The perfect scope can be quite an investment. Although scopes are durable, they can get damaged as you move around and travel. That’s why it’s important to invest in a quality scope cover. Here, we’ll walk you through all you need to know about covers and caps, and help you find the perfect one for your scope.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Scope Covers
- OUR TOP PICK: Leupold Scope Cover
- BEST BUTLER CREEK SCOPE COVER: Butler Creek Flip-Open Scope Cover
- BEST LEUPOLD SCOPE COVER: Leupold Scope Cover Large 53576
Best Scope Covers & Caps Comparison Chart
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Importance of Scope Covers and Caps
Modern scopes are more durable than ever and some users may feel that they don’t need any more protection. However, you should still take all the steps you can to protect your scope. Here are some benefits from using a scope cover or cap:
Protects Lens
Many scopes have great abrasion protection. However, that doesn’t mean they are immune from scratches. If you leave your lens uncovered, it may accumulate tiny scratches over time. This can then impede image quality. A good cover or cap will easily help you avoid this problem.
Saves Time
If you don’t cover your lens, you’re going to accumulate dust and other material on your lens. Before you use it, you’ll have to clean it. This material can also smear, obscuring the lens and making images blurry. Save the trouble by keeping the scope covered.
Gentle on Your Wallet
Scopes cost a lot of money. Although they are durable, don’t take any extra risks. Protect your investment with a cover or cap. They are a relatively cheap way of ensuring that your scope won’t get damaged.
Aspects to Consider When Buying a Scope Cover and Caps
There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to covers and caps. Here are some factors that you should consider. These will help you compare products and narrow down your search.
Waterproofing
Not all covers are built the same. Some offer full waterproofing, whereas others are just water-resistant. This distinction matters. If you’re worried about your scope being exposed to water, make sure you choose a cover that is fully waterproof.
Full or Partial Coverage
Do you want the entire body of your scope to be covered or just the lens? If you’re just worried about your lens, go with a cap. But if you need full body protection, opt for a cover. It will protect your scope from bump and scratches, as well as protecting the lens from any moisture or debris.
Size
This may seem obvious, but make sure you pick the right size cover or cap for your scope. Most manufacturers will provide size charts for their covers and caps, as well as the scopes that they fit. Also, consider buying a cover from the manufacturer of your scope. This will ensure that you’re getting a tight fit.
Review of the Best Scope Covers and Caps
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best options for covers and caps. There are a lot of products out there. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best for you. And remember, there’s no cover or cap that will be right for everyone. Compare the main features of the covers and caps to decide which is right for your scope.
Best Overall:
Leupold Scope Cover
Pros
Cons
Leupold is the makers of some of the finest scopes you can find. With this scope cover, they take their expertise and apply it to scope protection. Whether you are looking to protect a Leupold scope or one from another brand, this is just about the best scope cover out there.
The padding on the cover is thick enough that it will protect your scope from just about any bump, but it’s thin enough that it doesn’t look bulky.
Although the scope does offer great protection, some users may find that it doesn’t have as much stretch as they would like. Check the size chart before buying to make sure that the cover will fit your scope.
It’s also not the cheapest cover out there.
This cover won’t offer any extra bells and whistles. And that’s exactly what a lot of users will want. You get great padding in a snug, tight fit. And the cover has a simple, clean design that looks great.
Bottom Line
You can’t go wrong with a Leupold scope. And the same goes for their covers. This is an excellent all-around cover that will give you great waterproofing and impact protection. Its simple, clean design looks great, too. And you have the full Leupold warranty. Should anything go wrong with your cover, contact them and they will replace it.
Best Butler Creek Scope Cover:
Butler Creek Flip-Open Scope Cover
Pros
Cons
The lens is the most important part of your scope. With this cap, your lens will be completely protected from any moisture, debris, or dirt.
These caps can be custom ordered to fit your lens exactly. And the O-ring gives you waterproofing and protection from debris and moisture. They can be used in even the most rugged conditions without fear of anything getting through to your lens.
It’s also one of the most affordable caps out there, giving you all of the lens protection you’ll need without you having to spend much. They aren’t the most durable caps out there and will wear down over time. However, since they are so affordable, replacing them won’t be as much of an annoyance as with other more expensive caps.
If you are looking for a scope cover that will cover the whole scope, this isn’t a good choice. But if you need a simple, functional cap that will protect the lens on your Butler Creek scope, this is your best choice.
Bottom Line
If you are simply worried about keeping your lens protected, then this is one of the best covers that you can find. It is truly airtight, so you won’t have to worry about any moisture getting in. It’s not the most durable cap out there, but its low price and range of protections make it a great option.
Best Leupold Scope Cover:
Leupold Scope Cover Large 53576
Pros
Cons
This cover gives you the same protection you expect from a Leupold cover, but for larger scopes. It’s the best option out there if you are looking for a cover for a larger sized Leupold scope.
The cover is truly waterproof and has excellent padding that keeps your scope safe from impacts and debris. And it’s durable, so the cover should last you just about as long as your scope does. It also features a simple but elegant look that many will love - although some may disapprove of the large logo on the cover.
The scope can be a bit tight for some, so make sure that you have a scope that fits the cover. However, it’s still fairly easy to slip on and off. And once on, the snug fit provides excellent protection.
It’s also a bit pricey for what you get, which may put off some users. But it’s a worthwhile investment if you want to protect an expensive scope. And you do get Leupold’s legendary lifetime warranty, meaning you get a free replacement if there’s an issue with your cover.
Bottom Line
This cover is the best option for those that need protection for their large Leupold scope. It has excellent waterproofing and great padding, and the simple but elegant design looks great. And it comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s a bit expensive, and the material can be kind of stiff, but it will keep your scope safe.
