Have bow will travel. But you want to protect your kit right? Travelling by air is easier with an approved case, even travelling by car your bow can get knocked in ways it wasn’t designed to handle. Recurve and compound bows can have delicate attachments such as sights and stabilizers that you don’t want to bumped around. Plus you need somewhere to carry all your accessories like arrows, tools and spares don’t you?
Take a look through our roundup, we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for a compound bow or recurve bow, hard or soft case there’s something in this roundup for everyone.
Bow Cases – Our Top Picks
- Plano Protector Compact Bow Case – Affordable, light and compact
- Plano All Weather – Rugged, waterproof, and airline friendly
- SKB Hunter Series – Great build quality
- Allen Gear Fit Pro – Light and loads of storage compartments
- Vista Traveler – Lockable, includes arrow storage
- Plano Bow Max Recurve – Interlocking foam should hold any bow
- SAS Recurve Takedown Bow Case – Affordable, several color choices, compatible arrow tube
Compound – Hard Cases
Compound – Soft Cases
Recurve – Hard Cases
Recurve – Soft Cases
Note: Our individual reviews are below, but you can also click any of the links above to check current prices on Amazon and other retailers
Table of Contents
Bow Cases – A Buyers Guide
Which bow case?
Recurves, compounds and crossbows all have different sizes and specifications. With this in mind case manufacturers make cases slightly differently for each of the three types of bow.
A compound bow is not often takedown, and these bow cases will be a rectangular or D shape to match the shape of the bow. Hard cases will usually have a mechanism to secure the bow within the case.
With the exception of traditional one-piece recurves, these bows are takedown and you can remove the limbs. This allows manufacturers to create more compact recurve bow cases that just have compartments to hold 2 limbs and a riser plus any accessories.
These cases normally again have a mechanism, foam insert or bag to secure the components of the bow and stop them knocking into one another during transport.
Crossbows are an altogether different beast. As whilst folding crossbows do exist, they aren’t as common as fixed limb bows. A crossbow case has to be made to accommodate that specific shape. You can’t really mistake a crossbow case from any other.
Will my Bow Fit?
Most cases will come with internal dimensions specified. Make sure you know the furthest dimensions of your bow (height, width and depth) in order to be able to look at case specifications and determine if you bow will fit. If in-doubt there’s always customer Q&A sections to help you. In the case (pun intended) of a take down recurve bow you just need to ensure you know the length of your limbs and if that length will fit inside the internal dimensions of the case.
Hard vs Soft Bow Cases
Hard bow cases will have a rigid exterior, normally plastic. These cases are designed to protect the contents from harsh environments and accidents. If you’re a hunter and you’re off into the wilderness somewhere, a hard case will be more useful. You can drop, bump and knock a hard case. Step on it, sit on it, pack it into a trunk and the contents will be protected from everything around it. Some are that tough you can even drive over them.
Whilst a hard bow case offers the maximum in protection, soft bow cases increase portability. Soft cases will have soft sides. Stand on one and you’ll most likely break something inside. However they are light and more easy to shoulder than a hard case and just designed as an easy way to carry your bow and protect it from occasional knocks.
The type of case you choose really needs to depend on what you intend. If you just want to carry your bow to a local shoot a soft case would be the best choice, however for longer distance travel and hunting trips we’d suggest a hard bow case.
Airline Travel
If you want to travel by plane with your bow, you can get an airline approved bow case to ease the process but these can be expensive and there’s still no guarantee what the airline will say. Any bow case that supports latches or that can be padlocked should work for this purpose and you can also fit any non lockable case with a lockable strap. For airline travel we’d suggest a bow case that’s slightly sturdier than normal to give you confidence that your kit won’t get damaged when slung about by baggage handlers.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may well want to investigate the contents of your case, so a good choice is a bow case that allows padlocks that TSA could access. Any sort of combination lock or other device that TSA can’t access may get broken if they determine a need to investigate inside.
