Dry bags might seem simple, but they’re incredibly diverse. Each design complements specific water activities, outdoor needs, and personal preferences. Size and Fit Waterproof dry bags over the standard 30 liters are in a different category. Due to the large size of these bags, a waterproof duffel bag is more appropriate. These bags are also called boating bags because the primary use is not for carrying like the dry bags above, they will be transported short distances then sit in a boat or kayak. Since they still need to be watertight, let’s look at waterproof zippers and waterproof roll-top duffel bags. If you paddle year round, you’ll probably want a collection of bags: a 5-10L, a 30-40L, maybe a 60L, and a few heftier ones (100L+) for the big adventures. We took these bags on morning and afternoon outings as well as multiday river trips, in whitewater and on flat water through canyons and ravines and across wide-open lakes.

One of our favorite qualities of this duffel is the variety of tie-down points, which makes rigging up the gear super easy and helps keep everything tight. By squishing all the air out of a dry bag as you roll it down, you can fit much more in your race vest. They make finding something important you need when you are tired, it's bad weather or in the dark much easier. What types of runs or weather are they good for? At this size, remember that you could roll down a larger dry bag to any size you want while having the option for larger capacity. If you’re unsure and this a 20 liter will be too large, just remember it’s an option to roll down further than the recommended 3 times. I wrote a short article about the proper way of closing a dry bag here. After you find the size that best fits your needs, I also wrote The Ultimate Guide to Waterproof Dry Bags with everything you would ever want to know about dry bags. 2-liter Dry Bag We would recommend using a combination of both sizes and colours to segment your kit into specific groups. Are they really 100% waterproof?

So, Where Do We Start?

Sea to Summit’s Big River Dry Bags have been a staple for watergoers everywhere for a while now. The bags come in different sizes, are made with durable material, and our staff’s bags have lasted for years. We love a whole lot about these dry bags: their durability, features like lash points, and price, to name a few!

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 That’s on top of the Discovery Dry Bag’s other awesome feature: visibility (not just a plastic window) via the translucent fabric. Given the bag is uniquely translucent, it’s easy to spot gear without unnecessarily unraveling the roll top. For rough and tough adventures like rafting, canoeing or motorcycle touring, our first choice is the Big River Dry Bag, this waterproof dry bag is designed to be extremely durable, strong and abrasion resistant. A: Unigear dry bags are sized volumetrically in liters and come in a range of sizes to suit smaller items such as phones and money, and larger items such as clothing and sleeping bags.

How Much Stuff Can You Fit Inside Each Size Dry Bag?

Perfect for ultras, longer distances and fell running in more remote terrain when the weather can be unpredictable. What size should I choose? The durability of the dry bag handles, lash points, straps, and material is crucial. Will the exterior withstand environmental encounters like rigid juniper branches along the river, thorny bushes on the trail’s edge, transport over boulder-strewn banks, or a dog’s sharp nails? The river is a difficult place to travel if you have a lot of gear that you need to keep dry. In the case of multi-day trips, you need to worry about protecting a lot more than just your phone and keys. The NRS Bill’s Bag is a popular and highly regarded waterproof dry bag designed particularly for water sports such as kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. Known for its simplicity, durability, and high capacity- this nuanced classic from NRS deserves a spot in the bottom of any boat. 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 dry bag also features an internal plastic skirt around the entrance of the dry bag to further increase the protection from water. Depending on your activity, you can use this to store your keys, your wallet or other small items you want to keep dry.

I would definitely want a strap at 10 or 20 liters for day hiking. Having a shoulder strap included with your dry bag is also nice to hang on a tree while I camp to pull gear out as you need it. 20 Liter Dry Bag 30-liter Dry Bag Plus, the fold-down closure system is soft and easy to use, which we liked for hiking with the dry bag and also for using the bag on a mountain lake to paddle. Editor’s Note: We updated our Dry Bags guide on November 22, 2023, to be more reader-friendly and have the most up-to-date information. The Best Dry Bags of 2023 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 The dry bag is constructed from waterproof 210T ripstop polyester with a transparent PVC film panel. With its roll-down design and RF-welded seams ensure this bag stays water tight. You can keep your personal items inside the bag nice and dry when you’re on the water, and you can use your touch screen on the phone while it is safely stored in the bag.It’s ideal for any adventure including family outings, camping trips, water sport adventures, mountain biking or race events. The design’s 70-denier nylon waterproof fabric keeps water out, and the eVent waterproof-yet-air-permeable base allows air to expel when the straps are tugged to tighten the load. Double-stitched waterproof seams are sealed with tape to keep out moisture. Four hard lash points create durable tiedowns, and two compression straps squeeze the load together. We like that the convenient carry handle is lightly padded for comfort. Dry bags have a vital responsibility — protecting your gear. Whether your raft gets flipped, you take a spill in a creek, or you get caught in an unexpected downpour, it’s essential that clothing, sleeping bags, and other necessities stay dry. The HydroLok zipper performed super well, is comfortable to pull, and has lasted season after season. We’d never before used a dry bag with a zipper closure, but not a drop of moisture got into our bag on the entirety of our trips. We appreciate the ease of how the bag opens like a duffel, so we don’t need to dump all of the contents (like with a top-loading dry bag) out to find what we need.