Best Dry Bags

Dry bags are a necessity in the life of an avid traveler and adventurer. Whether you are kayaking or hiking, these bags are sure to keep your possessions free of water and protected from the elements of nature. With so many options, it may be hard to find the right one, especially if you are buying online and do not have the product in front of you. This guide was designed with you in mind, to make sure all your questions about dry bags are answered, to ensure a worry-free and waterproof trip!

Materials

Most dry bags are made of nylon or vinyl materials. 

• Vinyl: Most durable and best for packing metal or heavy gear.
• Waterproof nylon: Less durable than vinyl, but lighter and more flexible; best for packing soft items like sleeping bags and clothing.
• Silnylon: Lightest and least durable of the three materials; not recommended solely for marine use, but has slippery fabric making it ideal for packing into small spaces.

Closure type

All dry bags are sealable to prevent water from getting in, but there are different types of closure methods. 

• A zipper seal is similar to a freezer or space bag, where the zipper is pressed and sealed to keep out water and moisture. 
• A roll top is a different type of closure method and is most effective at keeping out water. In short, the bag is folded over on itself multiple times, creating a waterproof closure.

Features

Most dry bags are simple, but some have additional features. Some contain a valve that allows for air decompression after the bag is sealed, which allows for more space when packing it in. Other bags, known as padded dry bags, help protect electronics by adding extra cushion.

Size

Dry bags come in multiple sizes and vary from five or less liters to over 30.

• Five-liter bags can hold smaller, personal items such as a phone, medicine, or small food.
• 10-liter bags are commonly used to store clothing and are convenient for packing for a small weekend trip. 
• 20-liter bags can store a sleeping bag, as well as multiple clothing items for longer trips.
• 30-liter bags are great for two peoples’ clothes or can hold almost everything needed for one person during a weeklong excursion.

• Quality matters: People using dry bags mention that the materials that many dry bags are made of are very durable and able to withstand various types of weather, abrasion, and different outdoor activities. These bags may be pricier, but in the end it is worth it to have your gear protected.
• Comfort: Bigger models of dry bags can resemble a hiking pack in regard to the way it can be carried. Many have shoulder straps and people liked those that had padding to cushion the weight.
• Waterproof vs. Weather-Resistant: These two terms can be misleading when buying a dry bag online. Waterproof means that water will not get in, and is often qualified by differing degrees of exposure.  Weather-resistant refers to qualities that make the bag “resistant” to water entry from rain or other elements. However, unlike their waterproof counterpart, weather-resistant bags are not intended for being fully immersed in water. If you are going on a kayaking trip, you are going to want waterproof bags, whereas if you are going on a day-hike in the desert, a weather-resistant bag should be sufficient.

• Note that all dry bags, no matter how great the quality is, can only be submerged in water to a certain depth for a short period of time. Longer and deeper water submersion can cause water to seep in, so be sure to keep these bags in a safe place.
• Try your dry bag in a bathtub or shower before taking it on your next big adventure. Better to find out if it works or has flaws at home than on your trip.
• The materials matter, and while you want a bag that is rugged and thick, it also needs to be flexible and strong enough to fit in the obscure places that most gear ends up in.

Adventure Lion: Specializes in making dry bags, offering different lines of products for differing needs. Its Safari Lion dry bag can old up to 40 liters but only weighs 1.4 pounds!

SealLine: Based in Seattle and tested by people who know all the different types of water that Mother Nature provides. Every SeaLine dry bag model is completely waterproof, allowing you to experience the outdoors worry-free.

Aqua Quest: Has made numerous amounts of dry bags that can withstand even the toughest waters. Its Mariner model is a top seller in the camping industry.