The Bel-Air Equipment Case: Durable, Waterproof Cases |

Toss it in a truck. Ship it as freight. Leave it in the rain. The Bel-Air equipment case doesn’t flinch. Designed for pros who need true “forever gear,” these rugged, waterproof transport cases are built from the same high-density materials trusted in aerospace and military transport.

If you’ve ever held your breath while watching valuable equipment disappear behind a loading dock door, this article is for you. Because Bel-Air cases aren’t just containers, they’re insurance policies. Here’s what sets us apart from other case manufacturers.

1. 100% Custom Cases

At Bel-Air, all of our equipment cases are made to order; we have no off-the-shelf cases. An off-the-shelf case can be a good fit for people who need to transport inexpensive equipment and need something quickly. However, if you have expensive or delicate equipment, opting for a custom case, built specifically for your items, is the best option.

2. ATA-Rated & Built To Last

An ATA case is a reusable, impact-resistant shipping case built to meet Airline Transport Association (ATA 300) standards, meaning it can withstand repeated air and freight travel without damaging the equipment inside. Our cases can be built to meet all ATA standards and most military specifications. You can ship a Bel-Air equipment case on hundreds of journeys, and it will continue to protect everything inside.

3. Lightweight

A heavy case can be highly protective, but also a huge hindrance. Heavy cases, such as roto-molded and fabricated cases, are cumbersome to move from place to place. Weight also can significantly increase the cost of transportation, so opting for one of our vacuum-formed plastic cases can make transport easier and much cheaper.

3. Heavy-Duty Shell Material

The shells of our custom cases are built using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is one of the toughest materials on the planet, delivering exceptional industrial durability. HDPE flexes under pressure instead of denting, cracking, or deforming, which other types of materials are known to do.

This makes it ideal for cases that get dropped, stacked, or jostled during transport. HDPE also will not rust or corrode, which is ideal for marine environments, high-humidity storage, or cases exposed to salt or chemical fumes.

One of the biggest advantages of HDPE is that it works extremely well with industrial-grade components such as aluminum valances, recessed steel latches, reinforced corners, ball corners, and molded-in wheel plates. Unlike more brittle plastics (such as ABS or polypropylene), HDPE has high screw-retention strength and resists cracking, stripping, or tearing out around fasteners — even under repeated impact or vibration during shipping.

4. Waterproof & Weather-Resistant

While we cannot control the weather, we can build cases that are completely waterproof and moisture-resistant. Whether you are facing the extreme heat of the Kalahari Desert, the torrential downpours of an Amazon rainforest, or the icy conditions of an Antarctic science base, our custom equipment cases will protect the contents.

5. Custom Hardware & Branding Options

When we say that every Bel-Air equipment case is custom, we mean it. We offer dozens of hardware options, so that you can customize the handles, hinges, latches, locks and feet according to your needs. Need shipping cases with wheels? We have many wheel options as well, allowing you to move your cases with ease.

Additionally, our custom transit cases can help you build brand identity. For instance, we can add a molded-in logo, custom decals or engraved plates to any case. We also have a variety of color options, including silver, black, white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. Need a custom color? In many cases, we can provide color matching or a custom color, although minimum purchases do apply.

6. Made In The USA – Shorter Lead Times, Easy Reorders

While we’ve always been proud to offer shipping cases and carrying cases designed and produced in the United States, these days, buying American-made products can be the fastest and most economical option.

With Bel-Air, you can avoid overseas delays as well as higher costs due to tariffs. Offshore production can increase lead times by 8-12 weeks. Moreover, if you need to reorder, we keep designs on file, so we can generally produce additional cases very quickly.

7. Built for a Repair, Not Replacement

Bel-Air cases are meant to last a lifetime, and because the cases are modular with individual components, we can easily replace a damaged wheel or latch, and you are ready to go.

That makes a Bel-Air flight case a lower total-cost-of-ownership option compared to “sealed” cases that must be fully replaced if damaged. With a sealed case, the shell and hardware are permanently bonded together, so the case cannot be disassembled or repaired—meaning if a latch, hinge, wheel, or panel breaks, the entire case usually has to be replaced rather than serviced or rebuilt.

Many people are surprised to find that we don’t offer a written case warranty, but we’ve never needed to because we stand by our cases throughout their lifetime. If a component breaks, we will fix it. We also can usually repair most case defects for no charge (shipping costs may apply).

The bottom line – the transit industry is rough on packages, so while we cannot guarantee that your cases will never be damaged, rest assured, our team will always repair the damage for as long as you own the case.

8. Trusted in Industrial, Medical, Military & Tech Sectors

Throughout the last 50+ years, we’ve built cases for the military and just about every industrial or tech sector, as well as for the medical industry, entertainment industry and much more.

Bel-Air cases are used to transport:

Medical imaging devices & lab equipment
Aerospace instruments & optical tools
Trade show display components
Audio-visual and lighting gear
Robotics & engineering prototypes
Military equipment & gear
Computers & related equipment

9. Custom Foam Inserts

When it comes to truly protective equipment cases, you definitely need a hard case with foam. At Bel-Air, we believe the interior of your equipment case is just as important as the exterior shell. Padded equipment cases with foam are crucial, but the quality of the foam is highly important. Unfortunately, some case manufacturers sell cases that include a chunk of diced foam inside, and that is inadequate for several reasons.

One, diced foam (aka pick and pluck foam) is just a slab of foam, and the customer has to create cavities for their equipment. Two, this type of foam tends to break down quickly and needs frequent replacement, which is a waste of money. Most importantly, this type of foam is not as protective, which puts your equipment at risk.

When you purchase a Bel-Air equipment case, this includes the construction of a custom foam interior. This can be a simple foam liner or as complex as you need with custom die cuts, interior walls, interior panels, shock mounts, windows, etc. Our foam inserts add an extra layer of insurance, protecting your items from bumps, jostles and vibrations.

Need Transportation Cases? Contact Bel-Air Today!

Whether you need a military case, a lighting case, a custom road case for music gear or something else, a Bel-Air equipment case will ensure that your items are protected no matter how arduous the journey. To get started on a case project, simply click on the Contact Bel-Air Cases tab at the top of our homepage.