While hardshell guitar cases definitely provide the best protection for one's instrument, the protection does come at a price, namely bulk. Certainly, if you're on the road or doing some intense traveling, a hard case is the way to go. However, if you're hopping the train for practice or throwing your guitar and pedalboard into your car for practice, a bulky case can be more of a hindrance than a help, which is why gig bags are so crucial.

As its name suggests, a gig bag offers basic instrument protection on the way to and from gigs, rehearsals, and the like. It won't stand up to the abuse of a hard case, but it also is easier to carry and can provide less arm and back strain if you use carrying straps. Of course, not all guitar gig bags are created equal. Less expensive models hardly provide any padding whatsoever, while pricier models will offer padding that borders on case-level protection.