NANUK 935 Hard Case – Waterproof Equipment Case with Wheels, 22” x 14” x 9” – Dustproof and Impact Resistant, Airline Carry-On Approved – Black

Nanuk cases in general are well made, durable, and have better latch systems than most competitors. For my use case, I find this Nanuk is a great carryon size for 1-2 night trips. Unless you’re a small person with small clothes, or you are traveling somewhere warm, it’s not big enough for much more than that. The lid organizer is handy and worth getting— well layed out, seems well made, and allows you to compress a coat or dirty clothes in the lid, separate from the main storage. I’d also recommend the TSA approved combination locks— they’re handy and work well for keeping things a little more secure when you leave your bag somewhere like a hotel luggage room. If someone from Nanuk is reading this: Please make a new size that’s similar in proportions, but a couple inches bigger in each dimension. That would make this a great case for men with bigger clothes, traveling to colder climates where bulky items like a jacket another pair of shoes would be handy, or just taking longer trips with a carryon. Having used this case to travel extensively, I can confirm it would still fit in overhead bins on main line aircraft.

I love this case so far. The build quality is definitely there and you can tell the details were all meant to make it safe and more secure. I evaluated the Nanuk 935 and Pelican 1510 as candidates on paper. I also got two Pelican Storm iM2750s and needed a smaller case as a carry-on. Don't let pictures fool you. This case has a lot more room than you may think, beating out the Pelican by a few inches. In addition, the extending handle was well thought out, requiring a convenient, one-handed grab, extend, and go operation, with the release button right on the handle. The handle feels beefier and more secure than the similarly placed handles on the iM2750. The end handle next to it is also well thought out. Rather than the cheaper swing out design, it's a self-retracting, spring-operated, simple, yet impressive and strong handle. It's there when you want it, without any hassle, yet tucks itself away instantly when you don't, much like the pull-out handle does. For security, the points go to the Nanuk because it has two pieces of finished stainless steel flanges at each hasp point which reinforce each other. They are set up like two nails with the heads together, one in each half, when the case is closed and the smaller diameters face away from the heads creating an elegant yet secure closure to stick your lock through. You can see what I mean if you check out the pictures. As far as I could tell, the Pelican case had two pieces of stainless steel sheet wrapped around each lip and crimped to the plastic. The larger Pelicans have nothing but a hole in the plastic, so any lock is a nuisance at best to anyone seriously after the contents. Imagine TSA's bolt cutters and your plain plastic because they can't find the right TSA key...again. As for the materials of each case, they are VERY similar, with similar properties and strengths. The Nanuk is slightly more rigid and that may be due to size, or it may have to do with the thickness of the material at strategic points. The wheels on each feel different, though. The Nanuk's definitely roll better. It may be that the Pelican has more material at those particular points, but they were not as free-rolling on carpet as I'd like. The Nanuk's wheels are about 1/4" larger in diameter than the Pelican, and it's the smaller case. Go figure. The latches on each also are different. They are much crisper operating on the Nanuk, whose locking jaw (as opposed to the latching jaw) is more substantial and you definitely know if they're open or closed. No ambiguity. The latches on the 2750, on the other hand, give a weak sproingy kind of snap, and I found myself opening them and closing them again, just to make sure, and then looking at the others to see if the latch I was working on really was latched. Somehow, I dread the idea of TSA half-latching them all and my stuff spilled in a trail from Portland to Chicago. I don't know if Pelican was going to update these latches or not, but they're the ones that have the gray square in the middle. The Nanuk's edges appear to match uniformly and securely around the case. I cannot say the same for the Pelican. With all latches closed and the case empty, I noted a distinct wave in the seam between the top and bottom. Not that I plan to throw it in the water, but I'm thinking a difference of 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, even with an O-ring, is starting to tempt fate. I'll see how each brand stacks up in the real world. Both have a lifetime warranty, and I have some idea how Pelican handles theirs. I have no idea how Nanuk's is handled, good or bad, but I'm very impressed with the product. I would not hesitate buying another 935, or the 960, which is about 60" in girth. Over 62", the airlines start charging for oversized luggage. When I pushed Pelican on what the largest case is that would safely pass the airlines without oversize charges, they told me the 2750. A couple of times. It's about 58" in girth so you lose a couple of inches versus the Nanuk as well there. Someday, someone will figure out that maybe they should make a case that's, oh, 61.9" in girth. I'm very surprised there aren't more reviews of this excellent line of cases. UPDATED November 17, 2014 - After a few flights and service in the field, I'm upgrading this to a 5-Star rating. It's taken some abuse, but it stands up to the job! I don't imagine the manufacturer gets very many warranty calls, but I know they are super-responsive.

