The Cressi Venom is a 30-liter roll-top backpack that combines the reliability of a dry bag with the comfort of traditional shoulder straps, making it an ideal companion for divers and watersport doers who need to transport wet gear or keep values dry without the mess.First impressions
The Cressi Venom backpack feels like a premium product designed for water people and divers alike. The PVC tarpaulin material strikes a good balance between durability and flexibility. It’s tough enough to handle rough boat decks and rocky shorelines, yet still soft enough to pack away when not in use.
Waterproof performance
The roll-top closure of the Cressi Venom backpack creates a completely watertight seal. During our tests of general use, we packed the main compartment with sensitive items including electronics and dry clothes, then exposed the backpack to water spray and brief submersion.
The contents remained completely dry every time. The PVC tarpaulin material sheds water effectively, and the welded seam construction eliminates the weak points that often plague stitched waterproof bags.
However, the front 5L pockets aren’t watertight. They are designed for dry storage to protect smaller items from general water exposure. If you store your phone in the front pockets, it’ll be safe from splashes, but not full-on submersion.
Comfort and carry
Speaking from experience, I am someone who uses dry bags regularly, whether for swimming, beach days, or scuba trips. Many generic roll-tops tend to have a single crossbody strap which will dig in and get quite uncomfortable if it’s too heavy.
The Cressi Venom is a backpack-style drybag, and the padded shoulder straps distribute weight evenly, providing welcome comfort. There is also padding on the back, as well as an adjustable sternum strap. Note that all of these parts of the bag will absorb water and take a while to dry.
The shoulder strap, back padding, and adjustable sternum strap together make this larger dry bag much more comfortable to carry, which is really nice since wet gear is heavy gear.
Storage and organization
Being 30L and just a backpack, there’s no denying that the Venom will not fit all your dive gear. The main compartment can fit a thin wetsuit, DSMB, and mask, but bulkier items like a BCD or fins are just too big and long.
We have found that we predominantly use this bag as a day-pack when diving, storing things like a change of clothes, our lunch, our dive computer, and other small necessities. Since the backpack is totally waterproof, it’s great to have on the boat or around the water.
Being a water lover myself, I regularly use the Venom when going to my freediving classes or doing my open water swims. The main compartment can easily fit a slim wetsuit, mask/goggles and a few other essentials, like a swim buoy or a wash bag.
I also liked that the Cressi Venom Backpack has two external compartments, as well as a water bottle pocket. Together these front pockets are 5L and work well for day-to-day essentials. The larger pocket is nearly the length of the bag so a small laptop or regular tablet could easily fit.
The zippers are not 100% waterproof sealed and the pockets are thin PVC tarpaulin so I would put more delicate items (such as a tablet) in a protective or waterproof case. The smaller front pocket is perfect for items you need quick access to, like your phone or keys.
There is also an elastic cord system on the lid of the bag, which I found good for carrying a rash vest or towel on the outside to dry. On the base of the backpack there are two D-rings which aren’t particularly useful in my opinion. I would have actually preferred some kind of gear attachment system that would allow me to put my scuba fins at the bottom.
Price/quality ratio
The Cressi Venom falls in the mid-range when it comes to cost, but it is well-made, has a lot of space, and good padding. Compared to basic dry bags, the Venom offers superior carrying comfort and practical features. For divers who need a reliable waterproof bag without premium pricing, the Venom is a great middle ground product.
Do we recommend the Cressi Venom Dry Backpack?
Yes, we recommend the Venom for an on-the-water day bag, but not as a specific dive bag. I can see this backpack being a great choice for dive professionals as their everyday work bag. You can trust the Cressi Venom to keep its content safe and dry on the boat—no soggy sandwiches here!
If you find you are regularly using a large drybag and want something a bit more advanced than the standard tube and crossbody strap, the Venom’s padding will be a welcome relief.
Specs & Features
| Material | PVC tarpaulin with welded seams |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 30L + 5L (exterior pockets) |
| Dimensions | 23.8 x 16.3 inches (60.5 cm x 41.6 cm) |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8kg) |
| Handles | Shoulder straps and one top grab handle |
| Wheels | None |
| Compartments | One large compartment, two external pockets, and one side bottle pocket |
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