Absolutely—you can use a Pelican Air Case as a rolling range bag, and many firearm owners are making the switch for good reasons—more specifically, for several important reasons that set this case apart. Known for their military-grade durability and waterproof protection, Pelican Air Cases are engineered while preserving Pelican's legendary standards of strength and durability, making them an awesome case due to their reliability, well-built design, and ability to withstand harsh conditions. Pelican Air Cases offer unmatched protection for guns, ammo, and accessories, making them a great case for safeguarding valuable gear. Dedicated pros rely on Pelican Air Cases for high-performance gear protection, especially when extreme conditions demand the best. But does it truly work as a range bag? Let’s break down the pros and cons.
Introduction to Range Bags
Range bags are a must-have for anyone who spends time at the shooting range or frequently travels with their gear. The right range bag should offer a perfect fit for all your equipment, keeping everything protected and easy to carry. This is where Pelican Air cases truly shine. The remarkable innovations engineered by Pelican have resulted in lighter, more protective cases that set a new standard in the industry. Thanks to their remarkable innovations in protective cases, Pelican Air cases are up to 40% lighter than other polymer cases, making them an ideal choice for those who want to travel light without compromising on durability. These air cases are engineered to safeguard your gear with customizable foam interiors, ensuring that every item stays secure and organized. Whether you’re heading to the range or embarking on an outdoor adventure, Pelican Air cases provide a durable, reliable solution for carrying and protecting your valuable equipment.
Range Bag Requirements
When choosing a range bag, it’s important to look for features that guarantee both protection and convenience. A top-quality range bag should be durable, waterproof, and spacious enough to accommodate all your essential gear, from firearms and ammunition to accessories. Lightweight construction and easy portability are also key, especially for those who travel often. Pelican Air cases meet these needs with their proprietary HPX polymer construction, offering outstanding strength and resilience. As a protector case, the Pelican Air is specifically designed for maximum durability and gear protection, making it ideal for safeguarding your equipment. The inclusion of padded dividers allows for secure organization of your gear, while robust locks keep everything safe during transport. The automatic pressure equalization valve ensures that your case remains waterproof, even in challenging environments. With a variety of sizes and configurations, Pelican Air cases are designed to adapt to your specific range bag requirements, delivering the durability and protection you need.
Why Consider a Pelican Air Case for the Range?
Durability
Pelican Air Cases are made from super-light HPX™ resin, which is crushproof, dustproof, and waterproof, helping to cut weight without compromising durability. Compared to a standard Pelican, the Air Case offers the same level of protection and reliability, but with significantly less weight. Unlike soft range bags, these cases can take serious abuse from both transport and the elements. The innovative design helps lighten the load for users, making transport easier while maintaining rugged protection.
Lockable Security
Most Pelican Air models include padlock hasps that meet TSA firearm transport requirements—ideal for secure transport of handguns, ammo, optics, and more.
Customizable Interior
With options like Pick N Pluck™ foam, foam padded dividers, or padded dividers, you can organize and protect your gear—such as cameras, lenses, and lights—just the way you want it—no more rattling around.
Wheeled Convenience
Rolling models with pull handles make it easy to transport even heavy gear, saving your back during long range days or competition shoots.
ANATOMY OF A PELICAN CASE
Ultimate Equipment Protection
For over 30 years, Pelican has built a reputation for manufacturing the toughest cases in the world. As a matter of fact, we invented the category. Over these years we’ve seen our cases used for some fairly crazy activities…and important ones too.
Pelican Cases have been thrown out of helicopters in Iraq, floated through frigid fjords in Norway, and rolled over by SUVs in Tanzania. With only a few scratches to show on the outside,the contents inside are left unscathed. These are minor details for major bragging rights. And that is really what it’s all about. Getting your gear from point A to point B in the condition it’s meant to be in: intact and functional. Because it might contain a large-format camera that will shoot next month’s magazine cover or a heart defibrillator that could save a person’s life, you can’t put a price on it. Pelican is trusted by professional photographers as a camera case for its optimal fit and tailored protection.
Keeping contents intact is crucial, especially when transporting valuable camera equipment. Pelican cases are designed to safeguard sensitive camera equipment during travel and tough conditions, offering durability, waterproof features, and a custom fit for photographic gear.
