Foot lockers, originally named because soldiers used them to store their belongings at the foot of their beds, have been in use by the army for generations. Their original composition was plywood with metal reinforced corners. Since World War II, manufactures have used different types of materials to make foot lockers.

Manufacturers make personal foot lockers from plastic, wood and steel. You can use foot lockers as storage trunks for a variety of personal and business needs, as pieces of furniture or as luggage. Leather-covered wood trunks make an interesting coffee table in a waiting room while adding valuable storage space. Because foot lockers stack easily, they are perfect for storing seasonal goods and any other merchandise for your business. Each material—plastic, wood and steel—has pros and cons. As you research foot lockers basics, consider the following:

1. Choose steel storage trunks for durable shipping and storage uses.

2. Use plastic foot lockers for durability and waterproof storage and shipping.

3. Turn to wood foot lockers for an inexpensive storage option.

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Use a steel storage trunk for durability

Plastic footlockers offer supreme protection for items in storage or transit. Plastic footlockers are rugged, durable and waterproof. Unlike steel footlockers, plastic footlockers bounce back into shape after something dents them. Plastic footlockers are available with casters to make transporting them easier.

I recommend: C&N Footlockers sells steel storage trunks. Its trunks come in a variety of sizes and colors with a lifetime warranty. TrunksUSA caters its steel trunks to the college market with a price that appeals to a group with little budgets.

Get ultimate goods protection from plastic foot lockers

Plastic footlockers offer supreme protection for items in storage or transit. Plastic footlockers are rugged, durable and waterproof. Unlike steel footlockers, plastic footlockers bounce back into shape after being dented. Plastic footlockers are available with casters to make transporting them easier.

I recommend: StudentMarket.com has durable polycarbonate plastic foot lockers for sale. It manufacturers its footlockers to protect valuables even under the toughest of circumstances, which makes them great ways to transport samples and other items for your business. Advanced Packaging sells plastic footlockers intended for use by the US military. It guarantees its trunks against damage to contents in transit or storage.

Use wooden foot lockers for storage

Wooden foot lockers are typically the least expensive type of storage trunk. Wooden foot lockers are best when employed for storage purposes only. They do not offer the same protection for items in transit as steel and plastic footlockers and trunks do. Wooden foot lockers stack easily, and you can pack them tightly into storage areas because of their uniform size.

I recommend: The Command Post sells genuine US Military footlockers. These footlockers are sturdy and rugged, yet small enough to fit under a standard issue military bunk. Smarter.com has a variety of leather-covered storage boxes that function as decor and storage.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can add removable wheel systems to some storage foot lockers to make transporting them easier.

Footlockers add color to your retail displays and allow you a creative way to organize and display your stock. If you're in the camping, college or first responder business, rugged foot lockers and storage trunks are perfect for withstanding conditions at a camp, military barracks or fire department. There are also elegantly designed storage foot lockers for your office.

When ordering foot lockers, it's important to remember that:

1. There are many foot locker suppliers offering storage solutions that fit into whatever space you have.
2. Foot lockers don't have to be boring metal boxes. They can exemplify your business' personality and function.
3. Durability is essential when choosing a storage footlocker.

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Measure the area where you plan to put footlockers

Shopping for storage foot lockers isn't as simple as deciding how many you need and ordering them. You must know how much space you have to work with or they may not fit. Measure the length of the wall space you want to line with foot lockers. Typically, steel lockers used in schools measure 72' high, 12' wide and 12' deep. Larger footlockers are 24' wide and 24' deep.

I recommend: C&N footlockers sells lockers in a variety of colors. The dimensions range from 30"x16" to 32"x18". Budco Products have several types and designs of steamer trunks. They're made with high quality materials.

Get storage trunks for dorm rooms, camps and much more

Look for storage trunks for sale by foot locker suppliers. Some storage trunks are perfect for campgrounds and bunk houses. Others work great in dorm rooms. You want to buy storage trunks that are built with wood frames and covered with heavy-duty vinyl or leather. Many are hand-crafted with brass-plated hardware.

I recommend: Campbound.com sells storage trunks that are perfect for camp. They come in three sizes and six colors. Budco Products has been manufacturing handmade storage trunks for over 40 years. Surray Luggage stocks antique style trunks.

Go for durability when choosing foot lockers and storage trunks

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many footlocker suppliers offer a rust proof package to make the personal foot lockers last longer. There are also storage trunks that are moisture and dust resistant.

I recommend: Rhino lockers are extra heavy duty and they're commonly used in schools, police stations, fire companies and industrial settings. Trunks Depot claims their footlockers and storage trunks for sale are strong enough to withstand a man standing on them.

Consider custom foot lockers

Custom foot lockers are the ideal choice if you're outfitting a ski resort or golf clubhouse. They are designed with space for skis, clothing, golf shoes or ski boots and equipment bags. If you need a storage trunk for an upscale office, buy a wooden hand painted trunk.

I recommend: Sports Authority sells patterned storage trunks for your customers' gear. If you're looking for elegantly decorated storage trunks, contact Design by Diane. She hand paints wood trunks.

