Pelican TRVL Suitcases Review – Perfect for Traveling Filmmakers

Pelican, maker of onerous instances geared toward filmmakers and dealing professionals, now has a line of baggage and suitcases referred to as TRVL aimed on the wider touring public past purely “film-folk”. Full overview under.Alright, you’ve clicked on CineD (the place we’re identified for speaking about movie and TV expertise), and also you get hit with this overview of suitcases. Maybe off-topic? Let me let you know why it isn’t. For one, the Pelican TRVL line feels based mostly on (and certainly makes use of among the identical design concepts) present in Pelican’s basic movie and TV onerous instances. Additionally, I journey on a regular basis for work and infrequently should take a lot of tools with me, typically with restricted instances resulting from weight limits.I not too long ago filmed an episode of ‘Wild Kingdom‘ for NBC the place we had been closely restricted with our baggage due to the burden limits on a small aircraft touring to an remoted sand runway in Mexico. I’ve additionally discovered myself flying into the center of the Alaskan wilderness on small planes. I’m fortunate that my job as a DP permits me to journey, however there’s a persistent diploma of stress, and that stress largely comes from the query: “Will our costly tools survive the journey?”. A visit to a location with restricted choices to amass replacements within the occasion of injury provides one other layer of concern.On the airport shuttle. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDOh, and to prime all of it off, I’ve damaged many suitcases, or reasonably, skilled suitcases falling aside after doubtful dealing with by numerous international airways. Suitcases, particularly onerous suitcases, are costly, and that’s true of the Pelican TRVL line as effectively, with its premium price ticket. However, I’d like suitcases to really feel extra like tripods within the sense that they’re a one-time funding that lasts for years, and possibly, simply possibly, the TRVL sequence may very well be that for my work.AEGIS 32″ on left and ATX 25″ on proper. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDFirst impressionsFor this overview, I frolicked touring with the $429 Pelican AEGIS Examine-In Rolling Hybrid Duffel (Charcoal, 32″), $599 Pelican ATX Hardsided Examine-In Curler Case (Sand, 25″), and $89 Pelican AEGIS Protecting Cross Physique Sling Bag (Black). Every of the baggage and the suitcase is a bit completely different, and I’ll break them down under, however Pelican’s long-time give attention to defending the inside contents could be very clear within the design of every.The AEGIS line makes use of a semi-rigid design that feels a bit like the perimeters of an Aputure or Nanlite lighting case. The ATX line, then again, feels virtually precisely like my 1535 Air (maybe my favourite carry-on case to this point, and I cowl that case a bit on this CineD article).Contained below the AEGIS branding are additionally nifty smaller baggage and even backpacks. The SXH5 AEGIS Protecting Sling with molle suitable exterior webbing is a standout. The sling is principally the right dimension for my Sony a7RV with one or two SIGMA modern E-mount lenses, and, for as soon as in my life, I’m not scared of minor bumps.SXH5 AEGIS Protecting Sling. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDEverything is branded prominently with the Pelican title. I’ll admit that whereas the model carries a sure cachet, it’s not precisely delicate should you’re attempting to go incognito or keep away from drawing consideration as a filmmaker or content material creator. I are inclined to cowl recognizable digital camera model labels with gaff tape on instances simply out of behavior whereas touring to keep away from pesky thieves.Alternatively, I used the protecting sling whereas filming a stand-up comedy present in LA, and practically each crew member on set (a crew of about 25) requested me what it was and the place I bought it.Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThe Pelican TRVL AEGIS 32″ is huge, very huge (like may carry two weeks of clothes huge for 2), and the ATX 25″ feels a bit extra manageable for every week journey, however each would should be checked on home airways in the US based mostly on dimensions alone.Let’s dive right into a bit extra element on every, beginning with the AEGIS 32″. The Pelican TRVL AEGIS 32″One of many many exterior straps on the charcoal-colored AEGIS 32″. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThis could also be a small factor for some, however one of many issues that I instantly liked concerning the AEGIS 32″ is the situation of the outside straps. When you are touring from the sidewalk to a trip share service or from an airline baggage belt, you should work together together with your baggage in numerous methods, and this bag has a conveniently positioned weight-bearing strap in all of the places you want one. Love that. No fumbling round for a helpful deal with!I had a month-long multi-country Disney shoot a bit in the past, and we had been in a position to do laundry often, however this bag would have been excellent for that undertaking specifically. The inside house is big. In reality, I’d have supported inside dividers of some form with the AEGIS 32″ – it’s only a huge inside house, and every part tends to slip round throughout transit.Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThis bag calls for a few packing cubes due to the untamed inside. Sadly, I wasn’t in a position to check out a packing dice for this overview, however Pelican thoughtfully affords quite a lot of them in numerous sizes. Pelican calls them “ModPacks”.One of many issues I used to be apprehensive about with this bag is whether or not it might retain its form or not after having one thing heavy positioned on prime of it, with a largely empty inside. The outside of the bag has the identical inflexible materials because the protecting sling, however it isn’t as bulletproof because the ATX exterior. Fortunately, after setting a number of weights on prime of the AEGIS (complete weight about 30 lbs / 13.6 kg), every part bounced again into place shortly as soon as I eliminated the burden.Pelican ATXGiven my notion of Pelican as a pure filmmaking model, I’m unsure what I anticipated right here, however I used to be very impressed by the construct of the Polypropylene (thermoplastic polymer) ATX 25″. Pelican has primarily taken their core design concepts from their “Air” branded instances and introduced these over to the ATX line, whereas including some journey client pleasant concepts.ATX 25″ in Sand Shade with 3-digit TSA lock. