Pelican Air 1745 review: a light, lockable hard case built for a bow
Our verdict: 4.2/5. The Pelican Air 1745 Bow Case is a hard case for archers who travel. It is a bow case, not a gun case: Pelican ships it with a bow kit of foam arrow holders, foam bumpers, arrow tube straps, pouches, bungee cords and a padded divider, plus a Molle strap system. The shell is the strong part. Pelican lists a 44.01 x 16.77 x 7.94 in interior, six press and pull latches (two of them TSA approved locking latches), an automatic pressure equalization valve, and calls it waterproof, crushproof and dustproof. The weak part is the inside: two of the three OpticsPlanet reviewers criticise the straps and foam blocks. For a case that carries several guns in layers, see our Pelican 1740 review.
OpticsPlanet shoppers rate the listing 4.3/5 from 3 reviews. The row we price (Black, MPN 017450-0121-110) for around $510. Check price and availability on OpticsPlanet.
How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from Pelican's own product page for the Air 1745 Bow Case (dimensions, weights, materials, temperature range, feature list and box contents, as read on October 4, 2026), the OpticsPlanet listing and all three reviews on it. We have not used this case ourselves. With only three retailer reviews, we say how many reviewers stand behind each point. Claims we could not confirm on a Pelican source are left out. See how we evaluate.
What the Pelican Air 1745 Bow Case is
The Air 1745 is a long, flat, wheeled hard case from Pelican's lightweight Air line, and this listing is its Bow Case version. Pelican builds the body from a "Proprietary Polypropylene Blend" and describes the material as "Super-light proprietary HPX²™ Polymer - up to 40% lighter". Elsewhere on the same page Pelican says "up to 40% lighter weight than the competition", without naming the competition.
What makes it a bow case is the interior. Pelican lists a "Molle Strap System" and a kit of 2 foam arrow holders, 2 small foam bumpers, 2 large foam bumpers, 2 arrow tube straps, 2 small accessory pouches, 6 bungee cords and 1 padded divider. Pelican says the "Added divider provides protection for your bow and features a large storage pocket on the top" and that the "Molle Strap System creates a customizable interior". The OpticsPlanet listing adds integrated internal tie-down points for the bow and external corner tie-down points for securing the case in a vehicle.
Key specifications
| Spec (Pelican product page) | Pelican Air 1745 Bow Case |
|---|---|
| Interior (L x W x D) | 44.01 x 16.77 x 7.94 in (111.79 x 42.6 x 20.17 cm) |
| Exterior (L x W x D) | 46.69 x 19.36 x 8.73 in (118.59 x 49.17 x 22.17 cm) |
| Interior volume | 3.39 cu ft (0.1 cubic m) |
| Weight (Pelican's labels) | "Weight": 25.7 lbs (11.66 kg); "Weight With Bow Kit": 23.15 lbs (10.5 kg) |
| Temperature | 0 F minimum, 140 F maximum |
| Latches | 6 press and pull latches, 2 of them TSA approved locking latches |
| Padlock | Stainless steel padlock protectors, 5/16 in padlock hole |
| Pressure valve | Automatic pressure equalization valve |
| Materials | Proprietary polypropylene blend body, ABS latches, EPDM O-ring |
| Bow kit in the box | 2 foam arrow holders, 2 small and 2 large foam bumpers, 2 arrow tube straps, 2 small accessory pouches, 6 bungee cords, 1 padded divider |
| Color | Black |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| OpticsPlanet rating | 4.3/5, 3 reviews |
| Price (Black, 017450-0121-110) | around $510 |
Specifications are Pelican's, from its Air 1745 Bow Case product page. The OpticsPlanet listing gives the same dimensions rounded (44.0 x 16.8 x 7.9 in inside, 46.7 x 19.4 x 8.7 in outside); its spec table itself lists only the maker, color and condition. On weight, Pelican's page shows the bow-kit figure lower than the plain "Weight" line and does not explain the difference, so we print both lines exactly as labelled. The interior dimensions are the shell's; the divider and kit take up part of that space.
What fits inside
The interior is 44.01 in long, 16.77 in wide and 7.94 in deep, so 44.01 in is the limit for anything lying flat along the length of the case, before the divider and bumpers. Measure your bow with its accessories fitted against those numbers. One reviewer likes how the kit adapts:
“Various straps to accommodate any bow upgrade in the future for many years to come”
mike (ME), 5 stars, OpticsPlanet's most helpful positive review
Rifles are not what this version is sold for. Pelican's list of box contents is an archery kit with no gun foam, so if you want a long-gun case, our Pelican 1740 review covers a deeper Pelican Protector long case, sold with Pick n Pluck foam in its with-foam version, that owners use to carry several guns in layers.
The interior: the one real complaint
Two of the three OpticsPlanet reviewers criticise the parts inside. Rick, a verified owner from Alabama who gives five stars, praises the case and its storage but not the straps over the foam:
“Kinda flimsy!! They need to make them adjustable!!”
Rick (AL), verified owner, 5 stars, 2025, via OpticsPlanet
LB, a verified owner from North Carolina and the one three-star reviewer, goes into more detail. The foam blocks and arrow holders move around, the Molle mounting has play, and the bungees are a little difficult to hook and unhook:
“The foam blocks that are supposed to help hold the bow are pretty much useless as they're just flopping around inside the case.”
