Binoculars need to be protected and kept handy at the same time. A good set of binoculars can cost as much as your rifle and scope and can spell the difference between success and going home empty-handed.

In this article, we’re going to look at a list of the best binocular cases for when you’re hunting! Let’s dive right in.

Best binocular cases for hunting 

Let’s define the term here. The best binocular case is one that protects the optic from Mother Nature and has a harness that keeps the glass immediately handy. Chest harness arrangements are best for this.

A chest harness and case keeps the binoculars safe and out of your way. Because it is on your chest, it will not hang up as you move through tight brush.

Hip-carry cases can snag limbs, creating a distraction and noise you do not need.

If something looks likely to grab your chest harness, you will see it before it becomes a problem.

1. Vortex Glasspak – Best Overall

Vortex is a premier optics maker, so it makes sense that the company also produces high-quality binocular cases. The Vortx Glasspak leads our list of top binocular cases.

Features

• Design features like the binocular straps that can attach and release from the case quickly are a reason this is No. 1. The straps are not connected to a spring-loaded winder, so it is silent when you put the glass down.
• The case is held shut with a small bungee on a hook at the front. You can tug the strap to open the case without making a sound and close it the same way.

Specifications:

• The case is also durable and made from lightly padded nylon, no leather. 
• The case can be treated with a waterproofing sealant to keep the rain out. While leather can be waterproofed, it turns hard and cracks when it gets wet and dries. UV-resistant nylon will not do that.
• The case comes in tan, good for camo needs and blaze orange for those hunts that require an orange vest. In any version, it is 8 ounces. It is 6.75 x 6.25 x 3.75 inches.

Pros

• This is quality construction. Vortex will not commit its products to anything else. The heavy-duty straps will not let you down.
• It is padded for additional protection.

Cons

• This binocular case has wide straps and a big front case. Both of these trap heat, and you will sweat under them. After a hard hunt, you must gently wash the case to get your sweat out of it.
• It weighs eight ounces, which can be very heavy to carry for a long time.

2. Boundless Performance – Most Lightweight Case

If you need more space to carry more, want more support in the straps, or both, the Boundless Performance carrier is for you. These straps will not cut into your shoulders.

Features

• This binocular case and harness have huge shoulder support that will not cut you. 
• This is a good choice if you need to carry heavy binoculars, extra ammo, and maybe a sidearm with extra ammo. If you need to carry more than that, you need to look at full backpacks.

Specifications

• It comes in three modes with one camo pattern and blaze orange side pockets. Many big game hunts require orange, so a binocular harness with that makes sense.
• It is 7 inches tall x 6.5 inches wide x 3 inches deep. 
• It fits up to 10×50 and 12×50 binoculars. At 14.4 ounces, this is one heavy case to carry around all day.

Pros

• This is heavy duty. The wide brace section on the back spreads the weight across your back and shoulders. 
• It is easy to carry gear with this one. 
• You will not get as weary with this one compared to some others.

Cons

• Those straps and the brace section cover a lot of skin. If it is warm where you hunt, you will sweat and maybe sweat a lot. 
• The brace and straps will trap heat against your skin.

3. Alps OutdoorZ – Most Durable Case

Endorsed by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Alps OutdoorZ is a no-frills binocular case and harness.

You only want binoculars and some lens-cleaning cloth, just in case. Add your gun, ammo, and a knife. If you need other stuff, that is either in a backpack or left at camp.

Features

• The case can be made waterproof, but the cap does not fold over the sides, so rain will still get in.
• It comes in a light brown/tan to blend with any terrain.
• It has two straps on one side and a small pocket on the other. The front zippered pouch will hold a cleaning cloth.

Specifications

• The 1680D nylon ballistic fabric is tough. This case will sneer at brush that shreds thinner light-weave cases.
• The bungee cord release means it opens silently.
• It is 6.5″ x 5.5″ x 2.25″ and weighs 12 oz., which is a lot compared to some others.

Pros

• This is an ideal binocular case for someone who plans to sit in a tree instead of stalking. 
• It has a generous set of straps, so it should easily fit bigger hunters.

Cons

• It is not good at keeping water out.
• The big brace patch on the back will trap heat.
• It weighs 12 ounces. 

4. Gaiarena G – Best Waterproof Case

If you hunt places where you need to crawl or squirm along the ground, you need a binocular case that will stay closed.

You want a case that opens from the front instead of the back, and the Gaiarena G has a front tug release.

Features

• The case top has sides that fold over. This helps keep dirt and debris out of the case.
• The case is heavy canvas, not a synthetic covering that will easily tear. You may need to treat it periodically with a tent sealer.

Specifications

• This case also fits binoculars up to 12×42 binoculars. That is a generous amount considering most others only go to 10×42. At 8.4 ounces, this is the middleweight range.
• It has a mesh side pocket to hold other small accessories.
• It is made of a lightweight and durable fabric.

Pros

• Its wide straps lighten the load. 
• The small cross patch on the back keeps heat retention down.
• It is waterproof.

Cons

• The wide trap more heat. It is supposed to fit people up to XXL, but the strap will be tight at that biggest size. With a heavy coat, you will not be able to wear this one.

5. Terrain™ Mesa Deluxe – Most Comfortable

If you are after a case with a quick-release feature, the Terrain Mesa Deluxe has exactly that. Squeeze the clips, and the case comes loose.

