Pelican Storm Cases
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Pelican Storm Cases

Pelican Storm Cases (iM Series) are built from proprietary HPX high-performance resin, giving them the same watertight, crushproof, and dustproof protection as the original Pelican Protector line, at a lighter weight and with press-and-pull latches that open faster in the field. Every Storm case in our collection ships with Pelican's lifetime guarantee of excellence.

At Foamerica, we go beyond selling cases. We precision-cut custom foam inserts for every Storm model so your gear fits exactly, no shifting, no guesswork. Browse our full range of Pelican Hardigg Storm cases below, from compact carry-on sizes to full transport configurations.

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What Are Pelican Storm Cases?

The Pelican Storm Case line, officially the Hardigg Storm Series, traces its roots to Hardigg Industries, a military case manufacturer acquired by Pelican Products. Hardigg had decades of experience building transit cases for the U.S. Department of Defense, and that engineering DNA carries through every Storm model sold today. Each case is injection-molded from HPX high-performance resin, tested to MIL-STD-810 shock and vibration standards, and backed by Pelican's lifetime guarantee of excellence.

Storm cases are identified by their "iM" model numbers (iM2050, iM2500, iM2950, etc.). The "iM" prefix stands for "injection-molded," distinguishing them from Pelican's rotomolded Protector cases. Every Storm case features press-and-pull latches, a Vortex pressure equalization valve, padlockable hasps, and O-ring sealed construction rated to IP67, fully dustproof and submersible in one meter of water for 30 minutes.

Storm vs. Protector vs. Air: Which Pelican Line Is Right for You?

Material
Storm (iM Series): HPX injection-molded resin
Protector (Classic): Ultra-high impact copolymer (rotomolded)
Air: HPX injection-molded resin

Latch Type
Storm (iM Series): Press & pull
Protector (Classic): Double-throw
Air: Press & pull

Weight
Storm (iM Series): Lighter than Protector
Protector (Classic): Heaviest
Air: Lightest (up to 40% lighter)

Waterproof Rating
Storm (iM Series): IP67
Protector (Classic): IP67
Air: IP67

Pressure Valve
Storm (iM Series): Vortex valve
Protector (Classic): Automatic purge valve
Air: Automatic purge valve

Best For
Storm (iM Series): Field use, military, frequent transit
Protector (Classic): Maximum impact protection, long-term storage
Air: Air travel, weight-sensitive transport

Lifetime Guarantee
Storm (iM Series): Yes
Protector (Classic): Yes
Air: Yes

Storm cases occupy the middle ground: lighter and faster to open than Protector cases, yet more rugged and deeper than Air cases. For professionals who need quick latch access under pressure, law enforcement, military, field engineers, broadcast crews, the Storm line is the standard choice.

Understanding HPX Resin

HPX stands for High Performance X, Pelican's proprietary injection-molded resin formulation. Compared to traditional rotomolded polymers, HPX resin delivers higher impact resistance at lower wall thickness, which is why Storm cases weigh less than same-size Protector models without sacrificing structural integrity. The resin is also more dimensionally consistent, meaning lid-to-base tolerances are tighter, critical for maintaining the O-ring seal that keeps water and dust out.

Popular Pelican Storm Models

Compact and Carry-On Models

The iM2050 and iM2075 are the smallest Storm cases, ideal for handguns, small electronics, and field instruments. The iM2500 is the most popular carry-on Storm case, featuring in-line wheels and a telescoping handle that meets airline carry-on regulations, a top choice for photographers and videographers transporting lenses and camera bodies.

Mid-Size Workhorse Models

The iM2400, iM2450, and iM2620 serve as versatile mid-range options for laptops, test equipment, drones, and medical instruments. The iM2620 adds wheels and a telescoping handle for easier transport across job sites and airport terminals.

Large and Transport Models

For oversized equipment, the iM2750, iM2950, and iM2975 provide deep, wide interiors suited to server racks, broadcast kits, and multi-weapon configurations. The iM3100, iM3200, and iM3220 are long-format cases designed specifically for rifles, shotguns, tripods, and boom microphones.