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDIf you aren’t acquainted, the “Air” instances are typically about 30% lighter than their non-Air Pelican counterparts. That weight distinction is very significant whereas touring, and the Pelican 1535 Air is my go-to carry-on for lenses and digital camera our bodies on plane, particularly. The road of Air instances is the right tradeoff between weight and safety for me personally after I journey with costly/fragile cameras and lenses.ATX 25″ at LAX in California. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThe Pelican TRVL ATX 25″ isn’t precisely weightless, because the suitcase tops out at 18.5 lbs/ 8.3 kgs with an empty inside. However, in trade for that weight tradeoff, you’re getting tons of safety.For my Pelican 1535s, I at all times add a foam-padded or CRDBag lid together with a TrekPak inside, which I imagine is especially related to the ATX line, in my view. Extra on that in a second.Gentle closing deal with! Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThere are small design issues right here with the ATX which are simply dealt with (pun supposed) so darn effectively. For one, the deal with comfortable closes (that means it will probably’t be slammed down), and every of the latches clicks into place simply with out pinching or struggling. Lining up the highest lid with the underside throughout closing is simple, and every part aligns shortly with out effort.The 4 wheels all spin simply and quietly 360 levels, and the deal with extends and retracts simply to the purpose the place it’s going to be onerous for me to return to utilizing different non-Pelican suitcases.I obtained the Pelican TRVL ATX 25″ ATX 25″ within the “sand” colour, and I really would counsel going with black or charcoal, regardless of the undeniably cool look of the sand colour, for a easy motive: scuff marks do learn on the sand end (see the image under). Specifically, rubber scuffs from baggage belts or airport padding have a tendency to stay on this exterior. I attempted to buff off just a few of those scuffs with a Mr. Clear Magic Eraser, and I didn’t have a lot luck, however maybe I ought to have used a unique cleansing agent.After a number of cross-country flights, the “sand” colour is beginning to take some hits, however the contents are effectively protected. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDThe inside of the Pelican TRVL ATX 25″ sports activities one zipping compartment with a flap on the opposite aspect that may be good to carry an additional pair of sneakers in place. Notably, the inside has the identical situation for me that the TrekPak/Foam choices resolve within the Air sequence. There isn’t actually a protecting layer between your inside contents and the plastic exterior, which implies your objects can knock straight in opposition to the perimeters of the case.In fact, you may get round this drawback by wrapping your objects or utilizing packing cubes, however I’d have liked a skinny layer of inside foam between the plastic shell and your gear. Look, the $599 price ticket goes to offer some pause and rightfully so, however for skilled vacationers who aren’t considering having their objects arrive broken, they’ll discover a lot to like right here. For me, I acquire peace of thoughts with the ATX 25″ to the purpose the place I completely really feel comfy mixing in bits of digital camera tools with my clothes on shoots the place house is a premium – I’m unsure I’d put any digital camera equipment within the AEGIS (no less than not with out extra safety round every of the objects).SXH5 AEGIS Protecting SlingThe 1.18 lbs SXH5 AEGIS Protecting Sling with molle webbing. Picture Credit score: Graham E Sheldon / CineDI have so many baggage from different manufacturers on this specific type issue, and Pelican’s AEGIS model of this sling is my favourite of the bunch. You have got the AEGIS semi-rigid protecting layer, but it surely isn’t on the aspect that impacts your physique whereas climbing round, and there’s precisely sufficient inside room for a digital camera physique/small lens or two, batteries, and reminiscence playing cards/reader.There’s a little hidden zipper pocket on the rear of the SXH5 that’s an ideal spot for a passport, an AirTag, a pockets, and money. Pelican well put this pocket in a spot the place it may be simply accessed by the wearer and never by anybody who may be trying to seize your objects in a crowd.Once more, this isn’t an enormous bag and I used it largely for my Sony a7RV or Sigma BF digital camera with accompanying media and some batteries. This sling bag is meant for a day journey and never as a catch-all for a number of zoom lenses and primes. For that form of cell storage, contemplate giving the backpack-style PX18 Aegis Journey Pack a glance.The $79.95 SXH5 is available in black, blue, charcoal, and sand colours as of publishing, and together with the ATX 25″, I discover myself utilizing the SXH5 most frequently.Remaining ideas on the Pelican TRVL lineFor my work, I’ll proceed utilizing the Pelican 1535 Air as my go-to carry-on for digital camera our bodies and optics w/TSA mandated batteries, and the ATX 25″ can be my go-to for every part that may be checked beneath the aircraft. For longer jobs, the AEGIS 32″ is my catchall for clothes, however I’ll be investing in some Pelican journey cubes for that bag.After receiving the Pelican TRVL objects for overview, I went into a neighborhood journey store in California with pricier suitcases to see the general state of journey baggage and suitcases lately. For one, Pelican is usually priced increased, and that’s one thing I anticipated, however after strolling across the retailer, I couldn’t discover any baggage or suitcases that I felt supplied the identical construct high quality.So, the core query stays: are you going to spend $180 on a suitcase that may survive for 2 years of heavy journey (possibly), or would you spend $599 on a suitcase that would final for a decade or extra? I simply put 10,000 airline miles on the ATX 25″ and AEGIS 32″, and apart from the outside scuffs on the sand coloured ATX 25″, not one of the {hardware} elements present any flaws.What’s your filmmaking suitcase of selection, and what do you consider the Pelican line? Tell us within the feedback under!