A good dry bag should first and foremost keep your belongings protected from water, dirt, and other debris. But the best bags usually do more– be that by including an integrated carry system or having other function-focused features that make them better suited for specific sports.
Here’s a list of our favorite models from across all applications. If you’re unsure of which model is best for you- dive into our buyer’s guide for the full breakdown.
The Big River Dry Backpack takes everything we love about Sea to Summit rolltop nylon and adds a well-executed backpack system for convenient carry.
The Big River Dry Backpack has undergone significant design changes since the previous model we tested and improved the comfort level of the bag as a backpack.
It’s ideal for paddling sports, sailing and fishing.
The Stahlac Drylite dry bag series promises not just waterproof protection that we demand for very wet, outdoor activities but an almost uniquely low-profile design for space efficiency.
Our paddlesport experts have tested several of these dry bags to do this and to see how they measure up against similar options. For paddling and longer expeditions, Drylites have immediate value for their packability.
For sailing, the design also has a great benefit for space-saving and the color variety helps when time and organization are demanded.
IDRYBAG’s simply named offering is a readily available and reasonably affordable alternative to name brands that comes equipped with thoughtful features backed by a durable build.
One of the standout features is the honeycomb design carrying system, a rudimentary breathable backplate seldom seen in drybags. The bag also has D-clips on the shoulder straps, allowing you to attach water bottles and an internal and external pocket for additional storage.
The only issue we’ve seen with this bag is buckles prone to breaking when stepped on with shoes. That’s similar to other bags in this price class, but it’s worth noting.
Not every bag needs to be packed with features, whistle buckles, and 360-degree reflectivity. The Earth Pak Original Waterproof Sling bag proves just that.
It features an uncomplicated design, utilizes its main compartment and does what it needs to. This bag is the epitome of simplicity, a case of less is more.
This sling comes in many colors and sizes and has all-season weatherproofing for safe outdoor adventures. It can come along on a camping trip, to the gym for your wet clothes or on a day surfing. Just remember to secure it to your board or it might float away.
Getting your gear soaked over the course of any adventure is, at best, a bummer. In some circumstances getting caught in a freak rainstorm or getting splashed by a rogue wave can be disastrous. Sea to Summit has offered savvy recreators a means to mitigate the threat of wayward water for years now, and their Evac HD Dry Bag is one of their toughest models to date.
While we think the Evac’s tough build makes it an easy choice for all kinds of outdoor applications, compression straps make it uniquely suited for keeping sleeping bags and warm layers dry without taking up a ton of space. It’s most useful in situations where you need to keep things dry, but also need to think about managing room in your backpack or boat.
Review of MARCHWAY Floating Dry Bag Dry Bag review
If you’re searching for a lightweight and durable waterproof backpack that is mainly designed for hiking purposes…
Then search no more because the MARCHWAY Floating Dry Waterproof Bag is the perfect pick for you. It is built from high-quality materials that ensure a long-lasting experience. It also has incredible waterproof protection that will protect your stuff from moisture and even drenching. It comes in 5 different sizes and has 12 different color options. Depending on the size you choose, you to define your comfort. 5L and 10L options are with a single shoulder strap. While the 20L,30L, and 40L options come with double shoulder straps that bring extra support when you are carrying the bag.
Overall, this is one of a kind waterproof backpack that is lightweight and simple to use. It provides additional comfort so you can use it for more extended periods. The bag is best suitable for travel and hiking trips because of its waterproof system that protects your stuff from any water damage. This product has a 4.7 out of 5.0-stars review and could be counted as one of the best picks on the market in its price range.
Sea to Summit’s highly-portable, low-weight dry bags are a great way to keep only your phone, keys, and other small electronics protected in the bottom of your day pack or sling around your back. We appreciate their simple splash proof build, its wide range of sizes, and practical user amenities. All these factors come together for a very versatile dry bag, particularly when combined with Sea to Summit’s dry bag sling- there aren’t many situations where this bag would be out of sorts, provided you keep in mind the limitations of its water resistance.
We found the S2S Lightweight a pragmatic answer to a portable, splash-proof dry bag, and very representative of everything that a lightweight dry bag should be. We think it would be very at home in the bottom of your canoe, nestled inside of your backpack, or any other situation where you need to keep your gear protected from manageable splash hazards.
Osprey’s UltraLight stuff sacks are handy little packs to line backpacks or to collect items and clothes in a water-resistant container.
Lightweight, packable, and with enough water protection to protect against big splashes and light rain, this series of dry bags is available in a lot of sizes to fit your backpack of choice as a lining or as a waterproof handbag on its own.
