Trips to the shooting range require a certain amount of gear.
You’ve got the eye and ear protection, ammo, and the firearms themselves, among other things. But you also need a bag to help you tote that gear back and forth to the range.
The right range bag not only helps you carry your gear but also keeps it organized, protected, and accessible for an enjoyable, stress-free shooting session.
This guide will help you get the perfect range bag for you. We’ll talk about what different types of range bags are available, how to choose a range bag, and a few of our favorite range bags currently on the market.
Let’s get started.
Table Of Contents
Our Best Range Bags
- Osage River Tactical Range Bag (Our Top Pick)
- Gunmate Range Bag (Best Budget)
- G. Outdoors G.P.S. Handgunner Backpack (Best High End)
- Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag
- Explorer Tactical Range Ready Bag
What Are Range Bags?
Range bags help you carry all the things you’ll need at the range, like ammo, eye and ear protection, a cleaning kit, a first aid kit, and other shooting gear, and they typically have dividers and pockets to keep things organized.
They generally have space for handguns as well, but that doesn’t mean they’re just pistol range bags. Handgun storage is typically in the form of removable pistol rugs so you can still take advantage of that space if you’re only shooting long guns.
If you’re shooting long guns, however, you’ll typically need a separate shotgun or rifle case. And since rifle cases don’t typically provide enough room for range gear, you’ll probably want both the gun case and a separate range bag for the rest of your stuff, especially larger and more delicate items like spotting scopes.
What Are The Different Types Of Range Bags?
Range bags are generally either duffel bag style or backpack style. The types are pretty much exactly what they sound like.
Duffel bag style range bags have a shoulder strap, typically adjustable and often padded, that allows you to carry the bag at your side. They generally also have a pair of hand-carry straps on the top of the bag.
Backpack style range bags have two shoulder straps and are carried on your back just like any other backpack. Also like most backpacks, they typically have a single hand carry strap on the top of the bag.
Duffel bag style range bags are by far the more common types, though backpack style range bags are becoming more and more popular.
People who have to walk a ways to their shooting destination or who have to carry additional bags and cases for whatever reason may prefer backpack range bags because they distribute weight evenly across the body, stay securely on the shoulders, and leave hands free.
On the other hand, there are not as many range backpacks on the market, limiting your options, and those that are available tend to be more expensive than the average duffel style range bag.
What Do You Look For In The Best Range Bag?
When searching for a high-quality range bag, there are a few things to keep in mind.
For one, range bags can end up carrying a lot of weight, so choose one with heavy-duty materials and construction. Look for sturdy zippers, reinforced stitching, and other features that help ensure durability for years to come.
You also want a bag that’s comfortable to carry. We already covered that backpack range bags tend to be more comfortable, especially if you’re carrying a rifle or shotgun case as well, but that doesn’t mean that all backpacks are comfortable and all duffel bags are uncomfortable.
Either way, you go, look for bags with padded and adjustable straps and consider how the weight will be distributed in the bag and on your body. If you’re looking at a backpack, make sure that the back is padded and breathable as well.
You also need to make sure your bag provides adequate storage space for your shooting gear. Take a look at what you typically bring to the range, as well as anything else you’d like to be able to bring with you, to figure out how big of a bag you need.
And speaking of gear, functionality matters as well. A good range bag should you keep all of your gear both organized and accessible. You shouldn’t have to do a lot of digging to access any particular piece of equipment you might need. And if your bag allows for customization of the organizational setup? Even better.
Best Range Bags Reviewed
Now let’s talk about the bags themselves.
1. Osage River Tactical Range Bag (Our Top Pick)
Our overall favorite range bag is the Osage River Tactical Range Bag.
It’s available in two sizes: Light Duty (13.5 x 10.5 x 7.5 inches) and Standard Duty (18 x 13 x 10 inches). The Standard Duty is one of the largest bags on this list and the Light Duty is still big enough to provide plenty of space.
The bag is made with 600D ballistic nylon and features reinforced stitching and heavy-duty zippers. It has five exterior zippered pockets, two removable padded pistol pouches, and two adjustable padded dividers that use velcro to secure in place in the main compartment.
