Our island life and travels require greater attention to detail than most locales.  We know it will always rain, it will always be extremely sunny, we will always be in or around the ocean, relatives will sit on our stuff, and of course you have definitely seen an occasional uncaring baggage handler toss your precious luggage around while watching helplessly through an airline window. Nanuk, a Canadian line of Plasticase Inc, Quebec, has come to the rescue, anticipating all our needs, and innovating with upcoming future refinements.

Mike, a solid righteous representative for Coast (wonderful value flashlights, knives and pocket tools we will cover in a future Cool Stuff) said, "Wow, you have a Nanuk. That is the greatest case out there. I have had mine for years, jumping on and off planes, watched baggage guys abuse it. Nanuks never fail, Nanuks look great. Why were you so smart to get one?"

My choice of Nanuk is because I spent a long time with their designers and marketing peeps in August. The basics: impact resistant NK-7 plastic, IP67 rating for waterproof (3.3 ft for 30 minutes), pad-lockable with your or their TSA locks, Powerclaw latching system, 100% stainless steel hardware, stackable, soft grip foldable handle, solid rolling wheels, rugged extended long handle for rolling, clip on points for your or their patented Aircell shoulder strap, and besides regular pick and pluck foam they have the greatest divider system I have ever seen to customize your protective internal organizing and minimizing humidity/moisture absorption.

Off to the snow and chilling wind this month to cover Samoa's third favorite team, the New Zealand All Blacks vs the USA Eagles in Chicago, and the University of Utah vs. USC in Salt Lake City. Chicago's wind will blow rain and snow sideways into every possible gap in my camera gear cases. Nanuk will help me prevail in any battle with the elements. Nanuk has rollers, non-rollers, and a new set of small hard cases in many sizes and colors. Want to make a fashion statement? You can choose from tan, black, yellow, blue, lime, red, graphite, silver, olive, and orange. From their smaller Model 310 to Model 995 rifle cases, Nanuk makes it all.

Sharing my concerns about using a hardshell roller case in the limited walkway locations I meander in the Solomon Islands, and Savaii, I asked if they could please produce Nanuks with a solar panel driven propeller that will follow me around like a drone. After a few words to each other in French Canadian slang, the designers turned politely to me and said, "We are already developing this, this and this, but don't tell anybody in Cool Stuff yet because they are company secrets." So besides wondering what French Canadian slang I missed, I can tell you what they told me in confidence is exactly what we all need for travels in the islands and on goofy Canadian Region Jets (the commuter type minimal overhead carryon planes Samoa is lucky to never have... and that since Nanuk is a Canadian based company... I blamed them for its existence).

Wish I wasn't so old and over the hill.  Everyday great people are coming up with great products to make life simpler and better. Fountain of Youth next please, Nanuk? Coolios rejoice Nanuk is protecting our Cool Stuff for travel and to secure our goodies locked up from the kids at home. For reals, anybody want to buy my old cracked plastic storage pusa kind case in Tutuila a kid sat on to play video games? It’s yours for about a tall brown bottle Vailima.