Overland Storage Box Comparison: Which one is best?

What's the difference between the plastic storage boxes like the Roam Rugged Case and an aluminum box like Alubox?
Which one is right for your kit?
Find out what we think the pros and cons are of each type of storage box.
===========
Don't forget to like and subscribe!
Are you an Overland Addict like me? Then check out these awesome resources!
Shop the store for premium Overlanding gear!
overlandaddict.com
Become an Overland Addict patron!
/ overlandaddict
Follow us on Instagram!
/ overlandaddict
My Overland Build & Kit:
* 1992 Mercedes-Benz 350 GD Turbo
* Darche 270 Eclipse Awning (overlandaddict.com/products/d...)
* Go Fast Camper Rooftop Tent
* Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack
* Switch-Pros SP9100 8-Switch Panel Power System (amzn.to/2LGRXHF)
* ARB Twin Compressor
* Front Runner Drawer System
* National Luna 60L Legacy Fridge (overlandaddict.com/products/n...)
* Cook Partner 22" 2-burner Camp Stove w/ Windscreen (overlandaddict.com/products/c...)
* Midland MXT275 MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio (amzn.to/2W79AGo)
* iPad Mini for navigation
* Gaia GPS for navigation
* Garmin InReach Explorer+ (amzn.to/2W6pJvR)
Photography/Videography Gear I use:
* Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer (amzn.to/2EdyR7F)
* GoPro Hero 5 Black (amzn.to/2s420Md)
* Sony A7 II (amzn.to/2BTIlmq)
* Sony FE 28-70 mm 3.5 - 5.6 OSS lens (amzn.to/2LNlzS9)
* Venus Laowa 15 mm f/2 FE Zero-D lens (amzn.to/2AkePq8)
* NiSi V5 Pro filter system (amzn.to/2LKRW3S)
* Manfrotto Element Traveler tripod (amzn.to/2VoNDj9)
* iPhone Xs Max (amzn.to/2Roa2xL)

[@canyonoverland5003]

I have 3 Alu-boxes and 4 Front Runner boxes. One benefit of the Alu-box is the best in class interior to exterior storage space ratio. Most plastic boxes require large walls to maintain rigidity which natually reduces the amount of interior space.

[@NICUofficial]

Very helpful, thank you. The more research I do (and I've done waaaay too much) the further I lean towards an aluminum box. I hear that Zarges outperformes even Alu-Box, and performance is what I'm after. But it's mainly the "interior volume to weight/exterior volume" metric ... along with extremely strong water/dust protection... that I'm interested in for my 4Runner roof rack.

[@stevecram7705]

I’m enjoying watching your videos, and can appreciate how much time and effort goes into producing this content. I do have a comment about this video. I have a large Zarges box (primary competitor to Alu-Box) that I keep permanently mounted to my roof rack. I spent hours reading and watching reviews about the Roam-type boxes vs the Alu-Box, and the biggest advantage I found was the internal volume of the cases. The plastic boxes are far less volume per footprint than the Alu-Box. That fact along with the massive weight savings was enough for me. Plus... the aluminum just looks cooler!

[@OverlandAddict]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@overlandvoyager2780]

Stop by your store the other day . Like the gear you had.Good job.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Great video as always!

[@Jack_Rabbit_Ranch]

Great comparison. Thank you.

[@pommelbaer]

Liked everything about it!

[@AB-vm2nz]

What about the aging of the plastic boxes under influence of UV light, or how does the plastic behaves in different temperature?

[@clintbiesinger9436]

Great content. Thanks

[@offgridexploring]

Hey man! Just found your channel after doing a pod with Fletch at ATO. Great channel and great videos! Cheers! Mike

[@OverlandAddict]

Hey Mike! Thanks man! Fletch is a good dude 👍🏻

[@scottwillimack184]

Thank you 🙏 brother!

[@briang1561]

Good info

[@christophermartinez5314]

Awesome videos

[@OverlandAddict]

Thanks!

[@OutdoorTony95]

I will stick to my Pelican cases. Bulletproof, lotsa colors and Made in the 🇺🇸.

[@ChillWargamingBrian]

Are you using the cargo boxes or the generic cases?

[@OutdoorTony95]

@@ChillWargamingBrian the regular cases so far.

[@adventurewhitasiam]

@@OutdoorTony95 I have two Cargo Box From Pelican i have to send back for warenty because to much wather go inside

[@renepoggenpoel1711]

Great video and information. It’s a pity about the music in the background. It’s very hard to focus on the spoken word while blocking out the music with a brain injury.

[@flacc623]

Wat are these boxes used for??