Features to Look For:
Case Locking
Always a bonus, especially when travelling by plane, bus or on any other public transport a bow case with a locking system helps with airline security and also with keeping your contents safe from thieving hands.
Waterproofing
Hard bow cases can be waterproof. Very useful for the hunter who may be camping out, travelling by boat, or just hunting and tracking in wet conditions.
Wheels
For the regular traveller a good quality bow case, just like a suitcase, can come fitted with wheels. These are a bonus if you travel by air as it makes them just as portable as the average everyday suitcase.
Shoulder Strap
Both soft and hard bow cases can come with shoulder straps although a soft case is far easier to shoulder and carry this way than a hard case.
Built-In Quiver / Arrow Storage
Many bow cases come with additional storage places for arrows. You can’t get far as a shooter without ammunition. When you’re going to travel take into account just how many arrows you need to travel with and choose a case accordingly.
Extra Storage Compartments
Generally you have more than just a bow. Tools, accessories, sights, rests, spare fletching components, you name it there are a lot of bits and piece you may want to travel with alongside just your bow and arrows. Bow cases with additional storage compartments are great for this. You’ll find soft cases better for this type of storage as zip up fabric compartments are much cheaper to produce than hard plastic.
Hard Compound Bow Case Reviews
Plano Protector Compact (1110)
Plano make a wide range of cases for guns, fishermen, tactical uses, medical uses, you name it. We’ve featured several of their best selling cases in this lineup, but there are others out there for pretty much all uses and bow sizes. This particular case is highly regarded and highly rated, very affordable and one of the most popular around at the moment.
It is a compact case that is designed to be lighter and smaller than other hard bow cases. There are tie-down straps inside to hold your bow and arrow holders for upto 5 arrows. The interior features an inch of high-density cushioning foam for your bow. There are 4 latches to secure the lid of the case and the plastic is sturdy. It probably won’t take all the knocks you’d want it to if you were a serious traveller, but it’s a great affordable case for hunting trips.
Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions: 43.25″ x 19″ x 6.75″
Interior Dimensions: 41.5″ x 16.75″ x 6.5″
What we liked:
- Compact
- Light
- High Density Foam
- Affordable
What we didn’t:
- Not for the serious traveller
Plano 108115 All Weather
Designed to provide the ultimate in protection for compound bows. This case has a pretty rugged construction and will stand up to lots of abuse which makes it great for hunting trips or serious travelers. Whilst it isn’t the lightest case you’ll find did we mention this case is also waterproof?
You can store upto 12 arrows inside, with thick or think shafts and there are additional straps for tie-down of accessories as well as your bow. You get 4 velcro straps in total and you can move them around the case to suit your particular bow and needs. The foam padding inside this case is a step up from the cheaper Plano alternative being thicker and giving more protection.
More good news comes in the form of this case having lockable latches and also padlock tabs. You can lock the latch and add a padlock for extra security, this is also very useful for airline travel.
Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions: 48″ x 20.75″ x 7.5″
Interior Dimensions: 46.5″ x 16″ x 6.75″
What we liked:
- Rugged
- Waterproof
- Lockable
- 12 arrow storage
- Airline Friendly
- Lifetime Warranty
What we didn’t:
- Heavy
SKB Hunter Series
The SKB Hunter has nice build quality. There are 4 latches on the lid, 2 of which are lockable. That lid also secures with a lip that fits tight and secure and should prevent dirt, dust, and moisture from getting into the case. Inside you get a lovely furry compartment to set the bow in. That compartment features foam slots for upto 12 arrows that sit down below the bow. This case is designed to allow you to fit a bow mounted with a quiver inside without having to remove the quiver. As always don’t take that on face value. Not all quivers and bows are the same. A tall quiver like a TightSpot might still need removing
You will have spare space inside the case even with your bow in there. If you can improvise something you can use that space to carry additional components or accessories because unfortunately this case doesn’t cater for that by default.
Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions: 45″ x 19.5″ x 9″
Interior Dimensions: 39″ x 15″ x 6″
What we liked:
- Rigid ABS shell
- Lockable latches
- 12 arrow storage
- Designed to fit bows with quiver attached
- 5 year warranty
What we didn’t:
- No additional compartments
- No accessory straps
Soft Compound Bow Case Reviews
Allen Gear Fit Pro
If you need a light and easily transportable bow case with lots of storage, then the Allen Gear Fit Pro is for you. This one has no less than 7 external zipper pockets to allow you to store a collection of useful items alongside your bow. One of those pockets (the long one) is designed to hold an arrow case (not supplied) and will take arrow boxes upto 33″ long by 5″ wide. You should be able to fit any both with up-to a 35″ Axle to Axle inside this case,.
This case is a soft case, but has heavy duty construction. The exterior is polyester that should stand up to lots of use and abuse. Inside there are no straps to secure your bow, however this type of case often doesn’t need them as your bow fits snug and isn’t expected to take harsh abuse. You get a shoulder strap too.
What we liked:
- Light
- 7 Storage Pockets
- Arrow Box Pocket
- Upto 35″ A2A Bows
- Shoulder Strap
- Heavy Duty Polyester
- Affordable
What we didn’t:
- None!
Hard Recurve Cases
Vista Traveler
Described as weather resistant, but not waterproof, the Vista traveller is a hard case with lockable latches. It’s not specified as such, but something like a Samick Sage, or Journey fits inside this case so well you’d think they’d designed it for that bow. You can fit other bows inside but you may have to adjust the opening in the foam if your riser is much larger than that of a Sage. Bit it is only foam so you can cut it to whatever shape you need should you need to.
You can hold upto 18 34″ arrows inside this case alongside your bow. They slot into foam block holders that will accept nearly any thickness of shaft. Whilst we’re on the subject of arrows, you’ll also find that this case has a built in broadhead wrench. This is cut-out of the handle plastic. You also get storage compartments inside the case for small accessories like a bracer, tab or glove.
What we liked:
- Built in-broadhead wrench
- Upto 18 arrow holder
- Lockable
- Extra storage for accessories
What we didn’t:
- Not the most rugged construction for the price
Plano Bow Max Recurve Case (113500)
A really affordable hard recurve case from Plano. The interlocking foam on both sides of this case mean you can put any size of riser or limbs in there, along with other accessories and it should hold them in place. I say should, because this isn’t designed for serious travel or airline travel and there is nothing to fully secure your bow or any accessories. This also doesn’t come with any arrow storage.
There is a Plano signature crush pillar inside the lid which means the case should have good resistance to being stood on or crushed.
Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions: 36″ x 10.75″ x 4″
Interior Dimensions: 35.25″ x 7.625″ x 3.625″
What we liked:
- Affordable
- Interlocking foam holds any size riser & limbs
- Crush Pillar
What we didn’t:
- No arrow storage
- Not weather or dust resistant
- Not lockable
Soft Recurve Case Reviews
SAS Recurve Takedown Bow Case
SAS back again with an affordable takedown recurve case. This is a great way to transport your recurve so long as you aren’t thinking of slinging it around or trampling on it.
Inside this case there are 2 long soft padded pouches. One is designed to hold the riser and the other the limbs. There are also 2 other mesh pockets for storing other accessories like stringers, tabs and gloves. You don’t get arrow storage inside this case but there are straps to allow you to attach an arrow tube (sold separately) should you also want to transport arrows.
This one is available in 4 colors.
What we liked:
- 4 color choices
- Affordable
- Arrow Tube Holder
- Padded pocket holders
- Accessory pouches
What we didn’t:
- No serious padding
Anything to share?
I hope this roundup was useful and led you in the direction of a quality component for your setup. Please let us know if we’re missing your favorite and need to add it to this review, or if there are any aspects of any of the above we’ve not covered correctly! Either leave a comment or send us some feedback!