This case is extremely well-built and just the right size—it accommodates nearly everything I need with ease. The construction inspires full confidence in the protection of its contents, and the wheels roll effortlessly, making transport simple and smooth. I customized the interior with my own dividers, which worked out great. Overall, it feels like a product built to last for many years. Highly recommended.

this product is Great; I am an Automation Feild Engineer. I have used this for delicate tuning equipment and tools. Size was perfect and no issues flying Price, it can't be beaten. I have used Pelican in the past. This product is better and costs half or better. The design in particular that make this stand out are the locking clamps. As someone who fly frequently, these are paramount. To lock out and not have TSA mess up all of the organized tools. Or all together "loose" them for me. This flown all over the in and out of the US, have not issues with damage, scuffs or binding. Telescopic handle and rollers, had zero issues going over most terrains, water and snow. All in all I have no recommendations or complaint. Good sturdy product.

Due to extensive travel, especially abroad, I'd been looking for something to carry my professional camera gear in for some time. After looking at other options--Manfrotto, Pelican, Lowepro, ThinkTank, et al.--and reading the reviews for all of them, I chose the Nanuk 935 due to its reputation. I did consider its weight, as that is an issue: this case is not light. However, in terms of 'build,' the 935 is solid. Very solid. I'm not sure that I'd ship my gear in it when traveling--instead of carrying it on board with me--but that's more a statement on baggage handling than on the case itself. The weight is part of its build: I expect something of this nature to be somewhat heavy. In the end, price was *not* the primary factor as protecting over $7.5K in camera gear is the objective, not going cheap. I also tend to look at a product's "weak spots" when considering a purchase of this nature. In an item like this, that would be the hinges and the latch points. Nanuk has thought this one out and taken care of them, especially the "powerclaw" latches are well conceived and made. The hinges are also robust. The other items I consider are the retractable pull handle and wheels. Once again, they are well made. I have zero concerns about the reliability and durability of any of them. The only item lacking, given that this is designed for travel, are built-in TSA combination locks. However, for less than $10 one can purchase them separately and use the large, dual hasps to lock down the cases' items. The interior part of the case can be purchased with different configurations. I went with the cubed foam and have configured it in the way in which my gear fits best. In hindsight, I wish that I would have gone with the cubed foam with lid organizer, as it would give me valuable space to store other items--camera batteries, filters, etc.--that currently occupy valuable space. However, that is not a defect but a lack of vision on my part. Finally, the product's "look." Unlike some of its competitors, the Nanuk 935 *looks* like a carry-on, not a crate with wheels with expensive contents. This is important as I don't want to *look* like I'm carrying high-value contents in a carry-on. The aesthetic in this case makes it virtually look like a standard carry-on. I chose black to be as simple as possible, but those who feel the need to choose a bolder color can choose another of the six colors. In sum, I feel that my gear travels safe and sound in the Nanuk 935. It was the right choice for me.

Excellent gear case. Padding is secure and doesn’t shift. Fits everything i need like large lenses like my 150–600mm plus accessories with ease. The latches are easy to operate but wont open if caught on something. Divider system lifts out as one piece if you want to use the case for something else or a different divider system. Handles, wheels, and latches feel sturdier than Pelican brand. Built to carry serious weight and store pretty much anything you need.