[@christophermartinez5314]

Great. Box

[@OverlandAddict]

Wow, I had no idea my music selection would be so painful for people. I can zone that stuff out but I guess some people cannot. I will try to find some better music and re-upload the video of it doesn’t reset my stats.

[@raidernation365]

I literally didn’t even hear the music until I read the comments. These people who are complaining are idiots. Great reviews and videos. Look forward to seeing more.

[@mattwkendall]

Yeah music in background totally unnecessary, distracting, and this compilation, particularly annoying.

[@PS987654321PS]

@@raidernation365 People are different. I also find the music a bit distracting and unnecessary.

[@MikeMaliska]

One trick to try is to fade the music out after a min and again fade it back in before the end.

[@LandsharkTank]

Aluminum is a good heat conductor which is why they use it for cookware. Whereas Plastic is an insulator.

[@blackbilly1965]

Dude, found your channel, finally I'm the dude that brought the pinzgauer by a while ago, Leah's dad

[@OverlandAddict]

Awesome! Bring it back by. I want to take a ride in it and look a little closer.

[@matthewmoore6223]

aluminum is great for running rivers. if it can take class 5 it can probably handle overlanding but if your con list includes fingerprints and colors then I’m not sure you can be helped.

[@james420james1]

Great video but that background music was driving me crazy. WOW! Nice storage solutions none the less

[@glennwood198]

also like a swing away bumper rack for mounting like gas water Colorado crew cab 21 model.

[@ericbowers71]

Generally

[@ThePearfish]

I use Alucab. I like the Roam boxes but e biggest con is the footprint to storage space ratio. Roam have thick walls losing lots of internal storage space.

[@joebuck4496]

Is the aluminum box a good faraday cage?

[@user-dx2gj6jh7i]

Is there a front runner rack mount for the Alu box?

[@ponyboy481]

I'll stay with my pelican cases i find them use for a way better price plus they have wheels for better moving around for loading and uploading gear

[@skaterrc10rc]

Would a luno mattress fit inside the ROAM?

[@MikeMaliska]

Great video Bad music. Thanks for the info however I really appreciate it

[@alainmessier4565]

I have 4 Front Runner Wolfpack and they are just "okay". The lid deformed, latches are flimsy, they don't seal at all, just cheaply made.

[@glennwood198]

can u get me a front bumper with front rec. hitch made for winch(i have 1200 lbs ) and a roof rack for 21 Model Colorado crew cab

[@stratocrewzr]

Good review. Since you chose music, I'd recommend not having over 16 minutes of the same painful 10 second repeating and painful noise compilation.

[@Nyzioable]

Im halfway through and the music is torturous... Each time it loops it slightly falls out of beat as well... Oooof, I don't know if I can finish this video!

[@recon20671]

Used military cases are a lot better priced.

[@joshquiroz]

You didn’t even talk about interior volume! Aluminum box hands down has more interior volume over a plastic counterpart. This is a storage review that doesn’t talk about storage. Sheesh.

[@OverlandAddict]

Sorry it didn’t love up to your expectations, Josh.

[@ConnectFork]

Music is horrible mate. Had to stop one minute in.

[@kirkdouglas9896]

That music drove me away too.

[@flowergun4868]

cooperation

[@bmwlane8834]

I would not buy the Swiss link as they are made in China and the playing off the Swiss name. Shouldn't they call them China boxes?

[@OverlandAddict]

You have a point, but the reason they are named Swiss Link is because the company that offers them is a Swiss Army surplus business.

[@neostephens8980]

Way too much overhang on the ROAM cases.

[@lanemortensen1952]

Good information, but man that music was about the worst I have ever heard in a video. Definitely distracts from the overall quality information you were providing.

[@asherdog9248]

None of these look very secure.

[@greggz7795]

Music can be great at the beginning and end of a video, but good grief, 16 minutes of those repetitive notes was miserable. Really takes away from your presentation.

[@nnoddy8161]

Have both types - for different purposes. Alu-box is our hamper/day box. Interior space: overall size is a clear advantage of the Alu-box. It comes into the house at the end of every trip and is not out of place laying around the house. It will be an heirloom. No so the plastic case. Con: expensive. Plastic case lives on the roof rack (80% of the time) - it is heavy and almost too big. Down side of the plastic case - the hinges/latches have begun to peel and rust. Sun has also started to impact the plastic (this is after 15 years of use) - starting to fade, dry out, would probably crack with a strong blow now. It won't last another 15 years. Irrespective of material used - be careful about getting a box too big as once it is full (which the temptation is to fill) it becomes very heavy.