Top 5 Best Crossbow Cases – (2023 Reviews & Buyer’s Guide)

Chances are, you forked out a bundle of dough to own your prized crossbow. Now, it’s time to choose the best crossbow case to protect it. As you probably already know, there are both hard and soft cases to store every type of crossbow. In this guide, we feature our top storage solutions for compound crossbows, recurve crossbows, reverse-draw crossbows, and compact models.

Additionally, you’ll find storage options for all the most well-known brands including Ravin, TenPoint, Barnett, Wicked Ridge, and Excalibur. Plus, if you own a crossbow with a built-in cocking device, you’ll find choices below that get the job done.

Before we check out the cases, it’s important to consider that there are both general options and brand-specific options. A general case fits most brands and types of crossbows, while a brand-specific model is made by the same maker of the bow. If you choose a branded model, then always make sure to match your model number to the case.

However, we’ve seen instances where models not listed by the manufacturer do fit the case. If you’re unsure whether your bow will fit, it’s wise to contact the manufacturer directly or consult current owners to see if they were able to fit the same model as you.

Now, let’s get started with our top picks and reviews of each.

Best Crossbow Case Reviews

In each review, we include the key highlights & specs to consider. Plus, we did our best to mention the brands and types of crossbows that fit each case. You’ll also find pros & cons to consider for each model, plus tips on why you might want to choose one over another. Our first review features our top overall pick.

#1) SKB ATA Crossbow Case 8010

The overall most protective and best hard crossbow case is SKB’s ATA case. If you’re unfamiliar with SKB, the company specializes in bow cases, and in our opinion, they’re the best in the business. When you invest in an SKB case, you know you’re getting ultimate protection for your bow. Additionally, if you need a crossbow case for air travel, the ATA is a top-notch choice.

The reason we say this is that SKB backs its products with an unconditional lifetime warranty and even gives you $1500 worth of Content Coverage. How’s that for peace of mind? Beyond coverage, the fact that this model is on quiet-glide wheels also makes it a good choice for air travel. Now, let’s take a look at the features that make the ATA special.

Inside, you’ll find enough molded foam to customize storage to your liking and enough room to hold your bow w/ accessories including your scope. Next, the outer seal protects your bow against moisture and dust like a champ. Third, the outer shell is built to last and take a beating along the way without losing its integrity. All in all, the ATA is a winner and the perfect hard crossbow case for most brands ranging from Horton to TenPoint.

Pros

Cons

#2) Ravin Hard Case (R182 or R186)

Our personal favorite crossbow brand is Ravin, so if you own a Ravin crossbow, Ravin’s hard case is the perfect match. The main reason to choose this model is that it’s specifically made for Ravin crossbows. As a result, you get the most efficient use of interior space for your Ravin crossbow without adding extra weight. Comparatively, this model weighs 12lbs, which is nearly 5lbs lighter than the SKB ATA.

Next, it’s important to match your Ravin crossbow to the correct case because we’ve seen owners choose the wrong model. Model R182 is made specifically for Ravin R10 and R20 models, while model R186 pairs with Ravin models R26, R29, and R29X. However, we have seen folks store the R26 in the 182 w/ mods, but model R29X does not fit the 182. Depending on availability, that’s an important note to consider.

As for the case, it has room for your crossbow, scope, accessories, bolts/arrows, and your optics. It’s made of reinforced polymer rather than cheap plastic and features a watertight seal secured by cam-over latches. Lastly, the interior sports specially cut foam that fits your Ravin crossbow like a glove.

Pros

Cons

#3) Excalibur 95855 EX-Shield Soft Crossbow Case

Now, if you own an Excalibur recurve crossbow or other recurve model, this is the best soft crossbow case for your bow. First, when choosing a soft case, we always check to make sure that the company didn’t skimp on the zippers. Because as well know, cheap zippers are the absolute worst. The good news is Excalibur chose heavy-duty zippers for its bag that move smoothly.

Next, Excalibur didn’t skimp on the padding either. You’ll find padding throughout the bag to protect your bow, accessories, and optics. Third, we really like what Excalibur did with the outer pockets. In total, there are three external pockets that give you more than enough room for additional accessory storage and gear. So, if you need to store extra limbs, bolts, strings, etc., there are spots for those items as well.

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that this bag is best suited for Excalibur brand recurve crossbows or bows of similar size. The problem is that if you use it with the wrong bow, you’ll most likely find that there’s too much space around the bow, leading to shifting in transit.

Pros

Cons

#4) Plano Spire Compact Crossbow Case

On the hunt for the best budget alternative to an SKB case? If you answered yes, then here’s your answer. Plano is a well-known brand among bowhunters with over 60 years of experience in the outdoor storage solution department. Since the company’s inception, they’ve surely come a long way to offer better gear for competitive prices.

Currently, there are several Plano crossbow case models, and we like the Spire the most for the money. Two other popular models you might want to check out are the Bow Max and Manta, with the Manta being the most premium of the bunch. However, once you enter that price range, you might as well stick with SKB. For this reason, we like the Spire because it’s the most affordable of the three to suit every budget.

As for the Spire’s construction, it’s made in the USA with a tough plastic material that’s not on par with Ravin’s polymer, but it does get the job done. One of the biggest highlights of this hard case is that it’s the lightest in our guide at 10 lbs, and it fits crossbows by most of the major brands. Finally, the balanced carry handles and interior high-density foam padding are both nice touches.

Pros

Cons

#5) Wicked Ridge Soft Crossbow Case with Backpack Straps

Last we have another excellent soft case that’s our top-rated case for reverse-limb crossbows. However, it’s important to note that it’s not made for reverse-draw crossbows only. You’ll find that both recurve and compound models fit as well. Outside of fit, the first reason you might like this model over the others is the comfortable backpack straps for easier on-the-go transport. If you’re traveling with a suitcase, it’s nice to know you’ll have both hands free rather than having to carry your bow case at your side.

Next, this model is super lightweight at just 2.5 lbs. This means it’s the lightest case in our guide and also the least protective. While it does feature a padded interior, compared to Excalibur’s soft case, there’s definitely less padding. Additionally, external storage solutions aren’t quite as robust with just one large exterior pocket for stowing arrows, your quiver, broadheads, and more.

A couple of final highlights are the rubber-grip side handle if you want to carry it suitcase-style, high-quality zippers, and the materials are tough. All things considered, this is a top budget crossbow case that’s a good choice for travel on land and into the field when it’s more convenient to have it on your back.

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

It’s wise to protect your investment with the best crossbow case. When choosing a case for your bow, consider how much you paid for your bow vs the cost of the case. If you own a premium Ravin or TenPoint bow, then SKB is undoubtedly the first place to look because SKB models are the most protective. Plus, they’re the best for air travel since baggage handlers likely don’t care as much about your bow as you do.

If you own an entry-level bow or just need a basic storage solution to go between home and the field, then the soft cases in this guide or Plano’s Squire case are your best bets. The bottom line is that once you consider how you plan to use your case and how much you value your bow, choosing the right storage option becomes a no-brainer.