If you're a violinist who only plays violin at home, or if you only plan on storing your violin without playing it much, then the weight of your violin case isn't a major concern.

However, if you travel quite often on foot, take public transportation, or perform around the country, you will undoubtedly need a lightweight violin case.

The average violin case weighs between 6 to 8 lbs. These are usually your traditional wooden oblong violin cases.

Lighter cases are generally between 5 to 6 lbs. And the lightest violin cases are between 3.4 to 4.4 lbs.

Heavy violin cases add unnecessary weight to your shoulders, which can cause poor posture over time. And as a performing musician, good posture is incredibly important.

Problems with posture become even worse if you're used to carrying a heavy case over one shoulder.

One of the greatest challenges for case makers is to make the cases as light as possible, without sacrificing protection.

Generally speaking, the thicker and stronger the material is, the heavier it becomes. So reducing the weight of a violin case without sacrificing protection requires some pretty advanced engineering, along with high-tech materials.

Traditional violin cases are made out of wood. However, wooden cases are generally the heaviest cases.

Good fiberglass violin cases usually weigh between 5 to 7 lbs. There are fiberglass cases under 5 lbs. However, they usually use thinner sheets of fiberglass, which sacrifices protection.

Styrofoam cases are very light. But as you probably guessed, they're the worst when it comes to overall protection.

Carbon fiber casesare some of the lightest and strongest cases you'll find! However, they're generally quite expensive, and they're not the best when it comes to temperature resistance. Carbon fiber is metallic, which means it can absorb heat.

Plastic comes in all shapes and forms. Some of the best plastic cases include Bam's signature Hightech ABS cases, Gewa thermoplastic cases, andpolycarbonate cases.

These reputable brands use advanced molding techniques to build these plastic cases that are light and protective. And unlike carbon fiber cases, they do not absorb heat. Making them ideal cases for traveling.

When looking for the lightest case possible, the obvious answer is shaped cases.They take up less space, thus taking up less material. So they're generally lighter than oblong cases.

However, they won't have as many features as oblong cases. For example, shaped cases generally do not have much space for a shoulder rest. The accessory pouch is only big enough for rosin and cleaning cloth. And there's no space for sheet music.

Now let's take a look at some of the most popular lightweight violin cases.

The Jakob winter cases are unbelievably light.They only weigh around 2.8 - 4 lbs. Because of their light weight and stylish exterior shells, these cases are perfect for young violinists.

They are made of hard foam cases that are relatively sturdy and durable. And they're quite affordable if you're looking for a case under 5 lbs.

They aren't as protective as hardshell cases though, which is why we recommend them for students.

If you're serious about protecting your valuable instrument, then we recommend getting a Bam Hightech violin case. They're definitely not the cheapest cases, but they will surely last you for decades, and they are incredibly light as well (2.6 - 4.8 lbs).

Bam's patented hardshell protection is called "Hightech", which consists of 3 layers; An outer ABS layer, a polyurethane foam core layer, and another type of ABS layer. These combined materials make the case incredibly strong, durable and light. They are also more temperature-resistant than carbon fiber cases.

These cases are trusted by world-renowned violinists.

If you're looking for a good "go-to" case light is light, protective, & durable (and doesn't break the bank), we recommend the Gewa Pure Violin Cases. They weigh between 4 to 5.2 lbs. They're made of polycarbonate shells.

Polycarbonate is one of the strongest plastics out there that is also used to make shatterproof glass. They're proven to be more temperature-resistant compared to carbon fiber cases.

The Gewa Pure is probably the most protective hardshell case you will find under $250.

This case also features a movable neck cushion that can accommodate 3/4 and full size violins (and any size in between, if you happen to have an antique violin that may be slightly smaller).

As the name suggests, these cases are incredibly light (3.5 - 4.4 lb)! Gewa Air cases are German-engineered cases that are superior in strength and durability,so you won't have to worry about changing your case over time.

This case uses thermoplastic shell technology. Which means they mold the plastics under extreme temperatures.

Some cases use sheets of material, then bend them into the shape of a violin case. The parts that are bent are the most vulnerable areas to damage.

The Gewa Air is molded into shape from the very beginning of the manufacturing process. So you don't have to worry about the rounded edges being more vulnerable.

The case features adjustable velcro rings, which can accommodate shoulder rests of any size.

For those who want to stick with the traditional wooden cases, Gewa created one of the lightest (only 4 lbs.) wooden-framed suspension cases ever made - The Gewa Strato Deluxe violin case!

It is built in a very simple but elegant manner. It has a soft velvet interior that gives it a luxurious feel.

This case is ideal for violinists that want the traditional and luxurious feel of a good oblong case, without the extra weight.

When it comes to selecting a violin case, weight is extremely important because heavy cases can cause poor posture over time.

So if you're a violinist who often travels, then invest in a good lightweight violin case that does not sacrifice protection.

Didn't find the case you were looking for in this article? Feel free to message us directly here at Great Violin Cases. Our team is more than happy to help you find your ideal case.