It’s hard to believe that it has been more than 20 years since I took a Pelican case loaded with Hasselblad gear from the deck of a boat and threw it overboard. I was working with my friend in the Caribbean Islands. The boat’s captain said he could not get any closer to the island, and we would have to swim. Of course, I had always been told that Pelican cases are watertight, and we had, on several jobs, left them out in the rain while we huddled in the tiny dry cabins of boats. We swam to shore, got the shots, and returned to the boat without a drop of water touching the gear.
On that day, I became a true believer. For the next 10 years of my career, I traveled all over the world and always packed my most precious gear in Pelican cases. These days, I don’t find myself in Jamaica very often, but I still want to keep my gear safe wherever I travel. That’s why I was excited to learn that Pelican has extended their Pelican TRVL line with new categories that cover everything from lightweight travel to highly protective and watertight gear.
The Pelican TRVL AIR line you might be familiar with. Essentially, the lightweight sister to the more heavyweight Pelican I once threw into the Caribbean Sea. The AIR line is a favorite with creators. Pelican has added the hard-sided ATX™ and the Hybrid AEGIS™ line as well. In addition, Pelican TRVL offers MODPAK™ to customize your build. Let’s look at all these fantastic cases from Pelican.
Key Features of Pelican TRVL – AIR
- Durable, watertight material for ultimate protection during travel
- Convenient wheeled design for easy mobility
- Lid organizer with zippered compartments for larger items
- See-through mesh pockets for securing passports and cables
- Innovative packing cubes for organized, efficient packing
Those of us in the creative fields have long used Pelican cases to transport our valuable (and fragile) gear. I remember picking up my first Pelican, a 1650 case I used for many years to carry my strobe kit. While I can’t confirm this, something tells me the photographer who bought those flashes from me years ago still has the case, though likely not the flashes. When Pelican TRVL announced the AIR line, many creators cheered.
This combination of trusted and proven pelican cases kicked out specifically for travel was, and still is, a massive hit among photographers and filmmakers. Not to mention musicians and anyone who needs to protect their valuable gear and carry a change of clothes. The AIR line includes the Pelican 1535TRVL carry-on and two sizes for checked gear, the 1595TRVL and 1615TRVL. Grab any of these Pelican TRVL cases when your luggage is likely to get kicked around, dropped, or left out in a rainstorm for days.
Key Features of Pelican TRVL – ATX™
- Multistage extension handle
- Maximum durability
- Waterproof, crushproof, dustproof
- Lifetime Warranty
- Field repairable
- TSA locking latches
- Internal compression straps and zipper compartments
- Internal premium and durable Rip-Stop Liner
- Hinomoto® 360º Mobility Spinner Wheels
- Made in the USA
These days, most of my adventures do not involve submerging my gear cases or leaving them out in the environment for days at a time. That being said, I still want as much protection as possible for my fragile lighting and camera gear that I take with me. The Pelican TRVL ATX™ series is designed to meet the needs of travelers like me. Travelers who want a case that is built to last a lifetime. A case that can double as a step stool or seat. One that is waterproof, crush, and dustproof. This Pelican TRVL line includes carry-on, medium check-in, and large check-in cases to cover all your gear transportation needs. Do you need a hard-sided case that can roll with the punches? The Pelican TRVL ATX™ line is for you.
Key Features of Pelican TRVL – AEGIS™
Duffels
- Durable EVA molded front shell
- Weather-resistant 500D Cordura fabric
- Integrated morale patch point
- Grab-and-go handles throughout
- Multistage extension handle
- Multiple compression straps
- External and internal quick-access zipper pockets
- Durable polycarbonate hardshell base
- Oversized and Durable rolling wheels
Backpacks
- Durable EVA molded front shell
- Multiple compression straps
- Integrated morale patch point
- Breathable air channel back panel
- Luggage passthrough sleeve
- Quick-access laptop compartment
As a traveling creator, I sometimes feel like I have to choose between a hard-sided, bulky case or a soft-sided case that doesn’t feel like it will fully protect my gear. Enter Pelican TRVL AEGIS™. Pelican designed these duffels and backpacks to protect your gear while keeping the weight down. The duffels are weather-resistant and feature an EVA molded front shell. On top of that, the base is a polycarbonate hardshell. This combination ensures your gear is safe and secure. For those who need protection but aren’t planning to stand on top of their case or throw it off the side of a sailboat to swim to the shore, the AEGIS™ line is ideal.
These cases are designed for easy maneuvering through airports, are tough enough to throw in the back of a Jeep, and offer plenty of comfort and utility with grab-and-go handles galore. If you typically use standard luggage and need a nice upgrade, the Pelican TRVL AEGIS™ is for you. Treat your gear with respect by protecting it during travel, and your gear will serve you well. Don’t forget the AEGIS™ line includes backpacks with quick-access laptop compartments. These are ideal carry-on bags, great for day trips or everyday carry.
Key Features of Pelican TRVL – MODPAKS™
- Designed For complete & convenient travel set-up
- Packs & pouches made w/ 500D Cordura® Fabric and YKK Zippers
- Packing cubes made with durable & breathable Mono-Mesh and YKK Zippers
- External attachment points for modular set-up w/ backpacks and duffels
- Internal organization (packs and pouches)
- Easy-access grab handles throughout
Customize your loadout with Pelican TRVL MODPAK™. From packing cubes to toiletry bags, the MODPAK™ Series allows you to take exactly the gear you need on each trip. Going for an all-day shoot? Load up with gear-specific pouches. Flying for a weekend gig? Add some MODPAKs™ for personal needs. Pelican TRVL is designed with customization in mind, and the MODPAK™ Series reinforces that idea.
Who Should Use the Pelican TRVL Line?
Creators and adventurers of all kinds can benefit from impeccably built cases to carry their gear and personal items. From those hitting the coastline and islands to creators hiking to the perfect spot in Central Park, Pelican TRVL has a case for every niche. Of course, what’s suitable for protecting valuable camera gear is also great for tools, camping gear, and various other uses.
Conclusion
I’ve used Pelican cases for my entire career and have never regretted the choice. For the most rugged exploration, where cases may be left in the weather or kicked around ruthlessly, the TRVL AIR line is ideal. For ultimate protection from most other situations, you can’t go wrong with ATX™. When you are traveling by plane, car, or even bus, the AEGIS™ bags will keep your gear safe and secure. The choice to go with Pelican TRVL is an easy one; which bag to get might be a little more difficult as you will likely want them all.
Check out this video where Seth Miranda breaks down the Pelican TRVL line in detail.
