Ultimate Protection Racket Case Buyer’s Guide

The right drum cases make it easier to store, carry and protect a kit. Protection Racket offers soft drum bags, semi-rigid cases, cymbal bags, hardware cases and complete drum case sets, but the number of ranges and sizes can make choosing the right option confusing.

This guide compares Protection Racket Nutcase, Proline and AAA cases, explains how to size a drum bag correctly and helps you decide how much protection you actually need. Our advice is based on using these cases ourselves and helping customers match cases to kits in our Fareham showroom.

How Protection Racket cases are made

Protection Racket uses different protective cores across its three main drum-case ranges. The familiar black Racketex outer is a 600-denier polyester designed to resist abrasion and water. Reinforced seams, bonded nylon thread, heavy-duty zips, padded handles and clearly marked size labels are used across the range.

• Nutcase foam: a 20 mm high-density upholstery foam intended for entry-level and intermediate protection.
• Proline Propadd: an 8 mm dual-density foam designed to deflect and dissipate impacts while keeping the case light.
• Propile lining: a soft, non-abrasive synthetic fleece used inside Proline and AAA drum cases.
• AAA Rocket Foam: a dense closed-cell foam that gives the AAA range its semi-rigid structure.

Nutcase, Proline and AAA drum cases compared

Protection Racket Nutcases

Protection Racket Nutcases are the most affordable drum bags in the range. They use the same abrasion-resistant style of outer material as the other series, with a 20 mm foam core instead of Proline's dual-density foam and fleece system. They are padded bags rather than thin dust covers, but the interior is not fleece-lined.

We find Nutcases particularly useful for beginner and mid-range kits, home storage, rehearsals and occasional gigs. They are available individually and as complete drum kit case sets, so they are a practical way to cover an entire kit without moving up to Proline or AAA.

Protection Racket Proline drum cases

Proline drum cases are the best all-round choice for most gigging drummers. The dual-density Propadd foam helps manage knocks while the soft Propile lining protects the finish of the shell. Full-length zips and rounded openings make the cases easy to load, while padded handles make individual drums comfortable to carry.

Every member of the Graham Russell Drums team uses Protection Racket cases for personal gear, and Proline is the range we recommend most often. The cases are protective without feeling unnecessarily bulky, and the soft construction lets them nest or compress when they are empty. That is useful at home, in a car, backstage or in a small venue.

Protection Racket AAA drum cases

AAA, or Access All Areas, drum cases are the most protective option in the Protection Racket drum range. Dense Rocket Foam gives each case a semi-rigid structure, while the fleece lining protects the drum's finish. The added structure is useful when cases are being loaded repeatedly or carried in a packed vehicle.

Graham uses a full AAA set for his own drums and values how quickly the cases load. Because the walls hold their shape, drums can be lowered straight in without the case folding around spurs, brackets or strainers. The trade-off is that AAA cases take up more space when empty and cost more than Proline.

AAA is our recommendation for valuable drums and demanding transport, including flagship kits such as Yamaha PHX and TAMA STAR. It is also the range to consider if you want a more structured alternative to a conventional soft drum bag. The AAA Cymbal Vault provides the same style of semi-rigid protection for cymbals.

Cymbal, hardware, stick and percussion cases

Protection Racket also makes bags and cases for the rest of a drummer's setup. This makes it possible to use one consistent range for drums, cymbals, hardware, sticks, pedals and percussion.

Cymbal cases

Protection Racket cymbal cases include standard, Deluxe, trolley and AAA options. Popular Deluxe sizes include 22-inch and 24-inch bags, with carrying options such as a shoulder strap, backpack straps or wheels. The 22-inch Deluxe Cymbal Case with backpack straps is a practical choice for regular gigging, while the 24-inch Deluxe Cymbal Trolley helps with heavier cymbal setups.

Hardware cases

Protection Racket hardware cases range from compact carry bags to large wheeled cases. Smaller options work well for a few lightweight stands and a pedal. If you carry several double-braced stands, a hi-hat stand and pedals, a wheeled hardware case makes the heaviest part of the kit much easier to move.

The right size depends on how you travel. One large wheeled case is convenient across flat floors, while two smaller bags can be easier to lift into a car or carry upstairs.

Stick, percussion and electronics cases

Stick bags range from compact models for a few pairs to the Deluxe Jumbo Stick Bag for larger collections of sticks, brushes and mallets.

Percussion cases are available for cajons, djembes, congas and other hand percussion. Protection Racket also makes specialist bags for electronics and accessories, including sample pads, mixers and laptops.

Which drum cases should you buy first?

If you are building a case set gradually, start with the gear you take to every gig and the items most vulnerable to damage. Drummers often call these their breakables: cymbals, a snare drum and usually a bass drum pedal. These are also the pieces most players carry when a venue or rehearsal room supplies the main kit and stands.

• Protection Racket 22-inch Deluxe Cymbal Case with backpack straps
• Protection Racket 14 × 6.5-inch Snare Case with concealed shoulder strap
• Protection Racket 14 × 6.5-inch Snare Case with backpack straps

Once the breakables are covered, add tom and bass drum cases. You can buy individual sizes as your budget allows or choose a complete drum case set to protect the whole kit from day one.

Protection Racket sizing guide

Protection Racket product names refer to the shell size of the drum. Measure the shell diameter and shell depth, excluding the hoops and protruding hardware, then choose the case labelled with the same drum size. For example, a 14 × 6.5-inch snare should normally go into a case labelled 14 × 6.5 inches.

The published internal dimensions are larger than the labelled shell size to allow for hoops, lugs, strainers and other fittings. If a drum has an unusually large suspension mount, oversized strainer or other non-standard hardware, check the case's internal dimensions or contact us before ordering. Do not automatically choose a shallower case to obtain a tighter fit.

When loading a soft drum bag, it can be easier to place the drum on the floor and pull the open case over it before turning the drum upright. This reduces the chance of the material catching on spurs, brackets or strainers. AAA cases stay open by themselves, so the drum can normally be lowered straight in.

Every Protection Racket case has a size label, and many models include an owner's tag behind a clear window. Add your details as soon as the case arrives. Protection Racket is common at gigs and shared rehearsal rooms, so a completed tag makes similar-looking bags easier to identify.

Popular complete Protection Racket drum case sets

Complete case sets are convenient when your drum sizes match a standard configuration. The table below uses the individual depths shown on the current product pages, not just the shortened diameter lists used in some product titles.

Product availability can change. If your setup does not match a pre-packed set, individual snare cases, tom cases and bass drum cases can be combined to fit your exact kit.

Why buy Protection Racket cases from Graham Russell Drums?

We hold a large selection of Protection Racket drum bags and cases at Graham Russell Drums, with further sizes available to order. Because our team uses the brand personally, we can help you compare the ranges, check unusual hardware and build a case set around the drums you actually own.

Alongside new cases, we carry a changing selection of used drum cases, including pre-owned Protection Racket bags and cases from other brands. Condition varies, but every used case is sold as a functional option and can offer excellent value.

Frequently Asked Questions