We started with a series of separate explainer posts on Peli cases; however, with a multitude of case lines, case sizes, and case interiors, we know that it isn’t the easiest job to piece that all together. Consequently, we thought it might be useful to put that all together in one place, to allow you to select the perfect case to protect your gear the best.
We’d like to give a nod to our American brethren at Pelican for helping us to produce this piece. And, without further ado, below is our simple step-by-step guide to selecting the perfect Peli case for your needs.
Step 1: Measure Out Your Gear
So, the first thing you’ll need to do is measure out your gear. More specifically, you’ll want to measure out the main object or objects that you are looking to protect with a Peli case. Ideally, you’ll want to obtain three measurements that will help you to narrow down the choices. These three measurements would be the length, width and depth of the object or objects. Of course, what we are really trying to do here is get a rough measurement, so if you are a little unsure of the depth, just getting the length and width is sufficient. Once you have done that, you’ll want to make sure to leave room for other objects that you intend to protect with the case. The cases are generally broken down into three basic sizes:
- 10 x 7 cm for small cases
- 45 x 25 cm for medium cases
- 100 x 35 cm for large cases
Step 2: Case Selection
Now that you have a rough dimension of your gear, the next step will be to select a case based on the size of your gear that you just measured out in step 1. A great place to check to see what your options are, is our Case Calculator tool. With this tool, all you have to do is enter in the size of your gear and it will present a series of different cases you can use.
As you look at the list, you’ll see cases from all the different Peli case ranges, at which point you may be wondering, “What’s the difference between the Storm, Protector and Air case lines?” If you are wondering this, you’re not alone. We realize this can be a confusing topic for some, so to help you decide, have a look at our post that outlines how each case differentiates, which might help you to decide which case line is most desirable to you.
In the off chance that the size of your gear is just too big for one of our preconfigured cases, fear not, for we have custom case solutions. You can get in touch with our experienced design engineers, that will work with you to determine the most effective design and best combination of materials for your equipment.
Step 3: Case Interior Selection
The last step you’ll want to do is select your case interiors. Having the right case interior setup is just as important as selecting the right case. There are quite a few options for case interiors that you can choose from, so you’ll want to make sure that you choose the right case interior for your needs. There are three standard case interiors you can choose from:
- Pick N Pluck™ foam offers perforated cubes that can be removed easily, allowing you to customize the foam shape within your case.
- Padded dividers have Velcro on either side, allowing you to make personalized channels and pockets for you gear. These can also be rearranged as your needs and gear evolve.
- TrekPak™ is a rearrangeable divider system that allows for clean, organised and re-adjustable case interiors.
There are a multitude of other case interior options such as lid organisers and for those electronics gurus out there, we have the perfect solution with our panel frames case interior. For more in depth coverage on this subject, read our deep dive into the different case interiors at your disposal.
Of course, as was the case in step 2, it’s possible that none of our standard DIY interior solutions cut it for you. Luckily, there are various custom foam solutions available to you should you need:
- We have numerous trusted partners all over Europe, who for years have been creating custom foam inside Peli Cases.
- Peli’s in-house Custom Foam Center is also an option. We complete projects for the likes of SpaceX and the armed forces across Europe.
- Lastly, you can try out the DIY tool provided by our American brethren to design your own custom foam interior on the computer. It can then be shipped directly to you within your new case or for an existing case.
If you’d like to know more about these custom case solutions or talk to a Peli representative about anything else mentioned in this post, don’t hesitate to contact us.
After reading through this step-by-step guide, you should know exactly how to choose the perfect case solution for whatever it is you want to protect. So, what are you waiting for? Get your gear, take your measurements, and start choosing the right case and interior for you at Peli.com!