NANUK
Terrebonne, Quebec — hard cases injection-molded in Canada, and the only real alternative when the answer would otherwise automatically be Pelican.
Plasticase began in 1984 and today NANUK is the protective-case brand it builds, from Terrebonne, Quebec. The warranty terms name Nanuk Gear Protection Inc. as the exclusive manufacturer and owner of the brand. It exists on this roster for one reason: for years the answer to "which hard case" was Pelican and nothing else, and a second manufacturer that injection-molds its own cases in North America is worth knowing about. As with any case, the ratings are per model — NANUK's 2015 long-case release states IP67 and independent testing against military and transport requirements for that series, which is not a statement about the whole catalog.
- 1984Plasticase begins, later emerging as the NANUK case manufacturer
- IP67Stated for the Long Case Series at its 2015 launch — per model, not brandwide
- Made in CanadaNANUK's own claim, scoped to the cases themselves
What we'd reach for
- NANUK 935The wheeled mid-size case that competes most directly with the Pelican everyone already owns.
- NANUK 910 and 915The small-case sizes — pistol cases in the catalog's own language, widely used for optics, radios and instruments.
- Long Case SeriesThe 2015 launch that carried the IP67 statement and the independent military and transport testing claim.
- Medical and trauma configurationsCase plus contents. Worth knowing that the kit inside has its own expiry and recall status entirely separate from the box.
- Foam inserts and dividersPick-and-pluck foam, padded dividers and lid organizers — the part that decides whether the case is actually useful.
- CoolersThe line extension away from cases; origin not separately documented.