Plano Bow Cases and Archery Cases

What Plano makes: the Plano archery case lineup

Plano is a storage company first. Its own site sorts the catalog into fishing tackle storage, hunting storage, general storage trunks and coolers. On the hunting side sit the archery cases.

On this site, Plano means its archery storage: the bow cases, an arrow case and a broadhead box. The grid above shows Plano's listings first, then an "Alternatives to Plano" block with soft cases, recurve bags and crossbow cases from other makers, since Plano's own list here is short.

The Plano listings fall into four groups:

• Hard bow cases with PillarLock: the Protector PillarLock case and the Z Series
• A sealed hard case: the All Weather Series 44-inch compound bow case
• A padded vertical case: the Bow Max Stealth
• Small archery cases: the Bow Max arrow case and the broadhead box

The grid changes week to week. So I'll write about what separates the groups, not how many of each are listed today.

Most specs in the grid come from Amazon listings, and the grid marks those. For the models that are still on Plano's own site, I read the maker's page and say so below. Where neither one gives a number, the cell stays blank. A blank cell is honest. A guessed one is just a blank cell in a costume.

Lineup notes: the Plano bow case range

PillarLock hard cases: Protector and Z Series

PillarLock is Plano's name for the molded supports in its hard cases. The maker's own pages for its compact bow cases describe it the same way each time: patented, adding anti-crush strength and rigidity.

Two PillarLock cases are in the grid, per their listings:

• Protector PillarLock Series Bow Case: hard shell, for compound bows, lockable, with high-density interior padding and room for up to 6 arrows
• Z Series Hard Shell Bow Case: hard shell with PillarLock, 42 x 19 x 8.25 inches outside

On the PillarLock cases still listed on Plano's own site, the maker describes high-density poly foam inside, poly tie-downs that hold the bow in place, two latches, and storage for five or six arrows in the lid, depending on the model. Those pages also say the cases fit most modern compound bows and are made in the USA.

Quick math on the Z Series: 42 inches long outside, minus the wall thickness and foam on both ends, leaves a bit less than that for the bow. If your bow measures within a couple of inches of the case's outside length, read the listing for an inside dimension before you order.

The All Weather Series 44-inch compound bow case

This is the heavy-duty one. Plano's page for it gives 44 x 14.5 x 7 inches outside, and lists:

• Seal: a continuous Dri-Loc seal the maker describes as a water-resistant, dust-proof barrier
• Latches: four watertight, dual-stage latches
• Locking: locking tabs
• Foam: pluck-to-fit pieces that adjust to different bows
• Arrows: EVA carpet in the lid for foam-fingered arrow storage
• Fit: most current compound bows with the sight and quiver attached
• Origin: made in the USA

The listing title calls it waterproof, and the maker's own page describes the seal as water-resistant and dust-proof. I'd go by the maker's page. A case that keeps rain and road dust out of the truck bed is the job here, not a swim.

The listing also shows a second variant in black under a different name. Check which one you're ordering.

The Bow Max Stealth vertical bow case

The odd one in the grid, and the one with the most useful number. Its listing calls it a hybrid padded compound case with quiver storage, in camo, for bows up to 39 inches.

A maximum bow length is easier to work with than an outside dimension. Measure your bow axle to axle (ATA, the length from one cam axle to the other), then add whatever sticks out past it, like a sight or a stabilizer, and compare. Quick math: a 33-inch ATA bow leaves 6 inches under the 39-inch limit for the rest of the setup.

A padded case is lighter and quieter than a hard shell. It also gives up crush resistance. That trade decides which half of this lineup you're shopping in.

The Bow Max arrow case

A slim hard case for arrows alone. Its listing says it holds 6 arrows up to 32.75 inches long, with internal storage for arrowheads and fletchings, and resists crushing and scratches.

Plano's own page for its Bow-Max Arrow Max case gives the same count and length, 36.74 x 7.71 x 2.14 inches outside, and adds three details:

• Two attachment points per arrow, to keep shafts straight in transit
• "H" latches and a three-hinged lid that opens partway for quick access
• Lashing slots so you can strap it to a bow case or a pack

That last one matters if you carry a bow case and arrows in one trip. Measure your arrows nock to tip first. A 32.75-inch limit fits most hunting arrows, but long draws make long arrows. The hunting arrows page covers arrow length across brands.

