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Best Violin Case for Cold Weather: Top Picks for Ultimate Protection
Although it's been around since the 16th century, the violin is still gaining popularity. In fact, it's currently the third most popular instrument for people to learn nowadays!
However, it's one thing to learn it, and another to care for it. Your violin must be protected from more than just bumps and scrapes. Let's talk about the best violin case for cold weather and how to protect your violin from those chilly days.
Note: Based on our testing, our top pick for violinists who frequently face cold weather, the Bam Saint Germain Violin Case offers a perfect blend of insulation, durability, and portability. Shop the Bam Saint German Violin Case now to ensure your instrument stays safe no matter the season!
Key Takeaways
- Cold weather cracks violin wood, ruins tuning, and destroys sound quality permanently.
- Keep violins at 60-70°F indoors - never in cars, attics, basements, or near heaters.
- Bam cases beat everything for weather protection with 2-year warranties.
- Gewa Air cases handle temperature better than carbon fiber and weigh half as much.
- Always use a case - it's the only thing preventing temperature shock from destroying your violin.
What Is the Best Violin Case for Cold Weather?
In general, it’s best to choose a weather-resistant violin case, no matter what climate you live in. Features like cold resistance, heat resistance, and water resistance allow you to travel more freely and store your violin safely without worry.
Hard-Shell Cases
Hard-shell cases are effective at slowing down temperature changes thanks to their tight seals. When it’s cold outside, the interior temperature of the case remains more stable for a longer period of time. That said, they are not completely immune to extreme cold or heat—under severe conditions, the internal temperature will eventually be affected.
Fabric-Covered Cases
Fabric-covered cases often feature thicker insulating foam and a corrugated internal frame, all wrapped in a durable fabric exterior. This construction provides excellent insulation against cold temperatures, making them a strong option for players in colder climates.
However, with fabric-covered cases, you need to be mindful of snow that can melt into liquid. Unlike hard-shell cases, there’s still a chance that moisture can seep inside. Keep in mind that these cases are water-resistant, not waterproof.
No matter which type of case you own, always store your violin in its case when it’s not in use. Proper storage is your first line of defense against temperature and humidity changes. With that in mind, here are some of the best options for cold weather conditions:
Bam Violin Cases
Bam has a reputation for all-around quality, and they certainly live up to their claims when it comes to protecting your instrument.
In all seriousness, every Bam product is guaranteed to be remarkably weather-resistant, which is why we aren’t listing a specific model. All of their cases offer heat resistance, weather resistance, durable material, a 2-year warranty, and some of the best quality craftsmanship you can find.
Featured: Bam Saint Germain Violin Case
The Bam St. Germain Violin Cases are expertly designed for cold weather, featuring Bam's signature foam core protection that prevents temperature absorption and shields against inclement temperatures.
Its injected high-density polyurethane foam cradle offers excellent thermal insulation, safeguarding your instrument from temperature shocks and ensuring consistent performance in cold climates. It's our top pick for cold weather!
Featured: Bam Hightech Contoured
The Bam Hightech Contoured case stands out for its combination of durability and lightweight design, making it a great choice for busy players and cold-weather conditions.
It features a durable 3-ply shell with a foam core for added protection. The tight seal around the edges helps keep out outside elements, while the overall design slows down temperature changes—so cold air enters gradually instead of all at once.
Gewa Air Violin Cases
The German-engineered Gewa Air cases feature a specially developed, temperature-resistant thermoplastic shell. One of their standout features is their extremely low thermal conductivity of just 0.025 W/m·K, meaning heat and cold transfer very slowly through the case.
Featured: Gewa Air 1.7 violin case
The Gewa Air 1.7 is extremely lightweight, weighing only 3.7 pounds (1.6 kg). Don’t let the light material fool you, as these cases are made with a special molding technique, using thermoplastic material that is far more weather-resistant than carbon fiber. Without question, this is one of the most durable and protective violin cases on the market for a price of under $800.
Featured: Gewa Bio-A violin case
Finally, the best budget-friendly violin case option is the Gewa Bio oblong case, which you can buy for under $200. This case is still fairly lightweight, weighing only 5.7 pounds (2.58 kg) while still offering great insulation against both hot and cold weather. Also, for such an affordable model, the shell offers great water resistance, making this the perfect option for beginner players and hobbyists!
How Does the Cold Affect Violins?
Any string instrument, especially made of wood, is sensitive to cold weather. During the cold, dry winter months, improper storage temperature of your violin could lead to serious problems. Here are just a few of them.
Tuning
Strings do not like cold, and the cold weather will wear out your strings faster. However, in the short-term, cold and constantly-changing temperatures will throw your violin out of tune regularly.
Sound
As the wood expands and contracts due to the changing weather conditions, it will likely affect the sound quality, even when properly tuned. While this isn't a big deal if you're only practicing at home, it could affect performance and sound quality at a recital. If that's the case, you may need to get your soundpost or bridge adjusted.
Potential for Permanent Damage
Not only will the cold affect the sound, but sharp temperature changes can easily destroy instruments, especially ones as fragile as a violin. If the wood has become accustomed to colder temperatures and you suddenly expose it to warm temperatures (or vice versa), you risk temperature shock, which can crack the wood.
The reason this happens is that the cold, dry air sucks the moisture out of the wood, which is enough to crack it on its own if given enough time. Also, wood could become misshapen or warped, which can permanently affect the sound of your instrument, especially in fragile areas like the bridge.
What Is Proper Storage for Violins?
Ideally, you should aim to keep your violin stored around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 to 21 Celsius) throughout the winter. Keep them stored in a room where you use heat, limit the time they spend outside, and use a humidifier when possible.
Always store your violin away from any heating elements, air conditions, or windows. In the event you notice water or grease on your violin or violin case, wipe it down with a cloth before putting it away for storage.
If you decide violin isn’t for you, that you’re taking a break, or that you don’t use your old violin too much, don’t store it anywhere that isn’t climate-controlled. It may be tempting to put it in the attic, garage, or basement, but it could seriously affect the instrument over time. Even if you plan to re-sell it, keep it in proper storage.
Also, never leave your instrument in the car. Not only will it be more susceptible to theft, but the sun or the cold could cause irreversible damage within hours.
Lastly, always keep it in a case, as this will act as a buffer from outside elements. This way, if there is a shift in the temperature in a room, the violin will have a time delay and be able to adjust to the new conditions less abruptly.
Stay Warm This Winter!
Now that you know how to properly store your instrument and some of the best cases for cold weather, you should shop through the top violin cases and find one that’s right for you. Keep reading our blog for more information and feel free to contact us with any questions about our products, pricing, or policies!