The Bill's Bag, Sea to Summit Hydraulic, and SealLine Boundary all have comfortable backpack straps that can be removed when you don't need them. Exped has a massive variety of waterproof packs on their website, but we like the simplicity of this two-size line that will fit into any backpack without adding much weight. GearLab is reader-supported. Copyright GearAssistant.com 2022 - All rights reserved. The Expedition DriDuffel is made out of intensely thick TobaTex, with beefy straps and aluminum clips designed to see you through the worst of whatever is ahead. The Sea to Summit View Dry has a clear window and white interior to make it easier to find exactly what you're looking for. The Bill's Bag also has these features, but the sternum strap is so low as to be basically useless for anyone shorter than 6 feet. Perfect for day hikes and longer backpacking trips, too, these sacks come in a variety of small sizes, which are ideal for waterproofing and organizing your small items. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Most outdoor fabrics come with a denier rating abbreviated to the letter D in most cases. The Aleutian Deck Bag offers a clear window with a plastic backing on the bag's front so you can slot your map or permits in an easily viewable window. Therefore, waterproofness is by far the most heavily weighted metric in this review, and the winners in this category took home the greater share of our awards. []. them up with water-sensitive items boosted this product into the top-performing tier. In what follows, we break down every metric and discuss which bags do best in specific areas and situations. That being said, any bag that's taller than it is wide is a bit more challenging to root around in and pull out something hiding in the bottom, so organization is key. This was a fairly easy top pick as it is just such a good backpacking and hiking dry bag. We examine every detail of their waterproofness by spraying them with a hose, submerging them in bodies of water, and dragging them behind boats. The LiteSk 2.0 rugged dry bag is hard-wearing and well made, even with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. If you arent bothered about a tiny amount of extra weight, this is a great bag as it is still very light but slightly more hard-wearing. Most hiking dry sacks will use a plastic buckle with their rolltop closure; however, some are smaller than others and may be less robust. The Outdoor Products 3-Pack is also neat because, for one of the lowest prices of any model we tested, you get not one but three dry bags. Material with a high denier rating will be thicker and more durable, whereas fabric woven with a low denier rating will be lighter and more flexible. It lacks the extra features and frills of other options, but you won't need these with this bag stuffed inside another bag which is how it's best used. We tried both with the very tall LG V60 ThinQ and the bulky iPhone 12 Pro Max, and both were too tall to seal this little bag shut. All waterproof dry bags for hiking will have some durable water repellent (DWR) coating on the outside. If you would rather have one large sack over various small ones, then this might be the choice for you. Ultralight bags are generally not designed to be completely waterproof, but the Osprey Ultralight does a remarkable job of keeping stuff dry. If you are looking for more of a full hiking pack liner, then you should match the dry bag to the size of your main rucksack compartment. Yeti products are known for their durability, and the Panga 50 does not disappoint. The Watershed Aleutian has the most impressive bells and whistles in this category. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. The see-through window is designed to carry a map or other documents like permits that you may want readily accessible and watertight. Either of these bags can also be easily attached to a craft using one of the 4+ D-rings securely fastened to the exterior. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. By combining these weighted scores, each model ends up with a single comparable number indicating its overall performance. Of course, some people prefer a more rugged bag, even if it does add an ounce or two more, but the best dry bags for hiking are always very lightweight and far more durable than they look. The lack of features also helps keep the weight low and the bag easy to use. Some products lived up to their name, while others didn't fare quite as well. When heavily loaded, the Hydraulic and Boundary packs are more comfortable to carry as they have a load-bearing waist belt (albeit a very basic non-padded one). The Yeti Panga is made out of super thick laminated high-density nylon. The last thing you want is your dry clothes, food, and valuables to get wet on a hike. It is one of our favorites for keeping necessary backpacking items dry like down jackets and first aid kits. In her free time, she likes to stand up paddle board on Class 3-4 rivers. From backpacking to paddling to traveling, we put these bags through their paces to see which ones are right for what job. From canoeing across choppy Midwestern lakes to raging down Western whitewater, exploring quiet swamps, and journeying between islands, she is