So your patience has finally run thin lugging around your guns and range gear. Perhaps you’re on the hunt for your first range bag because that ol’ duffle bag or backpack just isn’t cutting it anymore or maybe your current range bag just isn’t allowing the necessary storage capacity to meet your needs. Well, let us help with a few reviews on some of our favorites:
Range bags have become a hot item amongst both gun enthusiasts and the casual shooter over the years. So what makes a good range bag? First and foremost, quality construction. You want a bag that’s going to be durable and withstand being lugged around for years to come while protecting your goods. Second, you want to be sure that the bag you select is specific to your needs in terms of storage and capacity. You’re in luck because below we are going to break down the best range bag for your needs:
Best Range Bags Reviewed (January 2018 Update)
Name | Size (in.) | Material | Colors | |
---|---|---|---|---|
5.11 Tactical Range Bag | 23x15x2 | Polyester | Multi | |
Maxpedition Compact Bag (Best of 2017) | 14x10x9.5 | HD Nylon | Multi | |
VertX-A Range Bag | 10x19x12 | Nylon | Multi | |
G.P.S Range Backpack | 11x8x3 | HD Nylon | Multi |
5.11 Tactical Range Ready Bag – Best Pistol Range Bag
5.11 Tactical is one of the world’s leaders in military and law enforcement gear and equipment. The 5.11 Tactical Range Ready Bag is no exception. The company took feedback from range instructors and professional shooters and put their earnings right back into this bag. The end result is a fully padded range bag made out of durable 600-denier polyester which also comes with a removable ammo tote and brass bag.
Size Matters!
Ensuring you have plenty of storage space is a major factor in selecting the perfect range bag. At 10’’ by 21’’ by 14’’, it is one of the larger range bags on the market so whether you’re shooting solo or it’s an outing at the range with a buddy, this premium range bag offers more than enough space for multiple pistols and all the rounds you’ll need for an afternoon of shooting. A removable ammo tote keeps you locked and loaded, a hydration pocket to keep you fresh, and a removable brass tote for easy cleanup. The zip down front organizer stores 8 magazines, roomy side pockets offer ample space for accessories, optics, and ear protection, and a padded shoulder strap ensures comfortable to carry.
Rugged and Tough!
From the reinforced grab and go handles to the removable padded shoulder strap, once you see and feel this bag it’s easy to see that it is built to last! The 600-denier polyester is a Marine Grade Canvas designed for extreme and unforgivable conditions, known for its water and mildew resistant qualities. YKK zippers, the world leader in zipper manufacturers, ensure quick and easy open and closure of all your compartments.
Final Say
- Plenty of storage for all your hand guns
- Quality build
- Not being able to lock compartments
Maxpedition – Best Range Bag for 2018
So obviously you want a bag that’s going to be durable and withstand time. Maybe you just want a solid, no nonsense bag that is big enough, but not TOO BIG, to safely and securely carry all your gear. Look no further because Maxpedition has done it again! The NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) tested and recommended and known for their premium tactical gear by creating bags and packs with superior durability and ergonomics, Maxpedition is trusted by special forces operators, law enforcement officers, adventurers, and gun enthusiasts around the world.
Big Bang, Small Package
Upon initial inspection of this bag, two thoughts immediately came to mind: Construction and design were simple but the quality seemed to be top notch. More on that in a bit. My second thought, is it big enough? Absolutely! With the overall dimensions coming in at 14” x 10” x 10”, I was a bit skeptical as to whether this would be sufficient enough to hold all the necessities but in the end, it proved to be more than enough.
Designed with 4 ample exterior zippered pouches & pockets and an open, surprisingly spacious interior compartment; this range bag proved to be a great companion for a fun filled day of shooting. It proved to be versatile with a removable ammo tote that has 2 padded zipper-closed pockets and is sufficient enough to accommodate most hand guns. The discrete mag pockets will hold 6 double-stacked / 12 single-stacked magazines.
Designed To Withstand All Of The Elements
From the moment you get your hands on the Maxpedition Compact Range Bag, you’ll know why Maxpedition is known for their quality craftsmanship. Starting with 1000-Denier water and abrasion resistant light-weight ballistic nylon fabric, the bag is meticulously reinforced at each stress point with composite thread eliminating unnecessary seams. A triple polyurethane coating is then applied for water resistance on along with a Teflon fabric protector for grime resistance and EASY maintenance. I emphasize easy because after each outing a simple wipe down with a damp cloth is all it takes to keep the bag looking sharp.
