What should we look for in a good cue case?

[Pool Addict]

What are the essentials of a good cue case? Especially if I am trying to look for a good one for my expensive cues to be stored into?

[15 Year Old Aaron]

Good question.

[instroke]

You should look for protection first and foremost. There should be nothing on the interior of the case that can harm the cue in any way. A lot of people make the mistake of buying a pretty case only to find out later that the design of the case scratched the cue, surrounds the cue in material that retains moisure and numerous other deficiencies that do more harm than good.

The level of protection is up to you. Whether you want high impact protection, water resistance, mosture barriers, insulation is entirely your call.

Some people get along fine with a simple soft case while others prefer to have moisture resistant linin, high denisty foam rubber, PVC tubing and insulation surrounding their expensive cues. I prefer the latter, and that's why I developed the Instroke cases.

I am just going to relate one example that happened to me last week on why these things are important for a cue case;

I leave my cues in my car all the time unless I am playing. Last week I left my windows open and it snowed in the car. I thought nothing of it - just water......

Well I got in the car and drove to the poolroom with the heat on high. When I got to the poolroom I reached in the back to discover my cue case covered in about three inches of melting snow at the lid. I brushed the snow off and went inside. I opened the case and took out my cold but DRY cues. The wet part of the case gradually dried out and there is no stain visible.

So what do I look for in a case - protection. Protection against the elements, accidents and mostly against myself doing brain-dead things like leaving the windows open in a snowstorm.

Of course I am biased but I know that Instroke builds the very best tube cases on the market in terms of protection and design. Aesthetics and prettiness are a matter of taste but no one gets the protection down like we do.

The only better protection currently available is the Zero Halliburton at 2000lbs psi of pressure resistance. I opted for a little less than that for ease of use.

Hope this helps,

John Collins
Designer, Owner - Instroke Sports LLC