Shooters, are you packed and ready to hit the range at sun-up, or are you going to unleash a car full of mismatched cases, loose ammunition boxes, and a cleaning kit in the flimsy packaging it came in? If the latter sounds familiar, something has to change. That kind of range-day setup is making life way harder than it needs to be, and it honestly doesn’t make the rest of us look that great. We are supposed to be professional shooters above all else, remember. Step one is getting a legitimate range bag.
Whether you want a comprehensive range bag or something tactical that keeps you mobile, there’s an option for you among the best range bags on the market. The selections on this list represent all budgets and intended uses to help you cut to the chase. Hoist that red flag, because the range just went hot.
- Best Overall: Eberlestock Bang-Bang
- Best Value: Allen Company Competitor
- Editor’s Choice: 5.11 Tactical Range Master
- Best Premium: VERTX COF Range Bag
- Most Mobile: Explorer RR29
- Best for Pistols: Orca Tactical Range Bag
- Best for Long Guns: Savior Equipment American Classic
- Best Bug Out: 5.11 Tactical RUSH 72
- Best Tactical: GPS Tactical Range Bag
Best Overall
Eberlestock Bang-Bang
Best Value
Allen Company Competitor
Editor’s Choice
5.11 Tactical Range Master
Best Premium
VERTX COF Range Bag
Most Mobile
Explorer RR29
Best for Pistols
Orca Tactical Range Bag
Best for Long Guns
Savior Equipment American Classic
Best Bug Out
5.11 Tactical RUSH 72
Best Tactical
GPS Tactical Range Bag
Why you should trust us
I always have an eye on the latest gear to help you find the best options out there, whether it’s a range bag like one of these, a new tactical backpack, or the camping pack I’ve personally put through years of use. I’ve hit the range with Uncle Sam’s assault pack, civilian backpacks, and dedicated range bags. Your Task & Purpose gear reviewers have personally used dozens of range bags, so we know what works and what just looks good in an advertisement. There’s a big difference between being big enough to fit all your range day gear and being designed well enough to keep it all organized. This gear guide only has room for bags that earned their place on it.
Types of range bags
You wouldn’t bring a rifle to shoot skeet and you wouldn’t draw a pistol from the 500-yard line, so don’t bother with the wrong type of range bag, either. Every range bag is designed for a specific type of shooting, so make sure you buy one that’s right for you.
Soft cases
The most accessible range bags are essentially soft pistol cases with dedicated storage for small items like magazines, earplugs, and maybe a very compact cleaning kit. They’re great for a pistol session at a range where targets are provided but fall short when you start adding multiple firearms and larger items.
Compared to hard cases, these are lighter, more affordable, and typically accommodate MOLLE attachments. The drawback is that soft cases don’t offer the same level of protection as hard cases. They leave your gear susceptible to impacts and are less secure than a locked hard case.
Backpacks
We’ve used backpacks since grade school, so why not keep the tradition alive? This type of range bag is practical, offers generous amounts of space, and keeps our hands free. They’re great for situations where you have separate cases for your firearms or are moving between dispersed firing positions.
Most backpacks built for the range include easy-access compartments for handguns. Some come with soft cases for individual handguns so you can easily grab the one you want. Storage for long guns is less common, although there are rifle cases that can be worn like a backpack.
Duffel bags
These are the one-stop-shops of range bags. Throw your ammunition, cleaning gear, ear and eye protection, targets, stapler, extra magazines, range book, and even pistol cases in a duffel, and be on your way. Some even have room for disassembled long guns. If you want to make one purchase and be done with it, this is the style of range bag for you.
With this much space, it’s easy to get carried away and pack more weight than you really want to lug around. Throwing a bunch of weight on one shoulder isn’t the most efficient way to distribute weight on your body, so be mindful when you choose your loadout for the day.
Key features of range bags
Size
We all know someone who’s prepared for everything. Forget your eye pro? Don’t worry, they have extra. Their car is a Mary Poppins special filled with targets, staplers, safety equipment, snacks, and ammo for guns they don’t even own. There are also shooters who seem to be content showing up with a rifle in a gun sock and a pocket full of live rounds. There’s a range bag for each of them––and everyone in between.
Bigger isn’t always better. While it’s nice to fit everything in one bag, failing to fill it up will allow your gear to rattle around and get broken. Gather up all the things you bring to a typical range day, see how much space you need, and think about how you’d like to carry it. We found range bags that can be carried like a tote, duffel, or backpack, and they all have their place.
Style of carry
This one goes hand-in-hand with size. If you want to bring everything but the kitchen sink, you’re probably looking at duffel bags. This style of range bag can be carried with one hand or over the shoulder with a sling. Backpacks allow hands-free carry but are typically midsize in terms of capacity. The smallest cases, which are usually designed for pistols, can only carry the bare essentials and are about the size of a lunchbox.
The main consideration in this regard is how much ground you need to cover. If you’re just using your range bag to transport gear from the car to the firing line, go ahead and opt for a simple soft case, tote, or duffel. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a range that allows dynamic shooting from stations separated by hundreds of yards, you’ll need a backpack that’s intended to cover some ground.
Intended use
Do you set up shop and do all your work from one firing position, or does your style of shooting involve lots of movement across varied terrain? The answer to that question will narrow down your search for the perfect range bag. Odds are, it’s on this list.
