The Tuffpak is an 18 lb rotomolded polyethylene tube case, 52 inches tall, that looks like a golf bag. I packed two scoped rifles in soft cases, a 1911, a spotting scope, a tripod and a weekend of clothes, and it still locked; only my boots did not fit. It did not crack or flex much with my 225 lb on it, and it rolled over a gravel path easily. It is big, not waterproof, and takes some practice to load.
Status: Nalpak still sells Tuffpak cases. Check current models, as our test case was a wheeled version.
Specs and the verdict come first, then the full review.
Table of contents
Tuffpak Specs
| Tuffpak (as tested) | |
|---|---|
| Exterior | 13 x 12 in, 52 in tall |
| Interior | 10 in diameter, 50 in tall |
| Weight | 18 lb empty |
| Lock | Tubular steel key lock |
| Capacity | 2 to 3 rifles or up to 5 shotguns in soft cases plus gear |
| Wheels | Molded in axle |
| MSRP when tested | $399 |
Verdict
- Good: fits a lot, low profile look, rugged, wheels and handles, no sharp corners.
- Know this: large, not waterproof, a learning curve to pack, and the Tuff Sack is extra.
Compare it in our rifle hard case roundup.
🛒 Check Current Price for Tuffpak rifle case on GunsAmerica
The Tuffpak has been trusted by outdoorsmen for over 25 years.
When you’re searching for travel gun cases, one that frequently comes up is the Tuffpak. It’s been around for over 25 years and is well known in the safari hunting community. The Tuffpak is made from a rotational molded high-density polyethylene. The unique shape of the case allows you to pack up to 3 scoped rifles or 5 shotguns with room for extra gear. I recently had the opportunity to use and travel with the Tuffpak case and afterwards I wish I had known about it sooner- especially when I used to compete.
Overview
The first thought I had after seeing the Tuffpak out of the box was “this does not look like a gun case.” And that’s one of the best parts about it. It looks more like a golf club carrier than anything. Being low-key means less unwanted attention. If you’ve ever traveled through an airport with a traditional looking rifle case, you notice the stares. I experienced first-hand how discreet this case looks when I moved in August. Loaded up with 3 rifles, 2 pistol cases, and my shotgun, the Tuffpak sat among boxes and furniture in my apartment waiting to be moved. When the movers got to the case, they asked me if I wanted my golf clubs loaded in the car instead. I also took the Tuffpak to the park to take photos and two different people asked me if I had fishing poles. It’s nice having confirmation from strangers that it doesn’t look like a rifle case.
It doesn’t look like your every day gun case.
The Tuffpak is surprisingly light-weight for its size coming in at 18 lbs. empty. Far less than some other popular plastic and metal hard cases. The edges of the case are rounded and smooth, making it snag free and car-friendly. I’ve had the corner of my metal travel case rip a hole in my leather seat when I wasn’t being careful. The top of the case has built-in molded grip handles that make it easy to load and pick up. It has a lockable slip-top cover that’s held in place with an adjustable nylon strap and has a comfortable rubber grip handle. The model I received has solid wheels mounted on an axle that’s molded into the base. They remind me of roller blade wheels and seem very durable. I also like how the case surrounds and protects the wheels from travel damage. To test the durability, I laid the empty case on the ground while I bounced up and down on top of it. I am happy to report the case did not break or flex much at all under my 225 lb. frame. The lock, handle, and strap are reinforced with rivets and molded into the case for extra protection.
All buckles and straps are reinforced with rivets and molded into the case.
My case also came with an optional Tuff Sack and Ammo Box . The Tuff Sack is a bag shaped to match the inside diameter of the Tuffpak, making it easy to pack and take items in/out of the case. It features a draw string opening at one end so the contents are easy to reach from the top. The Ammo Box allows you to keep your ammo contained in the Tuffpak and easy to transport.
Optional Tuff sak makes packing much easier.
Specs:
First Time Use
My first time using the Tuffpak was opening weekend of deer season. We were headed to a ranch in southwest Texas for 3 nights of deer and hog hunting. I went through my gear and laid out the following:
• Rifle with 26” bbl + scope and soft case
• AR-15 with 16.5” bbl + scope and soft case
• 1911 + Holster
• Ammo Case + Ammo
• Spotting Scope
• Tripod
• Boots
• Jacket x 1
• Pants x 2
• Gym shorts
• Long sleeve shirt x 1
• Short sleeve shirt x 2
• Underwear x 3
• Socks x 3
No way all this is going to fit.
Yeah, it’s probably overkill for a weekend at the ranch, but I also wanted to see how much I could get into the case. The rifles and pistol were all in soft cases and the ammo was in a separate, Tuffpak Ammo Box. After seeing it all out and ready to be loaded, I thought it would be impossible to get it to fit. On my first attempt, I removed the Tuff Sack from the case and stuffed it full with all my goods. Surprisingly, everything fit and I felt confident it was going to work. When I started to load the sack, immediately my size 12 boots got stuck. I rearranged my packing and tried again, but still couldn’t get it to go past my boots. So I removed the sack, all the contents, and started over.
