Soft Yet Rigid Protection for Firearms: Plano Diverge Gun Case Review

Usually, taking a middle-of-the-road approach in outdoor equipment doesn’t work out well. Hybrid style products sound great in theory, but trying to take the best part of one thing and combine it with the best part of another often results in a product that’s not good at anything, rather than good at everything. The Plano Diverge Gun case is the latest product I’ve tested that attempts to address this challenging task.

I packed it around the U.S. this hunting season. Was it a perfect marriage between the rigidity of a hard-sided case and the weight savings of a soft-sided case? Or is it an expensive soft-sided case that takes up more room and still isn’t suited for airline travel?

In short: The Plano Diverge Gun Case ($160) has become my go-to, take-everywhere gun case. It’s a hybrid-style product that combines the lightweight build of a soft-sided case with the rigid protection of a hard-sided case. Since it utilizes a simple zip closure, it’s not suitable for airline travel, and it isn’t as customizable as others, packing a heavier price tag. But with high-density foam, a padded shoulder strap, and MOLLE webbing for accessories, it is high value. It’s perfect for hunters looking for a mobile case for the truck, or those who want extra protection on a reasonable budget.

Can a ‘Best of Both Worlds’ Approach Work?

I use soft-sided cases most often on hunts because hard-sided cases are overkill for field use. They take up way too much room, and they’re obnoxiously heavy and expensive. I doubt anyone would break into my truck for a cheap gun sleeve, but an empty $400+ Pelican may be too much to resist while I’m off wandering in the woods.

But cheap, soft-sided gun cases are kind of a joke. Yes, I use them a ton, but I’m fully aware of their limitations from a protection standpoint. Any significant impact can cause damage, and they are a pain to get a rifle or shotgun in and out of. In all honesty, the purpose of a soft-sided gun case is to keep me legal when driving around with firearms. That’s it.

After using the Plano Diverge Gun Case, I’m sold on the hybrid approach when it comes to firearm storage and transport. All of the negatives I listed about hard-sided gun cases aren’t an issue with it, because it’s very lightweight, and unlike a normal soft-sided case, the Diverge actually protects my firearms.

It has a rigid, molded TOUGHSHELL exterior that maintains its shape, just like a hard-sided case. It’s stiff and doesn’t begin to collapse unless extreme weights are applied to the edges. I mean, real extreme weights. Your firearms and optics are safe inside.

It zips open, revealing two large trays, just like a hard-sided case, and getting your gun in and out of the thing is a breeze.

Where the Plano Diverge Gun Case Works Best — And Where It Doesn’t

This is the perfect gun case for hunters. I’ve packed it to South Dakota on bird hunts, thrown it on boats while chasing ducks, and stuck it in the back of my truck while going whitetail hunting. If a firearm is going into my vehicle, it leaves whatever case it’s in at my house and goes into the Diverge.

You can’t beat the protection-to-weight ratio of this gun case.

I’ve had no issues with the zipper, and there have been zero points of failure. It flat out works. Aside from field use, I also think it’s a great option for a do-everything case for those who can’t spend a bunch of money on a fancy case but still want better protection than a cheapo Walmart case will give you.

However, if you plan on flying with firearms, the Plano Diverge Gun Case won’t cut it. It can’t lock and doesn’t fulfill TSA requirements.

I also wouldn’t trust it if I were the type of guy who has extremely expensive rifles with top-of-the-line optics for long-range shooting. The interior foam is very basic and can’t be customized, unlike the cut-to-fit foam found in more expensive gun cases. Your firearm can move around inside the Diverge, so don’t expect perfect protection.

It’s also limited in space on the interior, so you can’t store accessories inside it alongside your firearm. However, you can attach pouches to the exterior MOLLE webbing attachment points, which makes it a fairly solid range case for less serious shooters.

Final Thoughts

At $160, the Plano Diverge Gun Case isn’t exactly a cheap gun case, but it certainly isn’t expensive. For the amount of protection it provides, and how much easier it is to get in and out of than soft-sided cases, it’s well worth the asking price.

There are three sizes: a 38-inch rifle case, a 49-inch rifle case, and a 54-inch shotgun case. I used the 49-inch rifle case because it would fit both my old-school Winchester Over/Under 12 gauge and my Tikka .30-06.

I still need other gun cases for airline travel. But it’s the perfect case for most of my hunting adventures, and I love the hybrid build. I get protection without bulk and weight. It’s the best of both worlds.