Custom Foam Inserts from Foamerica

Every Pelican Storm case ships with either pick-and-pluck foam or solid foam sets, but generic foam rarely fits specialized gear perfectly. Foamerica precision-cuts custom foam inserts for every Storm model using CNC routing and waterjet cutting. You send your equipment dimensions or the items themselves, and the inserts are fabricated to hold each piece in a dedicated pocket with zero movement during transit.

Custom foam matters most when you are protecting fragile optics, calibrated instruments, or weapons with mounted accessories. A properly fitted insert eliminates the micro-vibrations that cause damage over thousands of miles of transport, something pick-and-pluck foam cannot do reliably.

Why Buy Pelican Storm Cases from Foamerica

  • Authorized Pelican dealer - every case includes Pelican's lifetime guarantee of excellence
  • In-house custom foam fabrication - CNC-cut inserts tailored to your exact equipment, not generic pick-and-pluck
  • 90+ Storm configurations in stock - from the compact iM2050 to the full-size iM3300
  • Expert guidance - our team helps you select the right case size and foam layout before you order
  • Fast shipping - cases and custom foam ship from our facility, often within the same week

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelican Storm Cases

What is a Pelican Storm Case?

A Pelican Storm Case is an injection-molded protective case made from Pelican's proprietary HPX high-performance resin. Originally developed by Hardigg Industries for military applications, the Storm line (identified by "iM" model numbers) features press-and-pull latches, a Vortex pressure equalization valve, and O-ring sealed construction rated to IP67 for full waterproof and dustproof protection. Every Storm case is backed by Pelican's lifetime guarantee of excellence.

What is the difference between Pelican Storm and Pelican Protector cases?

The main differences are the manufacturing process, latch mechanism, and weight. Storm cases are injection-molded from HPX resin and use press-and-pull latches that open with one hand. Protector cases are rotomolded from ultra-high impact copolymer and use double-throw latches. Storm cases are lighter at comparable sizes while maintaining the same IP67 waterproof rating. Both lines carry Pelican's lifetime guarantee.

What is HPX resin in Pelican cases?

HPX stands for High Performance X, a proprietary resin formulation used in Pelican's injection-molded case lines (Storm and Air). HPX resin provides higher impact resistance at thinner wall profiles compared to traditional rotomolded polymers. This results in cases that are lighter yet structurally strong, with tighter dimensional tolerances that improve O-ring seal performance for waterproofing.

Are Pelican Storm Cases waterproof and dustproof?

Yes. Every Pelican Storm Case is rated IP67, meaning it is completely dustproof (no ingress of dust) and can withstand submersion in one meter of water for 30 minutes. The watertight seal is maintained by a continuous O-ring gasket between the lid and base, and the Vortex pressure equalization valve automatically balances internal pressure without allowing water entry.

Can I get custom foam inserts for my Pelican Storm Case?

Yes. Foamerica specializes in precision-cut custom foam inserts for every Pelican Storm model. We use CNC routing and waterjet cutting to fabricate inserts that hold your specific equipment in dedicated pockets with zero movement during transit. Custom foam provides significantly better protection than the standard pick-and-pluck foam included with most cases, especially for fragile optics, calibrated instruments, and weapons with mounted accessories.

What warranty do Pelican Storm Cases have?

Every Pelican Storm Case purchased from Foamerica includes Pelican's lifetime guarantee of excellence. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the case. Pelican will repair or replace any case that fails under normal use. The guarantee does not cover foam inserts, cosmetic wear, or damage caused by misuse or unauthorized modification.

Which Pelican Storm Case fits in an airplane overhead bin?

The iM2500 and iM2435 are the primary carry-on Storm cases, both designed to meet airline carry-on size regulations. The iM2500 features in-line wheels and a telescoping handle, making it the most popular choice for photographers and professionals who fly frequently. The iM2050, iM2075, iM2100, iM2200, and iM2300 also meet carry-on size limits and fit under most airline seats or in overhead compartments.

How fast does Foamerica ship Pelican Storm Cases?

In-stock Pelican Storm Cases typically ship within 1-2 business days. Orders that include custom foam inserts may require additional fabrication time, but most custom foam orders ship within the same week. Contact our team for exact lead times on specific models or custom configurations.