Everything loaded into the Tuff Sak and ready to be packed.
This time I loaded both my rifles in the sack first and slid the end of the sack and rifle cases into the Tuffpak to get it going. Both rifle cases I chose for this were not ideal. They were soft cases, but I could have chosen a better one for the application if they weren’t packed away in storage, giving me more room to work with. I filled in the spaces with my binoculars, spotting scope, tripod, and pistol. I laid clothes between the cases and around the sack as best as I could. As I filled up the sack, I slid it further into the case making sure it was all going to fit properly. Incredibly, I was able to get the lid to latch shut, and lock. The only thing I couldn’t fit were my boots. If I had my other rifle cases, I bet I could have gotten my boots in there too. Thankfully this case has a handle and wheels, because it is heavy with all this gear.
So far so good, it looks like it’s going to fit.
I’m amazed everything except my boots fit and it still locks.
Loading it into my car wasn’t a problem. However, it is a large case so I had to lay down one of my rear seats to allow my rear hatch to close. The skate-like wheels the case to easily slide into the cargo space. I kept thinking I was forgetting something because all I had in my SUV was the Tuffpak, cooler, and a small backpack for the blind. It is nice being able to consolidate everything into one bag. When we got to the ranch, I wheeled over the rocky gravel path with ease and into my room. In a single motion I pulled everything out of the Tuffpak thanks to the Tuff Sack. Just like that I was unpacked and had access to all my stuff again.
The Tuff pak easily fits in an SUV, but requires a seat to be folded.
I could have really used this when I was traveling all the time for shotgun competitions. For you 3-gunners, imagine packing all your guns and equipment into a single case that you can easily travel with- all while not even looking like a rifle/gun case. I currently have the Tuff Sack loaded up with all my hunting gear in my closet ready to go so all I need are my rifles for my next trip. Now I understand why safari hunters use the Tuffpak. Being able to load more than just rifles is handy.
The lock is protected by the protrusions on the lid preventing it from getting damaged.
Pros:
Wheels on the Tuff pak are similar to skate wheels and are very durable.
Cons:
Integrated carrying handles make transporting the case a breeze.
Final Thoughts
The Tuffpak was convenient and gave me confidence my firearms were protected. There is a slight learning curve to figure out the best way to load the case, but it’s easy once you figure it out. Because of it’s size you can pack a surprising amount of gear along with your firearms. Having the ability to pack one bag and go is really appealing to me. It can be difficult to load the case without it butted up against a wall to keep it from moving. Overall the protection, unassuming looks, and capacity make this case a strong pick for those who travel often. They make several different accessories for it, including a lockable mount for the bed of your truck. Check the airline before you fly.
FAQ
How much does the Tuffpak weigh?
18 lb empty.
How many rifles fit in a Tuffpak?
Two to three scoped rifles or up to five shotguns in soft cases, plus gear.
Can you fly with a Tuffpak?
Check the airline before you fly.
C. Travis has spent more than 28 years shooting, hunting, and occasionally wasting good money on gear that taught him exactly what not to buy. He grew up chasing dove and quail behind his Vizslas and later competed nationally in Olympic-style bunker trap.
With a background in mechanical engineering, he tends to look at gear through the lens of use case and practicality. A product can be excellent and still be overkill, overpriced, or simply wrong for the job. His GunsAmerica reviews focus on where a firearm or piece of gear actually fits, what it does well, where it falls short, and whether it makes sense for the person buying it.
When he’s not shooting, hunting, or testing gear, he’s usually chasing around his three kids. Being a dad is the job he takes the most pride in.
Love mine, been using it for 5 or 6 years, mostly to go to 3-gun matches. It is long, won’t fit in the back of our Tahoe with the seat up. It’s so big you have to be careful of the weight, if you want to stay under 50 lbs.
Usually people ask where I’m going to play golf!
Does my MG34 fit in it? That’s what I want to know. I have to break it down to get it into my present kit.
I believe it would! It will definitely fit length wise. Not sure how tall the MG34 is, but the Tuffpak has tons of space.
Does the Ammo Box inside the Tuffpak qualify as a separate container under TSA rules, and if so, are all TSA agents aware of this?
Yes! According to TSA: 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8). states:
(8) Small arms ammunition for personal use carried by a crewmember or passenger in checked baggage only, if securely packed in boxes or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition clips and magazines must also be securely boxed. This paragraph does not apply to persons traveling under the provisions of 49 CFR 1544.219.
The Tuffpak Ammo Box is specifically designed for holding ammunition and can be locked with a TSA style cable lock.
Tuffpak also sends out literature with TSA guidelines for you to have handy while checking your firearms/ammunition in case TSA doesn’t know their own rules.