Pros
- Adjustable, padded shoulder strap, plus comfortable hand straps
- Available in a few different colors
- Looks like a generic duffle bag, so it’s great for discrete, concealed carry on your way to the range
Cons
- There’s no closure for the top of the pistol pouches
- Bag isn’t very rigid and tends to sag with the weight
Buy The Osage River Tactical Range Bag On Amazon
2. Gunmate Range Bag (Best Budget)
On a budget and looking for an affordable gun range bag?
The Gunmate Range Bag is the answer.
This bag measures 16 x 8 x 7 inches, so it’s pretty compact. Still, the roll-up flap style top gives you plenty of room to access the interior without loose, floppy fabric getting in the way and taking up space. The dual zippers share a single zipper to allow for quick, easy opening. The interior has removable velcro dividers.
The side compartments each have a removable, padded pistol rug providing storage space for two handguns. Each of these pockets features lockable zippers.
Pros
- Adjustable shoulder strap and hand carry straps
- Mag pouches inside the larger side pockets
- Affordable price
Cons
- Large, bright red Gunmate label makes the bag less than discrete
- Hand and shoulder straps aren’t very comfortable
- Small relative to the other bags on this list
Buy The Gunmate Range Bag On Amazon
3. G. Outdoors G.P.S. Handgunner Backpack (Best High End)
The G.P.S. Handgunner Backpack is quite an investment, but worth it for the storage, organization, and accessibility, especially if you like to bring more than a couple of handguns to the range.
It has a foam cradle that holds four handguns and slides in and out of the lower compartment so you can set it in front of you at the range.
The other main feature is the Visual I.D. System that includes labels to make it easy to figure out where you packed what. The various pockets are also optimized to best store whatever is supposed to go inside.
Pros
- Hearing protection and eye protection pockets are all together at the top of the bag where they’re unlikely to be squished or bumped and for easy, convenient access.
- Pull out rain cover that’s not just water-resistant but waterproof
- Lockable zippers
Cons
- Cost
- Not a ton of space for extra gear outside of what’s included in the Visual I.D. System
Buy The G. Outdoors G.P.S. Handgunner Backpack On Amazon
4. Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag
Next up is the Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag.
At 15 x 11 x 10 inches, it’s a good-sized bag but not one of the largest on the list. It’s made from 600 denier polyester with PVC laminate to help the bag keep its shape. Reinforced seams. Also, foam padding built-in to protect your gear.
It has a dual zipper flap style top like the Gunmate plus three zippered exterior pockets and a slash pocket and another three interior pockets.
Pros
- Large size
- Molle webbing for attaching additional storage
- Pockets within the interior
Cons
- Blackhawk branding is discrete, but still present, so it tips off anyone already familiar with the brand that this is a range bag, but you could rip it off or hide it by sewing on a patch.
- Hand and shoulder straps are not very comfortable
- Only comes with a single pistol rug, though there’s plenty of room to get additional pistol rugs and store the guns in the main compartment.
Buy The Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag On Amazon
5. Explorer Tactical Range Ready Bag
Last up is the Explorer Tactical Range Ready Bag.
This bag features six outer pockets with two larger pockets containing magazine holders. One pocket has them for pistol mags and the other for AR-15 mags. There are two adjustable padded dividers in the main compartment.
It measures 18 x 13 x 10 inches like the Standard Duty Osage River Tactical Range bag, so it’s the other largest bag on this list. It’s great for long days when you’ll want to bring extra items like food and a water bottle.
Pros
- Available in several different colors, including a couple of digital camo options
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Two removable pistol pouches
Cons
- The shoulder strap is a bit short
Buy The Explorer Tactical Range Ready Bag On Amazon
Final Thoughts On The Best Range Bags
Whatever it is that you want to put in your shooting range bag, one of these bags will be perfecting for you to use to tote your gear to the range and back. All you have to do is figure out which one is best for you.
And if you’re in the market for a long gun case to pair with your range bag, Gunmate, G. Outdoors, Blackhawk, and Explorer all make excellent long gun cases that would pair well with any of the above range bags.
