I never use a hard case unless I’m flying somewhere. I like the simplicity of a zipper and shoulder straps to carry. Opening all the latches on a hard case and the weight is just not for me. Plenty of people like them, so you’ll have to make this decision yourself. I also like all the little pockets for storage on a soft case.

 

A good quality soft case will be more than enough for all but air travel. However if you feel it will need more protection, check out lakewood cases.

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I like the simplicity and lighter weight of a soft case I just wanna make sure they offer sufficient protection considering I just bought this bow and it cost considerably more than my old bow. Wasn't sure how they'd fair riding in the bed of a truck

 

I’m a big fan of the Pelican Vault 730.
Everything I need for the range fits in it.

Bow, stabilizers, release, 12 arrows, small tool bag.

it’s great grabbing one case, throwing it in the back of my truck, knowing I’m not forgetting anything, and having great protection no matter where it ends up.

 

Never had a problem riding in the back of my truck/side by side all season every season. I pack my truck for bow season Oct 1 and doesn’t come out except for hunting until after jan 1.

 

I use the hard case mainly because I have kids who's sole mission in life is to destroy my possessions. It just gives me peace of mind. I'm sure a soft case would also do the job.

 

Look at the Rugid case. I have been very pleased with mine

 

Those seem kind of expensive for what’s essentially a soft case.

 

I agree. It’s pvc lined and fits my bow w the quiver on. I got mine free on a bow trade so I can’t comment on the price other than I would have prob not paid that either. Buttt….
Now that I own one it’s awesome. I take the whole thing to the stand leave in the back of the mule or leave in the ground blind. Pack up when I’m done. On wet mornings I zip it up and it’s weatherproof outer later keeps everything good. Again who can argue w free. But it’s the nicest soft case I’ve found

 

If you're just throwing it in the back of the truck, literally any case is fine. There are inexpensive hard and soft cases on the market that are sub $100 that are great. Plano, Flambeau, the list goes on.

If you're going to travel on a plane, then the hard case will protect the best (SKB, Pelican, etc.) but it will either carry less than you'd prefer or require you to custom cut out the foam. Something like the Easton Bowtruk (soft case) is easier to travel with, organize/carries more stuff, and TSA won't assume you're smuggling M16s through the airport.

 

If it was free I definitely wouldn't object to it haha. When I get to my destination though I typically unpack everything and get ready at my truck and carry my climber and bow in so adding a case to take to the tree would be a bit much but I can see why that would be nice in your situation.

 

Hard case if it’s the bed of the truck. Soft case in the cab.

 

A great rule of thumb.

Personally I don't leave any of my bows in the bed of the truck, except maybe taking a leak before heading to the stand. In our current culture, if it can be easily stolen, it will be. When I want to get rid of something, I leave it in the bed of my truck with the bed cover off. One of my fishing buddies left his Loomis rod with a top end Penn reel in the bed of his truck when he stopped for bait.
When he got to the river, he went to grab his rod, gone. He was in the bait store about 3 minutes.

 

All my bows live in skb cases,from the day I buy a new bow, while they are not being used. Traveling or storage at the house, they are in the case. Soft cases don't protect them much from accidently getting bumped and jostled around at all. The last thing I want, is to get some where and find my sight, or a cam bent.

 

I have the SKB SC4115 Hybrid case and like it a lot. Almost the full protection of a hard case with the ease of a soft case.

 

Skbs have been in the garage sitting a few years.
Soft Case is what I use 95 percent of the time.
They have some really nice ones out on the market.

 

Like has said, I only use hard cases if I'm flying or the rare really long drive with the vehicle stuffed with stuff. I like a good double bow soft case like the Blackout 2.0. I have a hard Plano bow case and a SKB hard case that doubles as a rifle case for those odd times.

 

I hunt locally and don't travel with my bow. I throw my hard case in the bed of the truck and lay my climber on top of it. If you are hauling your bow in the cab, I think a soft case would be much more convenient. The hard cases are huge and heavy, but the weatherproofing is a benefit.

 

OK so what 'durable' inexpensive soft cases have y'all liked? Had a hard case that was great for in the back of the truck...and for travel. But thinking of softcase that has shoulder straps - hold the quiver as well. Thanks!

 

I switched to this soft case Excursion Bow Case 2.0

It's got a lot of pockets and storage inside and out for everything you'd ever want to carry. For me it would be used a lot more than a hard case day to day. For airline travel there's good hard cases from pelican, skb, and easton.

 

Thanks - is there enough padding to trust it in cargo/checked bag for flight? Checking pricing now...appreciate your response!

 

There is no soft case I would check for an airline. The closest thing is the bowtruk, otherwise a hard case is needed. Soft cases are for scenarios where you have possession of it at all times and it's stored in a protective manner (like driving).

 

all soft cases are about the same. I have a SKB that works for tooling around town and going on hunts. I do like my Legend Everest case for flying though.

 

Thanks makes sense - and I may just get the Pelican - on sale now - solid cases and about $250 or so.

 

Have both, and unless I’m flying or traveling a great distance, I prefer the soft.