Hard cello cases?

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DS has a new 3/4 size cello which is a significant upgrade from his previous one. It is insured of course but we are currently using a Hidersine soft case for it as that's all we have and I would like to find something more robust. DS takes his cello out of the house a lot these days for school/orchestra rehearsals etc.. so I'm thinking a proper hard case rather than the semi-rigid type might be the way forward to protect the instrument better. Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced (I use that term loosely as am well aware that is a bit of a contradiction in terms when it comes to cello cases) case that also doesn't weight a ton as it will need to be carried by a nine year old. Are the Stagg/Hiscox cases that have the pads to convert them from 4/4 to take 3/4 size instruments any good or are they just too heavy? Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.

Can't recommend a hard case but we have a Tom & Will gig bag which is really good.

Don't know what cases are best, but I do remember before orchestra at school the backflip that changed a cello into a pile of matchsticks.
Music teacher arrived to find us all in an unusual state of readiness, butter-wouldn't-melt was in the middle of being delighted when he saw the reason.
Never saw him lost for words before. It was... interesting in retrospect.

DD had a stentor 3/4 lightweight hard case from Norman's music. I think it cost about £125 5 years ago. Cello survived school bus perfectly happily in it, and being fitted into our boot alongside the other large instruments.

Look at Caswells website, lots of choice. Go for a light one!

Thanks everyone. I have looked at the Casswells website which is what prompted my question to be honest as there are so many (although not so many in 3/4 size) across the spectrum of prices. Witchend, it is exactly this scenario I'm hoping to avoid, DS gets very attached to his instruments apart from anything else and would be utterly devastated if his beloved cello got hurt! We've got a Tom and Will case for his 1/2 size cello and will probably get another for this one as they are well made and very useful to have for certain situations but I just don't think it's going to cut the mustard for the times the cello spends the day in the school music room. I looked at a friends Archer lightweight case which is similar to the Stentor one but it was huge, much bigger than the full size hard case we stood it next to and I'm not sure DS would actually be able to carry it.

Go for a full size case & buy extra padding, that way it will last him. Carbon fibre is the ultimate in protection & lightweight but they are upwards of £800. If you think he can cope with something heavier look at Hiscox - it may not be that pretty but the online advert for their violin case has 5 men jumping up & down on it with no damage inside & they are the most common brand used by gigging musicians who chuck all their instruments in vans with heavy amps & lighting equipment. If it's strong enough for them..... Hiscox is also the only case I've ever owned which properly protects the instrument from heat cold & humidity - I will happily leave it in the car on a hot day knowing I won't come back to find the instrument cracked or damaged.
Hope I've helped!

Thanks for that Pugs. We did in fact get offered the chance to buy a good carbon fibre 4/4 case second hand a few days ago so have now got that. I'm waiting for the pads to arrive and then we should be good to go. DS very happy as the case is bright red! It never gets left in the car as it's a very sensitive little cello and the slightest change in temperature causes it to have a paddy and un-tune itself quite spectacularly!

Wow - well found! My husband was searching for about 5 years before he found one secondhand at a reasonable price & I'm still searching for a nice case for my viola! Hope they have a long & happy acquaintance x