We found Osprey’s Ultralight bags great for sailing, for camping and trips to the beach to protect against sand as well as water. However, for river trips, paddle sports, and other situations where your gear might get submerged, we recommend looking at other options.
The UltraLight series contrasts with Osprey’s other dry bags: one with a see-through window, and a more heavy-duty, submersible pack.
If you’re on the lookout for affordable, durable, and well-designed outdoor gear, chances are, you’ve heard of Skog Å Kust.
The company’s goal is simple: design and manufacture utilitarian gear that’s functional, attractive enough for daily use, and suitable for all types of weather.
After testing the Skog Å Kust DrySåk Waterproof Floating Dry Bag, we’d say they’ve mostly stayed true to this goal.
The DrySåk is as uncomplicated as they come, sufficiently water-resistant, durable, and affordable. It’s one of those dry bags that just does almost everything well, instead of banking on a certain proprietary feature/peculiarity.
A Dry Bag Buyer’s Guide
We love our dry bags, and have been spared some sad, soggy scenarios because we chose the right model for the occasion. We’ve also managed to drop the ball and wound up with wet down and soaked socks. This buyer’s guide is the sum of our knowledge and hard-earned experience. Whether you’re a seasoned oarsman or just want to keep your phone dry and free of sand at the beach, here’s the core criteria for picking your next bag.
Why Use a Dry Bag?
In short, to keep your stuff dry! Go figure, adry bag is a tried and trusted means to keep dirt, dust, sand, and water out of your personal gear during adventures big and small. Below we’ll break down dry bags by sport and situation- why you’d want them, what they look like, and a few of our favorites in every category.
Dry Bags On the River
A large contingent of dry bag users are looking for a way to keep their gear protected while rafting and kayaking on river trips. If you fall in this category, chances are you have a good idea of what you want- carry capacity, durability, and a high degree of water resistance are among the most important factors to keep in mind.
Much of the time these bags favor simplicity over fragile features- typified by models like Sea to Summit’s Big River. High volume and heavy-duty, these dry bags are built to sit around in the bottom of a boat, be dragged over sandstone, and keep all of your essentials dry in event of a splash or boat flip.
Frequent floaters often have sets of dry bags ranging from large cargo haulers to smaller models for phones and electronics. Having a combination of high-volume and smaller dry bags is a great way to stay organized and offer even greater protection to your gear that absolutely cannot get wet.
Dry Bags for Paddle Sports
Paddle sports like ocean kayaking and stand up paddle boarding usually are best served by lighter-weight, mid volume bags with plenty of tie-down points. Because these sports tend to be single day affairs, you can save weight and precious space by bringing only what you need without a bunch of excess bag to haul around.
With less risk of being punctured by cacti or ripped over rocks, these kinds of bags similar to Osprey’s UltraLight make use of lightweight materials and less durable components. They’ll still keep your things dry, but offer less protection against being submerged to any depth or length of time.
Dry Bags for Hiking
For those who want a dry bag to hike with, there are essentially two routes open to you- you can either get a dry bag with some kind of carry system, or you can use a smaller dry bag inside of your hiking pack.
While opting for a dry bag that can be worn on your back sounds like a great idea, models like Sea to Summit’s Sling Ultralight aren’t optimized for covering distance and tend to be uncomfortable as the miles stack up. Their straps are less comfortable, back panels aren’t breathable, and they lack many of the basic amenities you’d find in any of our favorite overnighters.
Using a lighter weight dry bag or opting for something like Sea to Summit’s Hydraulic Packing Cubes is a great way to have essentially the same effect with a much better overall experience for hiking. With this said there are cases where you’ll want your entire bag to be waterproof- if you’re lugging your camera gear through the rainforest or taking an extended hike through a waterlogged canyon- models like Sea to Summit’s Big River Backpack come in handy.
Dry Bags for Everything Else
For the beach, the pool, and tooling around high-risk splash zones you don’t need to go crazy with an expedition-ready adventure duffel. Most of the time a budget dry bag should be more than enough to meet your needs, provided you don’t test the limits of its waterproofing.
Low-cost models such as Earth Pak’s Waterproof offer a scaled down version of everything we love from our top performing drybags. Though bags like these tend to be less durable and ultimately less waterproof, they ultimately provide more than enough protection for most day-to-day applications. There are many affordable models of drybags on the market, you don’t need to fork over massive amounts of money to enjoy the benefits.
Practical Guide to Waterproofing on Dry Bags
While most dry bags do a great job of protecting against the occasional splash- they are seldom actually waterproof. Unsurprisingly, most manufacturers aren’t lining up to tell you this, and there are plenty of examples of people finding out the hard way their dry bag isn’t nearly as dry as they had hoped. Below we’ll break down the different degrees of water-resistance in dry bags along with a few choice examples.
