Durability is tantamount to gear in the outdoor space. Far more than most other arenas as gear has to deal with weather, abuse, regular use, and generally as if it were the rug that separates your garage from your home. In essence, outdoor gear has to be tough as nails. And if it isn't, that brand isn't likely to remain in the outdoor space.
Recently, I was scrolling Instagram when a Reel caught my eye from the Texas-based hardcase maker Condition 1. In the video clip, the brand took one of its new hardcases, tied a rope onto its handle, tied the other end to a Porsche 911 GT3, and then drove down the road attempting to dispatch the case through the abrasion of the pavement.
Then I saw them rolling over one, ala a test I've routinely done to Garmin's products, with a truck. And throwing it into a river. And throwing it repeatedly out into the ether. Basically, Condition 1 did all the tests that I usually do with gear and, honestly, based on what I see, I'm impressed.
It's also clear that Condition 1 wants Pelican's lunch money.
The brand, which designs, manufactures, and ships everything out of the brand's 250,00 square-foot facility in Sherman, Texas, is primarily concerned with firearms boxes. That is, after all, where it derives its name from, i.e. cocked and loaded. However, there's a host of boxes that the brand produces that could be used for off-roading, hunting (i.e. the longbox for my bow or rifle), general camping, and more.
There are even cases for all you wildlife photography nerds out there.
But where I see these boxes' biggest use is attaching them to a roof rack, especially that of like the one on my Can-Am. One of the biggest issues with the go-fast UTVs, either from Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, or Honda, is storage. Adding a roof rack like my Prinsu is an easy way of adding the capability of storage, but it doesn't solve the storage problem. Right now, I've got a Pelican atop it, but even the 140R isn't really right for transporting most of the gear I use, and especially not right for tossing in something as fragile as my bow.
Likewise, the ability to get it on and off, as well as take it on a plane or thrown into my truck, elevates the boxes more as they're multi-use, instead of just staying static on the rack. Plus, based on the brand's social media, they'd likely be able to survive whatever tests or abuse—they're IP67 Waterproof & Dustproof, and come with a Lifetime Warranty—I could conceivably throw at them. And that's always a major plus.
As far as price, because they're manufactured in-house, as well as shipped directly, they're not super expensive, with the smallest case starting at $100 and then heading up to $600 for the larger trunks. Compared to Pelican, however, they're far more affordable given the level of protection.
I might have to add one to my cart and ponder for a while, as that 45-inch long case looks ideal for my needs...
