From Mess to Mastery: Sorting my Camping Kit Like a Pro
Regular readers may remember that just before lockdown I was sent three Peli 1650 Protector cases to review, and they’ve been brilliant at storing pretty much all my camping and cooking gear.
The idea was simple, with everything I would need for a night or two away packed into a single case, we would simply wheel it out to which ever press car we had that week and escape.
However, the 1650 is a particularly large case, and following the The Law of Vacuum - which states that the universe abhors an empty space, and will expand to fill this space - they’ve ended up being totally filled with loads of unnecessary gear, and consequently are now far too heavy and cumbersome.
Take knives for example, I will use my Almazan Kitchen Serbian Chef Knife as often as I can, but I also adore my Opinel, Buck Compadre and Gerber Freescape knife sets. Therefore all three can be found in my 1650, which along with other duplications, like my Biolite CampStove 2+ and Jetboil Minimo - two brilliant pieces of kit, but needless when I also take a twin-burner stove and fire pit!
Chatting to Gill at Peli about returning two of the cases, so they can be given to charities and other good causes, she suggested I take a look at their lighter, but no less sturdy, range of Air Cases. So, I decided to go smaller, and that meant being ruthless with what kit I was going to leave behind.
Armed with a tape measure and a scrap of paper, I made a list of everything I’ve used, and not used, during the last few years whilst out camping.
Once I’d whittled the list down to basic essentials, I had a look on Peli’s website at the various sizes on offer, and decided that the 1605 Air Case would be the perfect size - not too big, yet able to accommodate the rather long Vango Scran hot plate that I often use. Making sure I don’t do my usual trick of overloading one case, I ordered two.
In fact, with an internal dimension of 663 x 358 x 212mm, the empty 1605 weighs just 4.2kg. The difference is remarkable when compared to my original 1650 Protector that measures 740 x 460 x 265mm internally and weighs in at a whopping 10.9kg.
Cases in the Air range share many features with the classic Protector range of cases, including automatic purge valves, watertight o-ring gaskets, rubber over-moulded handles and stainless steel padlock hasps. Their lightness is thanks to the proprietary HPX² polymer, and even though I’ve no idea what that is, it makes a huge difference.
It’s also worth mentioning that the latest batch of cases from Peli sees a much improved latch mechanism.
Previously, to open and close any latch on any Peli case would require a bit of effort and could be quite painful in freezing conditions, or if you have joint problems.
Now, with easy opening press-button latches, opening and securely closing your case is a much more civilised, and painless affair.
Here’s the list of products that will be kept safe and sound in the 1605….
Case Number 1
Stove & Firepit
Coleman Unleaded 2-Burner Stove + fuel
Wolf & Grizzly Campfire Trio Fire Pit
Cooking, Eating & Cleaning
Vango collapsible pot
Jetboil Summit Skillet
Robens Tongass Enamel plate and bowl
The Nomad’s Kitchen portable herbs and spices kitchen
Gerber Freecscape Camp Kitchen
Collapsible washing up bowl
Electric collapsible kettle
Stored in my Thule Powershuttle
2 Akinod cutlery sets
Opinel No 10 knife
Alpine Utensil Set
Small towel
Washing up liquid
Hand cleaner
Scourer
Bin bags
Personal Hygiene (stored in my Thule Powershuttle Mini)
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Dry soap
Towel
Small body spray
Random bits
Multitool
Gerber Freecscape camp saw
Buck Compadre axe and camp knife
Rubber mallet
Case number 2
Helinox One table
Helinox Savannah chair
Peli Ruck case containing fire starters
Wolf Portable Loo
Various torches and lanterns
These are just basic go-to items, and apart from larger bits like a tent, fridge freezer, larger fire pit and my epic Lifesaver JerryCan, it’s all I need for a night or three away. All packed in a couple cases that I can grab in an instant and throw in whatever 4x4 I have that week, with the obvious bonus of being lightweight, and a damn site more manageable.
There may be an elephant in the room.....the price.
The 1605 Air Case is no doubt an expensive purchase, but considering they have a lifetime manufacturers warranty, in 20 years time, if it breaks, you can get a replacement - not that I expect that it will ever break as it is so robustly built - so in real terms it’s exceptional value for money.
A Peli product is one of those items in life that you need only buy once and forget about the cost. I always remember the Benjamin Franklin quote "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten." when buying a quality purchase, and a Peli case is definitely quality!
price: £324.95