Splashproof Dry Bags
Bags in the splashproof category are lightweight and intended mostly on use for land. Their thin build is great for saving space and weight, but as a consequence the material tends to soak up water and leak after prolonged exposure to moisture.
While splashproof dry bags offer a degree of water resistance, they are not designed to be fully submersible or completely waterproof. They can withstand light splashes and brief exposure to water, but they may not protect against prolonged submersion or heavy rain.
Bags of this style are a great choice to use inside of your backpack or for more casual outings.
Water Resistant Dry Bags
The vast majority of dry bags fall into the water resistant category, and offer better protection against water compared to a splashproof dry bag. These bags can keep your gear safe through most temporary exposure to water, even the occasional dunk if you should happen to fall off of your SUP or flip your kayak.
Water-resistant dry bags are usually made of materials like nylon with special coatings or layers that repel water. They often have sealed seams or welded construction to give you an extra shield against water getting in.
If you’re looking for a dry bag that you can use in any situation, you’re most likely to end up with something in this category like Sea to Summit’s eVent.
Submersible Dry Bags
Bags that can actually hold up to long-term submersion are few and far between. Those that fit the bill are usually prohibitively expensive for anyone but the most dedicated of watersports enthusiasts. While costs might be high, they can actually sit underwater for prolonged periods while keeping your belongings bone dry.
Built like duffel bags with heavy-duty zippers and thick, rigid materials, dry bags in this category offer a high degree of protection not only against water, but everything else.
Other Factors to Consider When Buying a Dry Bag
Budget
Price factors significantly into the effectiveness, size, and longevity of your dry bag. Higher-priced dry bags often offer superior materials, better construction, and additional features like padded straps, multiple compartments, or extra durability.
Larger or higher-capacity dry bags also tend to be more expensive than smaller ones. On that note, if you have specific needs that require a submersible dry bag or a dry bag with advanced features for extreme outdoor activities, you can fully expect a notable uptick in price.
While you definitely don’t want to subject your gear to undue risk, you shouldn’t be compelled into buying a drybag that’s more expensive than what you need. For trips to the beach, there’s no reason to be spending hundreds of dollars on what a budget model is more than capable of handling.
Dry Bag Durability
Durability is another big consideration in dry bags. Firstly and foremost for practical reasons- your dry bag doesn’t do you much good if it’s filled with holds. Opting for a more durable bag also impacts longevity- if you’re investing in an expensive bag you want to make sure you get to use it for more than a couple of trips. All of this comes with the added benefit that more durable bags are usually made of more water-resistant materials,
Dry Bag Features
The most important part about a dry bag is it’s-you guessed it- dry. Beyond their relative effectiveness in the face of dunks and splashes, dry bags can come with specific features to fine-tune your experience. These vary from model to model, and most of the time serve some specific purpose such as the backpack rig in Sea to Summit’s Big River Backpack.
Additional features like external pockets, waterproof zippers, and vents to help release air are just some examples of the features we look for in our dry bags. But it bears repeating, all of these features fall far behind a solid waterproof build- keep this in mind when browsing feature-rich budget models.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dry Bags
Keeping your gear clean and dry is important regardless of the context. If you’re looking for your next cargo hauler for the river or something to keep your phone out of the sand, here’s a list of our favorite dry bags.
Best Dry Bags
Sea to Summit Big River
Sea to Summit EVAC Compression Dry Bag HD
NRS Bill’s Bag
SealLine Discovery Deck
Methods vary from model to model, but generally speaking, to close a dry bag, roll down the top at least three times, aligning the edges for a secure seal. Fasten the buckles on each side to keep the rolled top in place and prevent it from unraveling. Test the seal by giving the bag a gentle tug to ensure it is secure and free from leaks. Make sure you know how water resistant your bag is before throwing it into the ocean. For the best dry bags from across all categories, check out our buyer’s guide.
Size factors greatly into the best dry bag for you. As a loose guideline shoot for a 20-30 liter dry bag is suitable for day trips or carrying essentials, while drybags around 40-60 liters are better for multi-day excursions or bulkier gear. If you have questions about what bag is best for your purposes, check out our dry bag buyer’s guide.
A dry bag is a waterproof storage bag used to keep belongings protected from moisture, dirt, and other debris. They typically have a roll-top closure system, and come in a wide variety of sizes for different applications. If you’re looking for safe storage on waterbound voyages or a way to keep your valuables safe at the pool, check out our buyer’s guide.
If you already have a Dry Bag or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
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