When it comes to transporting sensitive or heavy-duty equipment, choosing the right case can make all the difference. At Case Design, we offer both road cases and shipping cases, each designed to protect your gear under specific conditions. Understanding the distinctions between these two types of cases can help you make the best choice for your needs.
What is a Road Case?
A road case is a heavy-duty protective case often used by touring bands, production crews, and rental companies. These cases are typically ATA-style, constructed from ABS plastic laminated over plywood, and designed to endure the rough handling that comes with frequent travel. Road cases are ideal for transporting speakers, stage pieces, instruments, and other delicate equipment that must survive the rigors of touring.
Some popular road cases from Case Design include:
Road cases are designed for maximum durability and can withstand heavy impacts, stacking, and movement, ensuring your equipment arrives safely no matter how hectic the tour schedule.
Road Case Highlights:
- 852 Trunk: Commonly used as grip cases for studio production crews to carry lights, tripods, and other film equipment. It’s made of creased and riveted heavy-gauge plastic, which makes the cases lighter. We can also add built-in wheels to make these cases easier to transport on set.
- 855 Shipping Container: A great option for smaller road cases where weight is a concern. This case is made of heavy plastic only and eliminates the added weight of the plywood.
What is a Shipping Case?
Shipping cases, on the other hand, are usually molded polyethylene cases designed for general travel and shipping purposes. They are lightweight yet extremely durable, offering protection for work materials and sensitive equipment without the bulk of a road case. These cases are ideal for businesses or individuals shipping gear over long distances where repeated handling is expected.
Case Design’s molded shipping cases include:
Molded cases are particularly useful for protecting gear from moisture, dust, and moderate impacts while remaining easy to handle and transport.
Key Differences Between Road Cases and Shipping Cases
| Feature | Road Case | Shipping Case |
| Construction | ABS laminated plastic over plywood or heavy-gauge plastic | Molded polyethylene |
| Weight | Heavy-duty | Lightweight yet durable |
| Ideal Use | Touring, stage equipment, fragile gear | General shipping, travel, work materials |
| Durability | High impact, stackable | Moderate impact, moisture/dust resistant |
Choosing the right type of case depends on your equipment, transport conditions, and how frequently the cases will be moved. For heavy, frequently transported items, a road case is best. For lightweight but reliable protection during shipping or travel, molded shipping cases are ideal.
Why Choosing the Right Case Matters
Selecting the appropriate protective case can save you time, money, and frustration. Using a road case when heavy-duty protection is needed ensures your gear withstands repeated transport and rough handling, while choosing a molded shipping case for lighter equipment allows for easy travel without sacrificing protection.
For example, a touring band moving speakers, amplifiers, and lighting equipment will benefit from a road case like the 843 Super Trunk or 847 Super Trunk, which can endure stacking, bumps, and drops during loading and unloading. Conversely, a production company shipping delicate cameras or laptops may find the 919 Super Shipper or 808 Super Case more convenient, as these molded cases provide durability while remaining lightweight and easier to maneuver.
How Case Design Helps You Choose
At Case Design, we offer a wide variety of both road cases and shipping cases to suit any need. By understanding the differences between these two types, you can select the case that best fits your workflow, environment, and equipment.
Browse our collections here:
Each case is designed with both protection and usability in mind. Many molded cases feature wheels and handles for easy transport, while road cases offer stackable, reinforced designs to survive the toughest conditions.
Custom Fabricated Options
Our fabricated cases can be made to fit your exact needs—whether you require a compact case, a long narrow profile, or a large cube. We can also design cases with:
- Special openings: Front-loading access or split lids for oversized equipment like large LED TVs, making loading and unloading easier.
- Wheels: Heavy-duty 4″ swivel casters (with or without brakes) for trunk-style cases, or tilt-and-go wheels for smaller, lighter equipment.
With over 100 years of experience, Case Design Corporation delivers protective solutions that are as flexible as they are reliable. Give us a call to learn more.
Tips for Selecting the Right Case
- Consider your equipment weight and fragility: Heavy or fragile items require road cases with reinforced interiors.
- Think about travel conditions: For frequent shipping or touring, durability against impacts, moisture, and dust is critical.
- Evaluate mobility needs: Wheeled shipping cases can save effort when moving equipment through airports, studios, or warehouses.
- Plan for long-term use: Invest in a case that can handle multiple trips and protect your gear over years, not just one shipment.
FAQs
Road cases are designed to protect sensitive or heavy-duty equipment during tours or frequent transport.
Shipping cases are molded, lightweight, and ideal for general travel, while road cases are heavy-duty and designed for extreme handling.
Road cases are better suited for heavy equipment due to their reinforced construction and durability. For more details on road cases, see Road Case Wikipedia.
Yes, road cases provide superior protection and are often used for delicate items, but they are heavier and bulkier than molded shipping cases.
Many molded shipping cases, such as the 919 Super Shipper, offer moisture and dust resistance, making them ideal for general shipping needs.
Conclusion
Whether you need the heavy-duty protection of a road case or the convenient durability of a molded shipping case, Case Design has the solution. Selecting the right case ensures your equipment arrives safely, performs reliably, and lasts longer. Explore our molded and fabricated shipping cases today to find the perfect fit for your needs.
