Best compact
The best compact crossbow cases
Narrow bows need narrow cases, and a case sized for a 20-inch recurve swallows a bullpup badly. Five sized for compact bows.
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Ranked
Quick picks
| # | Product | Type | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank 1 | Allen Titan Copperhead Crossbow Case | Soft, tricot lined | 7.8 | $80.99Amazon |
| Rank 2 |  TenPoint Narrow Soft Case | Soft, narrow, padded | 8.9 | $149.99Amazon |
| Rank 3 |  Allen Titan Krait Crossbow Case | Soft shell, padded | 8.4 | $64.89Amazon |
| Rank 4 |  SKB iSeries Hard Case for Ravin R26/R29 | Hard shell, molded foam interior | 8.2 | $614.99Amazon |
| Rank 5 |  Plano Bow-Max Crossbow Bolt Case | Hard bolt case | 8.6 | $23.85Amazon |
A compact crossbow needs a case sized for it: a bow at 8 to 12 inches uncocked rattles around in a case built for a 20-inch recurve, and the padding does nothing. Allen's Titan Copperhead publishes a 15-inch maximum limb width, which is the kind of figure to shop on.
The modern narrow-bow market — bullpups at 9 in cocked, Ravins at 5.75 in, CenterPoint Hellions at 8 in — has outpaced the case market. A case that fits loosely offers less protection than one that fits, and it is harder to carry.
In detail
Five compact-friendly cases
Allen Titan Copperhead Crossbow Case
A tricot-lined soft case specified for narrow crossbows with a 15-inch or narrower limb width, with a molded external handle. The 15-inch figure is the useful part: it is a number you can check your bow against instead of guessing from a photograph.
| Published spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum limb width | 15 in |
| Type | Soft, tricot lined |
| Carry | Molded external handle |
| Protection | Tricot lining |
| Fit | Narrow crossbows, 15 in limb width or less |
| Weather | Protects gear from the elements |
What it does well
- A published maximum limb width to check against
- Tricot lining will not scuff a finish
- Molded handle rather than a stitched strap
Where it falls short
Our rubric
- 8.6
- 7.6
- 7.0
- 6.8
- 8.8
TenPoint Narrow Soft Case
A water-resistant padded case with quick-release straps that work sling-style or as a backpack, and the fit list on the listing names about thirty specific bows across forward-draw and reverse-draw layouts. That list is the reason to buy it: case fit is where most online purchases go wrong.
| Published spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Soft, narrow, padded |
| Carry | Two padded quick-release straps, sling or backpack |
| Interior | Foam padded with a hook-and-loop retention strap |
| Storage | Two external zippered pockets, one internal |
| Weather | Water resistant |
| Forward-draw fit | NXT 400, Shadow NXT, Stealth 450, Titan 400/De-Cock/M1/X, Turbo M1/S1/X, TX 440 |
| Reverse-draw fit | Flatline 460, Havoc RS440, Nitro 505/X/XRT, Siege 425/420/RS410, TRX 26/515, Vapor RS470, XR-410 |
What it does well
- An explicit named fit list for both draw layouts
- Backpack straps, which matter on a long walk in
- Three pockets, so the cocking aid and lube travel with the bow
- MOLLE webbing on the exterior pockets
Where it falls short
Our rubric
- 9.6
- 8.4
- 9.2
- 9.0
- 7.6
Allen Titan Krait Crossbow Case
37 by 19.5 inches, sized for most scoped narrow-limb bows, with padded backpack straps, oversized pockets and internal webbed hook-and-loop retention. It is the cheapest case here with real backpack straps, which is the feature that matters once the walk in is more than a few hundred yards.
| Published spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 37 x 19.5 in |
| Type | Soft shell, padded |
| Fit | Most scoped narrow-width bows |
| Carry | Padded backpack straps |
| Retention | Internal webbed hook-and-loop straps |
| Pockets | Oversized exterior |
| Weather |
What it does well
- Padded backpack straps at the lowest price here
- Dimensions published so you can measure your bow against it
- Internal retention straps stop the bow sliding
Where it falls short
Our rubric
- 8.0
- 7.8
- 8.8
- 8.0
- 9.4
SKB iSeries Hard Case for Ravin R26/R29
A gasket-sealed, water and dust tight hard case with high-density foam molded specifically for the Ravin R26, R29 and R29X, padlock holes and stainless protector clips. This is what you buy if the bow is flying or riding in a truck bed, and it costs more than some of the bows on this site.
