I’ve hauled shotguns to duck blinds in muddy soft cases and lugged rifles to the range in hard-shell beasts that weighed more than the gun tucked inside. It’s not particularly fun to do either. Plano’s new Diverge EVA series of cases offers a solution by sitting in that in-between sweet spot. They promise the toughness of a hard case without the bulk and the carry comfort of a soft case without feeling flimsy.
I grabbed the 54-inch shotgun model and its 49-inch rifle brother, tossed them in the truck, and spent a few weeks dragging them through the kind of abuse my gear sees during the regular hunting season.
Plano Diverge EVA: First Impressions
Cracking open the box, I got hit with that new-gear smell. It wasn’t knock-your-socks-off strong, but it was definitely the kind of thing you notice. Just the normal aroma of EVA shell and foam, with just a faint chemical edge that faded after a day.
What really grabbed me, though, was the old-school Mossy Oak Bottomland camo on the shorter case. That pattern’s been around forever, and for good reason. Say what you want about camo on a gun case, but it looks sharp, and it feels right for anyone who’s spent time in a Southern swamp or oak flat.
Lifting the empty cases, I was surprised by how light they felt — not cheap-light, just the kind of light you can appreciate when you’ve already got a shotgun in one hand and a bag of decoys in the other. Both cases weigh just under 6 pounds, according to my bathroom scale, which is admittedly far from scientific.
The shell’s got some give to it, so I put it through a quick test, gave it a twist, pressed on it, then decided to stand right on the thing. It dented under my weight (which is right at 140 pounds according to that same unscientific bathroom scale).
Once I dismounted, the shell bounced right back to its original shape like nothing had happened. That’s the kind of toughness I want in a case that’s going to be bouncing around in a grimy truck bed, slammed into a blind, or piled under a bunch of heavy gear.
Zippers, Straps, and Foam
I can be a huge critic when it comes to zippers. I like zippers that don’t stick, snag, or fight back when you’re trying to wrangle a gun case closed. Right out of the box, these zippers ran butter-smooth and seemed quite secure, and zipper-pulls line up just right for slapping a lock on it.
My biggest gripe is that they aren’t weatherproof. I hit the cases with my garden hose to test them out. Water snuck in fast through the zipper gaps, soaking a good bit of the interior foam. This is probably fine for a dry truck ride, but you’ll want it up in the cab if the weather turns soggy.
The shoulder strap is about as close to perfect as I’ve felt on a soft case. It’s wide enough to spread the weight, padded just enough to keep it from digging in, and it actually stays put when you move. I climbed inclines, squatted down, shifted around, and it never slipped, which is a big deal when you have your hands full.
The carry handles fit fine in your palm, but if you load the case heavy, they can start to dig into your hands, which is why, I suppose, the shoulder strap is there.
Inside, the foam’s not brick-hard like some cases. It’s soft, compresses easily, and holds the gun steady without leaving marks. Slide a rifle or shotgun in, close it up, toss it in the truck, and it’s not going anywhere. The foam pieces lock together like egg cartons, and pop right out if you want to reconfigure or need to clean underneath. They’re even backed with hook-and-loop so they don’t slide around inside.
Handy Extras: Trays and Tie-Ons
Plano built in what they call “DropZone workzone trays” into the exterior of the cases in the form of shallow, molded depressions in the shell. With the lid closed, you can set something small there, like loose ammo at the range, or small parts or screws if you’re changing out an accessory, and the contoured depression will keep it from rolling off. Just don’t forget the small parts are there, because if you do and open the lid, they’ll go flying.
The accessory-ready webbing sections on the exterior of the cases really earn their keep. They’re stitched solid, not just tacked on. You get four rows of five loops, so there are plenty of spots to clip on carabiners or additional pouches (like Plano’s Diverge accessory case) if you want to keep additional gear or ammo attached to your case. The webbing is a bit stiff at first, but you can trust it to hold.
Durability
This is where things get real. Plano dubbed this shell the Toughshell EVA. (EVA refers to Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, which is a common, flexible soft plastic used to make everything from yoga mats to shoe soles.)
Although this is by no means as durable as a top-tier hard case that you’d send into the bowels of baggage handling at the airport, these things seem to live up to the “tough” part.
I let these cases slide around in the bed of my Tacoma with and without gear piled on top of them, and they came out looking pretty much the same as they went in. No scuffs or gouges, and the dirt brushed right off. This material is tough enough to survive hunting seasons without needing to baby it.
As I said before, these cases are far from weatherproof. The zippers let in some water when I hit the cases with the hose, and the shell itself will also soak up a bit of water, but it dries fast.
Size and Fit
The 54-inch shotgun case is plenty roomy, and practically swallowed my Remington Versa Max 12-guage. There was even some room left over to toss in a box or two of shells and a few duck calls without needed to attach any kind of extra pouch to the exterior webbing.
The 49-inch rifle case fit my Remington 700 with scope, bipod, and sling just fine, with space for a couple boxes of ammo. For a hunt, both setups hit that Goldilocks, just-right feel for a gun plus the bare essentials.
Range day was trickier. I tried sliding in an AR topped with an EOTECH holo sight and magnifier. The rifle fit lengthwise, no sweat, but when I tried zipping it up, the 10-inch-wide case strained getting around the pistol grip and optics.
I managed to get it zipped shut, but it’s not ideal, which is why Plano also makes a shorter 38-inch rifle case that’s wider (12 inches) to accommodate ARs or other long guns with pistol grips and optics.
Plano Diverge EVA Gun Cases: Best Use
After hauling them around for a couple of weeks, I felt like I got a solid impression of what these cases do well. The Diverge series is a solid, all-around option for hunting and range days. They’re not built like tanks, but they don’t need to be. Remember, these cases are intended to be a happy medium between a more rugged hard case and a soft case.
If you’re chasing game, these options offer plenty of case for the job and far more protection than a simple soft rifle or shotgun case. Plus, they’ll fit a long gun, some ammo, and a little more, plus whatever you want to attach to the exterior. These cases shrug off a bumpy ride in a truck bed and the occasional muddy splash like they’re nothing.
The biggest con I found was the lack of waterproof zippers, but these cases will perform well for 90% of the hunting and range trips most folks take.
The Plano Diverge EVA cases won’t replace a waterproof hard case if you’re flying cross country, but that’s not their mission. These things shine as a dependable carry system you can drag from the truck to the gun range or hunting blind. If you want to haul a firearm without worrying about beating it up, these cases are worth a hard look.
Plano Diverge EVA Specs
54-Inch Shotgun Case:
Interior Dimensions: 54 x 8 x 3 inches
Exterior Dimensions: 55.25 x 9.75 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 5.6 pounds
Color Options: Black, Desert Tan, Mossy Oak Original Bottomland
MSRP: $160
49-Inch Rifle Case:
Interior Dimensions: 49 x 10 x 3 inches
Exterior Dimensions: 50.25 x 11.75 x 4.5 inches
Color Options: Black, Desert Tan, Mossy Oak Original Bottomland
MSRP: $160
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