First, I like Nanuks a lot better than I ever liked Pelican cases; Nanuk cases seem more finished, less unnecessary complicated design-wise, and less ugly. They are also cheaper, and I like to support Canada because their having economic stability means they are less likely to try to attack (you laugh, but in my hometown, we actually have a US-Canada peace monument). This is a tough, attractive, and smooth case. It's a nice touch that the lid has a detent to keep it open. If you've ever had a Pelican case lid rap you on the knuckles, well, ouch. That said, the 1535 is somewhat puzzling as a locking case - because if you break a small piece of plastic off each corner near the hinges, you can pull the hinge pins (using the built-in grip... on the pin). I'm sure there is some use case for this, like setting up arctic scientific bases in the frozen wastes of Windsor, Ontario (j/k!), but for most people, a straight pin with no "handle" would seem like a better idea. I guess you could solve this by snipping off the knurled handle. What I don't like a lot about plastic equipment cases is that the stock options are pretty sub-par. The Nanuk padded divider set has a very thin layer of padding on its "bottom" (what faces the outside of the case), and there is a finite number of sizes of rectangular objects that can be accommodated. This problem goes way beyond Nanuk and Pelican. On the 1535, you also lose the two corners with the wheels and little spot near the retracted handle. Since I am using this as a case for camera lenses, I would comment that the divider: - Is about ok for old-school SLR, mirrorless, or medium-format detachable lenses 5" long or shorter (unless you turn them sideways) - Is difficult for smaller lenses, like for rangefinder cameras, because the short dividers are still a bit longer than the diameter of an average RF lens - Is an ok but not great fit for camera bodies The alternative for plastic cases, cubed foam, like Communism, seems like a great idea until you try to implement it. The foam is by nature weakened so you can make your own openings, and this inevitably leads to its destruction. It also outgasses and absorbs oil. Many ways to win here! Perhaps the most irritating thing about it is that the replacement cost is insanely high, as if the open-celled polyurethane foam matrix contains large amounts of earth's most previous substance, to wit, inkjet ink. The reality is that the foam is probably insanely cheap to make, moderately expensive to ship due to its volume, and massively profitable. Trekpak seems to have solved this partially, but for any critical application, you will want to go to your local foam outlet and have a closed cell foam or neoprene block custom-cut for your stuffs. Perhaps someone could let us all know why Nanuk's lid organizers cost a huge percentage of the cost of the cases they go in? The best value proposition on the 1535 seems to be getting padded dividers when on sale; you can always do foam later, but the dividers are very expensive to buy separately. Anyway, I would recommend this if you are looking for a "carry on" factor case, but just be careful in considering how you will cushion the items inside.

Great, hardy, sturdy case with VERY sturdy clips, wheels, handles and outer shell! I haven't traveled with it yet but I've found 2 things: (1) the case is HEAVY when it is full and the peel and (2) the pluck foam is quite fragile. This case is heavy so it is NOT something I would attach a shoulder strap to and try to bring into the field while shooting if it's not a place you can wheel this around the whole time. That is, unless you work out a lot, haha! The fragility of the foam is probably known by people who have used it before but I haven't. It tears quite easy if you try to put a piece of gear into a cutout even slightly bigger than it (although to be fair, I wanted my cutouts to be SNUG and they are). I still love it because I feel it will be really good at absorbing shock if it dropped and I won't be using this to shoot from, only to get it from point A to point B on long, rough trips. My husband also sprayed it with a few coats of Plasti Dip after he plucked out the foam for me which helps the foam stay together and made it more rigid! I can't even see the individual foam pieces anymore. I will be using this case to keep my camera gear safe when I move from North Carolina to South Korea as my carry on, so I think it will serve my purpose very well! My husband has used pelican cases before and he says the outer shell is not as sturdy as they are, and he said if you sit on the top of the case or press down really hard, that the top dipped a little. Not too bad and I am not worried about it!