| Published spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard shell, molded foam interior |
| Fit | Ravin R26, R29, R29X |
| Seal | Gasket, water and dust tight |
| Resistance | UV, solvents, corrosion, fungus, impact |
| Security | Padlock holes, stainless protector clips, trigger-release latches |
| Handle | Snap-down rubber cushion group handle |
| Valve | Ambient pressure equalization |
What it does well
- Water and dust tight with a pressure equalization valve, which is what air travel needs
- Molded foam for three named Ravin models
- Lockable with padlock holes
- Patented trigger-release latches will not pop open
Where it falls short
Our rubric
- 9.4
- 9.8
- 6.4
- 7.4
- 6.0
Plano Bow-Max Crossbow Bolt Case
A hard case for six bolts up to 23.75 inches, with H-latch closures and internal accessory storage, made in the USA. A crushed vane throws a bolt off at 40 yards, and loose bolts in a truck bed is how vanes get crushed. 22.74 inches long, 2.33 pounds.
| Published spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 bolts up to 23.75 in |
| Dimensions | 22.74 x 2.14 in |
| Weight | 2.33 lb |
| Type | Hard bolt case |
| Closures | Heavy-duty H latches |
| Storage | Internal accessory compartment, lashing-strap slots |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
What it does well
- Protects vanes, which is what actually ruins loose bolts
- Takes bolts to 23.75 inches, so it fits 22-inch shafts with broadheads
- Internal accessory storage for nocks and points
- Cheap
Where it falls short
Our rubric
- 9.0
- 8.8
- 8.6
- 7.4
- 9.4
How we picked
Published maximum width or a named fit list, then overall dimensions, carry and protection. See our methodology.
What fits what
| Case | Published limit | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Titan Copperhead | 15 in maximum limb width | Any bow at or under 15 in uncocked |
| TenPoint Narrow Soft Case | About 30 named bows, two draw layouts | TenPoint and Wicked Ridge bows on the list |
| Allen Titan Krait | 37 x 19.5 in; most scoped narrow-limb bows | Narrow bows needing backpack straps |
| SKB iSeries | Ravin R26, R29, R29X | Those three Ravins only, and nothing else |
| Plano Bow-Max Bolt Case | 6 bolts to 23.75 in | Bolts, not the bow |
Matching your bow to a case
For the compact bows on this site, the uncocked figure is the one that counts:
| Bow | Cocked | Uncocked | Case fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint Hellion 400 | 8 in | 12 in | Comfortably inside a 15 in limit |
| Bear X Intense / Constrictor LT | 10 in | 14 in | Inside a 15 in limit |
| Ravin R26X | 5.75 in | SKB molded case, or a narrow soft case | |
| CenterPoint Dagger / Tradition | 15 in | 18 in | Needs a wider case than 15 in |
| Xpedition Xtraction 400X | 8 in | Inside a 15 in limit on published figures |
Why a loose case is a worse case
- The bow moves in transit, which is what knocks a scope out of zero and loosens ring screws.
- The padding is not where the impact is. Padding works by being between the bow and the outside world at the point of contact.
- It carries badly. A bow sliding inside a case shifts the load on your shoulder with every step.
- Internal retention straps matter. The Allen cases and TenPoint's both have hook-and-loop straps to hold the bow still — use them.
The bolt case, which is not optional
A crushed vane throws a bolt off at 40 yards, and loose bolts rolling in a truck bed is exactly how vanes get crushed. Plano's Bow-Max holds six bolts up to 23.75 in in a hard shell with H-latches, at 22.74 in long and 2.33 lb, with internal accessory storage. It costs less than a single broadhead pack.
Note the 23.75 in capacity: that takes a 22 in shaft with a broadhead fitted, which several longer-power-stroke bows use.
Our pick
The Allen Titan Copperhead if your bow measures under 15 in uncocked: it publishes the figure, it is tricot-lined so it will not scuff a finish, and it is the cheapest proper fit here. The TenPoint Narrow Soft Case if your bow is on its list. The Krait if you want backpack straps. Plus the Plano bolt case regardless of which you choose.