critical of the gear she brings with her and the need to keep it protected. No sponsored content. The Yeti Panga, Watershed Colorado, Watershed Aleutian, NRS Expedition DriDuffeland NRS Ether HydroLock all kept our stuff bone dry throughout all testing. Whether you're packing for a month-long river trip or an afternoon of paddle boarding, we've found the perfect dry bag for you and your wallet. When it rains, most hikers will whip out their waterproofs and pull their hood up as well as use a waterproof bag cover like the Osprey Ultralight Raincover if they have one. This leaves you with your best option, which means you can. The 2, 4, and 10-liter pouches allow you to choose what size you need that day, all for one minimal price. You can get waterproof backpacks which are great for keeping the rain out but not very functional for everyday use. A large HydroLok zipper runs down the midline of the top of the bag this zipper is heavy-duty, easy to close, and is simple to confirm that it has been completely sealed. Finally, the Earth Pak Original has a single adjustable (unpadded) strap that makes it easy to carry to and from the beach, hands-free. Far tougher than the ultralight options above, the Aqua Quest Rogue can be used on its own and is ideal for people who are hard on their gear. The NRS Bill's Bag is another seriously sturdy sack. But with RF-welded seams, Watershed's impenetrable ZipDry closure, and a tough coated nylon exterior, this bag is dependable and may be a great choice for adventure enthusiasts, instructors, and guides. You can't expect your stuff to stay dry if rips and tears provide unwanted water channels. It folds down to the size of a deck of cards when not in use and comes in handy on a hike when it rains. However, these drawbacks are minor if you are transporting electronics in a super wet environment. Specific features are what make each model unique, and the manufacturers of these products have adorned them with various creative and sometimes subtle additions. In addition, you will learn about the most lightweight hiking dry sacks and waterproof pack liners that will make any backpack waterproof. Coming in all different shapes and sizes, the easiest way to get started with dry bags is to buy various sizes and colors. The backpack straps are fixed with metal carabiner-type fasteners that are secured to 2-ply webbing, providing confidence that the whole package will stay in one piece no matter what conditions your journey throws at you. We've also reviewed a selection of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and paddles for kayaks and SUPs. Looking for the best SUP board of them all? Although there are a few carrying options available, we wouldn't enjoy hauling this bag on our back for more than 15 minutes if fully loaded. This model is the perfect bag for the diehard river goer and is one of our very top products in this review. Hiking dry sacks are used to keep clothing and gear dry inside a backpack so dont need to be made from heavyweight fabrics. The plethora of features attached to this bag will make the minimalist feel cluttered. Made of super-thick, 1000D vinyl-coated polyester with welded seams, it's well-built and keeps moisture out via a double-banded fold-down closure system. I often use my Crush bag to keep my wallet and car keys safe as the lining protects the bag from the inside, so the keys dont pierce the bag. The super thin and featherweight 15 D siliconized nylon is coated with silicone for waterproofing and has a hydrostatic head of 1,200 mm. The Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack is ideal for the hiking enthusiast who isnt counting every gram in their backpack but still wants something tough. This bag can be dipped, thrown, dragged, rolled, carried, or lashed, making it an easy choice for a variety of different adventure activities. Bottom line, if you are looking for a seriously waterproof, airplane-ready, cover-all-your-bases pack for your next international adventure, this one is hard to beat. With a double-banded fold-down closure, this dry bag also has a purge valve, enabling you to squeeze all the air out of this pack. Taking the backpack harness off the NRS Bill's Bag is a cinch with these large, easy-to-use aluminum hooks. The purge valve did let in some moisture when put under direct high pressure (i.e., sprayed with a hose), and our towels showed a damp ring just larger than a quarter. The Yeti Panga, Sea to Summit Hydraulic, SealLine Boundary, and NRS Bill's Bag all boast convenient backpack straps. The Outdoor Products 3-Pack offers excellent value for the money, giving you three dry bags for less than half what most companies charge for just one. It uses 70 D nylon with a PU coating for the sides which is lightweight, durable, and has a waterproof rating of 10,000mm. Looking for a dry bag to keep your essentials safe in wet environments? If you're trying to protect large, expensive electronics like a laptop or a DSLR camera the large capacity Yeti Panga offers some of the best water protection around, with the Watershed Colorado running a close second. The NRS DriDuffel uses a similar zipper system with years of well-established use in drysuits. Hiking dry sacks are used to keep clothing and gear dry