What is a Storm Case?

A Storm Case is a type of lightweight injection-moulded case manufactured by Peli. Made of high performance, lightweight HPX™ resin, Peli Storm cases offer military grade protection: impact resistance, dust protection, watertight to IP67 certification and extremely durable even at low temperatures. As with regular Peli cases, the strength and features of a Storm Case make them an excellent choice in demanding conditions. Currently there are around 30 different sized models in the range and these are available in a choice of colours and interiors.

Storm Cases were originally manufactured by Hardigg Industries before that company was acquired by Pelican Products Inc in 2009 (Pelican being the US-based parent company of Peli). So while you may see the odd reference to Hardigg Storm cases, they are more commonly referred to by their current name, Peli Storm Cases or simply the Storm Case.

What's special about a Storm Case?

A Storm Case from Peli is distinct from a regular Peli Case - so what makes the Storm Case so special?

Peli strength

Storm case features

1. Press & Pull Latches
The latches, unique to the Storm Case™, open with the push of a button but stay securely closed under impact or stress. This easy-open system ensures that the case remains dustproof and watertight.

2. Injection moulded cases built with HPX high impact resin
The body of a Storm Case is made of HPX® high-performance resin, making it a strong, lightweight case, able to resist impact even at low temperatures.

3. Moulded-in hasps
Storm Cases come with unbreakable moulded-in hasps allowing you to add standard size padlocks for even more security.

4. Rounded deflective corners
The rounded corners of a Peli Storm Case are able to deflect and absorb impact, dispensing kinetic energy throughout the case to ensure that your equipment remains safe, drop after drop.

5. Soft grip handles
Tested and proven to be strong, these double-layered soft-grip handles are designed to be comfortable and withstand heavy loads.

6. Vortex™ valve
Storm cases come with an embedded Vortex™ valve which automatically adjusts air pressure without letting in water, creating an airtight seal.

7. Polymer O-ring
The watertight and dustproof seal of a Storm case is created by the case's tongue-and-groove fit with a polymer O-ring.

8. Rugged in-line wheels
Shielded from dust and dirt, the ball bearing wheels of a Storm Case provide low-friction, low-drag rolling which, when used with the retractable handle, makes transporting your equipment easy on virtually any terrain.

How are Storm Cases used?

Their reputation as a thoroughly solid and dependable case means that Storm Cases are used by all sorts of people, from photographers to military personnel. The cases pass rigorous testing and safety standards with flying colours, so if you need to protect your equipment in challenging conditions, you know that a Storm Case will be up to the job.

Storm case uses

Maintenance and Industrial Engineering

From pressure gauges and tachometers to calibrators and data logging equipment, tools are absolutely central to a maintenance or industrial engineer’s job. As such it’s vital that their valuable equipment has adequate protection - from shocks, heat, dust and chemicals. A Storm Case from Peli offers all this and more. Storm cases can also be converted into a reliable, custom enclosure for electronic installations. Bezel kits are available for many models, enabling them to be adapted for use with electronic interface panels.

Emergency Services, Police & Military

Peli Storm cases come in all sizes and can accommodate all kinds of heavy-duty communication systems, drones, sensitive laboratory equipment, scientific tools and analytical instrumentation. The cases pass the strictest military tests - MIL-STD-810F, FED-STD-101C as well as airline supplies packaging standard ATA 300 - making them a popular choice for professionals in the military, security and emergency services who put them through their paces in some of the toughest conditions on earth. With customisable interiors, Peli Storm cases ensure that vital equipment arrives intact and operational.

Photography, TV & Film

Storm cases have become popular with professionals working in photography, TV and film where valuable photographic and broadcast equipment is on the move. A choice of internal configurations allows sensitive cameras, lenses and flashes to be cushioned while optional lid mesh pockets are ideal for organising cables and cords. With drones becoming more widely used in the broadcast field, there are deeper-sized Storm models perfect for housing them. And for fashion and wildlife photographers, the Storm Case’s silent Press & Pull latches and smooth rounded design are likely to come in handy.

Travel, Nautical & Outdoor

One of the core tasks of a Storm case is to protect your gear while it’s on the move. From business overnight travel to extreme adventures and expeditions, ATA compliant hard cases allow you to transport your gear safely and efficiently. Waterproof Storm Cases are ideal for protecting equipment of all kinds, including sensitive electronics, laptops and tablets, sports gear and more. For expeditions, trolley cases are the perfect way to transport larger equipment through airports - and further afield. The Storm Case’s Vortex® pressure release valve ensures that your case will remain clean in the Gobi Desert and dry on the Nile river.

Storm case camera

Storm Case Inserts

It’s not just what’s on the outside. The interior of a Storm case is essential in securing and protecting your equipment. There are a number of ways to customise the interior of the case.

Standard Foam

The majority of Peli Storm Cases come with a Pick N Pluck™ foam option as standard. This do-it-yourself system allows you to shape the foam according to the shape of your device. The foam you receive is pre-cut into small 1cm cubes, and all you have to do is measure your equipment, mark its shape on the foam, then pull apart the small cubes to fit your device. The standard Pick N Pluck foam can also be purchased as a standalone replacement foam set for most models of Storm case.

Custom Foam

For a closer, more precise fit - and especially for fragile or expensive equipment - it’s worth considering a custom-cut foam interior. These are tailored specifically to your product and its characteristics including weight, materials, usage and more. The final foam solution can be single or multiple layer, with or without compartments. It can incorporate coloured branding, colour contrasting (where cavities are a different colour to more easily spot missing tools), anti-static to protect delicate electronics, and more.  The final foam will support the mass load and still cushion sensitive equipment from impact. Read more about custom foam inserts.

Padded Dividers

Another way to organise your equipment inside your Storm Case is with a Padded Divider Set. These are genuine Peli-manufactured dividers available for most cases as a standard option when you order the case, though like most other interiors they can also be purchased separately as a standalone accessory. Peli dividers are made of durable nylon and foam making them surprisingly versatile, as you can change the size of each compartment as needed.

Lid Organisers

A number of Storm Cases come with the option of a lid organiser. These are useful if you have several items such as accessories or documents to store alongside your main equipment and you need easy access to them. Lid organisers are made of leather or waterproof ballistic nylon with nylon zippers and contain pockets of various sizes and styles. Some are geared towards office documents, others are more like photo pallets for storing photographic equipment - but you can use them for pretty much anything that will fit. Lid organisers are genuine Peli products and come with hook and loop strips for easy installation into the Storm case.

TrekPak Dividers

TrekPak is a versatile divider system available for several models in the Storm case range. They consist of pre-installed wall sections, divider panels, locking pins and a cutting tool. You just lay your equipment in the case, measure and cut the divider sections then lock them in place with the steel U-pins. The useful thing about TrekPak is that you can change your mind and reconfigure the dividers at any time, effectively updating the case as your gear changes. The divider sections are manufactured from waterproof, closed cell foam laminated to a rigid corrugated plastic panel. This makes them light, strong and almost impossible to tear or shred. See the full range of TrekPak dividers.

Bezel Kits

Bezel Kits allow you to attach an interface panel plush with the rim of the case. These are particularly useful for electonic engineers and their OEM projects where the depth of the case lid allows switches, buttons, connectors and ports to stand up from the panel face. See the full range of bezel kits.

Storm case interior options