The Discovery View bag is made of a semi see-through material to view the contents without opening the bag. The PVC material is puncture- and rip-resistant. A heavy duty collar and buckles make closing and sealing the bag intuitive. If you want to save space and co*press the bag, a special valve lets air escape after the top is closed.
A unique co*bination of fabrics allows air to purge from the eVent co*pression Sack without a purge valve. A reinforced lid, sturdy bottom, and non-wicking roll-top closure keeps water out. Four straps cinch down the bag to co*press the contents. It’s available in five sizes.
Overbuilt and reinforced, the Yeti Panga Backpack is the best dry bag backpack for hopping from one outdoor activity to another. Made of whitewater raft material, with an oversized waterproof zipper, the Panga waterproof backpack is air tight and co*pletely waterproof. It has padded shoulder straps and a ventilated spine with a chest and hip belt to distribute the weight.
Geckobrands Floating Phone Pouch is the best dry bag for phones and offers top-notch protection. Access all the phone’s functions through a window in the bag, even underwater. Test the seal to ensure the phone stays dry.
The SealLine Baja is a basic 5-liter bag with a roll-top closure. It’s made of reinforced vinyl and has a heavy duty bottom. It’s available in four colors, making it easy and inexpensive to organize gear and keep it protected from the elements.
A dry bag seems like a simple device—it’s a waterproof bag, right?—but finding the best waterproof bag requires some consideration.
First, look at construction and materials. Look for reinforced roll-top closure that won’t separate from the bag. The buckles should be easy to operate and sturdy. Zipper closures should be large, heavy and locking to close out moisture and hold air. Rip-stop material with inherent water-resistance protects gear from water and moisture without tearing or wearing thin. A D-ring on the bag is convenient for securing it to a kayak or canoe. Taped seams, closed with heat and adhesive, seal out leaks.
Then consider size. A five-liter bag is a good all-around size. Ten- and 20-liter dry bags have enough space for clothes, a sleeping bag or tent. Large dry bags make it easy to carry a pile of gear safe and dry.
If you need several, choose different color bags to keep gear organized.
To use a roll top dry bag, first, stuff the bag full of gear. While filling the bag, periodically shake the bag to pack down the contents. Once the bag is ⅔ full, fold the top of the bag over two times. Push the bag down to purge the air if you need to save space. If you want to maximize flotation, skip that step. Turn the top of the bag two more times to trap air, and clip the buckles at the collar. Test the seal by squeezing the bag while looking and listening for air to escape.
These bags are only as good as they are tough. Failed seals, broken buckles, ripped material, or co*promised waterproofing end a bag’s effectiveness. Roll top dry bags are considered the best for protecting outdoor gear. This is because the seal can be tested and you can trap a lot of air in it if necessary to provide good flotation—meaning you’ll be able to spot the bag easily on the water if it should go overboard. These are some of the best dry bags for paddle boarding, rafting, and other popular water sports.
Nothing stays dry on a kayak. Even inside the hull, water will puddle and eventually soak gear. And, gear in kayaks is subject to rough treatment, which makes a tough material mandatory. A bag that allows you see what’s inside is best, so you won’t have to sort through all your stuff and risk it getting wet while you’re looking for what you want.
Real-life camping often means encountering rain, fog and snow. A 15-liter bag is a good size for clothes or a sleeping bag, while a 30 liter bag will fit a tent, fly, tarp and more. Pack food in a 20-liter large bag so it’s available when the crew gets hungry. Weight is typically a consideration when camping, so a bag that’s lightweight but strong is a good choice.
One plus about a dry bag for camping: it helps reduce space by allowing you to co*press soft items. Roll the top to seal the bag, then cinch it down to remove air and reduce the size of the bag. A five-liter bag will turn a puffy jacket into a softball-size package.
A waterproof backpack offers the ultimate in convenience and utility. You never have to worry about your gear or clothing getting wet. If you have a lot of gear to keep dry and need to carry it a long way, the best dry bag backpack is the way to go.
Protecting an expensive smartphone from the elements isn’t easy, especially when kayaking or camping. The best dry bag for phones allows the user to operate the phone through a clear-plastic window in the bag. To make the bag even more convenient, most smartphone hard cases fit inside.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive bag, first make sure it truly is waterproof. Some bags have a waterproof closure, but the material itself is only water-resistant. That may work for your purposes, but if the bag is for use in a kayak or any other place where it’s bound to co*e into contact with water, make sure it’s 100 percent waterproof.
Answers to some of your most co*mon dry bag questions.
Sealline and NRS are two known makers of good dry bags, but note that the best dry bags do more than keep gear dry. It depends on what you want to do with the bag. Bright colors help organize and access gear, and while translucent material allows you to see what’s inside without hunting around in the bag. If you have to go a long way, a waterproof backpack may be a better choice. In any case, look for sturdy materials, a beefy opening and buckles, and welded or taped seals keep water out.
The best dry bags really are waterproof. The roll-top closures or waterproof zippers have proven to seal out water. Advanced materials and construction make them puncture- and tear-resistant.
A 10-liter dry bag will hold a change of dry clothes, a set of rain gear or a co*pact camp stove and utensils. A 10-liter bag will fit in a kayak bow hatch, in a large backpack, or under a car seat.
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Make double-sure that you close correctly. That may seem a simple thing when you’re at home, packing for a trip, but it’s something else when you’re on the water or in the woods and distracted by the fishing or the weather. A dry bag only works when it’s sealed properly, so take the time to make sure it’s shut tight.
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