The best dry bags to protect your gear

Dry bags aren’t complicated, but Sea to Summit went the extra mile to make sure these can handle whatever you throw at them. The tough, 70-denier nylon lays a strong foundation and gets a polyurethane coating for a water column rating of 10,000 millimeters. The one-two punch of durability and waterproofing gets repeated with double-stitched seams that are taped to prevent any water from seeping through the stitching. These bags close with the tried-and-true roll-top design and get a D-ring to use as an attachment point if necessary.

There will inevitably be times when you need more than one dry bag or could use a different size. This three-bag set has you covered with volumes of four, eight, and 13 liters. If you want to make one purchase and be good to go, you’ve found it. The only drawback from a military perspective is the fact that these bags only come in bright colors. That’s something you can probably deal with, especially because your top priority should be finding dry bags that are totally reliable, and these definitely are.

You can save a little money by buying just one dry bag, and this one from SealLine will save some weight in your pack at the same time. Don’t let the accessible cost of entry fool you, though; this bag is more than up to the challenge of protecting your gear from the elements. The 20-denier nylon is very thin, but it’s still stronger than whatever substitute the cheap knock-off brands are using. A silicone coating and taped seams add waterproof protection. Stiffer material at the opening makes the roll-top easy to use, and a lightweight buckle locks this dry bag shut.

As is the case with a lot of outdoor adventure gear, the color selection is pretty bright, and you’ll have to use some discretion when opening this bag in the field. In most cases, that shouldn’t be a problem since it’ll ride in your main pack until you need it. It also isn’t as sturdy as the Sea to Summit dry bags, but again, this is meant to be carried inside your main pack where it’s protected from scrapes and punctures. If you want a dry bag that’s light in your pack and easy on your wallet, this is what you need.

The Sea to Summit Hydraulic dry bag backpack knocked my socks off during hands-on testing and it remains one of the toughest pieces of gear I’ve been fortunate enough to use. Its 600-denier nylon body puts all other dry bags to shame. That’s because it’s designed to be used as a standalone pack in dry bag form. The thermoplastic polyurethane coating inspires so much confidence, that I’d take this pack kayaking or out to sea in a heartbeat and not think twice about it. Even the hardware that attaches the removable, padded shoulder straps and hip belt is aluminum — no corners were cut, here.

So, why would anyone not buy this dry bag? For one, it’s very, very expensive. The 35-liter option starts at $199. Second, it’s really meant to be used as your main pack rather than a stuff sack for spare clothes. Don’t buy it to put inside your ruck, but absolutely pick one of these up for kayaking, canoeing, or taking a motor boat out for a fishing trip. If you want an outstanding dry bag backpack that can ride worry-free on your kayak and carry all your gear comfortably when you make landfall, look no further.

Part of the reason we use dry bags is to keep gear separated and organized. You don’t want dirty socks stinking up your pack any more than you want water finding its way into your sensitive electronics. You could buy dry bags in different colors and try to remember which is which, or you could buy a few of these clear ones from SealLine. As an added bonus, you won’t have to open your dry bag in the rain to see what’s inside.

This dry bag is a fantastic way to stay organized and save time rummaging through your pack. One thing to remember is that only the bottom gets rugged nylon; the rest has to be made from a polyurethane film to remain see-through. That means this is the least durable dry bag on the list and should be treated with a little extra care. Avoid blatant abuse, and you should be all set.