Remember the extras when ordering from foot locker suppliers

Most foot lockers need shelving and some storage trunks need wheels. Foot locker suppliers vary on how they handle these extras. Some automatically include both the tray and wheels, installed for free. Others charge you extra. Make sure to specify whether you need either addition.

I recommend: Trunks Depot will put wheels on your storage trunk for free. They also have a 30-day money back guarantee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check into shipping options when you order your storage footlocker. Some suppliers offer free shipping.

Footlockers and trunks have a multitude of possible uses. Footlockers take on the traditional use of storage, take the place of a coffee table and everything in between. The price and durability for footlockers will depend on the material the manufacturer used to make them.

One great difference between the three is that many plastic footlockers are waterproof while steel and wood are not. As you weigh your personal and business needs for storage options, consider the following pricing and costs of foot lockers:

1. Get pricing information for steel storage trunks.

2. Price plastic personal foot lockers.

3. Budget for wooden storage trunks.

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Create a budget for steel footlockers and trunks

Steel trunks are attractive and durable. Most people find steel trunks attractive enough to use them to replace pieces of furniture and rugged enough to haul camping gear. Steel foot lockers have the disadvantage of scratching and denting, which can reduce the aesthetic quality. A medium-sized steel trunk costs around $120, while a larger trunk can sell for around $200.

I recommend: Rose Trunk is a manufacturer that builds deluxe steel trunks. It includes a fully lined tray and padlock with every order. Another provider of steel storage foot lockers is Trunks Depot. It carries small-, medium- and large-sized foot lockers.

Get pricing on plastic foot lockers from foot locker suppliers

A plastic foot locker is rugged, durable and water-proof. This type of footlocker doesn't dent like steel foot lockers and resists corrosion. Plastic foot lockers are ideal for outdoor activities, such as boating, fishing and camping and cost from $150 to $500.

I recommend: Uncle Sam's sells water-proof plastic trunks. It offers discounted prices and free shipping on qualifying products. Pelican Cases sells foam-lined plastic foot lockers approved for airline use. It sells several sizes of plastic foot lockers.

Find pricing information on a wooden storage trunk

Wooden storage trunks come in several different styles. There are solid-wood trunks that companies manufacture for heavy-duty and military moves. Some companies cover wooden trunks with bonded leather or vinyl to make the wooden foot lockers attractive enough for decor yet sturdy enough for rugged use. Wooden foot lockers range from $120 to $250.

I recommend: Find wooden storage trunks for sale at BagExpo. It manufactures its wooden trunks from bonded plywood and includes hinged lids. Another company that sells wooden trunks is The Sportsman's Guide. Its wooden trunks are military style with removable trays and plenty of storage space.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Foam lined plastic foot lockers withstand the stresses of the shipping process and offer a protective atmosphere for shipped goods.
• •  If you want to secure items in a foot locker, consider purchasing one that comes with a lock or that has a latch you can lock.

Foot lockers (commonly referred to as trunks) have become a staple in the lives of campers, co-eds and members of the military for many years, and anyone shopping for or in the business of building or selling them should know a few foot lockers key terms. Because of their unique appearance and diverse functionality, foot lockers also have started finding their way into office space and business centers, serving shipping and storage needs while sometimes even doubling as furniture for organizations nationwide.

If you're in the market for foot lockers, here are some useful key terms to get you going:

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Steel trunk

Foot lockers made of steel are said to be the most durable and rugged of them all. They can take years of use and abuse without showing any significant signs of wear.

I recommend: Steel foot lockers come in many colors and sizes, as evidenced by the selection at Trunks USA.

Cedar trunk

Cedar trunks are foot lockers made from cedar wood. Their appearance is casual yet rich-looking and perfect for any office environment.

I recommend: Trunks Depot has both visuals and descriptions of cedar trunks that are a classic choice for office use.

Wheeled

A wheeled foot locker is just as its name implies: it has wheels. Some foot lockers come with wheels, while they're an option for others. Wheels are almost always mounted on only one end of a foot locker so it can be pulled by a handle from the other end.

I recommend: See a foot locker with built-in recessed wheels at Surray Luggage. Learn about a patented new "on and off" foot locker wheel system at C&N Footlockers.

Binding

Nickel tacked, styrene, tacked bonded fiber and vulcanized fiber are a handful of binding types that can be found on foot lockers.

I recommend: Head over to Vermont's Barre Army Navy to see and learn about an assortment of foot lockers with a variety of binding options.

ATA approved

ATA (Air Transport Association) approved foot lockers meet the standards for safe air travel set forth by the association. They are more expensive and more durable than other foot lockers.

I recommend: Get a good look at an ATA approved foot locker with its associated specifications at Rose Trunk.

Hardigg

Hardigg is a popular brand of foot locker and transport case for commercial, industrial and military shipping. The cases are made of molded plastic that's impact resistant, incredibly strong and watertight.

I recommend: Learn all about what makes Hardigg foot lockers unique and virtually indestructible at Advanced Packaging Group.