Some other cases also have this feature but the clips on this one work very well. 

Features

• It has RealTree Camo on parts with green and brown elsewhere. Mid-size straps and a generous front pouch in front of the case give you more carry space. That is good for a range finder.
• It has a carry handle on top of the binocular case.
• This case uses rare earth magnets on the flap on the case cover and embedded in the case.
• It does not make noise when opening and closing because the camo polyester covers the magnets.
• It also comes with a bungee cord clip in case you want it to be a bit more secure.

Specifications

• It is 2.75 x 6.25 x 8.5 inches which will fit most 10×42 inch and smaller binoculars. 
• At 12 ounces, it is on the chunky side.

Pros 

• It is roomy and durable means you can expect a long life from this one. 
• The big cross patch on the back means the weight is distributed across more of your back. That will be a relief on a long hunt.

Cons

• The huge back cross patch traps a lot of heat. 
• The top straps are connected with a buckle instead of being sewn to the patch. 

6. Cotton Skout

The Cotton Skout is a great choice if all you want is lightweight and a minimum of straps.

You sacrifice the protections of a case to lose that weight, so this is a top choice for plains hunters who don’t have to fight through brush. 

The small chest pad is great, especially in hot weather. Less surface means it covers less of your chest, so your skin can breathe easier.

You will still sweat, but the sweat can evaporate instead of pooling behind a large chest plate.

Features

• This has a single shoulder strap. At 4.7 ounces, this one comes in on the light side. It does not have a maximum size.
• This uses a clip mount to hold your binocular to the harness. A strap holds the clip to the binocular. It also has a similar mount to clip a camera to the harness.

Specifications

• It fits a 26″ to 57″ inch waist. 
• It is machine washable, which you cannot do with other leather models. 
• It has squeeze snaps on the side straps.

Pros

• Very lightweight, making it is easier to manage on long hunts. If you use a set of enormous binoculars, this will work.
• That single sling that will go over either shoulder is important, especially if you carry big binoculars.

Cons

• It has zero protection from the elements, meaning your optics sit on your chest, exposed to everything. 
• It has no space to carry anything else.

7. Oufabe

The Oufabe harness is another minimal harness. The binoculars hang down instead of being secured to a chest mount.

This means you do have to be careful because the glass will bounce around some. As long as you move slowly, this is not an issue. If you have to move in a hurry, hold it down. 

Features

• It has two straps that slide through a leather cross patch. 
• At 4.6 ounces, it is lightweight.
• It is made from nylon fabric. 
• It is double-stitched to ensure durability and binocular protection.

Specifications

• It has spring clips to hold the binoculars. You must pull the whole rig over your head or unclip the binoculars to remove them.

Pros

• Will fit any size binoculars as long as the optics have something the carry clips can attach to. 
• Will also support big cameras.

Cons

• This has zero protection for your binoculars. It has no space to carry anything else.

8. Ultra-light binocular harness

The Rick Young Outdoors ultra-light binocular harness consists of two pieces of stretch cord, with a clip on each cord. 

Features

• This is as lightweight as you can get at 1.8 ounces. 
• The harness straps are adjustable and can fit various body sizes. 
• This harness can carry heavy cameras as well, in addition to binoculars. 

Specifications

• The straps are a light tan. 
• The connectors are black. 
• It is waterproof.
• The straps are made from nylon and double-stitched to ensure your binocular is well-protected.

Pros

• Does not have a connection pad on the back to trap heat, nor does it have straps. The cords will not “wind flap” if your hunt is experiencing a lot of wind.
• Using this harness means you have less gear to haul in and out.
• No case means this will support even the largest set of binoculars.

Cons

• It offers zero protection from anything. It is just a pair of heavy cords. This is not something to carry into the woods. Your binoculars can get scratched if you are a spot and stalk hunter.
• If you have a large set of binoculars, these ropes will get uncomfortable quickly. 
• It has no space to carry anything else.

Factors to consider before buying a binocular case 

Before you go out to buy a binocular case and harness, here are some factors to consider.

1. Size

You need to ask yourself how big your binoculars are. All the cases mentioned here will fit optics from mid-sized to compact.

Measure your optics before buying to ensure the set will fit in the case.

2. Weight

How much weight can you comfortably carry? Twelve ounces may not seem like much until you have to schlep that through the woods for 8 hours.

Add a set of binoculars, a cell phone, and a range finder, and you are packing serious weight with a gun or box included.

3. Comfort

Comfort and weight almost go hand-in-hand. If you plan to just walk into the woods and slip into a stand, then comfort may not matter.

It certainly won’t matter if you can skip the binocular harness and let it sit or hang beside you.

If you spend hours in that harness, then narrow straps will start to cut into your shoulders. Wide straps will retain heat.

4. Use

How are you going to use the binoculars and the harness? If you are in long-distance stalking, you need a rig to protect your optics and spread the weight.

If you have a short walk and can take the harness off while staying under cover (think hunting blind), a simple carry harness is enough.

FAQs 

Conclusion

It would be best to get a couple of different binocular cases and harnesses. Get a heavy-duty one for hunting in harsh climates and terrain.

Get a light one for those warm days when you are a short walk from your stand. Match the gear to what you are doing that day.

PRO TIP – Always measure your binoculars before buying a case. Most cases give you the dimensions of the carrier space. You must make sure your optics will fit in that case.