inside a backpack so dont need to be made from heavyweight fabrics. On the outside, there is a mesh bag that can be adjusted to secure a water bottle. It also carries a hefty price tag. Thanks for reading all the way to the end of our article on the best dry bags for hiking, be sure to like our Facebook page to stay in touch. The seams are RF welded, ensuring a practically bombproof construction that not only keeps water out but traps air in, almost guaranteeing the dryness of even the most sensitive objects like your expensive camera or laptop. If you're on a budget and just want to keep your essentials dry and easily accessible, the SealLine Discovery View is our first recommendation. We researched 65+ promising options before selecting the best 15 to purchase and test side-by-side. We've tested inflatable/foldable kayaks and inflatable SUPs, too. The ZipDry closure is fully watertight and can be opened and closed easily to access items at will. The webbing is thick single-ply nylon, and the D-rings are made out of a beefy Duraflex polymer that puts other plastic rings to shame. This hiking dry bag is ideal for down/feather or other insulated jackets that you need to keep dry when not in use. The SealLine Discovery View is noteworthy for its compression abilities, using a one-way valve to allow the user to force air out of the bag. Hiking dry bags are basically waterproof sacks that you can keep various bits of kit dry and organized inside your backpack. The LiteSk 2.0 is a popular mid-weight dry sack for hiking that has gained a reputation for being tough and lightweight. We found that this bag benefited from being utilized with smaller stuff sacks to keep your gear organized. The Big River has multiple attachment points making it easy to secure. On the other hand, the feature-rich design of the Aleutian enables you to have a specific spot for all your equipment needs. The thick padding adds shock and dust resistance without adding too much weight, and even the biggest size only weighs 11 grams, which isnt bad for a waterproof camera case. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. As with any piece of gear, the cost will influence your willingness to buy it. Under intense pressure (i.e., a direct hose), the purge valve can allow a few water droplets into the bag. We used them for our favorite water sports and subjected them to specific tests designed to push their limits. When packing gear into the back of a whitewater kayak, or the hatch of a touring kayak, we were grateful to have this feature on hand. That said, the Bill's backpack system was the quickest to remove, with the Hydraulic system following close behind. Skog Kust LiteSk 2.0 Waterproof Ultralight Dry Bag, Paracord Shoelaces: A Beginners Guide With 6 Pro Tips. It is designed to be used daily and is built to last years in both urban environments or the wilderness, and is one of the few dry bags available in camo. We identified four metrics designed to push each contender to the breaking point. The Bill's Bag has a removable shoulder system, but extra loose straps are fully woven in, leaving trailing straps, something you don't want in moving water. This bag also boasts translucent material, enabling the quick location of items. Don't have a large vehicle or rack to carry your water vessels on? In addition, the silicon coating on the outside keeps the bag extra waterproof, while the PU coating on the inside does the same but also allows the seams to be tape sealed. With 3 different size options, the Outdoor Product 3-pack can cover a lot of needs for hardly any cash. We extensively Sick of being the only one without a kayak, but you have Want to get your kayak out on the water? This will help you organize your rucksack and allow you to use different combinations with different hiking backpacks. If they are quality made, they will also have taped seams on the inside or, even better, heat-sealed seams. 10 Best Bushcraft Tents for Survival in 2022, Best Dry Sacks and Waterproof Dry Bags - Gear Assistant, 48 Best Dry Bags For 2020 - Waterproof Gear, History Channel Alone Gear List Season 9 Contestants 10 Items, 8 Ski Wax Alternatives: Eco Friendly, Household Items, and Cheaper Options, 6 Best Canvas Wall Tents for Camping 2022, What To Wear Rock Climbing Outside | Clothing Guide, 9 Best Bushcraft Jackets for Survival and Bug Out Bags 2022. The buckle closure can always be trusted to stay shut and has an attachment loop in case you want to hang it on the outside of your rucksack. When the wind picks up, unless you have an adjustable fitting bag cover that you can really tighten up or attach at all corners, you will most likely have to stop every 2 minutes from putting it back on. Maggie has spent her summers and free time on and in the water since she was a small child. With fully welded seams and a durable buckle clip, this bag is designed for some seriously wet day adventures without busting your wallet. The bag's lip is also reinforced, which helps make a more complete seal when rolled and secured. Instead, this bag provides a great added layer of protection if used inside a backpack in inclement weather. While our contents got a bit moist after submerging and dragging this bag around a lake, that's not what