Pelican

Pelican 1640 Equipment Transport Case

4.7 (104 reviews)

The Pelican 1640 rolls where other cases can't follow — watertight, crushproof, and built for gear that can't afford to arrive broken.

$393.95*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Pelican 1640 is a large-format rolling equipment case built for professionals who ship or transport gear that genuinely cannot be replaced or repaired quickly. Its IP67-rated watertight construction — continuous O-ring seal, automatic pressure equalization valve, and crushproof open-cell core walls — positions it above typical hard-shell luggage and well into the territory of cases used by working photographers, broadcast crews, and equipment rental operations. The 24" x 23.69" x 14" interior is large enough to house a complete mirrorless camera system with multiple lenses, a compact video production kit, or sensitive test and measurement equipment with room for accessories.

Construction details reveal Pelican's focus on repeated professional use rather than occasional trips. The four polyurethane wheels ride on stainless steel bearings that resist corrosion from rain, cleaning chemicals, and road salt — a detail that matters on a case expected to log thousands of rolling miles. The retractable extension handle and fold-down side handles give you multiple grip options depending on the terrain. The Double Throw latches open cleanly with one motion per latch, and the stainless padlock protectors work with standard TSA-approved locks for checked baggage. The three-level Pick 'N' Pluck foam system — base layer plus convoluted lid foam — requires patience to customize properly, but once shaped to your gear it provides consistent, repeatable protection load after load.

Key Features

Retractable extension handle

4 strong polyurethane wheels with stainless steel bearings

Easy open Double Throw latches

Open cell core with solid wall design - strong, light weight

O-ring seal

Specifications

Exterior Dimensions
27.5" H x 27.19" W x 16.31" D
Interior Dimensions
24" H x 23.69" W x 14" D
Material
Open cell core with solid wall design
Seal
O-ring seal
Valve
Automatic pressure equalization valve
Wheels
4 polyurethane wheels with stainless steel bearings
Handle
Retractable extension handle + fold-down handles
Latches
Double Throw latches with stainless steel padlock protectors
Interior Foam
Three-level Pick 'N' Pluck with convoluted lid foam
Color
Black
Hardware
Stainless steel

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Four stainless-steel-bearing polyurethane wheels and a retractable extension handle make moving dense, heavy loads manageable across different surfaces without lifting.
  • The automatic pressure equalization valve prevents vacuum lock after altitude or temperature changes, so the lid opens without a fight after a flight.
  • Double Throw latches open with a single motion per latch — no fumbling under pressure or with gloved hands.
  • At 14 inches of interior depth with three-level Pick 'N' Pluck foam, the 1640 accommodates taller, bulkier equipment that smaller rolling cases can't fit.
  • Stainless steel hardware and padlock protectors on both latches provide tamper resistance without requiring proprietary accessories.

👎 Cons

  • The 1640's exterior footprint — nearly 28 inches tall and 27 inches wide — makes it cumbersome in tight spaces like aircraft jetways or compact vehicle interiors.
  • Pick 'N' Pluck foam requires significant time to customize properly; rushing it leaves rough, uneven cavity walls that don't protect as intended.
  • At this size, the case itself adds meaningful weight before any gear is packed — factor that into total load calculations for weight-restricted shipments.
  • The convoluted lid foam can compress over time with heavy lids and become less effective at holding gear against the top of the cavity.

Frequently Asked Questions

It's rated IP67 watertight with a continuous O-ring seal and an automatic pressure equalization valve. Brief submersion and heavy rain aren't a concern; the seal is designed to hold even after temperature-driven pressure changes compress and release the gasket.
At just under 28 inches tall it fits through standard doorways without tilting, and the 16.31" depth slides into most SUV cargo areas and van floors without issue. The retractable handle adds height when extended but folds flush.
The three-level system consists of the main Pick 'N' Pluck base layer with a convoluted (egg-crate) lid foam above. The interior depth is 14 inches, giving you substantial foam depth to customize cavities for irregularly shaped gear.
The four polyurethane wheels run on stainless steel bearings, which resist corrosion and debris better than standard plastic-axle wheels. Polyurethane handles rough pavement and grating reasonably well, though uneven gravel or cobblestone will still require lifting rather than rolling.
Yes — it includes stainless steel padlock protectors on the Double Throw latches. It meets TSA requirements for locked checked baggage when using an approved lock, though at 27.5" tall it exceeds standard airline carry-on dimensions and must be checked.