REVIEW: Thyrm Vault versus Tactical Gear Case

The Thyrm Vault should be familiar to most of you, if not, it is a waterproof, impact-resistant box that you can attach to your gear. It can fit a smartphone or other small items. Sounds great, right? Well, sort of. The Thyrm Vault is almost too small for the latest, quite large smartphones, and with an additional power bank inside, the Thyrm Vault can definitely be too small.

Recently, we offer you another "hardshell case" for equipment in our shop, the Tactical Gear Case. It looks very similar at first glance, but the details are noticeably different. Let's get started.

Case

Here are the two cases side by side. The Thyrm Vault in Olive and the Tactical Gear Case in Tan. One thing to note is that the Gear Case is slightly larger.

The exact external dimensions are around 19.5 x 15.0 x 5.5 cm for the Tactical Gear Case and the Vault measures 18.2 x 13.5 x 4.0 cm, so it is significantly smaller.

The Thyrm Vault comes with an adhesive Velcro strip, which we did not stick on, while the Tactical Gear Case is already equipped with Velcro all around.

And when we say all around, we mean even on the back. If you want to attach it to a plate carrier or gear, it is advisable to remove the Velcro on the back. This makes it easier to close the hinge.

The Thyrm Vault weighs around 260 g empty, and the Tactical Gear Case weighs 345 g.

Closure

The closures are different in the cases. With the Thyrm Vault, you have to lift the tab to open it and then press down on the lid. To close it, you just need to press the lid down again, and the tab should snap back. Otherwise, you may need to lift the tab a bit to close the Vault again.

The Tactical Gear Case has a hinge closure mechanism, similar to what you would find in PeliCases and other waterproof transport cases. The lid is folded down, one part of the closure hooks into the body, and by flipping the tab, the lid and body are pressed together. A very sturdy closure.

Interior

The interior looks approximately the same in both cases. With the Thyrm Vault, you have to stick the Velcro yourself, while everything is already pre-installed in the Tactical Gear Case.

Both have small editions with prepared screw holes in the corners so that a panel or rigid internal organization can be installed. Or simply a plexiglass sheet.

With the Tactical Gear Case, there are also two layers of foam, one of which is even pre-cut. This is also known from larger transport cases. This way, the contents can be perfectly padded.

The interior dimensions of the Tactical Gear Case are approximately: Lid - 18.5 x 11.5 x 2.2 cm, Body - 18.5 x 11.5 x 1.7 cm.

Those of the Thyrm Vaults are approximately: Lid - 17.2 x 10.2 x 2.0 cm, Body - 17.2 x 10.2 x 1.2 cm.

Application

In use, both are basically the same. When used as an oversized protective cover for a phone, both work perfectly. If you want to add a power bank, it becomes a bit tight with the Thyrm Vault.

If you also want to use the cases as transport cases for a small camera with accessories, the Tactical Gear Case is simply the better option as it offers more space.

If the cases are mounted on the chest on a plate carrier, both are actually in the way for magazine retrieval. It gets even worse with AKM magazines.

When the cases are attached to a backpack, they work great.

CONCLUSION: Both cases have their justification in the equipment. Depending on what you plan to do with them, the extra space offered by the Tactical Gear Case could be of decisive benefit.

The Tactical Gear Case is available in our shop from 39.90 Euros in Black and Tan. The Thyrm Vault can be purchased for example from ASMC from 65.99 EURO or from Steinadler from 79 Euros.