ultralight bags like this one are made for. Another great feature of the Osprey Ultralight dry sack is that it is rectangular-shaped for really efficient packing, and it can stand upright without falling over. Neither has any additional straps for carrying, but both have a good shape and are easy to pack and close. The Sea to Summit Big River and Osprey Ultralight do very well in this category as well, with simple, straightforward designs. The Boundary backpack provides more paddling but the backpack straps are harder to remove than other models tested. The Bill's Bag and Hydraulic backpack systems are fully removable, enabling you to streamline the bags if you want to lash them to a watercraft. The NRS Ether HydroLock has a zip seal backed up with a basic roll-down top. The entire top is extra wide wider than the bag itself once again helping you more easily find what you're looking for, and a single D-ring allows it to be clipped to your boat or bag. On the flip side, sometimes you need the best of the best and want to know if it's worth the investment. Ripstop nylon is the most common fabric woven in such a way that makes it very tough and abrasion-resistant. The translucent non-PVC material makes identifying what's inside your bag a breeze, and it is also more durable than other bags at a similar price. We know many river lovers with Watershed bags that are still watertight after ten years of regular use. Be ready for any adventure with the right dry bag for the job. There are additional attachment points for your bilge pump or spare paddle, an adjustable mesh bag for your water bottle, and a bungee cord for further items you want to keep close at hand. With a detachable backpack system, you can adapt this bag to your needs, be that hiking gear in wet environments, or lashing to your kayak or raft. Available in small sizes only, the Crush dry bag is intended to keep things like phones and digital cameras dry and undamaged inside your bag. Both bags have a plethora of attachment points to secure the bag to your craft or to secure additional items to your bag. The Sea to Summit View Dry Sack also has a convenient window. Is It Cheaper To DIY? Dry sacks for hikers dont need to be overly rugged or thick as your backpack will protect them, and they are not intended for submersion. The quickness with which we could open and close this watertight bag helped push this product to the winning position in terms of overall performance. We recommend using this dry bag inside another bag in order to protect it from nicks and abrasions. They typically have no pockets and a roll-top closure which is wider at the top to make access easier. The roll-top design the Hydraulic uses is penetrable by water when the bag is put under pressure (i.e., dragged behind our kayak). The 70 D nylon is rugged and abrasion-proof with a silicone coating for amazing waterproofing (IPX-6). Helpfully, since you'll have three bags, it is easy to double bag your small items that especially need to stay dry. Available in just three sizes, these are useful for hiking daypacks and keeping clothes and valuables dry even in driving rain. If you intend to store the Aleutian in a kayak hatch, there are other more streamlined options available. You might assume anything carrying the name "dry bag" is intended to keep your stuff 100% dry 100% of the time, but performance in this category varies widely. After selecting the best and most interesting options available, we spend months putting each one to the test in our side-by-side comparisons. All trademarks property of their respective owners To stay ready for different weather, most hikers also carry backpacks to keep their gear in and some snacks and water. The different dimensions are well designed for use during an afternoon trip on the lake or, better still, part of an organizational system within a larger bag. The large mouth opening of the Colorado makes it easier to pack and to find what you're looking for without having to rip everything out. If you're headed out on big waters for a long adventure, the NRS Expedition DriDuffel has got you covered. With four multi-point attachment strips, a detachable shoulder strap, and two wide handles, this could be the perfect captain's bag. Having a backup system for any dry bag is a great idea, particularly when using less durable bags and when carrying important items like electronics or sleeping gear. The 1.5-liter dry bag is the perfect size to hold a roll of toilet tissue which, as we all know, may come in handy at some point. There's so much more to the performance of a dry bag than just how dry it keeps your things. The shoulder straps on the Panga are easy to secure and detach. This makes the material resistant to rips and tears so that if the fabric does get punctured, the tear wont spread. Read review: Outdoor Products 3-Pack All Purpose. The Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Dry Sack is the most lightweight dry bag series available today, beating the nearest competition by only a few grams but still very impressive. It was able to withstand a brief submersion with no leakage only when dragged behind our kayak did a few droplets of water get in from the sides, wetting a corner of a towel the size of a credit card.