To ensure maximum protection, Pelican cases are tested for durability, including having a steel dart dropped from a height onto the case to demonstrate their impact resistance.
Stronger by Design
Pelican Cases are made with a proprietary combination of homo co-polymers, using an open-cell core and solid wall construction, which is stronger and lighter than a solid core wall. Stainless steel pins are used in hinges and handles. This robust design enables the case to withstand heavy loads and impacts, ensuring maximum protection in extreme conditions.
Watertight
The secret is the tongue and groove fit with a polymer o-ring acting as a waterproof seal.
Cool Under Pressure
Automatic Pressure Equalization Valve releases built-up air pressure while keeping water molecules out, resulting in a watertight case that is even easier to open.
Easy Roller
Stainless steel ball bearing wheels last longer and ride smoother. The nylon hub adjacent to the stainless steel is made to resist heat. The result is less wear and tear on the polyurethane wheel. The wheels have also been roll tested for durability over long distances.
Double-Throw Latches
Stainless steel hasp protectors are a Pelican exclusive. The Double-Throw latches are smarter and easier to open: it's the classic "C" clamp design with a secondary movement that works like a pry bar to start the release and offers plenty of leverage to open with a light pull.
Reinforced Padlock Protectors
Stainless steel reinforced padlock protectors provide added strength and extra security against cutting and theft.
Travel Considerations
When it comes to traveling with your valuable gear, choosing the right travel case is crucial. Pelican Air cases are engineered with remarkable innovations that set them apart from other polymer cases, making them a top choice for air travel. Thanks to their lightweight design—up to 40% lighter than traditional cases—Pelican Air cases allow you to travel light without sacrificing protection or durability. This reduction in structural waste not only makes the cases easier to handle but also ensures your gear is shielded from the bumps and jostles of transit. Whether you’re checking your air case as baggage or bringing it as a carry-on, you can count on a perfect fit for your equipment. Before you fly, always check with your airline for exact measurement requirements to ensure your Pelican Air case meets their standards. With Pelican’s commitment to protection and durability, you can travel with confidence, knowing your gear will arrive safely at your destination.
Comparison to Traditional Range Bags
Traditional range bags often force you to choose between durability and weight, but Pelican Air cases deliver a remarkable union of both. By reducing structural waste and utilizing a super-light proprietary HPX polymer, these air cases are significantly lighter than standard polymer cases, yet still extremely durable. This makes them especially well-suited for air travel, as they can handle the demands of checked baggage while providing superior protection for your gear. Unlike many traditional range bags, which may wear out or fail to protect your equipment over time, Pelican Air cases are built to last and shield your valuables from impact, moisture, and rough handling. For anyone seeking a reliable, long-lasting range bag that doesn’t compromise on weight or durability, Pelican Air cases stand out as one of the most influential protective cases on the market.
Limitations to Consider
- Size & Weight: Even with lighter Air models, a fully loaded carry-on case can be heavy and bulky.
- No External Pockets: Unlike soft bags, you don’t get external zippered compartments for quick-access gear.
- Cost: Pelican Air Cases are an investment, often priced higher than traditional range bags.
Pelican Air 1535 Case With Foam
- PREMIUM MULTI-PURPOSE HARD CASE: Crushproof, dustproof, watertight, universal hard case for the best protection and dry box storage of camera, dive gear, equipment, electronics, drones, and more. Lockable and TSA-approved
- FEATURES: Watertight, crushproof, and dustproof hard case. Pelican Air cases are up to 40% lighter than traditional cases. Has an O-Ring seal and pressure equalization valve to balance pressure and keep water out. Includes customizable foam
- DIMENSIONS (LxWxH Inches): Exterior 21.96 x 13.97 x 8.98 | Interior 20.39 x 11.20 x 7.21 - Weight 9.98 lbs
- MADE IN USA: Trusted protection in use by the military, divers, first responders (fire, police, EMT) since 1976
- GUARANTEE OF EXCELLENCE: Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
Pelican Air 1535 Case No Foam
- Based on the popular Pelican 1510 case. Molded from the next generation of Pelican’s lightweight HPXTM resin that is up to 40% lighter than other Polymer cases
- Crushproof, dustproof, with a Watertight O-Ring gasket and an automatic Purge Valve that Balances Air Pressure inside the case
- Features rolling stainless-steel bearing wheels, retractable Extension handle, Double-Throw Latches, stainless steel hasp protectors, and Rubber over-molded Handles.
