There are only a few brand names so iconic they become synonymous with their entire genre. Pelican is one of those names – a word that has become the benchmark for keeping valuable gear safe in transit.
Since its founding in 1976, Pelican cases have set the industry standard for photographers, cinematographers, audio engineers, and anyone else who needs to transport valuable, fragile equipment through unforgiving environments.
Traditionally, buying a Pelican case meant choosing a size and then deciding on an interior. The options were typically the classic ‘Pick N Pluck’ foam, which allows you to create a custom-shaped cradle for your gear, or the more rigid, pin-based TrekPak system.
Personally, I’ve always preferred the third option: the movable Padded Dividers. This Velcro-based system allows me to re-customise the case for a specific job – whether it’s packing LED lights, camera bodies, studio flash heads, or audio equipment.
The standard-bearer: The Pelican AIR
While the classic ‘Protector’ line is famously tough, it’s also famously heavy. The Pelican AIR line was a game-changer, offering up to 40% less weight while retaining the crushproof and waterproof credentials that define the brand.
I have used a Pelican 1535 Air for years, but its real value is when flying to a remote location where I’m unable to take all my equipment as carry-on. It’s a terrifying moment for any photographer, but trusting it to the AIR case can give you peace of mind.
The other, often-overlooked advantage of the Air case is security on the ground. At an event, I can lock the case shut with padlocks and then use a simple bike lock to secure the handle to a chair or table. I’ve had colleagues store their equipment bags in a ‘secure’ green room, only to have items stolen. Locking your backup camera in this fashion makes it a real challenge for opportunistic thieves.
And if I’m shooting on a beach, there is nothing better. Sand, a camera’s second-worst enemy after water, is completely sealed out. A typical nylon / canvas camera bag will be shedding sand for the next six months; the Pelican just needs a quick wipe or even hose down.
The new frontier: The TRVL Collection
Leveraging this hard-won reputation, Pelican has now set its sights on the billion-dollar travel segment with a new range of dedicated luggage: the Pelican TRVL collection. This line is built on the same DNA of indestructibility but is purpose-built for civilian travel. The collection is spearheaded by two distinct lines: the hard-sided ATX and the hybrid AEGIS.
The Tank: Pelican ATX
The Pelican ATX line is what you get when you ask a Pelican engineer to build a consumer suitcase. It is the direct descendant of the classic gear case, offering an impregnable exterior that you know won’t be breached by anything less than an oxy-cutter.
There is something deeply reassuring about its construction. The ATX is a hard-sided clamshell case built from a proprietary polypropylene blend.
It’s waterproof, dust-proof, and features an air-pressure equalisation valve. Instead of the classic plastic latches, it uses recessed, zinc-alloy metal latches and a TSA-approved combination lock. This is the case for the traveller who values absolute security – or for those who feel they may be clumsy enough to fall in the water when climbing onto a boat!
Unlike the classic 2-wheel gear cases, the ATX line features four smooth, Japanese-made Hinomoto spinner wheels and a soft-close multi-stage trolley handle. But this strength has a trade-off – weight. The carry-on version is heavy from the outset, so if you’re just a casual holiday-maker, it may be overkill.
So if you are carrying anything valuable, or if your luggage is guaranteed to take a tumble, the ATX ensures your gear will not only survive, but do so in a case that is a remarkable, cool-looking design object in its own right.
The Adventurer: Pelican AEGIS
The other new line, the Pelican AEGIS, is more of a multi-sized series that includes weather-resistant Cordura backpacks, Rolling Hybrid Duffel bags (with an EVA-moulded hardshell base) and tough sling bags. The Hybrid Duffels are much lighter and flexible than the ATX cases, while still being far tougher than typical soft-side luggage.
The AEGIS ‘Check-in’ line features rugged, oversized duel wheels that can handle curbs and cobblestones with ease, and the zippers are industrial-strength and water-resistant. This is the bag for the adventure traveller who needs durability without the extreme weight and rigidity of a full hard-shell case.
Also in the AEGIS line is the PX18 and PX25 hardshell backpacks which could be a hit with landscape photographers. Rumour has it that there may be a flexible insert version on the horizon if we are lucky.
Photo: Katerina Tsompanis
The Organisers: Pelican ModPak
One thing I’d like to see in these new lines is the ability to use the classic foam or divider inserts. Instead of this, Pelican has developed a new range of small travel cases and organisers called the Pelican ModPak system.
(L) AVP-S ModPak AV Single Pouch. (R) AVP-D ModPak AV Double Pouch. Image: Pelican.
These are hardy, modular packing cubes, tech pouches, and storage cases designed to perfectly fit and integrate with the TRVL line, allowing you to organise your clothes, cables, and toiletries with the same efficiency as camera gear.
Australian Price Guide
Image: Tim Levy
This level of protection is an investment. Here is a look at the approximate Australian pricing for the new TRVL line and the classic AIR cases.
Pelican AIR: 1535 Air Case $385 – $700 (depends on insert)
Pelican ATX: HC22 ATX Approx. $860– $949.00
Pelican AEGIS: HY22 AEGIS - Approx. $629.00
Pelican AEGIS: HY28 / HY32 - Approx. $729.00 - $829.00
Pelican ModPak: Packing Cubes - Approx. $29.00 - $49.00
Pelican ModPak: Storage Pouches - Approx. $79.00 - $170.00
Final Thoughts
Pelican built its legacy on protecting the high-stakes equipment of professionals. With the new TRVL line, the company is making a compelling argument that your personal belongings deserve the same level of security.
Personally, I’d like to see the flexible insert functionality similar to the AIR system extended to the travel bags. And this isn't just for Pelican brand – but travel bags in general. I get the concept of using smaller packing cubes, but by the end of a one or two-week trip, my travel bag inevitably descends into chaos.
Having dividers within the main travel bag would mean dedicated areas for everything – socks and underwear, shirts, laundry, toiletries, a camera, power cables and chargers etc. It’s the same principle photographers live by: knowing exactly where everything is in our camera bags.
In any case, whether it’s the indestructible ATX, the rugged AEGIS, or the perfectly practical AIR, Pelican is no longer just a brand for the working creative – it’s a brand for anyone who believes that peace of mind is the ultimate travel luxury.
And this commitment is reflected in its warranty, which states: ‘Pelican guarantees its injection moulded products for a lifetime against breakage or defects in workmanship.’ That’s a crucial factor to consider when you’re replacing conventional travel luggage that’s been destroyed by aggressive baggage handlers after only a few years of use.
You can find out more on the Pelican website.
