Because of the logging that will be happening at Stub Stewart, I've been pulling all the HP letterboxes. It is really interesting to me that of all the hodge podge assortment of boxes used only the locknlocks are wet inside.... and not only that, 2/3 had an inch of water inside. I thought LnL's were the rolls Royce of boxes? But the 3/$1 ones I got at dollar tree kept drier...
Anyone else have this experience?

Anyone else have this experience?

I haven't had this experience but I actually use locknlocks for food and find that they don't hold up all that well in the freezer, seeming to twist a bit and become hard to open when thawed, and even though they are top shelf dishwasher safe, they definitely warp in the dishwasher. I have totally reevaluated my opinion of them for letterboxing and food.

What do you recommend using in place of LnL?

Some west of the Rockies are going to sistema. The hinge is a real one not creased plastic. They seem to be staying dry and not breaking as easily in the heat.

In my experience, the boxes themselves are fine, but the gaskets vary wildly in effectiveness. Replacing or upgrading the gasket, if possible, might help. Additionally, the seal doesn't engage properly if people don't fully snap down all four tabs, so some people write a reminder about that in or on the box.

What do you recommend using in place of LnL?

For letterboxes, I use decon containers which I can get locally for a very good price. I have used them for almost a dozen years and have yet to find one that failed.

For food, I recommend that you just eat all the leftovers so you don't need a storage dish.

I tried a few Sistema boxes that I bought at Home Goods. I don't think quality control is great - some lids snapped on very tightly and others seemed almost loose. I pulled one Sistema box after only a few months because it was filled with water. Others have been OK.

For the most part, I like using LnL boxes, although I've found several where a tab has broken off. This seems to be a particular problem in hot climes (I'm in Texas) - I don't have a lot of experience with LnLs in cold weather. For the most part, the LnL boxes I've found have been pretty dry, but I agree with the poster who noted that so much depends on whether the seal is truly tight or not. I often find that a small corner of the interior baggie gets inadvertently caught in the seal when the box is closed, and that is a recipe for dampness for sure.

Lately our local HEB grocery store has started selling a private label brand box much like the LnL. I'm going to try those next. I hope they work well, because that would save a lot of money.

Arizona boxes have the same issue with the LnL tabs

Re decon containers

Unfortunately not a aviable from the link priovided
And they are $9 on Amazon, a rather prohibitive price for most of us
Any other sources out there?

Any other sources out there?

I get mine from a local Army Navy store for $1.75 each.

I used Decon boxes in NH and PA. Never, ever leak. The problem is that people have a tough time opening them (and will complain). Worse still, they are so hard to close completely that eventually finders just don't.

The problem is that people have a tough time opening them (and will complain). Worse still, they are so hard to close completely that eventually finders just don't.

They ARE a little tougher to open and close but around here (in PA) I guess we are just used to them so there isn't a big deal about either opening or closing. There are more complaints about boxes being destroyed because they are in Gladware or other boxes that are easy for a critter to invade.

My biggest issues with LnL boxes are:
baggies inside = a corner of the bag under the seal ruins the seal
too much stuff crammed into the box = ruins the seal
all four sides not snapped down = no seal

I have letterboxes in LnL containers that are specifically "commando", meaning no zip bags. The contents have been dry for years.

I have letterboxes in LnL containers that are specifically "commando", meaning no zip bags. The contents have been dry for years.

I can't speak for other times as this is the first time I have used LnL, but none of these had bags in them (i was doing an event and didn't want to slow people down) and only 1/3 had anything but the stamp (it had a logbook in it) none of them had the seals stressed. Maybe i just had a bad batch.
I was just surprised that the dollar store snap boxes were so dry, and the LnLs were so wet.

That is true. Guess I just get more huffy about ruined boxes that should have been indestructible. Have not tried decons since I moved to IN. Will have to put these Hoosiers to the test!

I get mine from a local Army Navy store for $1.75 each.

Aha! Found some here( not a recommendaiton as I just found the site and haven’t used it yet)-👍cheaper than Amazon but not $1.75!

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/ammo-cans-storage-containers/u-s-mil-decon-boxes.html

For letterboxes, I use decon containers which I can get locally for a very good price. I have used them for almost a dozen years and have yet to find one that failed.

I just wanted to reiterate my endorsement for decon containers. We have a vacation home in Florida and one of my local boxes is in a hurricane prone area along the Tomoka River. This box, Florida's Timucua, is in a decon container. Last winter I was so happy to find that it had escaped the damage from Hurricane Matthew but when I visited the park this past September after Hurricane Irma to check on it, I was sure it would be in pieces after I saw all the devestation in that park. At that time the trail to the box was closed because it was still flooded and impassible and I gave it up as a goner. But today, I revisited the park and found the box safe and sound and more importantly, everything inside was bone dry. Yep, decons are my container of choice!