The 7 Best Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags (2022 Buying Guide)

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Check Out Some of the Best Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags Out There!

Searching for a great guitar case and not sure where to start? You’re not the only one. Guitar cases are a pretty popular guitar accessory and there are loads of great acoustic guitar cases out there – from ones with hard shells to the soft guitar cases. I own both kinds of cases for my Fender electric-acoustic and I think that both types of cases are important to own.

That said, both of these types of guitar cases serve different functions. It’s important to know which acoustic guitar case is right for you, your acoustic guitar, and your specific needs. Acoustic gig bags are a great addition to your guitar set-up and can help to prolong the life of your acoustic guitar for years to come.

animated guitar beside stool and microphone stand with white musical themed background

So, this article is specifically written about the best acoustic soft cases, commonly known as “gig bags”. Our guide on buying an acoustic guitar case – specifically an acoustic guitar gig bag (the soft shell guitar case) – walks you through the different styles, costs, and other need-to-knows when buying an acoustic guitar soft case.

The Top 7 Best Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags

If you know you’re searching for the best guitar gig bag then you can simply get started having a look below. You’ll find some of the best acoustic guitar soft cases you can purchase right now. These top gig bags have been chosen based on a number of factors like personal experience, reviews, overall function, quality, brand, and price.

ChromaCast Acoustic Guitar Soft Case
Gator Cases Pro-Go Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
CAHAYA 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Bag
ChromaCast Acoustic Guitar 6-Pocket Padded Gig Bag with Guitar Strap and Pick Sampler
Gator Cases Pro-Go Ultimate Guitar Gig Bag; Fits Acoustic Guitars (G-PG ACOUSTIC) , Black
CAHAYA 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Bag 0.35 Inch Thick Padding Water Resistent Dual Adjustable Shoulder...
ChromaCast Acoustic Guitar Soft Case
ChromaCast Acoustic Guitar 6-Pocket Padded Gig Bag with Guitar Strap and Pick Sampler
Gator Cases Pro-Go Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
Gator Cases Pro-Go Ultimate Guitar Gig Bag; Fits Acoustic Guitars (G-PG ACOUSTIC) , Black
CAHAYA 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Bag
CAHAYA 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Bag 0.35 Inch Thick Padding Water Resistent Dual Adjustable Shoulder...

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

ChromaCast Acoustic Guitar Soft Case

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A popular, reliable acoustic gig bag, with a Velcro neck strap on the inside. Also comes with accessories (picks, guitar strap)
  • Pros: Loads of pockets for extra storage, multiple handles and backpack straps for easy carrying, cheap price tag
  • Cons: The cheap price may affect the quality of the stitching, padding, and zippers

We also love the look of the “World Tour” Design of the ChromaCast!

Gator Cases Pro-Go Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A great gig bag with a fleece interior, multiple pockets for storage, rubber feet, and handles
  • Pros: Thick inner padding for shock absorption, removable backpack straps
  • Cons: More expensive – but you pay for a quality gig bag

CAHAYA Acoustic Guitar Bag

Sale
CAHAYA 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Bag 0.35 Inch Thick Padding Water Resistent Dual Adjustable Shoulder...
  • There is a loop handle on the back of the guitar bag, which can be hung on the wall when not in use. Keep your guitar bag clean and save space. 43.5 x 4.7 x 17.7 inch,...
  • Made of 600D durable oxford cloth exterior. No need to worry about light rain. 0.35inch padded guitar gig bag, easy to carry and avoid damage caused by bumps during transport.

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A reliable gig bag with a waterproof exterior, thicker padding, and rubber feet
  • Pros: Multiple handles for carrying (regular, back loop, backpack straps)
  • Cons: Only two exterior pockets for storage

Faswin 41 Inch Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag

Faswin 41 Inches Guitar Bag Dual Adjustable Shoulder Strap Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag, Guitar Case...
  • Sturdy Material: Bekith guitar case is made of durable water-resistant oxford cloth, 0.3 inch thicker padding and smooth soft lining fabric; thick sponge can prevent guitar...
  • Designed for 40 Inch and 41 Inch standard size acoustic guitar or classical guitar.

