Product Testing

Here at OverBoard, we take our promises seriously. When we say that our waterproof products will keep your valuables safe and dry, we want to be 100% confident they will do just that. This is why we subject all of our products to a rigorous testing programme.

For example, our waterproof technology cases have been heated to 40 degrees Celsius to simulate hotter climates, submerged in water for hours at a time, pelted with dust and pressure tested at an underwater depth of 7 m for 1.5 hours. OverBoards product testing partners include the Industrial Products Department and Intertek Labtest.

If you would like any further information on our testing programme, please Email support@over-board.com.au

Temperature Test

The materials used in our OverBoard waterproof tech bags and cases are heated up to +40°C to simulate use in very hot climates. They are then placed in 1 meter of moderately warm shallow water to simulate surface water capabilities to check for leaks, floatation, humidity and durability. We also test for accelerated frost resistance by freezing our cases to -20°C to check for cracking, elasticity pliancy, and snow ingress. Now we don’t recommend you do the same with your teach for prolonged periods - it won’t damage the product, but condensation might build up inside the case and your electronics could become inoperable if they get too hot or cold!

Depth Test

Water ingress protection is our speciality and our waterproof tech cases are submerged down to 7 meters for 1.5 hours to see if they can defend against leaks and pressure. We’re pleased to say that they all passed with flying colours - but don’t forget that these are extreme test conditions so we don’t advise you do the same with your tech. The deeper you go underwater the more pressure there is which can crack the screen on your phone, tablet or electronic device which is why we have approved our cases for use down to 6 m / 19 ft for 60 minutes only.

Strength Test

Before any gear can roll off the production line, it undergoes Break Strength Testing – We literally test our products and their components to breaking point using specialised hydraulic equipment. The things we look out for are maximum load at break, deflection at maximum load, load break and deflection at break for all our straps, clips, buckles, Velcro, stitching, zippers, welds and webbing.

Dust, Sand, and Dirt Test

Our waterproof tech cases are also tested in a controlled environment using Norwegian talcum powder – the finest man-made dust available. The case is exposed to these minute dust particles in an irregular, multi-directional manner and afterwards, the cases are then inspected for any ingress. It’s a messy job but our cases don’t mind, they’re dust, dirt and sand proof too.

Dunk Test

Sometimes the simplest tests are the most effective, at the end of production, we fill our waterproof cases with compressed air and we check them for holes, leaks, waterproofing, colour fastness, dust defence and decay by dunking our gear in all sorts of dirt and liquids.

Weld Pressure Test

We like to batch-test our gear by filling our waterproof dry tubes, dry bags and backpacks with compressed air and then squeeze them really hard in our hydraulic compression tester. This forces compressed air in all directions making sure every seam and stitch-free high frequency weld has been fused correctly making them 100% waterproof.

Repetitive Stress Test

We open and close our waterproof cases for hours at a time to test for component fracture and fatigue using slow-speed static testing and high-frequency dynamic fatigue testing to make sure our clips, buckles, hook and loop fasteners and zips can withstand a lifetime of daily use.

Load Break Test

If we say our waterproof backpacks can hold 20 kg, we want to make sure that every strap, weld and seam can handle it so we use a high-capacity sheer tension testing process where we stretch, twist, flex, bend and pull everything apart to make sure it won’t break its promises.