The Plano All Weather Bow Case is a super-solid compound bow case that seals out dust and water. It’s also suitable for airline travel. We’re big fans of the Plano All Weather Bow Case because it’s surprisingly strong for the price point. It has built-in slots for ten arrows, plus it has enough volume to let you place your hunting bow in the case with some side-mounted quivers still attached.
It does, however, have one potential con that may or may not make it suitable for you — read on for more detail!
Plano All Weather Bow Case Review: The Awesome Support Pillars
The Plano All Weather Bow Case uses a high-density foam to support your compound bow, which you tighten into place with straps that attach to the hard sides. Once strapped down, the bow will stay put in any orientation. It’s a similar method to what’s commonly used in cheap hard-sided cases — some of which Plano also makes — but the foam is much denser and higher quality in the the Plano All Weather Bow Case.
Inside the case, there are two “PillarLock” crushproof support pillars. These pillars are on both sides of the case and they meet in the middle when the case is closed. They work very well and create a super-solid connection that reduces sidewall flex to almost nothing.
With most every compound bow, you can move the bow in all directions to find a spot where both pillars will come together in between your riser and string/cables. Once you find the right spot for your bow, some assembly is required.
Remember the straps? The location of those straps is customizable to your bow. You screw the straps to the hard sidewall and then feed them through the foam so you can wrap them around your riser to secure your bow in the spot that fits best.
It works very well for most bows; however, if you have a limb-driven fall-away rest with an activation cord, that cord could pass through the pillar area.
Plano All Weather Bow Case Review: The Limb-Driven Rest Problem
If you have a limb-driven rest it’s possible that your limb-driven activation cord could pass through the typical void area between your riser and your string/cables. If it passes through the pillar area, you can’t close the case. You would have to unhook your cord from your fall away rest first.
For some fall-away rests, like the Hamskea Hybrid Hunter Pro, undoing the limb-driven cord isn’t a big deal and doesn’t affect the timing of your rest. However, if you’re using this case on an ongoing basis, going to and from an archery range and hunting camp, messing around with your setup on a day-to-day basis will become a major annoyance fast.
Luckily, most cable-driven fall-away rests will have activation strings that will pass through the middle void between the pillars just fine. And in the case of the Hamskea Hybrid Hunter Pro, I could reconfigure the rest to become cable actuated so I could fit this case with my current bow with ease.
How will you know if your particular bow will have the clearance you need? Here are some measurements of the support pillars, which should help you determine if you’ll have a cord clearance issue before you buy:
- Pillar-to-Pillar: 16″ center-to-center
- Inside Pillar to Inside Pillar: 13.5″
- Outside Pillar to Outside Pillar: 18.25″
- Pillar Size (a rounded rectangular space): 2.5″ x 1.75″
In case you’re wondering, you may also have a quiver attachment point that has arrows that could interfere with the support pillars. If that’s the case, you could leave some arrows out of your quiver or adjust your quiver position on your bow. Alternately, most quivers are easily removable and you can strap the quiver to the other side of the case (as shown in the photo above).
The Plano All Weather Bow Case has plenty of room for the vast majority of hunting bows, which makes it a great gift for bowhunters: The interior length from the handle area to the base is 15.9″ while the longest side-to-side interior is 46″. Exterior dimensions are 48″ x 20.75″ x 7.75″.
Plano All Weather Bow Case Review: Locks, Seals and Latches
The weather seal on the Plano All Weather Bow Case does a great job of sealing out dust and moisture. You can leave this case in the back of your pickup, drive over dusty roads and through rain and your bow will be protected.
The four latches are solid and easy to use. Only two of the latches have built-in locks, but there are two padlock holes built into each side of the handle for extra protection if you want them.
Can you use the Plano All Weather Bow Case for airline travel? Definitely. I have for a couple of flights and it held up fine. In fact, the Plano All Weather Bow Case is the lowest cost case that I would consider using for airline travel. If you’re a frequent flyer or are planning an epic hunting trip, I’d point you to a heavier duty and more expensive case, something like the SKB Small Parallel Limb Bow Case or larger SKB Ultimate Watertight Double Bow Rifle Case.
Plano All Weather Bow Case Review: The Verdict
The Plano All Weather Bow Case may be the best low-cost heavy-duty bow case available today. It’s tough enough to handle some airline miles, and definitely tough enough to handle the back of a pickup in the rain. The interior is roomy, the foam is good, and the adjustability is excellent — unless you have a limb-driven fall-away rest with a cord that happens to pass through the PillarLock support area, of course. For most compound hunting bows, though, the Plano All Weather Bow Case will work well. Highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
Check Shipping/Pricing: Amazon | Black Ovis | Cabela’s* | Walmart
* Cabela’s also sells a Cabela’s-branded version.
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