LB (NC), verified owner, 3 stars, 2024, via OpticsPlanet
“The bungees hold securely but are a little difficult to hook/ unhook.”
LB (NC), verified owner, 3 stars, 2024, via OpticsPlanet
LB still recommends it and says what would fix it: "If the molle straps were replaced with slotted plastic or aluminum to make items hold in place more securely this would be 5 star case." Both critical reviewers like the shell; the complaint is about the supplied straps and foam inside.
The shell: latches, locks, wheels and seal
This is where reviewers have no complaints. LB lists Pros as "Light, strong outside, nice latches", Rick writes "The case is made very tough n I love the room n storage zip bags!!", and mike calls it "Well built, extremely tough". Pelican's feature list covers what the shell does:
- "6 press and pull latches with 2 TSA approved locking latches for security"
- "Stainless steel padlock protectors", with a 5/16 in padlock hole
- "Quiet rolling stainless-steel bearing wheels" and a "Fold down over-molded handle"
- "Waterproof O-ring seal" and an "Automatic pressure equalization valve - balances interior pressure, keeps water out"
- A business card holder on the outside
Pelican describes the case as "Waterproof, crushproof, dustproof" and lists "IP67 & MIL-SPEC certified". The product page, as read for this review, does not name which military standard it means. Pelican rates the case from 0 degrees F to 140 degrees F and labels it a "Limited Lifetime Warranty" product.
Flying with it
Pelican's exterior dimensions, 46.69 x 19.36 x 8.73 in, add up to 74.78 linear inches. The two TSA approved locking latches and the pressure equalization valve are the travel features Pelican names. Airline size, weight and sports equipment rules are set by each airline, not by Pelican or by us, so check them for your trip. From mike's review:
“Well built, extremely tough will be well protected for any trip by land, sea, or air.”
mike (ME), 5 stars, OpticsPlanet's most helpful positive review
About the owner reviews
The listing has 3 reviews: two at five stars and one at three. Rick (Alabama, September 2025) and LB (North Carolina, February 2024) carry OpticsPlanet's Verified Owner tag; mike's review appears in the most helpful positive review box without a date or tag. Three reviews is a small record, so treat the interior complaint as two owners' reports, not a measured failure rate. It is still the only complaint that appears in more than one review.
Trade-offs, plainly
- The supplied interior is the weak point: two of three reviewers criticise the straps and foam blocks.
- Built for a bow: the box contents are an archery kit with no gun foam.
- Length limit: 44.01 in inside, before the divider and bumpers.
- Large outside: 74.78 linear inches, so check airline size rules before you fly.
- Pelican's weight lines are confusing: "Weight" 25.7 lbs and "Weight With Bow Kit" 23.15 lbs, unexplained.
- A thin retailer record: three reviews.
Should you buy it?
- Buy the Pelican Air 1745 Bow Case if you fly or drive with a bow and want a sealed, lockable, wheeled hard case with room for arrows and accessories.
- Plan to tune the interior if you want your bow held tight; two reviewers criticise the supplied straps and foam blocks.
- Skip it if your bow with accessories is longer than the 44.01 in interior, or if you want a case for several rifles; look at our Pelican 1740 review instead.
FAQ
Is the Pelican Air 1745 worth it?
If you fly or drive with a bow and want a lockable, wheeled hard case that Pelican rates as waterproof, crushproof and dustproof, it is a strong choice. Pelican lists a 44.01 x 16.77 x 7.94 in interior, six press and pull latches with two TSA approved locking latches, an automatic pressure equalization valve and a Limited Lifetime Warranty. OpticsPlanet shoppers rate it 4.3/5 from 3 reviews. The catch: two of those three reviewers criticise the straps and foam blocks inside.
Is the Pelican Air 1745 a bow case or a gun case?
This listing is the Bow Case version. Pelican's product page lists a bow kit in the box: 2 foam arrow holders, 2 small foam bumpers, 2 large foam bumpers, 2 arrow tube straps, 2 small accessory pouches, 6 bungee cords and 1 padded divider, and it lists a Molle strap system. No gun foam is in that list. For several long guns in one case, see our Pelican 1740 review.
Will a rifle fit in the Pelican Air 1745?
Pelican gives the interior as 44.01 in long, 16.77 in wide and 7.94 in deep. Anything longer than 44.01 in cannot lie flat along the length of the case, and the bow kit takes up part of the space. Pelican sells this version with archery fittings, not gun foam, so measure your rifle and plan how you would secure it before you buy.
Is the Pelican Air 1745 waterproof?
Pelican's product page calls it "Waterproof, crushproof, dustproof" and lists "IP67 & MIL-SPEC certified", with a waterproof O-ring seal and an automatic pressure equalization valve. Pelican rates it from 0 degrees F to 140 degrees F.
How much does the Pelican Air 1745 weigh?
Pelican's product page shows two lines: "Weight: 25.7 lbs (11.66 kg)" and "Weight With Bow Kit: 23.15 lbs (10.5 kg)". The page does not explain what the first figure includes, so we print both exactly as Pelican labels them.
Can you fly with the Pelican Air 1745?
Pelican lists two TSA approved locking latches and an automatic pressure equalization valve. Its exterior, 46.69 x 19.36 x 8.73 in, adds up to 74.78 linear inches, so check your airline's size, weight and sports equipment rules before you book. One OpticsPlanet reviewer writes that it "will be well protected for any trip by land, sea, or air."
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