Didgeridoo Bag Buyers Guide

How to measure your didgeridoo

Two measurements pick a stock bag. A custom bag needs a third.

1. Length. The full length of your didgeridoo, in centimetres.
2. Bell end. The diameter of the bottom end, in centimetres.
3. Mouthpiece. The diameter of the mouthpiece end. You only need this for a custom bag.

Pick a bag that is longer than your didgeridoo, even if only by a couple of centimetres, so the top closes over the mouthpiece. In a bag that is too short, the wax or the timber of the mouthpiece ends up damaged.

Check the bell as well. A bag can be long enough and still too narrow for a wide bell end.

Quilt bags

The simplest bags we sell, in three sizes.

• Made from quilt fabric, with a drawstring top and a carry strap.
• Small suits didgeridoos up to 115 cm, Medium up to 130 cm and Large up to 150 cm.
• The bell end can be up to 10 cm across for the Small and Large, and up to 9 cm for the Medium.

Small QuiltMedium QuiltLarge Quilt

Oilskin bags

Waterproof bags, handmade in Perth, Western Australia, by Snakeskins.

• Oilskin is a densely woven Australian waxed cotton. It is waterproof, windproof and rot resistant, and it breathes, which helps keep your didgeridoo dry.
• Inside is full length quilt padding. The bag has a flat bottom, a drawstring top and a black webbing shoulder strap.
• There are two stock versions for didgeridoos up to 147 cm: Dark, with the snake design, for a bell up to 10 cm, and No Snake, plain, for a bell up to 11 cm. The colour of the snake varies from bag to bag.

Large Oilskin, No SnakeLarge Oilskin, Dark

Padded oilskin bags

The same oilskin outside, with a second layer of padding and a carpet pad in the base.

• Full length quilt padding plus full length dacron reinforced padding.
• A round bottom with a single layer carpet pad stitched in, to protect the end that sits on the ground.
• A drawstring top and a wide oilskin shoulder strap.
• The stock Double Snake bag suits didgeridoos up to 148 cm with a bell up to 14 cm.

Large Padded Oilskin, Double Snake

Full zip bags

A tapered oilskin bag that zips open from top to bottom. It is the top of our range.

• With a full length zip you lay the didgeridoo in. There is less rubbing on its finish than sliding it in and out through the top.
• The tapered shape gives bell, flared and straight ended didgeridoos a snug fit, so they do not move around inside the bag.
• The padding matches the padded oilskin bag, and the carpet pad in the base is doubled.
• Standard suits didgeridoos up to 145 cm with a bell up to 13 cm. XL suits didgeridoos up to 160 cm with a bell up to 17 cm.

Full Zip, StandardFull Zip, XL

Custom bags

If no stock bag fits your didgeridoo, Snakeskins will make one to its measurements.

• Four styles can be made to measure: oilskin without the snake, oilskin with the snake, padded oilskin and full zip.
• We need three measurements in centimetres: the length of your didgeridoo, the diameter of the mouthpiece and the diameter of the bottom end.
• Send us the three measurements when you place your order. Contact us.
• Custom bags are made to order. The product pages currently say they usually ship in 4 to 6 weeks.

Custom oilskin, no snakeCustom oilskin with snakeCustom padded oilskinCustom full zip

Flying with a didgeridoo

A padded bag is the first step. Pad both ends as well before you check it in.

• Didgeridoos are rarely allowed on board as hand luggage. Expect yours to travel as fragile luggage, with the golf clubs, fishing rods and surfboards.
• The mouthpiece and the bell are the parts most likely to be damaged. Pad both ends with bubble wrap, clothing or other soft material.
• Our travel test: with enough padding, the didgeridoo can drop onto its end from about 30 cm without touching the ground.
• At customs, we always declare our didgeridoos as musical instruments made of wood.

Read the full article: traveling with your didgeridoo on a plane