The best waterproof laptop case is the Pelican 1495 Protector. It can fit a 17 inch laptop and is watertight, crushproof and dust proof. Pelican protects laptops with a combination lock and a lifetime warranty.

The Details

Those who take their laptop to construction sites or hazardous terrains need extra protection than what standard laptop cases provide. Pelican has manufactured equipment durable protection cases for over 40 years and specializes in rugged designs that can survive everywhere, from the ocean to the desert.

The Pelican 1495 is a medium case in the company’s Protector series. It has a tough-as-nails polypropylene exterior that can resist heavy weight and even survive IED explosions. It operates effectively in temperatures ranging from  -40° F to 210° F. US Service personnel prize the case for its rugged versatility and IP67 dustproof and waterproof ranking. The laptop is sealed off from the elements with an Automatic Pressure Equalization Valve that balances interior pressure and keeps water out.

The 1495 comes with a Pick N Pluck block of foam to secure the laptop in place for transit. Some reviewers noted that the included foam was too thick to house thinner laptops and opted to modify their own memory foam setup. If you prefer to outfit your own padding, get the 1495NF, which comes without foam.

A 3 dial combination lock further secures the case’s contents. Easy open double throw latches with stainless steel padlock protectors offer easy access. The 1495 includes a padded shoulder strap for comfortable transport.

Don’t purchase this case just for everyday use; it weighs well over 10 lbs with a laptop inside and is quite unwieldy. Its durability makes it ideal for extreme conditions, but it is too large for airport carry-on.

Another Option

The crowd-funded Vivax case is another crushproof case designed to protect your laptop from extreme elements and fierce impact. The exterior is designed with Nex resin, a heterophasic copolymer commonly used in aerospace applications. Nex resin guarantees the case shell is resistant to atmospheric and corrosive agents, extreme impacts, and crush damage.

The case is also protected by Poron XRD, a unique technopolymer developed by Vivax that behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid. That means the materials are normally soft and instantly stiffen to form a protective shield on impact. According to Vivax, the protective shell defends the object from shock better than any other existing material.

Hyperlastic interior protects the inside of the case. It lets kinetic energy dissolve progressively and forms to fit any laptop, a more flexible alternative to Pelican’s foam block.

The case has an IP68 waterproof/dustproof ranking and floats in water.

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Delesey is a French luggage manufacture that makes stylish and lightweight bags protected by shatter-proof Bayer Virgin Makrolon Polycarbonate. The Helium’s outer shell is nearly invulnerable to impact. It costs about  $129.

The Details

The Helium‘s design is light, durable, innovative, and stylish. It has a Makrolon Polycarbonate finish, which protects the luggage from impacts and extreme temperatures. Travel website Skyscanner tested Delsey luggage for durability and found that it survived kicking, stomping, hammer blows, and even the weight of a car. They concluded that Delsey Helium is “harder than a French legionnaire.” In addition to being durable it is also scratch resistant, so the luggage will maintain its good looks for years.

It is a lightweight and spacious piece of luggage. It weighs 9lbs 8oz and it is 25″ inches high and 11.5″ inches wide. The interior has two lined components, which is plenty to fit a week’s worth of clothes and travel accessories. It includes a buttoned mesh divider and adjustable web straps that help keep your material organized during travel. I found the interior to be relatively  free of gimmicky straps and unnecessary compartments.

It comes with a 10 year warranty.

Another Option

The Rockland 20 inch Polycarbonate Carry On is another durable piece of luggage. It is small and lightweight, ideal for shorter trips. Multi-directional spinner wheels help the Rockland glide across airport terminals with ease. It has a chrome telescoping push button handle.

Rockland products come with a three-year warranty.

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Based in Minnesota, Duluth Pack makes high durable work clothes (for both men and women), and classic bags.

This is their Paul Bunyan Canoe Pack, made with 18 oz canvas in the U.S. It sells for $230.

This is their classic Child’s Backpack, constructed with 15-ounce canvas. It sells for $75.

This is their Wildland Firefighter Backpack which is constructed with 18-ounce canvas, and reinforced at critical stress points with thick leather and hand hammered copper rivets. It sells for $450.

Duluth guarantees their products for life.

For some reason, Duluth Pack’s website only has illustrations of their products — somewhat obscuring them from public view! However, you can see their full range of U.S.-Made products on Amazon.

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Moop is a small company that handcrafts bags in their studio in Pittsburg. Their Letter Carrier bag, featured here, is built from durable waxed canvas and lined in cordura. Waxed canvas is naturally water repellent and ages like leather.

In regards to ordering, Moop says:

We are just a few people designing, sewing, modeling, packaging, etc. everything that comes out of here so, we typically have a turnaround time of 3-5 business days.

The Letter Carrier bag is available directly from Moop for $191.

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Alexander offers a 30 day warranty on his goods (they pay for return shipping), and they will repair their products for free.

The Bedford Overnight Bag, featured here, is available for $395.

The post Buy It For Life: Bedford Overnight Bag By Ernest Alexander appeared first on Reactual.

Makr is a leather goods company based in Florida. Most of Makr’s small goods are handsewn in their studio, and all their other goods are made locally in Florida. Makr also sources all of their materials from American suppliers — most of their leather is supplied by Harween in Chicago. Wood is sourced locally, from fallen trees whenever possible.

Their iPad Attaché (above) is made from a single piece of leather and features contrast stitching, painted edges and a hidden, cordovan closure mechanism under the flap.

Makr’s Farm Messenger Bag (above) is made with heavy cotton duck and natural leather.

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Artifact Bags are made in Omaha, Nebraska by one man, Chris Brown. He uses a combination of hand tools and vintage industrial equipment to craft his creation. For materials, me Brown makes use of American sourced waxed canvas and leather, and offers a lifetime guarantee for all his products. See his intriguing workshop and latest creations on his blog.

The Artifact Lunch Tote, featured here, is made with 14 oz. waxed canvas. It’s available from Artifact Bags directly for $65.

Link: Artifact Bags

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In our “Buy It For Life” posts we feature products that are built to last a lifetime. We also give preference to products that are very durable, are warrantied for life, and are made in the U.S.

Pelican Cases are perhaps the most durable cases available — they are certainly constructed to last a lifetime. The Pelican Products company was started in Torrance, California in 1975 by Dave Parker, a scuba diver, and Pelican Cases are still manufactured in Torrance.

The cases are made with a co-polymer polypropylene, and are waterproof, crushproof and rustproof. They are sealed with multiple latches and a neoprene “0-ring” to keep water out.

Inside the cases, equipment is cushioned by a special closed-cell foam designed to absorb shock, impact and vibration. The foam does not absorb water and has a longer shelf life than open cell polyurethane.

Pelican cases come with a lifetime warranty  against breakage or defects in workmanship. The molded cases are guaranteed to be watertight to a depth of 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes.

Pelican cases comply with these standards:

MIL-STD C4150-J for waterproofing, IEC IP67 rating indicating complete sealing against dust and sealing against water immersion to 1 metre, as well as ATA 300 rating indicating compliance with Air Transport Association standards for durability in shipping.

Pelican cases are available from Amazon.

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