags.
Cost
While a hardware case may seem expensive, it’s better to invest in a good one rather than buying new stands after they get damaged.
Size
The number of stands you have in your setup will determine how big of a case you need. It will also determine the quality, as higher-quality hardware cases can carry more hardware.
Carry Straps
If you use a compact drum kit setup, look for a hardware case with straps so that you can easily carry it over your shoulders for gigs where you don’t put much in it.
What Features to Look for in a Hardware Bag
Hard Bags vs Soft Bags
Hard cases and soft cases are the two main types of hardware carrying cases available.
Hard cases are a lot more durable, but they’re harder to transport around due to their size and design.
Hard cases will keep your hardware as safe as possible, so it’s better to get them for long tours or settings where your gear will be mixed in with other heavy equipment.
High-quality hard cases are typically more expensive than soft cases, but they’re well worth the cost to keep your hardware safe.
Soft cases are lighter and easier to carry around, but they don’t last as long as hard cases. You can find cases available that are more affordable, so they’re a good option to consider if you don’t do extensive touring and gigging with lots of equipment to manage with a band.
Length
All hardware bags and cases range from 30” to 50”. Make sure to choose a hardware case with a length that suits you and your needs.
Longer cases allow you to keep your stands assembled, but they’re harder to fit in cars and trailers easily.
Shorter cases are easier to manage and transport around, but you’ll often need to remove parts of stands to make them fit.
Thankfully, the length of a case doesn’t tend to affect pricing. Some of the most affordable hardware bags are the longest ones available.
Wheels
Always make sure to get a hardware case or bag that has wheels. Wheels allow you to drag the case instead of carrying it. Hardware bags get very heavy when they’re full of gear, so the wheels will save you a lot of effort.
Some brands sell hardware bags that only have shoulder straps. They’re very light and intended for only a few stands.
If you need a case for stands that are part of a standard-size drum setup, I highly suggest getting a hardware bag with wheels to make things easier.
The higher the cost of a hardware case, the smoother the wheel transporting design will be.
Hardware Bags and Cases FAQs
How Much Should You Spend on Drum Hardware Cases?
Hardware bags and cases range from $50 to $500. If you play gigs weekly and travel a lot, you should be spending a few hundred dollars on a good case to keep your hardware safe.
If you only gig every now and then and don’t find yourself moving hardware too much, you’ll be happy with a budget hardware bag.
How Important Is It To Get Drum Hardware Cases?
It’s massively important to get a hardware case as it will protect and maintain your stands. You can use one to transport drum stands when playing gigs, or you can use one to store your stands when you’re not using them.
Most drummers have drum stands lying around that they don’t use. Keeping them stored in a hardware case at home will stop them from getting weather-damaged.
