Tools Cases for Airplane Travel

Nanuk & Pelican: So Far, So Good

Chris and I are leaving tonight for teaching gigs and a tool show in England¹, so we’re both loading up our travel cases with the necessary tools. And because we often get asked how to travel with tools, we thought we’d share our cases.

Chris (who weighs in below), has had his Pelican 1510 for about a million years; I’ve borrowed it for several trips during the last two decades. But last year we were both getting on planes to teach in different places at the same time, so I had to buy a case of my own. After a little research I settled on the Nanuk 935. And not just because I could get it in blue.²

The Pelican’s interior dimensions are 20" x 11" x 8"; empty (with only the foam), it weighs just under 14 lbs. The Nanuk’s interior dimensions are 20.5" x 11.3" x 7.5"; empty (with foam), it weighs just under 12 lbs. So really, the difference in size and weight between the two is neglible. And both feature a crushproof shell, watertight gasket and dustproofing seal, and are available with pick and pack foam, on which you can tear away small but for custom fitting.