The Best Bow Cases of 2023

The king of all bow cases. The best of the best. It all goes to the Pelican Air 1745 ($450) bow case. It is waterproof, crushproof, and dustproof, made from Pelican’s trademarked air construction — a feature that makes this case 40% lighter weight than others on the market.

The inside is very customizable via a Molle strap system. With that, there is a divider between your bow and arrows, two foam arrow holders, two arrow tube straps, two small accessory pouches, and six bungee cords. On the outside, there are six press-and-pull latches with two TSA-approved locking latches for security. And you’ve also got stainless steel ball-bearing wheels for easy transport.

This case is not cheap, which leads us to our first downside. Coming in at $450, it’s a big pill to swallow in the name of protecting your bow. And if you’ve got a longer dove-tailed bow sight and a longer stabilizer, then you’ll likely have to take that stuff off to get a proper fit.

Whether you are planning to fly to your hunting destination, drive across the country, or just need a safe place to store your bow, this case is appropriate for all and more. This is a case to meet the demands of the most hardcore bowhunters alive.

Buying a bow case doesn’t need to be painful on the bank account. The Plano Protector ($79) is more than adequate for most folks looking for a place to stow their bows for travel.

Its compact design allows for easy storage, and it holds parallel limb bows. On the outside, you’ll find Plano’s patented PillarLock system and molded handles. The inside is padded with high-density foam with arrow storage on the underside of the lid. This is a lockable and airline-approved bow case.

The Plano Protector is a bow case that will no doubt get the job done, but there are a few potential hiccups along the way. First, durability only goes so far here, and I wouldn’t describe this as a bombproof option. Second, you can expect this case to leak if it’s left out in the rain for too long, say in the back of your truck. So, plan accordingly.

What I would describe this as is a perfect bow case for beginners just getting into archery. And for those not looking to invest a whole lot into a bow case, it’ll suit their needs just fine as well.

When it comes to hardshell bow cases, the SKB HunterSeries ($254) checks all of the boxes for serious bowhunters looking for serious bow protection.

It features a rigid ABS shell on the outside with lockable draw-bolt metal latches. On the inside, you’ll find a water-jet cut foam arrow holder that will keep up to 12 arrows at the ready and an eight-point interlocking stacking system. SKB also includes its Perfect-Match valance bending system. This ensures a tight fit and that no water or dirt will get into the case.

While the price of this bow case is easier to swallow than some others, it’s still spendy, coming in at $254. For beginners especially, that might deter folks from purchasing. Also, you can expect to have to detach any longer bow accessories to get a proper fit here. And while SKB ensures that no water or dirt will get in when it’s closed, hear me out. If water does get in while open, drying out the inside can be a pain, and it will develop a smell if not taken care of.

For anyone looking for a great do-it-all hardshell bow case, the SKB HunterSeries is just flat-out a good option to consider. It offers exceptional protection with a practical design.

In the world of soft shell bow cases, the RGD compound bow case ($220) from Rugid Gear stands on its own. This durable soft shell bow case is made of 500D PVC and fits most parallel limb bows.

It comes equipped with two different zippers, one that is water-resistant and another that is completely waterproof. This is great because along with that, this bow case floats, too. Yes, you read that right. It has a float rating of up to 40 pounds. On the outside of the case, you’ll find a pocket for an arrow tube and two accessory pockets. And it even has attachment points on the bottom to secure it to an ATV.

One of the biggest downsides I can see with the RGD bow case is it doesn’t have straps on the inside to secure the bow from bouncing around. While there is plenty of padding, that might not sit well with some, especially with how much we pay for our bows. Another downside is the arrow pocket is limited in size. They say it fits up to a 28-29-inch draw arrow.

So, if your arrows are longer, you might have an issue using this pocket.

For bowhunters in need of a top-of-the-line soft shell case that is water-crossing-friendly, the RGD Compound Bow Case from Rugid Gear deserves your attention.

Taking all of the best features from both a soft shell and a hard shell, the Legend Everest Hybrid Roller ($350) was designed to provide the ultimate travel protection for up to two compound bows.

It comes in two different sizes (40 and 44) to ensure that you get the proper fit. Three handles exist for easy handling and loading/unloading needs. There are also three front pockets providing you easy access to frequently used items. On the inside, you’ll find not only accessory pouches and adjustable Velcro straps to keep your bow secure but also padded cam pockets. And your arrows will be safe in their telescopic arrow tube. This is an airline-approved bow case with TSA locks included.

The two biggest gripes with the Legend Everest Hybrid Bow Case are the size and weight. This is a giant case that some may have difficulty finding a spot to store it and even fitting it in a vehicle. Along with that, it’s a 17-pound bow case. Add a little too much gear in there, and your weight charges for travel go up.

The Legend Everest Hybrid Roller Bow Case is well-suited for anyone looking for the best of all worlds in a bow case. Be it traveling to that next archery hunt or heading to an archery competition, Legend has got you covered here with the Everest Hybrid.

SKB is known for providing superior protection, so it wouldn’t be right of us not to mention its hard shell Pro Series Bow Cases ($400). There are several different sizes of these available to accommodate all bows and equipment, but the small model will be suitable for a wider range of folks.

On the inside, you’ll find Velcro straps to secure your bow, lid storage for your quiver, storage for one dozen arrows, and a spot for accessory boxes (sold separately). This case is molded of ultra-high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin and is dust-tight and watertight. Other features to mention are in-line skate-style wheels, patented trigger-release latches, and an automatic ambient pressure equalization valve.

Hard shell cases are inherently heavier as well as more expensive. The Pro Series from SKB is no exception — this case is gonna set you back $400. And even the small version clocks right under 17 pounds. This could lead to heftier travel charges down the road, depending on how much you load up the case. And if you’ve got a longer bow sight or stabilizer, you’ll need to remove that to get your bow to fit in here.

The SKB Pro is much more suited for the serious bowhunter or archer. It may be a bit of overkill and a steep price for folks new to the bow life.

Plano knows a thing or two about protecting gear. Its All Weather Ultimate Bow Case ($250) is proof of that. This is a dustproof, waterproof, shock-resistant, airline-approved bow case.

On the inside, you’ll find a high-density pluck to fit foam, allowing you to custom-fit your specific bow for ultra protection. And the underside of the lid provides arrow storage. On the outside, there is a pressure release valve, secure locks and latches, and wheels that will make transport much smoother.

For as expensive a case as this is, the lack of storage options is surprising. There are no places to store any extra accessories, which is a bummer because you’ll have to detach any longer accessories from the bow to make it fit.

Folks without a ton of accessories or long accessories (stabilizers, dovetail bow sights) will be well-suited for the All-Weather Ultimate Bow Case by Plano.

Easton has long been in the archery game, so you can bet the brand has got its take on a bow case. Easton’s soft shell Workhorse 4118 bow case ($110-130) will fit one compound bow up to 41 inches in overall length.

The outside and inside of the case feature eight total accessory pouches, with one of them being a dedicated arrow box holder. You’ve also got a padded shoulder strap and carrying handle. And the inside has extra-thick internal padding for both cam and limb protection, along with adjustable Velcro straps. The 5-inch deep side dimension makes storing a bow with a quiver possible as well.

As is the concern with all soft shell bow cases, this is only going to protect your bow so far. So, don’t think you can just throw this around, because you can’t without the risk of damaging your bow. Also, for a soft shell bow case, this is definitely on the expensive side.

Archers and bowhunter looking for a basic soft shell bow case for around town will enjoy the Easton Workhorse 4118 Bow Case. This would also be a great starter bow case.