ALPAKA Elements Tech Case Review: Weatherproof Tech Organizer

When you’re organizing tech accessories for travel or keeping your desk setup tidy, the last thing you want is loose cables and memory cards floating around in your bag. The ALPAKA Elements Tech Case creates a smart way to organize all my stuff without any of it getting lost.

This is my first impressions review! I’ll be discussing how I rate this tech organizer, given that I have had quite a number of other ones over the years.

Why this tech case is unique

The ALPAKA Elements Tech Case packs real punch for how compact it is. It’s 2.1L, so it’s really not that big at the end of the day.

Right out of the box, you can see that the zippered pockets in the interior are thoughtfully designed to keep small items like SD memory cards, cables and small accessories organized and not floating around.

The materials are lightweight with ripstop nylon that won’t snag, and the weatherproof zippers are the real standout feature. This tech case is actually meant to serve as its own bag. You can take this out in the rain or in the elements, and the protective coating will keep everything inside dry.

How it’s designed: compact organization features

For a case this size, the organization is impressive. The accordion-style compartments let my things stay divided without getting tangled into one another, and it also lets me see everything when I open it up.

A cool thing that other tech cases don’t do and that the Elements Tech Case does, is that it stands up on its own.

That’s a nice feature when I get to a hotel and set up a remote work setup, and I can pop up this tech bag in my workspace. I can leave it standing up on my desk when I’m working at a coworking space, too. Or I can set it on a table at a cafe and have easy access to everything right away.

The weatherproof zippers are the aspect I haven’t seen on many other tech cases. It’s a bonus feature from ALPAKA, and it doesn’t shock me, because typically, ALPAKA thinks of almost everything (especially when it comes to protecting gear during travel). This matters if you’re someone who treats your tech case as an actual bag, not only a storage container.

The strap and ecosystem integration

The ALPAKA Elements Tech Case does come with its own strap. Specifically, it’s the Mini Pro Strap. You can upgrade to the Pro Strap, which will give you a wider base. This makes your tech case feel more like a sling. It’s a worth while upgrade if you see yourself using the sling feature a lot.

Personally, I’m not really a travel sling person. I tend to keep my tech case nested in my luggage or backpack. Becca does heavily use fanny packs during travel and everyday live. The carrying option would be better for her.

How I can use it in real travel scenarios

There are 12 pockets within three distinct organization sections, so if I want, I can theme them based on different types of tech gear I have. I can have a section for photography stuff, a section for my remote work stuff and a section for in-flight gadgets like headphones.

The cable pass-through is practical for keeping cords organized. If you’ve ever traveled with even more than one cord or cable for charging your laptop, camera or phone, you know that these get unruly if they’re not organized well.

I think why I have confidence in the materials is that I’ve had ripstop nylon products like this before, and the strength is in the criss-cross pattern of the exterior. It’s also in the lightweightness of it. The whole product is working proof that something light can be strong and last for years.

The waterproof zippers are a helpful part of the Elements Tech Case as well. The weatherproofing on the outside is a plus, and the zippers glide nicely. I’m typically very critical of zippers and I’ll tell you when I’m not happy with some that I see on a product. These zippers are legitimate, though: they don’t snag.

The overall gist: is it worth it?

For a tech case this compact and well-designed, the ALPAKA Elements has earned its place in my travel kit. If you’re someone who travels with a camera, someone who wants to keep cables organized or someone who prefers not to have your tech accessories scattered across your luggage, this product could help you out.

The weatherproof construction gives me confidence using it outside of my bag, and the included strap means that for someone who wants to use it as a sling, it can be that, too. That’s solid value for just one purchase.

Where to get it, and how to learn more

You can pick up the ALPAKA Elements Tech Case at the ALPAKA website, which is a fun place to see how all the products in the ALPAKA ecosystem “work together.” A lot of the straps are interchangable with different products from ALPAKA, and some of the smaller items even hook and latch into the larger ones, like backpacks.

Interested in seeing other tech bags I’ve reviewed?

• Check out the Peak Design Tech Pouch Review
• Read about the Bellroy Tech Kit Review
• Explore our best tech bags for travel, to see every tech case I’ve ever owned and how they all stack up to one another