Modular. Configurable. Stackable. The Pelican CRATE system could be one of the most rugged photography gear cases on the planet, even if it doesn't realize it yet.
More Than a Box
A box is a box is a box. Right?
I'll admit that when Pelican shipped me their brand-new 90L CRATE case, my expectations were impossible to predict. That's not to say my expectations were low, but judging from the photos in Pelican's press packet, the CRATE system looked like, well, a big box.
How wrong I was.
I've used (and sometimes abused) other similar offerings from numerous manufacturers ranging from ROAM Adventure Co., Magellan, Plano, and Monoprice. My entire Hasselblad 500CM loadout has been dragged around the United States for over four years in a circa 1980s Pelican Protector case.
I felt pressure, a creeping anxiety. How would the 90L CRATE system perform faced with my oddly high standards?
To my relief, I was immensely surprised, and immediately impressed, with the 90L CRATE from Pelican.
Let's talk about the Pelican CRATE and why I feel it has the potential to be an apocalypse-grade storage case for your photography equipment.
Rock-Solid Engineering
Yeah, it's tough.
At the time of this writing, Pelican manufactures the CRATE case in two flavors: 90L and 45L, a 90-liter volume and 45-liter volume, respectively. Both variants are available in black or desert tan color schemes.
I was sent the larger of the two (90L), and you can find the pertinent product specifications below.
Dimensions
- Exterior dimensions: 32.2 x 20.2 x 12.1 in (81.79 x 51.31 x 30.73 cm)
- Interior dimensions: 28.90 x 16.80 x 11.00 in (73.41 x 42.67 x 27.94 cm)
- Weight: 17.5 lbs (7.94 kg)
Specifications
- IP67-rated: waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof performance
- Integrated ModRail™ system for mounts, tie-downs, and modular accessories
- Multi-position, removable lid opens from either side for quick access
- Interlocks securely across multiple sizes for stable stacking
- Reinforced grab handles
- Padlockable hasps
- Automatic pressure equalization valve
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
The fit and finish on the CRATE 90L is absolutely superb. I can find quite literally zero blemishes on the thing, a rare trait for a case of this size. It feels extremely heavy-duty and well built.
A walk around the Pelican CRATE 90L.
Pelican manufactures this case from their proprietary HPXC polymer. It's sturdy but not overly heavy nor so rigid as to seem brittle. It has the feel of a heavy-weave, matte-finished carbon fiber tripod leg.
The case lid is secured by eight spring locks (with push-button safeties) and is completely removable.
This permits the lid to hinge from both directions, allowing for more versatility in transport. I found being able to completely take the lid off the case extremely convenient as well.
Two sturdy carry handles at either end offer great grip for one- or two-person carry, and you'll find a hasp at each corner of the case for your padlocks. Pelican has also incorporated an automatic depressurization valve.
And yes, it's absolutely ready for the water and dirt with a robust IP67 rating.
The 90L CRATE could well be one of the most beautiful "ugly duckling" cases I've ever handled. It's an exercise in understated utility. Somehow it's refined but brutalistic, unassuming yet oddly sophisticated... just like me.
Stackable and Modular
The CRATE system is built to be stacked and made to be customizable.
This is one of the features put forward most of all by Pelican: the ability to securely stack multiple cases together.
The cases are intended to fit together like giant LEGO blocks for secure transport and long-term storage. Tops fit to the bottoms, and bottoms fit to the top. All locks fold flush to the body of the case, as do the carry handles.
I had only the single 90L CRATE, so I was unable to test stackability firsthand.
Pelican also built the CRATE system to offer modular flexibility. More simply put, there are lots of accessories available to make the CRATE fit your particular needs.
I was sent two MOLLE panels for the lid along with two divider panels and two bar loop tie-downs, all of which we'll talk about a bit later in this review.
That ModRail™
Those two metallic bars located on each long edge of the 90L CRATE are another big selling point from Pelican. The ModRail™ allows for quick and nearly effortless installation of tie-down anchor points for the case.
The bar loops I was supplied with mate with the T-slot of the ModRail™.
After the loops are slid into the ModRail™, they are secured in place via the large tightening wheel. I found these anchors to be extremely solid.
What You'll Like...
First and foremost, you're going to love the build quality of this case. My 90L test model arrived flawless and remains so even after testing. I feel like it could get run over by a tank and come out smiling on the other side. You can watch me literally walk on the thing in the video portion of this review.
It feels like a top-tier quality case with no more bells and whistles than can be practically used.
Aside from the incredibly solid construction, you'll enjoy the removable lid and the ability to open this thing from either side. There are plenty of grip points situated around the case, and those two grab handles offer plenty of room to heft the case even with gloved hands.
The modular design of the CRATE system is great for customizing the case to your specific needs, and that ModRail™ feature makes adding tie-downs quite convenient. However, this modularity might be a double-edged sword for some users...
...What You Might Not Like
I really, really, really, really, really wish Pelican could integrate a ModRail™ at each end of the 90L CRATE as they have with its 45L cousin. As it's currently configured, the ModRails are located on the long sides of the case only.
Oh, how I wanted to mount this case up top on my cargo rack, but to do so would have meant placing it horizontally, wildly increasing the wind drag/noise.
Call it personal taste, but on a case this size it would be great to have some lid pistons integrated into the design. Granted, this would likely put an end to the total removability of the lid (and increase the price, I'm sure), but if you plan to load down those optional MOLLE panels beneath the lid, some extra assistance from the pistons would come in handy.
And this brings us to my last low-level gripe about the CRATE system: the complete lack of any included accessories.
I know, I know, I know. Maybe I ask too much? Perhaps I'm too hard to please, but at least a divider or two included with the case would be incredibly useful.
So allow me to be perfectly clear: Pelican offers some excellent accessories for their CRATE system. However, know that you will receive nothing but the CRATE when you order. All other accessories must be purchased separately.
Who's It For?
In case you didn't notice, you're reading this review on one of the finest photography websites in the world. As such, I'm sure the one lingering question remains in your mind: is the Pelican CRATE system a good option for photographers?
In one word: yes.
In two words: mostly yes.
I tested the 90L CRATE deep in the Nantahala National Forest backcountry of North Carolina. Conditions were dirty, wet, and unpredictable.
I carried in all my darkroom supplies, all my tools and equipment for pulling silver gelatin contact prints from large format negatives I shot and developed on-site. The 90L held all my paper, all my film, my developing tanks and reels, the AGO film processor, plus quite a few other trinkets demanded by the trade.
The CRATE would perform well for the transport and/or long-term storage of your more robust studio equipment and gear and any other little peripherals needed on a job. However, don't expect to just throw your cameras and lenses in the Pelican CRATE and hit the road.
Don't get me wrong, the CRATE system would make an excellent apocalypse-grade gear case, but you'll need to throw some foam in there to cushion the organs. I feel this would be an even more practical option for the 45L model.
In fact, I intend to do just that and turn this 90L CRATE into a dedicated storage case for my 11x14 ultra large format camera.
The Pelican CRATE system is brand new, and with all brand-new products, time will prove its ultimate merit. Despite this, I've lived with my CRATE for over two weeks and subjected it to conditions that would send some photographers into immediate fits of pearl-clutching.
I can highly recommend the Pelican CRATE to any photographer or videographer who requires a sturdy, all-weather, customizable storage system that can grow with your needs.
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