By now, it should be no secret that I’m a bit of a gear junkie, and I’ve seen and handled a lot of gear over the years. Some great and some, well, not so great. It can be hard to determine what’s worth your hard-earned dollars and what’s best left to the LARPers. That’s where I come in.
I’m a lab rat of sorts, often treating my casual, non-training-related trips to the range as more of a T&E session than anything else. I suppose it comes with the territory of an educationalist (plus, I like to break stuff, so it’s really a win-win).
So, when the fine folks at Safariland asked me to put together a list of the best essential range gear of 2025, I knew it was right up my alley.
Whether you’re a new shooter who’s just getting started or a seasoned veteran in search of the latest and greatest gear, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get into it!
Wearable Range Gear
Let’s start with the basics, shall we?
What you wear to the range can make or break your range day. There are a few pieces of wearable gear that I never leave behind when loading up for the range, some of which I think belong in your 2025 loadout.
Reliable Eye Protection: Carhartt Carthage Glasses
No range day kit is complete without quality eye protection. Seriously, don’t put your health at risk. It’s stupid.
To start with, get yourself some quality shooting glasses, like my pair of Carhartt Carthage glasses. These are my go-to’s, especially for indoor range sessions and shoot houses. These suckers feature a padded and ventilated interior, making them extremely comfortable and resistant to fogging and sweat buildup on hot days.
For a few bucks, you can find these and similar pairs of safety and shooting glasses at your local gun shop.
But if the Carhartt Carthage glasses aren’t your cup of tea, maybe give a pair of Magpul Radius ballistic sunglasses a try. Whatever your preference, Just be sure to pick up a pair of quality, ballistic-rated shooting glasses or OSHA-approved safety glasses.
These will have a “Z-code” stamped on the frame, which indicates that the glasses are impact-tested to withstand impacts from sharp, fast-moving objects. In the event of a catastrophic failure, everyday eyewear would fail to protect your eyes from flying debris and, instead, may pose a larger risk of injury should they break or shatter.
Your eyes are too precious. Even if all you have on hand is a pair of those giant wraparound glasses from your 8th-grade woodshop class, it’s better than nothing. I’d much rather look a bit “dorky” than lose my eyesight.
Quality hearing Protection: Safariland Liberator HP 2.0
Honestly, when it comes to ear pro, be prepared to spend a few extra sheckles on high-quality electronic hearing protection, like Safariland’s Liberator HP 2.0 earmuffs. They’re a bit more pricey than some of us would like, but man, they’re some of the best over-the-ear muffs out there, combining the powers of high-definition speakers, omnidirectional microphones, Active Noise Reduction (ANR), and Active Noise Cancellation technologies into one, super-comfortable package.
I understand that these muffs might not fit every budget, however. If your budget calls for something with a slightly lower price tag, there are still some great options out there, such as the Walker’s Razor or Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic muffs. They won’t be as comfortable or consistent as the Liberators, mind you, but they’ll get the job done.
Whatever your budget, focus on over-the-ear options and avoid just using foam earplugs. They’re cheap for a reason. While they offer some protection (and some protection is better than none), they’re not reliable, and you can still experience some hearing loss, accompanied by ever-present and ever-annoying tinnitus.
In short, protect them ears. They’re worth a few pennies.
Viktos Range Trainers: Quality, closed-toed shoes
This one can be a bit subjective. I’ve worn everything from my signature red Vans to heavy snow boots to the range. However, never have I worn sandals or open-toed shoes to the range. Nor should you. So long as you’re wearing closed-toed shoes, the world is your oyster (Crocs don’t count).
Now, that said, I almost always prefer to wear my lace-up Viktos Trainer sneakers for my trips to the range. They’re comfortable, and, as the name implies, they’re built for the range. They’re comfortable and built for speed and stability. And that’s some high praise coming from me, as I’m notoriously a bit of a bull in a china shop and prone to tripping and slipping on otherwise tame terrain.
While the Viktos trainers are great, Salomon, Murrell, 5.11, and even Under Armour offer some great options as well. Try a few pairs and see what works for you. But whatever you choose to wear, be sure that they provide plenty of grip and fit comfortably. You need to be able to move quickly and comfortably without worrying about slipping or losing a shoe.
NexBelt EDC Gun Belt
Lastly, no range loadout is really complete without the Nexbelt Supreme EDC gun belt. While I wear mine daily, it’s extra handy at the range. Traditional gun belts, I’ve found, are either too loose or too tight. They just never really fit right, in my opinion.
