Corsair survivor GT Ultra 32GB

The basics

We're not ones for judging books by their covers, but one look at the Corsair Survivor tells you everything you need to know about this hard-as-nails USB drive.

From the aircraft-grade aluminium shell to the moulded shock-dampening collar, it's very much the real deal, and will keep your data cocooned in safety through shocks, drops and all kinds of extreme weather conditions.

The good

With the Survivor, Corsair hasn't pulled its punches – this really is as tough as it gets. You may never get to test whether it really is water-resistant to 200m as its maker claims, but at least you'll be reassured that dropping it in a puddle won't cause any damage.

And unlike many rugged USB sticks, the physical protection hasn't come at the cost of storage capacity, with this spacious 32GB version partnered by an even more generous 64GB option in the model range.

The bad

The Survivor certainly is eye-catching, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. Its looks make it clear in no uncertain terms that this is no ordinary USB drive, and this might attract more attention than you'd like.

Then there's the excessiveness of its ruggedness: for most people, features like water resistance to 200m and a shell made from aircraft-grade aluminium are completely unnecessary, impressive as they look on paper.

The bottom line

Its full-bodied, no compromises hard-man routine makes the Corsair Survivor massively over-qualified for most everyday needs. For the narrow niche of people who really need extreme ruggedness, the Survivor fits the bill perfectly. For everyone else, it's down to whether the unquestionable bragging rights it brings are worth the £80 asking price.