The broadhead box

The smallest Plano piece in the grid: a green broadhead box. The listing gives no capacity and no inside dimensions, so look at the photos and compare with the heads you shoot. Fixed-blade heads with wide cutting diameters and mechanical heads take up space differently. The broadheads page covers both.

How to choose within the Plano lineup

Measure your bow first

Everything starts with your bow's length, with the sight and quiver on if you'll leave them on. Lay the bow on the floor, measure the longest point to longest point, and write it down. Then measure the widest point too, usually the cams or the quiver. A case that's long enough but too shallow still won't latch.

Then hard or padded, by how it travels

My one opinion on this page: if your bow will ever fly, buy a hard case. TSA lists bows and arrows as not allowed in carry-on bags and allowed in checked bags. A checked bow goes where checked bags go, and a latched hard shell with crush supports is built for that. Plano calls some of its hard cases airline approved, so look for that wording on the exact model, and check your airline's own rules.

If the bow only rides from the closet to the truck cab, the padded Stealth case is lighter and easier to handle. The hard cases are for truck beds, stacked gear and baggage carts.

Then latches, locks and seal

• Two latches: the compact PillarLock cases, per Plano's pages
• Four latches and a seal: the All Weather 44
• Lockable or locking tabs: the Protector PillarLock listing and the All Weather page

A seal matters if the case rides in an open truck bed in November rain. Lock tabs matter if it leaves your sight, like at an airport.

Then arrow storage

The hard cases hold arrows in the lid, five or six on the PillarLock models per the maker, and in foam fingers on the All Weather. If you carry more arrows than that, the separate arrow case holds 6 more. If your arrows already have broadheads on, they belong in a covered quiver or case, not loose in the foam.

Setup, storage and handling

Archery 360's winterizing guide gives two rules that apply to any case. Don't put a bow in a case until you're sure it's dry. And store it in a climate-controlled place, free of big temperature swings, because a damp environment can warp or rust equipment. A case sealed around a wet bow keeps the moisture in, which is the opposite of the point.

The same guide says to wax strings, cables and servings before you put a bow away for the season, and to store arrows in a dry place away from extreme temperatures.

(Physical-therapy brain, sorry: I can't watch anyone swing a loaded 44-inch case off a tailgate one-handed without wincing. Use the handle. That's what it's for.)

Arrow and broadhead safety

Wisconsin DNR recommends a covered quiver to protect yourself and the arrow points. Keep broadheads in their box or a covered quiver until you're ready to shoot. Wisconsin DNR also says the safest way to carry and transport a crossbow is uncocked.

Bowhunting seasons and transport rules vary by state. Check your state wildlife agency.

What this site doesn't list from Plano

Plano makes gun cases, ammo boxes, fishing tackle boxes, storage trunks and coolers. This site doesn't list any of those. Plano's own site also lists crossbow cases and a crossbow bolt case; none of them are among the Plano listings on this page, which is why the alternatives block carries crossbow cases from other makers. The crossbow page covers the bows themselves, and the bow case page covers cases across brands.

Plano facts

Here's what I could verify on the maker's site and in industry news:

• Origins: Plano's history page dates its first molded-plastic tackle box to 1952, made by Warren "Pete" Henning
• Hunting: the same page says Plano entered the hunting category in 1995, bow cases included
• Trademark: the site footer says Plano is a trademark of Plano Molding Company, LLC
• Owner: the National Sporting Goods Association reported in March 2021 that Pure Fishing agreed to buy Plano Synergy Holdings and its brands; Plano's site sends job seekers to Pure Fishing's careers page
• Made in: Plano's pages for its All Weather compound case, the Arrow Max arrow case and its compact PillarLock bow cases say made in the USA
• Warranty: one year from purchase with proof of purchase, per Plano's warranty page

Measure the bow, pick the case, and write the ATA on a strip of tape inside the lid. The case will remember even when you don't.