Etchr Field Case Review
I did something a little bonkers during a previous Jackson’s Art sale – I bought myself the Etchr Field Case. Yes it had a discount, but it was still quite a bit of money to splurge on what is really just a pencil case. So was it worth it? Do I regret it? Or have I actually found the perfect art kit case?
In the interests of not keeping you waiting – I think the Etchr Field Case is a brilliant addition to my collection of art kits, but read on to find out exactly why I think this!
If you prefer watching video over reading, I have a video on my art YouTube channel covering the Etchr Field Case too!
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Etchr Lab Field Case Overview
As mentioned above, I bought the Etchr Field Case during the Jackson’s Etchr sale in early November 2023. This case is perfect for carrying a variety of art supplies, including pens and pencils.
It’s marketed as a compact waterproof piece of kit that is vegan friendly and it comes with a 2 year guarantee.
Let’s dive in and look at the actual specs though.
Etchr Field Case: Materials and Measurements
There are a few different materials used to construct the Etchr field case, with those used on the interior differing from those on the exterior.
Exterior Materials
The main part of the case is made from a fabric which looks like it is woven, except it has a plasticky feel to it – like a coated canvas – and it is this which provides that waterproofing we’re all so desperate for when out and about.
This main section has a waterproof YKK zipper, with two zipper pulls. The tape is sealed, making it resistant to rain or sudden immersion in a pool of water.
There are two tabs at the end of the zipper sections which can be used to attach a strap. I’ve actually used the strap for my camera on a recent trip so I need to dig it out and add it back to the field kit.
The strap that comes with the field case is 135 cm in total length and when attached to the case it can be worn as a shoulder bag or cross-body bag, which is for the most part how I use it. It’s how I used it in Paris in November when wandering the Louvre with my sketchbook in hand. The strap is made from a webbing material – based upon how shiny and smooth it is, I would assume this to be polyester.
There are also two shorter webbing straps each with a square of velcro, which could be used to attach the case to a belt or bag.
The last thing of note on the outside of the field case is a front exterior pocket. This pocket is made from a different coated fabric to the main, with a more ‘grippy’ texture to it, and it has a little bit of stretch. This is down to the knit fabric it is lined with, which makes it suitable for slips of paper or small items that you need easy access to, but you would struggle to get anything bigger inside this section once the field case is full.
Interior Materials
When opened, the case reveals quite a spacious interior which is made from a slightly stretchy knit fabric. This fabric is used to ‘line’ the field case, hiding the ‘wrong side’ of the exterior fabric from sight, but it also allows for a little flexibility in the storage of art supplies. It is the same fabric which lines the exterior pocket.
Knit fabrics tend to have a little built in ‘stretch’ factor, which allows the material to stretch out and recover once those supplies have been removed.
That said – while the knit interior does allow me to squeeze much more in than I would expect, the fabric does not fully recover and has a little visible warping to it.
The interior knit fabric has a variety of elastic straps which are sewn into place, and these act as ‘holders’ for your art supplies.
There are also two mesh ‘pockets’ at the lower section of each side, and these are great for just holding in place bulkier items like erasers and sharpeners.
Etchr Field Case Dimensions
For those keen to know the size specs, the dimensions of the Etchr Field Case when closed are:
- Length 23 cm
- Width 12 cm
- Depth 7 cm
While 7cm depth doesn’t sound like much the case does still expand beyond this if you are prepared to fully stuff it, but I generally avoid doing this.
Waterproof Test
I was curious to see how waterproof the Etchr Field Case really was so I decided to put it to the test by splashing some water on it. The water rolled off the surface of the case and was not absorbed, and after rubbing the water off with a cloth, I could see that there was no harm to the case in any way.
I’m not sure how well it will fair out in a heavy storm – I decided against submerging it in water as part of my test – but as I generally wear it as a cross body case with the strap under my coat or jacket, I feel that it would be quite protected in the event that I got stuck outside in a storm somewhere.
How I Use The Etchr Field Case
Since buying it, I’ve been using the case to carry a small sketchbook and a small selection of materials, and I use it out and about as well as around the house.
In November I started a monthly challenge, allowing myself to only use a Pentel brush pen and my small 9x14cm Talens Art Creations sketchbook, so that I could really practice using the pen. I found that the field case was perfect for carrying both items around with me, as well as a few other drawing supplies.
When I went to Paris in mid November, I also took it with me, but for the trip I filled it with a variety of materials to create a limited palette. It worked brilliantly for that trip.
And throughout December I challenged myself to use only brush pens in my small sketchbook, and those again worked well in the Etchr Field Case – I was able to fit in quite a few Tombow, Faber Castell and Ecoline brush pens with no issues, and it made it much easier to keep up with my personal art challenges.
Overall, I’m really happy with the Etchr Lab Field case. I find it to be the perfect size for carrying a smaller selection of my drawing and painting materials around, and as it is made from high-quality materials I have no issues taking it out and about with me either.
Have you bought the Etchr Field Case? How do you like it? Or maybe it’s on your wishlist? Let me know in the comments!
