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? 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. Perfect for ultras, longer distances and fell running in more remote terrain when the weather can be unpredictable. What size should I choose?

Look for an extra layer of waterproof, durable material on the bottom of the bag and where it will experience high use. Lash points can be hard or soft, and strap variations include those for carry or compression. Dry bags with multiple tie-down points helps for efficiently loading a boat or SUP, according to contributor Morgan Tilton. (Photo/Eric Phillips) Submersible 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

Different Size Dry Bags

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 It’s ideal for any adventure including family outings, camping trips, water sport adventures, mountain biking or race events. 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. 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.

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 Dry bags might seem simple, but they’re incredibly diverse. Each design complements specific water activities, outdoor needs, and personal preferences. Size and FitAfter 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

Obviously, the bag needs to be waterproof, and the closure system needs to completely keep water out — even when submerged. And to top it off, the closure should be easy to use. Both zippers and roll-top bags require you to use them properly. 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. If you’ve never used a dry bag with a valve, it’s time you tried it. Until we tried this design, we’d never been able to get this much air out of our dry bag with so much ease. The PurgeAir valve is ingenious. 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 What’s the correct size of the dry bag? You’ll probably end up with a few different sizes and different options. This guide is made to show you how much gear you can stuff into each of the commonly sized dry bags.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 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. 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. 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.

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. A few of the primary factors to consider when choosing a dry bag are the shape, capacity, and straps. Will the bag fit where it needs to be stowed, and how far will it need to be carried? When the bag is loaded, is the carry system ergonomic for the bag user? 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.

Backpack Organization

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. This also all depends on how often you find yourself on the water and what types of trips you usually take. If you only take a river trip once or twice a year, you probably only need a few dry bags. Yes! Unlike some other dry bags where kit inside can feel slightly damp, our dry bags are 100% waterproof. They are constructed out of TPU coated ripstop nylon making them extremely durable and totally waterproof.