The Nexbelt Supreme, however, uses a neat little ratchet system that allows you to make more precise adjustments for a better fit with your specific body type. That said, the belt is only available in a 55-inch length, which you trim with fabric scissors or trauma shears and install the buckle yourself for a more tailored fit.
Then, just pass the ratcheted end of the belt through the buckle, cinch it up to a tight yet comfortable fit, and it automatically locks in place. It’s comfortable. It’s reliable. And it’s compatible with most IWB and OWB holsters out there.
Bags & Cases
Bags and cases kind of speak for themselves, am I right? Unless you’re planning on the range supplying all your gear for the day, a few quality bags and cases are a must. That said, I have a few favorites that are absolute must-haves.
Safariland 4560 Convertible Range Bag: The Queen of Range Bags
The Safariland 4560 Convertible Range Bag is a no-brainer. Trust me.
I spent too many years feeling like a pack mule as I toted around a flimsy soft-sided range bag with a single over-the-shoulder strap, multiple handgun cases, and targets under my arm.
With all that gear, you’re either subjecting your shoulder to an unnecessary amount of fatigue, or your range bag is bound to rip, break, tear, or otherwise fail with too much gear and not enough storage space. It’s frustrating and annoying, and you shouldn’t have to endure such torture.
The 4560 Convertible Range Bag is the queen of all range bags, featuring a reinforced “bottom box” designed to carry heavy loads and a heavy-duty nylon shell. It’s strong (really strong) and the dual QD straps are easily converted for backpack-style carry or over-the-shoulder carry. They can even be used as traditional carry handles, if you so please. Personally, I’m a fan of backpack carry, but that’s just me.
But aside from its construction, it’s the storage space that matters. The interior center carry compartment is fully padded with hook-and-loop side panels and comes equipped with multiple handgun compartments, eliminating the need to carry four or five of those pesky plastic gun cases.
Multiple zippered exterior pockets offer ample space for spare mags, eye protection, ear protection, and other bits and bobs. And they’re not small pockets, either. They’re rather large, actually, and they hold most (if not all) of my gear with no issue.
Seriously, does it get much better than that?
Safariland Dual Rifle Bag: Superior Range Protection
The Safariland Dual Rifle Case is a new favorite of mine and should have a permanent place in your range day loadout. Easily fitting two full-length rifles (think Springfield M1A Scout Squad and a bolt gun with a 22″ barrel), I’ve put this case through the ringer.
The tough ballistic cloth construction, heavy-duty zippers, and thick closed-cell foam padding throughout give me peace of mind knowing my gear is protected… even when I drop the case from the tailgate of my truck for the 100th time.
It’s built to last, and, like the convertible range bag, it can easily be converted for backpack-style carry or over-the-shoulder carry. Add to that the fact that the heat-resistant interior is fully padded and includes hook-and-loop retention straps, ensuring my rifles are safe and secure rather than dancing around inside the case.
The case also provides plenty of additional space for mags and accessories, with dedicated space for handguns as well. So, if you’re a packrat like me, you can easily fit two rifles and a few handguns within a single, easy-to-carry (albeit kinda heavy) package.
I’ve also taken advantage of the MOLLE webbing on the exterior, adding a med kit and several other gear pouches. Honestly, the possibilities for customization are endless and the case does its job. No sweat.
First Aid
One range day item that can be easily overlooked — but shouldn’t be — is the IFAK (Individual First-Aid Kit). While most of us are extremely well-versed in gun safety and range safety, things happen.
Whether it be a minor case of slide bite from that new Ruger RXM you just picked up or a full-on four-alarm emergency that requires wound packing or a tourniquet, I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Lastly, I always advise folks to pack some sort of anti-lead soap or body wipes for post-trigger clean-up. Believe it or not, lead can cause a whole host of health issues. Many reputable indoor ranges stock anti-lead soap in the bathroom, but it can’t hurt to have some of your own.
I typically keep a pack or two of my favorite mint-scented Klean Freak wipes in my range bag. Not only do they remove lead residue and other potential health hazards from my hands, but they also leave my skin feeling (and smelling) minty fresh.
Targets. All the targets.
Of course, you can purchase paper targets at the range when you check in, but I find that I prefer a specific target type for my range days: the B-27 Silhouette.
