The 2026 SHOT Show (SHOT = Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) recently concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada. This industry-only show is massive; this year there were more than 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 14 miles of aisles.
I mention these facts so you understand I couldn’t visit every exhibitor during my time in Vegas. That said, I covered a lot of the show floor, especially in those areas of the show that focus on hunting and recreational shooting. (A decent percentage of the show is dedicated to products for law enforcement and military.)
Of all the products I checked out, my favorite is the Real Avid Ratchet Rest shooting bags. Available in Front Rest (Large), Front/Rear Rest (Medium) and Rear Rest (Small) configurations, these bags are designed to deliver micro-adjustable elevation control and repeatable accuracy. Featuring an integrated ratcheting system with Accu-Click technology, these adjustable shooting rests allow one-handed, click-by-click height adjustments while maintaining a stable shooting position. A non-slip rubberized base, heavy-duty waxed canvas exterior and moisture-resistant poly bead fill provide consistent support and long-term durability.
In the 1-minute YouTube video below, legendary competitive shooter Doug Koenig demonstrates how to use the Ratchet Rest bags. I’m certainly no Doug Koenig, but I have been shooting various rifles for 50 years, and I own a wide variety of shooting bags and benchrest-style gun supports. Within a few seconds of trying these bags at SHOT Show I could tell that everything I currently own is inferior.
After trying out the bags — and loving them! — I feared the price, which I didn’t know at the time, would be so high that most hunters/shooters would pass. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised to learn they are a good value, too. MSRP for the smallest bag is $44.99, the middle size is $59.99, and the large one is $79.99.
Check out the YouTube video clip below and see this innovative shooting system for yourself. Doug Koenig does a good job explaining how Ratchet Rest Bags will improve your shooting accuracy and overall experience on a bench.
Note: While these shooting bags were certainly designed with firearms in mind, they will work equally well with crossbows.
P.S. Not familiar with Doug Koenig? He’s an American sport shooter and one of the most decorated competitors in the history of American precision shooting sports. The vast majority of his titles were with handguns, but he’s also highly skilled with rifles. For example, in the PRS Production Class in the Precision Rifle Series, Koenig won the national championship three years in a row (2019-2021) with perfect scores.
P.P.S. For more of a deep dive into these bags, check out the second YouTube video from Real Avid.