Military grade nylon webbing for straps handles, and modular attachment points; Genuine Duraflex buckles and hardware add strength and functionality. YKK high strength zippers and zipper tracks along with para cord zipper pulls provide a seamless open and closure. Inside is an AS-100 high-grade closed-cell foam padding material for superior shock protection to protect all of your guns and accessories.
Final Say
- Awesome weather proofing ability
- Tons of storage room
- Higher price compared to most range bags
Vertx A– Best Gun Range Bag for Compact Carry
If you value organization and high quality, then this is the range bag for you! It has become a favorite of ours for numerous reasons. Personally, I carry a ton of crap with me to the range. Not exactly a full arsenal but some spare mags, handfuls of ammo, safety gear, sunscreen, you name it. I wanted a bag that I could carry all of the necessities in along with a few extras but not feel as though I was lugging around a body bag. Ideally, I would much rather cram all this into a compact, bottomless Mary Poppins range bag, but realistically it’s just not happening. Thus, bring on the Vertx A-Range Bag!
Brilliant And Unique Design With You In Mind
Developed in conjunction with professional firearm instructors, the Vertx A-Range is designed to be fully rearranged with separate compartments for your entire kit along with portable 6 pistol mag pouch. The unique garage deck storage system, which includes compartmental pull out trays, allows quick load options and easy access to all of your gear while separating ammo from accessories. These trays come with a removable mesh lining that can either be used to carry the ammunition around with you or used to collect spent brass after your day of shooting. The mesh feature of the bag means that the small dirt particles and debris slip through the cracks while the delicious brass remains behind. A nice alternative to a standard dump pouch or whatever plastic bag you may have been using.
Above the trays you will find two zippered compartments for smaller items, a padded zippered compartment on the other side of the bag that is big enough to accommodate your handgun and magazine caddy, however carrying multiple guns could be an issue as this area is open so your guns could slide around and marr the finish, but nothing a soft handgun case won’t resolve.
On the ends of the bag are a pair of rubber coated handles, and underneath that rubber coating is a steel cable. The cable runs the entire length of the bag, which makes picking the bag up easy even when fully loaded. The coolest and probably my favorite feature, it also doubles as a way to secure your stuff. By adding on an aftermarket cable lock.
Final Say
- Good looks with a unique design
- Solid, steel cable handles
- No external pockets
G.P.S. Tactical Range Bag – Best Range Backpack for Organization
Anyone who has been shooting and lugged around a traditional range bag filled with pistols, ammo, mags, targets, cleaning supplies and safety gear knows that it gets heavy and it can be a pain to set it down every time you need to free up your hands. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the G.P.S. Tactical Range Backpack.
Many shooters, especially competitive, will reap the benefits from this nontraditional style of carrying substantially more than others. With comps like IPSC, 3 Gun, USPSA, and others, you walk from one stage to another so it’s much more convenient to toss a backpack over your shoulder when moving between stages as opposed to carrying a bag that uses a strap or just a carry handle, especially if you are already carrying a long gun bag.
Tough As Nails!
Made of 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon that is treated with DuPont Teflon, this bag features a military-inspired style that also uses a triple stitched MOLLE Webbing System for outstanding durability even with heavy loads. The side straps are comfortable, strong, and effective in keeping the range bag stable. An internal honeycomb frame offers rigidity that will prevent your bag from sagging over time.
Compartments For All Your Needs
The main compartment is rather large and comes with a divider if you want to compartmentalize your gear. It also has two pockets for smaller items like a flashlight, phone, etc. A nice addition to this bag is the signs and pictures that aid in organizing in an efficient manner to ensure you maximize the space you are working with.
A YKK locking zipper will ensure security and peace of mind for the handgun compartment, which is capable of storing three smaller pistols in dedicated pouches. Each pouch is also capable of storing four magazines.
Final Say
- Made of 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon for durability
- Can store 3 smaller sized pistols
- No real benefit to the waist strap