Case Study: Pelican-Style IP67 Cases vs. ATA Wooden-Frame Cases
When people talk about “professional equipment cases,” two very different designs often get lumped together: Pelican-style molded IP67 cases and ATA wooden-frame flight cases. While both protect valuable gear, they are built around fundamentally different assumptions—and those differences matter more today than they did 20 years ago.
Two Very Different Design Philosophies
Pelican-style cases and ATA cases are not competing versions of the same idea. They are solutions to different problems.
- Pelican-style IP67 cases prioritize environmental sealing, portability, and self-contained protection.
- ATA wooden-frame cases prioritize shock absorption, stacking strength, and serviceability in freight and touring environments.
Understanding which risks you actually face is the key to choosing the right case.
Pelican-Style IP67 Cases
Pelican-style cases are built around a sealed polymer shell with gasketed lids and pressure equalization. Their defining feature is a certified IP67 ingress protection rating.
Strengths
- Waterproof and dust-tight (rated for immersion up to 1 meter)
- One-piece molded shell with no seams to wick moisture
- Consistent performance regardless of handling environment
- Portable and lightweight relative to protection level
- Minimal maintenance over the life of the case
Tradeoffs
- Limited repairability if the shell itself is destroyed
- Less customizable externally compared to built-to-order ATA cases
Pelican-style cases excel when equipment may be exposed to rain, snow, dust, mud, boats, vehicles, or unpredictable environments—and when the owner wants protection that does not depend on careful handling.
ATA Wooden-Frame Flight Cases
ATA cases are traditionally constructed from plywood panels, aluminum extrusion, steel corners, and recessed hardware. They were designed for touring rigs, rental inventories, and repeat freight handling.
Strengths
- Excellent impact absorption when properly foam-suspended
- Highly repairable (panels, corners, hardware can be replaced)
- Custom sizing for racks, consoles, and large assemblies
- Strong stacking capability in truck packs
Limitations
- Not waterproof (typically weather-resistant at best)
- Susceptible to moisture intrusion over time
- Heavier and bulkier for comparable internal volume
- Require ongoing maintenance to remain reliable
ATA cases shine in controlled logistics environments where cases are moved by professionals, loaded into trucks, and handled as part of a system—not exposed to the elements.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Pelican-Style IP67 | ATA Wooden-Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Water protection | Fully waterproof (IP67) | Weather-resistant only |
| Dust protection | Dust-tight | Limited |
| Shock handling | Good | Excellent |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Ongoing |
| Portability | High | Lower |
| Modern field use | Excellent | Limited |
Why Pelican-Style Cases Are the Better Choice for Most Users
ATA cases were developed for a world of touring trucks, dedicated crews, and controlled logistics. Most modern equipment owners operate in a very different reality:
- Gear is moved by individuals, not teams
- Cases are exposed to weather, parking lots, and loading docks
- Protection must work even when handling is imperfect
- Maintenance time is limited
In that context, Pelican-style IP67 cases are the clear winner. They provide reliable, repeatable protection against the most common real-world threats: water, dust, and unpredictable environments—without requiring constant upkeep.
Final Takeaway
ATA cases still have a place in touring, rental, and freight-heavy workflows. But for most professionals, field users, and owner-operators, Pelican-style IP67 cases offer more protection, less maintenance, and greater peace of mind.
When the environment is unknown and conditions are uncontrolled, a sealed shell simply wins.