Pelican 1030 Micro Hard Case

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case is a crushproof, watertight, and dustproof polycarbonate hard case designed to protect small sensitive components, smartphones, and similarly sized gear. Measuring 7.5 x 3.87 x 2.43 inches on the exterior, it weighs as little as 0.55 lbs empty and is made in the USA. The 1030 is available in a clear-with-color-liner configuration or in solid colors.

Built to Keep Water and Pressure Out

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case seals against water intrusion through a thermoplastic rubber o-ring that doubles as a protective rubber liner inside the case. That dual function means the same component that cushions your gear also maintains the watertight seal, leaving fewer parts to fail and fewer gaps for moisture to find. For buyers who move between elevations or travel by air, the automatic pressure equalization valve is equally important: it uses a polyester spun-bond ePTFE oleophobic membrane to balance interior pressure without letting water in, so the case opens easily and the seal stays intact regardless of altitude changes.

Crushproof Construction for Everyday Carry

The body is molded from polycarbonate, a material chosen for impact resistance rather than weight savings. The latch is Xylex, a material that resists both impact and temperature extremes; the hinge pins are stainless steel. Together these hardware choices mean the case can be tossed in a pack, run over in a vehicle, or left in a truck bed through temperature swings from -10°F to 199°F without the latch cracking or the hinge corroding. A carabiner is included, so the case can clip directly to a pack, belt loop, or gear rail without an additional attachment.

Lifetime Guarantee and Made in the USA

The Pelican 1030 is manufactured in the USA and backed by Pelican's Limited Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence. That guarantee covers the case itself for the life of the product, not just a one- or two-year window, which is a meaningful signal of build confidence for a case in this price range. Buyers who carry sensitive electronics, memory cards, hearing aids, or small medical devices in demanding environments get a case that is designed to be replaced by Pelican rather than by the buyer.

Features

• Crushproof polycarbonate body: resists impact and compression across a wide temperature range
• Watertight and dustproof seal: thermoplastic rubber o-ring liner maintains the seal and cushions contents
• Automatic pressure equalization valve: ePTFE oleophobic membrane balances interior pressure without admitting water
• Stainless steel hinge pins and Xylex latch: corrosion-resistant hardware rated for repeated open/close cycles
• Carabiner included: clips to packs, belt loops, or gear rails without additional hardware
• Made in USA: backed by Pelican's Limited Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence

Specifications

Who This Is For and Isn't

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case suits overlanders, campers, and travelers who need a compact, rugged enclosure for small electronics, memory cards, hearing aids, medications, or other sensitive items that cannot tolerate moisture, dust, or impact. Its carabiner and sub-one-pound weight make it practical for everyday carry clipped to a pack or belt.

The 1030 is not suited for items larger than its 6.37 x 2.62 x 2.06 inch interior. It is not a full-size phone case for current large-format smartphones, and it does not accommodate tablets, full-size cameras, or multi-item kits that require a larger case in the Pelican lineup.

Common Questions

Is the Pelican 1030 Micro Case actually watertight, or just water-resistant?

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case is rated watertight, not merely water-resistant. The thermoplastic rubber o-ring liner seals the case perimeter, and the automatic pressure equalization valve uses an oleophobic ePTFE membrane that allows pressure to equalize without admitting water. The case is also rated dustproof.

What does the pressure equalization valve do, and why does it matter?

The automatic pressure equalization valve on the Pelican 1030 Micro Case balances the air pressure inside the case with the outside environment, which is useful when moving between elevations or traveling by air. Without it, pressure differences can make a sealed case difficult to open or can stress the seal. The valve handles equalization passively without letting water or dust in.

Does the Pelican 1030 come with foam, or is it empty?

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case is available in empty and foam-fitted configurations. The specific configuration stocked by TerrainVault is shown in the variant selector. The foam material, when included, is a 4 lb ester foam (TL-426).

What temperature range can the Pelican 1030 handle?

The Pelican 1030 Micro Case is rated for use from -10°F (-24°C) to 199°F (92°C). That range covers cold-weather storage in a truck bed overnight and hot-vehicle interior temperatures in summer, though sustained exposure at the upper limit should be evaluated against the heat sensitivity of whatever is stored inside.

Is the carabiner included, or sold separately?

A carabiner is included with the Pelican 1030 Micro Case. It allows the case to be clipped directly to a backpack, belt loop, or gear rail without purchasing a separate attachment.