Peli 1525 Air Case £240, $170

Hard cases have many benefits, but lightness isn’t usually one of them. So Peli’s 1525 Air is a breath of fresh you-know-what, weighing just 3.2kg (7.1lbs) with the foam, making it noticeably lighter than Peli’s 6.6kg (14.5lbs) iM2600 Storm Case. But space hasn’t been sacrificed to achieve this, as internal dimensions of 52.1 x 28.7 x 17.1cm (20.50 x 11.31 x 6.75in) ensure there’s enough space for a typical kit.

The case’s robustness isn’t compromised, either, as Peli has used a clever honeycomb construction and a lightweight plastic polymer. When it’s subjected to extreme abuse, the Air flexes slightly more than the conventional Storm Case, but it’s still reassuringly tough. Useful details seal the deal, including steel protectors around the padlocking points and an ergonomic rubbercoated handle.