Soft

A soft gun case is the hunter's everyday tool for carrying a rifle or pistol from home to the range, the hide or the car boot. It will not survive a hard knock like a rigid case, but it is light, flexible and comfortable to carry on a long walk. This category holds rifle slips and pistol holsters made from canvas, fabric or leather.

What a soft gun case is for

A soft case keeps the gun's surface free of scratches, dust and moisture while you carry it through the forest, drive to the ground or store it at home between hunts. It will not absorb a hard impact the way a rigid plastic or aluminium case does, so it suits everyday use rather than heavy transport. For a hunter who drives to the high seat or the field edge every week, a soft case is the more practical choice than a bulky rigid one.

On the drive out, the gun usually sits in the boot or on the back seat next to a rucksack, a flask and the rest of the kit. A soft case keeps its surface from rubbing against everything else and takes up little room when you need to pack extra gear for the morning sit. Back home it wipes clean and hangs on a hook, unlike a rigid case that needs its own shelf in the gun room.

Types of soft cases available

The range covers several case types built for different guns and situations. The main variants you will find here are listed below.

Rifle slips with a pocket

HUNTERA slips, such as the HDE101GR or HDE601BL, add a pocket for cartridges, cleaning gear or scope caps. Length usually runs 115-137cm, enough to fit a rifle with the scope mounted. A shoulder strap lets you carry the slip on your back, freeing both hands when climbing into a high seat or moving through thick cover. Models such as the HDE501GR and HDE111GR differ in colour and pattern, so you can pick a brighter finish or a quieter camo one depending on how you hunt.

Double gun slips

The AKAH Camo slip holds two guns at once, useful when hunting with a partner or transporting your own rifle alongside a guide's. The camo pattern also breaks up the gun's outline in the car or in a hide.

Canvas and leather slips

Blaser offers classic Slip Bag and Canvas Leather models with waxed canvas and leather trim. These slips look and feel solid, shrug off rain and dew, and the leather softens over time to fit the gun's shape.

Pistol holsters and cases

High Speed Gear and Tacbull make IWB holsters and nylon pistol cases for guns such as the Glock 17 or 19. They clip to the belt for a sidearm carried during a hunt, or work just as well on the range for sport shooting. High Speed Gear's Sure-grip models have adjustable tension so one holster fits more than one pistol size, and the UNH model is ambidextrous, built for right- and left-handed shooters alike.

How to choose the right case

Check a few points before buying so the gun does not rattle around or slow you down in the field.

• Length - measure the gun with the scope mounted, the case should run 5-10cm longer.
• Material - waxed canvas handles damp better than plain nylon.
• Pockets - pick a model with a pocket if you also carry cartridges or a cleaning kit.
• Carry style - a handle for a single gun, a shoulder strap for a longer walk, a belt holster for a pistol.
• Padding - thicker padding matters if the case rides in the car boot alongside other gear.

Field advice

Dry the gun fully before you zip it into a soft case, since trapped moisture inside the fabric speeds up rust. After a wet or snowy hunt, leave the case open to dry and store the gun elsewhere in the meantime. On a driven hunt a camo slip from HUNTERA or AKAH helps you stay unseen walking the line of stands, and a quiet zipper avoids extra noise right before the drive starts.

Waiting for moose or roe deer from a high seat, the case usually stays in the car or at the foot of the ladder, so it should not stand out in a bright colour or rustle in the quiet around you. A waxed canvas slip without jangling metal buckles works better here than a rigid case. In winter, once you bring the rifle from the cold into a warm room, leave it in the slip a while longer so the temperature evens out and condensation does not form on the metal.

Brands in this category

HUNTERA covers a wide range of rifle slips in various lengths and colours, from plain to camo. Blaser makes higher-end leather and canvas slips that often match its own rifles. AKAH focuses on camo patterns, while High Speed Gear and Tacbull cover pistol holsters built for fast, reliable access.

Care and storage

Clean a soft case from time to time, especially after a hunt through a muddy or boggy stretch. Wipe the fabric with a damp cloth, and treat leather trim with a proper leather conditioner so it does not dry out and crack. For longer storage hang the case or lay it flat rather than balling it up with other gear, since that flattens the padding and leaves lumps that later press against the barrel.

Soft or rigid case

If you fly with the gun, take it by train or pack it into the boot with other gear often, a rigid plastic or aluminium case is the safer pick. A soft case suits the everyday drive to the hunting ground, where weight and comfortable carry matter most.

For stronger travel protection, see the plastic and aluminum gun case category. If you are unsure which length or type fits your rifle, write to us and we will help you pick the right case.