Plano Field Locker Element Bow Case Review

If you travel a lot with your compound bow and want to ensure it is protected no matter what the conditions are, then this review is for you.

I spent the last six months testing and reviewing the Plano Field Locker Element Compound Bow Case. When you review something like this, it can take a lot of time, and I’m sure I haven’t even come close to breaking it in.

I have beat this case up quite a bit to test its toughness, sat it outside in the pouring rain, tossed it around in my basement and garage, and probably took too many chances with my 2024 Mathews Lift compound bow inside it.

If you’ve read my reviews before, then you know I like to do my homework. I review a lot of hunting gear and want them to mean something. When I recommend something, you will know it’s been tested and not just taken out of the box and reviewed the next day.

Why I Tested the Plano Field Locker Element

I like to travel for bow hunting opportunities across Pennsylvania, but also in other states nearby. With my travels, I have been terrible about how I transport my bow. I have taken one too many chances and now that I want to be able to fly to different states to hunt, I needed something I could trust to keep my bow safe.

We all know how badly baggage handlers treat our luggage and I worry about how my bow is going to end up at my destination. The last thing I need is to be dealing with bow problems when I should be hunting.

This is what spurred my interest in testing the Plano Field Locker Element.

Plano Field Locker Element Compound Bow Case Review

Plano Field Locker Element Bow Case

A rock-solid tough bow case that can take a beating as well as a downpour. This bow case is as tough and rugged as they come. I was extremely impressed with how it handled drops and the waterproofing is superior.

The case latches close the case tightly and securely and locks in that waterproof seal. The pressure regulation system is not just excellent for the changes in pressure when flying, but just as good in high temperatures when stored in your car for an extended period of time. I have a lot of confidence in my bow’s safety when in this case.

I highly recommend the Plano Field Locker Element bow case for anyone who wants a reliable, safe, and completely waterproof storage solution for their bow (and arrows) when traveling, hunting in remote areas, or just going to the range.

*Interior dimensions: 44″L x 15″W x 6.4″H

Pros

• Tough as nails
• TSA Approved
• Highly waterproof
• Awesome pressure regulation
• Integrated wheels
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Heavy (21 lbs.)
• Must cut the foam to size
• Arrows can come loose during travel

SEE IT AT PLANO

SEE IT AT AMAZON

The Test

Over six months, I purposely abused this bow case to see how it would hold up. I left it outside in the rain for hours and dropped it from all sides to see how it would handle it. I took the case on several small trips, to my family’s cabin here in Pennsylvania, and to the range to shoot on numerous occasions.

I started by laying out the case as required and cutting the foam to fit my compound bow (the 2024 Mathews Lift).

Once I had outlined it with a marker, I cut the foam and laid my bow into it to assess the fit. My biggest concern at this point was how my bow site and stabilizer would fit. My stabilizer is a little longer than normal, so I ended up cutting out a special place for it off to the side of the bow for storage.

After cutting, I did realize that the best configuration is to have the bow sight facing down in the open area in the middle. I modified this later so the sight would not be in contact with anything during transport and it worked well.

I then started actively using the case for everything I did with my bow. When traveling, I stored my arrows in the case too. This is a nice setup, but I use 4mm arrows and they are narrower than standard arrows.

The arrows fit but would pop out from time to time when the case got banged around. I would like to have seen something that locks in your arrows and works for any type of arrow that bow hunters use.

This would be something I would worry about when the bow case is being shipped or flown when traveling. As I said before, baggage handlers aren’t worried about being careful and I would wonder and worry about this during flight.

I had the case out in several instances where it rained. A few times it rained very hard and instead of getting the case inside quickly, I left it out to see how it would hold up. The case never leaked and stayed watertight even when sitting with the locks facing up. This was impressive and gave me a lot of confidence in the case.

Recently, I had the bow case in my car for extended periods in extremely hot weather. The ability to manage the pressure regulation on the bow stood out. I did not have any type of pressure issues as I had experienced with other types of cases I used like this when in the military.

This also stood out when flying. I never noticed any issues with the bow after transport. When you can fly and go through multiple layovers, get to your destination, and then find your bow is ok is a great confidence booster. When you can shoot your bow after traveling and do not have to adjust your bow sight; it is a wonderful feeling.

Negatives

While I really like this bow case, I did have a few small issues with it. As I mentioned above, I would like to have seen something to lock in the arrows during transport. For a TSA-approved bow case. This is something I would expect to see.

In addition, while I didn’t note it in the main review block above, there is no strap or way of locking the bow in place. The foam system is relied upon to do this. While it worked well for me, there are a lot of different-size bows out there. If you are paying over $300 for a TSA-approved waterproof travel case for your compound bow, this is a feature I would expect to see.

The Plano Field Locker Element comes with a tradeoff. You get a rugged, heavy-duty bow case, but it is heavy because of this. It is rated at 21 lbs., but feels a lot heavier when it is loaded up for travel.

This is to be expected for something in this price range, but bow hunters need to be aware of it when buying. The ability to tow it along in the airport using the integrated wheels takes the load off and is a much-needed bonus.

Highly Recommended

Overall, the Plano Field Element Compound Bow Case did an incredible job for me during this review. I plan on continuing to use it now and in the future. I don’t see a need to get another bow case. While there are a few things I would like to see added to this case, they are not deal breakers by any means.

The case is Made in the USA (which is a big plus for me too).

As you can see, the case did an awesome job for me and I highly recommend it. I think you will agree when you use it.

Other Options

While conducting this Plano Field Locker Element Compound Bow Case Review, I also have been testing and using the large Plano Sportsman’s Trunk. This is a very basic, yet extremely affordable travel-hunting trunk that I use all the time now. My wife got it for me for Christmas this year and it is simple, yet effective storage for bow hunters on a budget.

Conclusion

It can take a lot of time to review a TSA-approved compound bow case like the Plano Field Locker Element. I beat this one up for six months and will continue to use it for the foreseeable future. The quality of the case and everything included has been a pleasant surprise over my months of testing.

I will update this review as I discover more about this case and keep you updated. So far, so good. I am very impressed by the quality of this bow case and the responsiveness of Plano’s customer support to a few questions I had for them when writing this.

Great job, Plano.