- Exterior dimension is designed to the maximum allowable airline carry-on size; interior dimension 20.5" X 11.3" X 6.75"
- Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Warranty (Guaranteed for Life)
Pelican Air 1615 Case With Foam
- PREMIUM MULTI-PURPOSE HARD CASE: Crushproof, dustproof, watertight, universal hard case for the best protection and dry box storage of camera, dive gear, equipment, electronics, drones, and more. Lockable and TSA-approved
- FEATURES: Watertight, crushproof, and dustproof hard case. Pelican Air cases are up to 40% lighter than traditional cases. Has an O-Ring seal and pressure equalization valve to balance pressure and keep water out. Includes customizable foam. Automatic Purge Valve - Keeps water and dust out while balancing air pressure
- DIMENSIONS (LxWxH Inches): Exterior 32.58 x 18.40 x 11.02 | Interior 29.59 x 15.50 x 9.38 - Weight 17.60 lbs
- MADE IN USA: Trusted protection in use by the military, divers, first responders (fire, police, EMT) since 1976
- GUARANTEE OF EXCELLENCE: Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
Pelican Air Travel Cases (Carry-on & Large Hard Case Luggage)
- Based on the popular Pelican 1670 Case. Molded from the next generation of Pelican’s lightweight HPXTM resin that is up to 40% lighter than other polymer cases
- Crushproof, dustproof, with a watertight O-ring gasket and an automatic purge valve that balances air pressure inside the case
- Features rolling stainless-steel bearing wheels, extending trolley handle, double-throw latches, stainless steel hasp protectors, rubber over molded handles, and a card holder for front or side placement.
- Exterior dimension is designed to the maximum allowable airline check-in size. Includes Pelican Pick N Pluck shock absorbent foam
- Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Warranty (Guaranteed for Life); Interior Dimensions 29.59" x 15.50" x 9.38"
- Included Components: Pelican Air 1615 With Foam
Pelican Air 1615 Case With Trekpack Dividers
- PREMIUM MULTI-PURPOSE HARD CASE: Crushproof, dustproof, watertight, universal hard case for the best protection and dry box storage of camera, dive gear, equipment, electronics, drones, and more. Lockable and TSA-approved
- FEATURES: Watertight, crushproof, and dustproof hard case. Pelican Air cases are up to 40% lighter than traditional cases. Has an O-Ring seal and pressure equalization valve to balance pressure and keep water out. Includes Trekpack Dividers
- DIMENSIONS (LxWxH Inches): Exterior 32.58 x 18.40 x 11.02 | Interior 29.59 x 15.50 x 9.38 - Weight 17.60 lbs
- MADE IN USA: Trusted protection in use by the military, divers, first responders (fire, police, EMT) since 1976
- GUARANTEE OF EXCELLENCE: Comes with Pelican's Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
FAQs
Will a Pelican Air Case fit pistols and magazines?
Yes. With custom foam or dividers, you can fit multiple handguns, mags, and even suppressors.
Is it TSA-approved for airline travel?
Yes. Pelican Air Cases can be locked and meet TSA firearm transport requirements.
Can it replace a soft-sided range bag?
It depends on your needs. If you value protection and organization over grab-and-go access.
Is it waterproof?
Yes. All Pelican Air Cases have an IP67 rating, meaning they are dustproof and submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Which accessories should I add?
Consider TrekPak dividers, desiccant packs, and TSA-approved locks for a complete range setup.
Final Thoughts
Using a Pelican Air Case as a rolling range bag is a game-changer for firearm enthusiasts who prioritize organization, protection, and professional-level gear management. While it may not have the casual convenience of a soft bag, it makes up for it with rugged reliability and customizable storage. If you're serious about your range time—or travel frequently with your firearms—a Pelican Air Case is more than worth the investment. Order today!