If you’re like me and have a specific target type you like, or if you like mixing it up with drills and shooting games, it can’t hurt to stock up on your favorite targets. This is especially true if you’re shooting at an unmanned outdoor range or on a buddy’s private range, as you’ll likely need to supply your own targets for those.
And, unless you’re only planning on shooting through a single box of ammo or running a single drill or qualification, you’re going to want multiples. Paper targets wear out rather quickly, so it’s always a good idea to have a few on hand for each trip to the range.
You can purchase most targets as singles or in packs of 5, 10, 25, or 50 from your favorite local gun shop or online retailer.
Don’t Forget The Ammo and a Few Spare Mags
Whether you’re just planning to spend an hour shooting your new 9mm handgun or you’re headed out for a full day of gunpowder and lead therapy (those are my favorite days), stock up on ammo. And don’t forget to bring a spare magazine or two, as well as a speed loader.
I mean, a single mag will work just fine if that’s all you have, but who really wants to spend an exceptional amount of time reloading after firing through a single mag? Not me. I like bringing at least five mags, and I’m always sure to bring a speedloader.
I’m a big fan of the Maglula reloaders, but any speedloader will do. They save your fingers from cuts, scratches, and fatigue, and they just speed up the reloading process, so you can spend less time reloading and more time behind the trigger.
If your range day includes shooting a revolver, you can’t go wrong with the Comp series of speedloaders: the Comp I comes in two sizes for small J frame and large N frame revolvers, the Comp II for medium (K) and Medium large (L) frame revolvers, and the Comp III for medium (K) and Medium large (L) frame revolvers.
Non-Essential Range Essentials
How’s that for an oxymoron?
Anyway, there are a few other things I keep in my range bag that I’d recommend you add to your gear checklist this year.
Shot Timer
Shot timers are great tools to help you track and record progress in your shooting speed, but they’re also essential for drills and qualification training. Further, they can help eliminate confusion as they provide a loud, audible “beep” that tells shooters when to commence firing while automatically timing shots. Shot timers are great tools and a must-have for any serious training session.
When it comes to shot timers, you can spend as much or as little as you’d like. There are some super high-dollar options out there that sell for more than $150, but there are also some free smartphone apps with built-in shot timers, like the Mantis or the Shooters Global Drills application.
I’ve used both, and while I prefer a handheld shot timer, smartphone apps can do the job if you’d rather spend your budget dollars on other, more critical gear like your hearing protection.
My Pick: Pocket Pro II (handheld) or Shooters Global Drills App (smartphone app)
Boresight
Available in several different configurations, including in-chamber and in-muzzle designs, boresights make the zeroing process easier (and cheaper). They typically feature a red or green laser that is in line with the barrel to help align your scope or red dot reticle more easily, getting you closer to your zero without wasting precious ammunition.
It’s important to note, however, that boresights provide a “rough” zero, meaning you will still need to fire a few rounds to fine-tune the reticle to a precise zero.
That said, I always keep a boresight (matched to whatever caliber rifle or handgun I’m using) in my range bag. Just in case.
My Pick: Wheeler Professional Boresight
Cleaning Kit
I don’t typically clean my guns while at the range, usually saving that for a rainy day. But it never hurts to have a full cleaning kit and some gunsmithing tools on hand while at the range. As we all know, Murphy’s Law is a force to be reckoned with, and things happen: guns jam up, actions seize up, and accuracy dwindles.
This is especially true in high-volume training events where you’re going through hundreds of rounds at a time. It can be a real headache if you’re not prepared.
That said, I always have a cleaning kit on hand. There’s nothing worse than a range day cut short by an otherwise easy-to-remedy issue, like a dirty gun.
I have a custom-built cleaning kit that I take with me to the range, but there are some great options out there for a relatively low price, especially those from Real Avid.
My Pick: Real Avid Gun Boss Universal Cleaning Kit
Final Thoughts
Range days are the best days. I am rather partial to my regular trips to the range for a bit of lead therapy and quality time in nature. And having the right gear for the job makes it all the better. At the end of the day, you’re going to use the gear that works for you and ditch the stuff that doesn’t.
Invest in a quality range bag and fill it with the best safety and training gear you can afford. Splurge where it counts (like eye and ear pro), and piece together your range day loadout in a way that fits your specific needs and preferences. I promise you it’s worth it.