Best Vortex Scope Cover:
Vortex Optics Sure Fit Riflescope Cover
Pros
Cons
Vortex makes an excellent range of scopes. And with this cover, they give you the perfect way to protect your investment. If you’re looking for a cover for your Vortex scope, this is your best option.
The waterproofing is great, so you won’t have to worry about any moisture finding its way through the cover. The padding is thick enough to take a bruising but thin enough that the cover doesn’t look bulky.
The cover has great stretch, making it easy to slip on. You should still check before buying to make sure that the cover will fit your scope, but the fit is pretty forgiving. They also have sewn-on loops that make slipping the cover off easy.
The padding offers great protection, but the downside is that it may be a bit too thick for some users. Otherwise, the cover has a clean and simple style that looks great.
It’s not the cheapest option, but the cover is durable and it also comes with the Vortex warranty. If anything breaks, you’ll be able to get a replacement.
Bottom Line
If you need to keep your Vortex scope protected, this is your best option. Excellent debris and dust protection combined with great waterproofing mean this cover will keep your scope safe. It’s not the cheapest cover out there, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to how much you spent for the scope. And you have the excellent Vortex warranty.
Best Flip-Up Scope Cover:
Vortex Optics Defender Flip Caps
Pros
Cons
Some users may only be interested in a cap that protects their lens. In that case, this cap is your best choice and will ensure that no dirt or moisture ever reaches your lens.
The stainless steel spring allows you to flip the cap to various positions. And you can flip the cap fully over so that it lies flat against the scope. If you ever look over your rifle, you’ll have a clear sightline.
Where this cap really stands out is with its durability. This thing can take a beating. Vortex says it’s nearly indestructible and that’s largely the case. If you plan on hunting in rugged terrain, this is the best option out there to make sure that your scope is protected.
You also get an excellent seal, so no water will find its way around the edges onto your lens. And the seal holds up over time as well.
What’s the downside to this cap? It’s expensive. You’ll have to pay a good amount for the excellent protection it offers. Some may not be willing to pay this much. However, it’s an excellent way to protect an expensive piece of equipment.
Bottom Line
This cap comes with a serious price tag. But it’s worth it for those that want the best protection for their lens. This cap can take just about anything that you throw at it without even a scratch. And the waterproofing is excellent as well, so no moisture will get to your lens. It’s also covered by the Vortex warranty.
Best Rifle Scope Cover:
Butler Creek 19000 Bikini Rifle Scope Cover
Pros
Cons
This is an excellent choice for those that want a no-frills cover for their scope. It will protect both ends of your scope and is one of the best choices for a rifle scope cover.
The benefit of this cover is its simplicity. The two rubber caps snap into place easily. It’s stretchy as well, so it slips onto the scope without too much work. It can also fit a wide range of scopes, so you don’t have to worry too much about whether it will fit yours.
Although it covers only the ends of the scope, it still offers great waterproofing and dust protection for the areas that it does cover.
The downside? The body of your scope won’t be protected from bumps and scratches. If you want a cover that gives you a full range of protection, this isn’t it.
It’s also quite affordable, making it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend too much to keep their scope protected.
Bottom Line
This is an excellent choice for those that need a slip-on cover for their rifle scope. It’s flexible, making it easy to slip on and off of your scope. It also has great waterproofing and dust protection for both sides of your scope. However, it doesn’t protect the body from scratches or bumps. Still, its great lens protection, versatility, and low price make it one of the best rifle covers.
Best Nikon Scope Cover:
Nikon ScopeCoat 12.5" Rifle Scope Cover, 50mm
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Pros
Cons
Nikon is better known for their camera lenses. But they take that expertise and use it to craft an excellent scope cover. This is the best option for those looking for a Nikon cover, giving you a full range of protection from bumps, scratches, and dirt.
The neoprene padding is excellent and absorbs just about any bump. Although it offers great protection, the padding isn’t too thick. It’s also quite stylish, making it one of the best-looking scope covers you can find.
The cover is easy to slip on with the sewn-on loop, but still has a snug fit, so it won’t slide around on your scope. Just make sure that it will fit your scope. Check the size chart before you buy.
One of the major downsides of this scope is that it does not offer full waterproofing. That means that moisture could find its way to your scope, especially if you are in wet environments. It’s also fairly expensive. Although it offers great protection, it may be more than most people are willing to spend on a cover.
Bottom Line
This is an excellent all-around scope cover that will give you great protection from bumps and debris. It’s not waterproof, so it isn’t the best choice for those that are concerned about moisture. That said, it’s the best Nikon scope cover, and an excellent all-around choice for any scope.
Best Spotting Scope Cover:
Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope Covers
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Pros
Cons
It’s not just riflescopes that need protection. You’ll also want to find the right cover for your spotting scope. With the Vortex, you’ll get full protection with excellent waterproofing. It’s the best option out there for a spotting scope cover.
The cover comes with some serious padding. It will protect your scope from drops, bumps, and scratches. It also has great waterproofing, so moisture won’t get to the lens.
The downside? The cover is fairly expensive, and may be more than what some users are comfortable spending. It’s also a bit bulky and isn’t the most stylish case out there. Some users also report issues with the straps.
These issues aside, it is still the best option for those that need a cover to protect their spotting scope.
Bottom Line
This is the best option if you need to protect your Vortex Optics spotting scope. Its thick padding keeps your cover safe and the straps provide a secure fit. It’s a bit expensive and it’s not the most durable cover out there, but it does come with a warranty.
Conclusion
Scope covers may seem like an afterthought. However, they are an important piece of equipment that will keep your scope safe. You spent a lot of money on the perfect scope. With our guide and reviews, you can find the perfect scope cover to protect your investment.