Soft cases

[fish2]

Is it just me, or have soft cases taken over the pool world? Have hard cases officially gone out of style? I understand the appeal—soft cases are lighter and easier to lug around—but I still think a solid hard case, like the Instroke 2x4 Cowboy, gives your cues a lot more protection. After all, I’d rather carry a heavier case than carry a broken cue.

 

[GideonF]

Is it just me, or have soft cases taken over the pool world? Have hard cases officially gone out of style? I understand the appeal—soft cases are lighter and easier to lug around—but I still think a solid hard case, like the Instroke 2x4 Cowboy, gives your cues a lot more protection. After all, I’d rather carry a heavier case than carry a broken cue.

Probably depends on where you are from.

In my area I’d say most people have hard cases, either the old traditional ones or the newer models (like say a JB Rugged or it’s imitators). But many people also have the soft cases.

I actually don’t think the issue of cue protection in a soft case is as a big of an issue (so long as the cues aren’t jostling around) for day to day use. If you’re just taking your cues from home to the car to the pool hall and back, it’s hard to imagine great danger to the cues. The cheaper cost, lighter weight and in some cases greater storage are worth the trade off for many. Travel is a whole other kettle of fish.

To me my biggest pet peeve with the soft cases is that most of them don’t stand up properly when empty, so everyone keeps leaving them on the tables when I want to put my food and drink.

 

[Rocket354]

Probably depends on where you are from.

In my area I’d say most people have hard cases, either the old traditional ones or the newer models (like say a JB Rugged or it’s imitators). But many people also have the soft cases.

I actually don’t think the issue of cue protection in a soft case is as a big of an issue (so long as the cues aren’t jostling around) for day to day use. If you’re just taking your cues from home to the car to the pool hall and back, it’s hard to imagine great danger to the cues. The cheaper cost, lighter weight and in some cases greater storage are worth the trade off for many. Travel is a whole other kettle of fish.

To me my biggest pet peeve with the soft cases is that most of them don’t stand up properly when empty, so everyone keeps leaving them on the tables when I want to put my food and drink.

Or on tables when I want to....play pool.

 

[Zerksies]

I've done a lot of work on wood and just lying wood unsusported over time will cause warpage. I can see what lying you cue up on the wall will do over time.

 

[skor]

soft cases are lighter and easier to travel with. That is why you see most of the traveling pros use them. These guys don't use high end custom cues anymore, they get sponsored by cue companies that provide them with cues and cases. Since 9/11 you can't take the cues up to the plain with you, back then we had travel bags for the cues cases. Today most players pack their cues into a large suitcase with everything else, so a smaller and lighter case is preferred to save room and weight.
Unlike the amateur pool fan that buy expensive cues that need better protection. In crowded clubs and bars, a hard case is safer.

 

[slide13]

I like cases like JBs with a hard outer but soft interior. Lighter than a full tube case like an Instroke but still a sturdy design that protects the cues better than a soft case and holds it's shape and stands up well.

I just don't trust the protection of a soft case like a butterfly style or similar and I also don't think they look very good. But great that there are options out there for everyone's taste, I know people who love their butterfly style soft cases.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I'm back to carrying 1 cue/shaft in my old, well worn "It's George" brown suede
soft case. Zipper and velcro still perfect. Suede is shiny in places from use, not abuse.

 

[maha]

mine in car and cars have sat continuously for decades without any damages in the cheap ten buck vinyl cases under the back seat or someplace.
one has even the zipper stuck open.

one chalk one glove and one shaft thats all.

 

[trob]

Or on tables when I want to....play pool.

So ask them to move them. Use your words

Probably depends on where you are from.

In my area I’d say most people have hard cases, either the old traditional ones or the newer models (like say a JB Rugged or it’s imitators). But many people also have the soft cases.

I actually don’t think the issue of cue protection in a soft case is as a big of an issue (so long as the cues aren’t jostling around) for day to day use. If you’re just taking your cues from home to the car to the pool hall and back, it’s hard to imagine great danger to the cues. The cheaper cost, lighter weight and in some cases greater storage are worth the trade off for many. Travel is a whole other kettle of fish.

To me my biggest pet peeve with the soft cases is that most of them don’t stand up properly when empty, so everyone keeps leaving them on the tables when I want to put my food and drink.

I’ve been using butterfly cases for years because of how lite they are and my skinny shoulders don’t like the heavy cases. I’ve never had an issue leaning the case up against a wall. I keep one of the table cue holders so they don’t fall over. Sometimes at leagues people put their cues on an unused table next to us. If someone happens to need it we just clean them off. Not a big deal.

Honestly I don’t use expensive customs anymore. That stuff just doesn’t interest me anymore but In my days when I did I did use hard cases. Jack Justis was my favorite but never can I think of one time when I would have damaged it if it wouldn’t have been in a hard case but I’m pretty careful with my things