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: Soft inner lining and a cleaner look for a gig bag
  • Pros: Simple carrying design – with handle or backpack straps
  • Cons: Limited pockets for extra storage, the cheaper price point can mean thinner exterior material

Protec Deluxe Dreadnought Bag Instrument Case

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A sleek gig bag with a soft inner liner and exterior pockets
  • Pros: Multiple handles, backpack straps, a more rugged exterior nylon material
  • Cons: Padding might feel a bit thin but not as thin as other gig bags. The overall quality is top-notch for the price

Fender FA405 Multi-Fit Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag

Sale
Fender FA405 Dreadnought Gig Bag, Black
  • 5 mm of padding to keep your instrument safe
  • Reverse water resistant zipper

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A very simple gig bag with soft inner liner from a reputable brand
  • Pros: Multiple handles, large zippered “slip” pocket on the front
  • Cons: Very thin padding (5 mm) but remember this is a gig bag, thin backpack straps are not padded

ZHRUNS Bohemian Acoustic Guitar Soft Case

ZHRUNS Guitar Bag Bohemian Acoustic Guitar Case Soft Foam Padded 40/41 Inch Guitar Gig Gag Backpack...
  • 🎸Beautiful Appearance:Ukulele case uses the Knitting national style fabric. Compared with normal printed pattern, it has clearer and more stereoscopic texture, and is not...
  • 🎸Stronger Protection: Equipped with neck pillow&neck belt for the guitar,it can protect the guitar neck and reduce the pressure to the guitar neck. The guitar belt fix the...

Last update on 2024-03-08 at 03:36

  • Features: A cool gig bag with thick padding and fabric exterior (still resists water)
  • Pros: Great look, thicker backpack straps with padding and loop handle
  • Cons: Limited pockets compared to other gig bags at this price point

What Is An Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag And Why You Need One

Also known as a soft case, an acoustic guitar gig bag is an outer case for your acoustic guitar. As you may have guessed, the outside layer is soft. The outer material is often a durable material like nylon which covers soft, thin foam padding. This outside material and the thin layer of padding (closed with a zipper) are what offer the acoustic guitar some protection.

Often, gig bags have extra zippered pockets on the outside for storing guitar accessories like guitar capos, strings, picks, and even sheet music or theory books. Trust us, these pockets are super useful.

For easy carrying, gig bags almost always have reinforced handles or even built-in backpack straps. This way, you can toss the guitar in the case and put it on your back for easy transport if you’re on foot or heading between short distances by car or bus.

Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags Versus Hard Case

As we mentioned above, there are significant differences when it comes to types of acoustic guitar cases. It can often feel like guitar cases are all made the same and offer the same kind of features. However, some guitar cases have very different usages. It’s important to buy a case to suit your instrument and your needs for the case.

For this reason, we wanted to briefly go over the two main types of acoustic guitar cases – soft case versus hard shell -, the pros and cons of each, and focus on who a soft gig bag might be best suited for.

A hard shell acoustic case is exactly that – one with a harder, durable, structural shell. This shell is made for protecting the guitar from heavy damage. Soft gig bags do not have a hard case so don’t expect a gig bag or soft case to protect your guitar during travels, on an airplane, or when being tossed in the car with lots of other heavy bags or gear.

Gig bags are to protect the acoustic guitar from dust, the elements, from minor scratches and damage, and during travels over short distances on foot or by car. If you are looking for a travel guitar case, you should consider an acoustic hard case. We’ll write up a guide on hard cases real soon.

Benefits Of Using An Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag

As we mentioned above, a padded gig bag for an acoustic guitar is different from a hard case – but there are still a number of benefits to using an acoustic guitar gig bag.

Protection

A soft shell acoustic guitar case can provide some protection to your instrument. However, don’t expect a padded gig bag to protect the guitar from heavy damage caused by rough storage, mishandling the guitar in the case, or travel/transport.

The best guitar gig bags protect against dust, water, and minor scratches. So, definitely keep this in mind when you buy a gig bag and buy a hard shell acoustic case if you need the extra protection.

Transportation

One of the best attributes of soft guitar cases is their ability to transport your acoustic guitar from place to place without getting too dirty/exposed to the elements. Without a soft guitar case, you would just be holding your acoustic guitar when bringing it to your friend’s house or to your next playing gig.

With an acoustic guitar bag, you can put the guitar inside, toss in the accessories, grab the gig bag by the handle, and off you go. You may also choose to carry the guitar on your back like a backpack – assuming the gig bag has backpack straps.

Again, if you are planning to travel by airplane with your acoustic guitar, a soft shell case is not going to be good enough (especially if the guitar goes under the plane in checked baggage).

Storage

Lastly, a soft guitar case for an acoustic is an easy thing to store the guitar in when it is not in usage. This helps to protect the guitar from dust and a bit of moisture.

That said, a soft case isn’t just great storage for the guitar – it is also great for storing the other guitar accessories you might have. Nothing is worse than showing up to play campfire songs and realizing you need a replacement string or a different pick.

The extra accessories in my gig bag have saved me more than once. Without my acoustic being in a soft bag, I would have been in trouble!