Small bags and duffels are great for shooters who like to set up shop and access all their gear. If you enjoy precision shooting from a bench, it’s nice to have your range book, spotting scope, and tools handy. Duffels are great in that case. If your gear generally stays stowed until it’s time to bust out the cleaning kit or a fresh box of ammo, a backpack might be more up your alley.
Features
Range bags are all about purposeful organization. Some use MOLLE to let you Bob Ross your way to firing line nirvana with whatever happy little attachments and friendly pouches suit your fancy. Others keep things slick with built-in pouches and dividers. Other features include padding, weather-resistant materials, and styling.
Features cost money, so only pay for the ones you’re going to use. Most shooters will benefit from organizational pockets and dividers that keep gear tidy and secure. Others will want to take a more tactical approach with rugged (and heavy) materials and maybe even a rain cover. We broke down each range bag’s strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
Benefits of range bags
Organization
If you’ve ever been accused of being a gear bomb, some organization might be in order. If your gear is properly stowed but spread across several bags and cases, there’s still room for improvement.
Protect your investment by choosing a range bag or case that keeps all your gear safely tucked away for storage and transportation. No more digging through a backpack of loose magazines, or realizing that a loose bottle of CLP has turned your trunk into a miniature Exxon Valdez. Trust us, you’ll enjoy your time at the range more when you can focus more on your shooting than tracking down lost gear.
Time management
Most of us don’t get to the range nearly enough. When we do, it’s important to spend our time performing effective drills and improving our skills. Training isn’t measured by the amount of spent brass that hits the ground, after all.
One way to make the most of your training time is to eliminate the seconds and minutes spent rummaging around for gear that should be readily available. We’re supposed to train like we fight, and I’ve never been in a fight that involved scratching my head and wondering where the hell I left my multitool. Use a range bag to keep everything in its place so you can focus on training.
Freedom of movement
Shooting from a bench has its place, but some of the best training comes from dynamic shooting in unpredictable environments. If you haven’t gotten the chance to practice moving, shooting, and communicating outside of a military training environment, you’re missing out.
One look at this type of realistic training will tell you that stumbling around with a Tupperware cleaning kit and separate boxes of ammunition isn’t going to cut the mustard. You need a range bag that can move with you rather than slow you down. Backpacks are the best option for this kind of work. Look for something that can effectively transport the specific gear you carry and remain comfortable as you walk or run from position to position.
Pricing considerations for range bags
Under $150
Budget-friendly bags start as low as $25 for just the essentials. These might just be soft cases with a few elastic bands and a pocket or two, but they’ll get you where you need to go with a few earplugs and magazines to spare.
This is a good first step from whatever you’re using now. If all you bring to the range is ammunition, ear and eye protection, and a few targets, this type of bag is totally adequate. Something with quality construction and well-designed storage will keep all your gear organized for years to come. Even if you upgrade down the road, a compact backup is always nice to have.
Between $150 and $200
Most of the good stuff falls between $150 and $200. That’s where you’ll get adjustable dividers, ample padding, MOLLE for all your tactical gear, and durable components that can take a beating.
Midsize range bags are designed to carry ammunition, tools, cleaning supplies, targets, and smaller odds and ends like pens and staplers. The bags that made this list also use quality materials that can take a beating and keep your gear dry if you get caught in the rain. Some are marketed as lockable but remember that no soft case is truly lockable. We included options that can be carried one-handed, over the shoulder, or on your back.
More than $200
We all know shooters who pack for the range like they’re going on a week-long vacation. I’m looking at you, my long-distance precision friends. That’s well and good, but it can be a real hassle if you have to keep track of multiple bags.
Oversized range bags use massive main compartments for large items that wouldn’t fit in most bags. Go ahead and fill this space with a lunchbox, extra layers, a tripod-mounted spotting scope, and a shooting mat. Duffels do a decent job with this kind of work, but rolling bags take convenience to a whole new level.
How we chose our top picks
First and foremost, nothing gets included in our gear guides if we wouldn’t want to use them ourselves. Some of these bags have actually been put through their paces by the military veterans gear reviews of Task & Purposes, so we know first-hand how good they are. Others earned a place on the word of other shooters who trust them every time they go to the range. In either case, you can trust that everything you see here deserves to be included.
FAQs on range bags
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q: What do you put in your range bag?
A: Everyone has their preferred loadout, but most would probably agree on ammunition, magazines, ear and eye protection, and a stapler if you use paper targets. I like to have a multitool handy as well as a healthy cleaning kit. Extra optics for spotting are nice to have, too.
Q: How do you clean range bags?
A: Start by keeping as much dirt and grime out of the bag as possible. Every bag will have its own cleaning instructions, but gentle soap and water usually do the trick. For stubborn dirt, enlist the help of a stiff-bristled brush.
Q: Is a backpack or duffel bag-style bag a better choice?
A: A range bag can come in the form of a backpack or a duffel bag, but not all backpacks and duffels make good range bags. Read our “types of range bags” section to get a better breakdown of the advantages of each style.
Q: Can I carry guns in my range bag?
A: Many range bags are intended to carry firearms. Some include soft cases for pistols, and that’s a nice perk as long as they fit what you own. This gear guide includes one range bag that can accommodate rifles and shotguns up to 50 inches long.