Except for a brief moment some ten or fifteen years ago, including plastic cases as component to my travel system was never something I seriously considered. All I have ever used to store and carry my gear until now is aluminium cases. And I haven’t been disappointed.
I need a case that is sturdy, water- and dust-proof, stackable, versatile and, if it’s going to be on the outside of the vehicle or be taken on a flight, lockable. Having a selection of compartmentalisation solutions is ideal. And a range of sizes is beneficial.
I have used Front Runner Wolf Packs in the past and, to be fair, they are extremely robust, usefully sized, admirably withstand shocks and scrapes of overlanding, and can be used as a seat. The deal-breaker for me was the potential ingress of dust and water, unless you kept them in a protective bag. Admittedly that did work, but seemed like a lot of effort to achieve something other cases manage on their own.
Then, Front Runner announced the Wolf Pack Pro. Now, I do like a challenge and am not unknown to change my opinion about something especially when a large company like Front Runner steps up and makes fundamental improvements to an existing concept. Nevertheless, I still couldn’t shake off my doubts. Just to make sure, I wasn’t going to be too biased, I even asked Charlene Ribotta for her opinion of the Wolf Pack because she is currently living with some as she explores Africa in Rafiki, her Toyota HiLux. Her biggest gripe, beside the fact they could be a little higher to accommodate standard one-litre bottles, is, and I quote: “…the clasps seem weak for everyday use and hurt the fingers with regular use.” The standard clasps are made of plastic, relatively narrow, and can be a pain to fasten or release especially in freezing weather if you have really cold fingers. I have never used them long enough to establish if they’re durable or not, but Front Runner do offer some steel clips as an option—seems to be self-explanatory.
FROM THE OUTSIDE
Side by side, the Pro shares several traits, including identical exterior dimensions, thus making it unmistakably a Wolf Pack. However, you can’t miss the first significant upgrade: From afar, you can easily identify the four large contrasting aluminum clasps powder-coated in grey. Even my large hands can operate them with four fingers—three with thick gloves on—and they snap reassuringly into place to secure the lid.
Whereas the earlier model has deep channels in its lid to locate with the base of another Wolf Pack for stacking, the Pro is smoother and more aesthetic to look at, with a large logo emblazoned on its centre. The earlier lid fits over and around the container while the Pro lid sits inside the container parameter. At this point, I will point out that the Pro can be stacked on the Pro and the predecessor on one of its kind, but you cannot stack a Pro on an earlier version or vice versa—something to consider when upgrading.
The Wolf Pack has holes in its sides at each top corner so that you can tie them down to a roof rack using Stratchits, for example. Instead of the holes, the Pro has a recess in the top edge of each long side between the clasps which either act as a guide for a ratchet strap, Stratchit or as the location point for mounting brackets specifically designed for the Pro and to harmonise with Front Runner’s roof rack systems.
FROM THE INSIDE
Inside, the Pro is 5 mm shorter in length and width and 2 mm shallower. Being water- and dust-proof does mean that the Pro doesn’t have its predecessors drain holes in its floor. But, the real difference between the two can be found under the lid. Whereas the original Wolf Pack relied upon its lid being larger than the container itself to redirect water, the Pro has a rubber seal sunk into a channel in its lid. Combine this with the compression exerted by the four wide clasps and you have a good basis for water and dust proofing. Another modification to the lid is a honeycomb reinforcement for even more stability.
As far as space is concerned—and this applies to both models—they are voluminous enough to stow a fairly well-sorted camp kitchen, or pack t-shirts, underwear and other clothing items for a week to ten days (smart packing rules apply). On the other hand, they are not large enough for you to pack them to such an extent that they suddenly remain immovable.
THEORY TO PRACTICE
I am reluctant to write anything about a new product unless I have had an opportunity to subject whatever it is to real-life conditions. The brace of Pros in my possession have been with me for slightly more than six months and have not been spared. They’ve been stored outside, bounced around in the back of a vehicle over thousands of kilometres, suffered temperatures ranging between minus 18°C and plus 35°C along with being caked in ice and drenched in torrential rain. The Wolf Pack Pro has fulfilled what Front Runner set out to achieve: a sturdy, weather- and dust-proof storage container that trumps its predecessor.
If you are considering storing them on the roof rack, then I believe Front Runner’s mounting brackets are a must. They are designed to pull down on the sides of the container as opposed to squashing down the lid. By nature of the material used for manufacture, over-tightening a ratchet strap cast over the lid could cause some deformation which may render the seal slightly less effective. I haven’t experienced that, but just the idea underlines the practicality of the brackets.
VERDICT
Secure mounting brackets and foam compartment inserts are all I need to strongly consider the Wolf Pack Pro as a viable option for our 2024 Cape To Cape expedition. The Pro case and accessories provide me with a good alternative, in most instances, to my trusty aluminum cases. Especially when you consider the overall compact dimensions and an empty weight of just 3.65 kilos. The new clasps speak for themselves and are leagues ahead of their predecessors, and visible and physical representation of the effort Front Runner have invested in this significantly improved case.
As far as the price is concerned, the old Wolf Pack costs €36 and the Pro €49. Having lived with both models under authentic overlanding conditions, I feel the extra €13 are well spent because the Pro performs as I would hope and is built for longevity.
€49 | frontrunneroutfitters.com
SPECIFICATIONS
- Material used: Polypropylene black plastic
- External Dimensions (LxWxH): 510 x 400 x 230 mm
- Internal Dimensions (LxWxHx): 445 x 335 x 203 mm
- Weight: 3,65 kg