Things To Consider In A Good Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag

Acoustic guitar gig bags might all look the exact same but there are actually a number of differences between bags. Gig bags can also make a great gift for a guitarist – so here are a few things you’ll need to consider before you buy.

Instrument Size

You have to buy for your correct acoustic guitar size. In case you didn’t know, there are a number of acoustic guitar body shapes and sizes. From smallest to largest, they are parlor, concert, triple-O, dreadnought, and jumbo.

As you might imagine, there are lots of different guitar case sizes that match the various sizes of acoustic guitars. Acoustic guitar measurements are very important to consider before you buy because you want a gig bag that fits your instrument well.

A dreadnought gig bag isn’t likely going to fit a parlor guitar well – nor will a jumbo guitar have any chance of squeezing into a parlor guitar gig bag! If you aren’t sure, do not hesitate to grab a tape measure and measure the guitar you’re buying a gig bag for. This small step might save you from having to make a return.

Materials, Zippers, Waterproofing

The outer material that comprises most of the gig bag is a pretty fundamental thing to consider when you purchase. Many gig bags are made from nylon or polyester because they are reliable materials that are durable, breathable, and also help to repel water. They also dry well, if wet.

The stitching that holds the gig bag together is also important to check out. Thick, reinforced seams mean that the bag will stay together longer and the padding is likely to stay inside the inner liner. Thin stitching might mean the gig bag won’t last too long with regular usage.

Besides the outer material that covers the gig bag, the best soft guitar case will have great, reinforced zippers that ensure the case closes well. Often, zippers have a water-resistant coating or liner which can offer the acoustic guitar slightly more protection when you are out in the elements with your guitar and the guitar case.

Padding

A really important aspect of buying a soft case for an acoustic guitar is the amount of padding on the inside of the case. A padded guitar case that has a soft shell might only have a thin layer of foam padding under the inner liner to protect the guitar from bumps and dings.

Different soft acoustic guitar cases have different thicknesses of padding – from well under an inch to much thicker, should you be looking for that kind of protection.

Keep in mind, just because there is padding in the inner liner, doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful with the guitar in the soft case. Foam padding isn’t going to protect the neck from snapping if the acoustic is crushed under the weight of something on it.

Extra Pockets/Storage

Gig bags for acoustic guitars are usually a great place to store not only the guitar but all of the guitar accessories you may have. There are often a number of zippered pockets on the outside of the case that can hold extra strings, picks, tuners, and more. These exterior pockets can really come in handy!

Straps/Handles

Another important buying factor for a good gig bag is the straps and/or handles on the outside of the bag. Usually, gig bags have thick carrying handles that make it easy to grab the case and be on your way. There’s also something called a “loop handle” which makes the bag easier to hang if needed.

Another great feature of most gig bags (but not all, so watch out) is built-in backpack straps. Sometimes these straps are freely seen on the outside of the case while others can be covered by another zippered flap. In any case, backpack straps make it really easy to transport your acoustic guitar if you’re on foot and heading a short distance.

Weight

Definitely consider the weight of the guitar case when you buy one. A soft-sided case will definitely be among the more lightweight acoustic guitar cases that you can buy. This makes them easy to transport – even with your guitar inside.

However, there are differences in the amount of material and padding that can make even soft cases vary in weight by a few pounds. Keep in mind, hard cases are usually much heavier than soft cases but offer much more strength and overall protection.

Price/Quality

Overall, the price and the quality of any soft case should be a determining factor for whether you buy or not. Remember, the most expensive gig bag isn’t necessarily going to be way better than the cheapest gig bag. The cost of a gig bag can run from $20 all the way to well over $100. It really depends on the materials, the built, the features, and the overall quality of the product.

That said, common sense and prior experience will tell us that going for the cheap acoustic guitar cases might not always bring you the top quality product. What may seem like a deal at the time of purchase might fall apart down the road – and then you have to buy another gig bag!

The best gig bag is going to be the one that fits your guitar, is within your budget, and has exactly what you need in terms of extra storage, padding, and other features. Keep these factors in mind when you buy and you should find an acoustic guitar gig bag that works well for you.

And there you have it – a rundown of some of the best acoustic guitar gig bags on the market right now! Soft cases make a great guitar bag, an accessory holder, and also offer your acoustic guitar some protection. Just remember the dimensions of the acoustic you are buying a soft case for!

As always, Happy Strumming,

-E

About Eric

With a background in music theory through brass instruments and choir, Eric’s introduction to acoustic guitar was at the age of 16. His first Seagull will always be his true first love. Over the years, he’s tested many different types of gear (picks, straps, tuners, etc.), learned to do his own guitar maintenance, and watched the instrument space change. He might not be a professional, but his passion for music goes a long way.