Field Tested: Easton Generation 2 BowTruk

From the annals of Petersen's Bowhunting...

Whether you're driving to hunting camp or flying to a far-off destination for your dream hunting excursion, having a high-quality bow case to protect your precious cargo is more than just a “good idea” — it’s essential if you want to ensure your bow and related accessories reach their final destination in good working order.

I learned this the hard way last year after returning home from a western trip only to discover two of my arrows had somehow been snapped in half during transit. Apparently my case, even though it had built-in arrow holders, wasn’t able to withstand the double whammy of the flight and the baggage handlers.

Thankfully, Easton Archery has a long-lasting, versatile, new option that covers almost every travel need — the second generation of its popular BowTruk travel bow case. Even more durable than the original BowTruk, and sporting some new features, this innovative bow case provides ample room for safely storing not only your bow, but also arrows, accessories and other gear and apparel.

The case, which comes in three sizes — 47x16x9, 40x17x9 and 36x16x9 — has a large main compartment that allows you to envelope your bow in soft, protective padding, with cushioning on all sides. An adjustable Velcro anchor system then lets you strap the bow securely in place. Thanks to the BowTruk’s deep interior, there’s also space to add hunting clothes, providing even more cushioning around your bow and bow sight.

The BowTruk also features a very large arrow compartment (we recommend using a hard arrow tube to protect your arrows) and two spacious accessory compartments that are accessible from the inside as well as the exterior of the case. That's a great feature, especially if you want to add something at the last minute without opening the entire case. Plus, the large exterior pocket that provides access to these compartments can also be used to store additional items if need be.

If you’re hunting with a bow that has a longer axle-to-axle length, you may want to go with the 47-inch-long BowTruk, but for my needs I opted for the medium size (40x17x9) and have plenty of room for everything I want to pack. It’s also worth noting this particular size is actually two inches wider than its predecessor, allowing the case to better accommodate longer bow sights.

Anyone who has ever flown for a hunting trip knows how draining it can be to have to carry your bow case into and through an airport, especially when you’re also pulling a suitcase filled with clothing and personal items. Well, one of the major pluses to the BowTruk is its heavy-duty, sealed-bearing, soft-rubber wheels. These smooth-rolling, skate-style wheels are a dream compared to the wheels that are on my current luggage, making pulling the bow case a breeze. In addition, the BowTruk comes with a “Trailer Hitch” strap that allows you to secure an additional duffle or travel bag to the case, if you choose to do so.

Although it’s not a true hard case, the BowTruk’s hard/soft hybrid shell is designed to be extremely tough and durable. The case sports a hard permitter and reinforced corners, as well as a main zipper that’s woven in rather than stitched to the case. The outer shell is comprised of tough, TPU-coated, 1680D ballistic nylon, which Easton notes was originally developed for miliary body armor. Put it all together and this case is built to stand up to wear, tear and abuse, yet it only weighs about 15 pounds, much lighter than many hard cases.

While I’m no longer a huge fan of flying due to all the issues associated with airlines and flight cancellations nowadays, I actually can’t wait to head out on my next trip to put the Generation 2 BowTruk to the test. Easton packs 100 years of quality design and engineering into all of its products, and based on my “testing” around the house, I am looking forward to putting this bow case through the wringer on my next flight. — Associate Editor Mark Demko

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