Dry bags are usually marketed for camping and hiking, but they’re also useful for traveling whether it be on foot, in a car, on a boat, or on the bus, train, or airplane. They are lightweight day pack options that can be strapped to your back or stowed away inside of a larger bag. Dry bags are ideal for traveling on foot as the weather is unpredictable and can turn rainy and wet within a matter of seconds, leaving you -and your stuff- soaking wet. By using a dry bag, your items and clothing are given a layer of protection.

It’s easy enough to purchase a dry bag. They can be bought in store, online, and second hand from thrift and charity shops. However, finding a quality dry bag that meets your needs can be a challenge. If you don’t know what to look for when buying a dry bag, hopefully this article will help you, as it covers what to look for in a good dry bag and recommendations for the best dry bags of 2018.

 

What to Look For In A Dry Bag

Size

Dry bags come in an array of sizes, and not every size works well for every person. It’s important to purchase the right sized dry bag so that you can fit your essential items inside and so that carrying is made easy, as the bag suits your body weight and doesn’t slow you down.

Dry bags usually come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. However, each size may have different dimensions and carrying capacity across various brands. Small dry bags are good for children who can’t carry a large bag and who don’t have a ton of important items to carry, while medium and large dry bags are ideal for adults who may have to carry a large amount of personal items and important documents. In general, it’s best to get children small dry bags as they can be sensitive to carrying things for a long distance in general, let aloe carrying a bulky, heavy dry bag.

Materials

Dry bags are usually made out of two materials: nylon and vinyl. Both have their drawbacks and great features, so it’s up to you which material you want your dry bag made out of.

Nylon

Modern dry bags are usually made from nylon. “Off-the-shelf” nylon isn’t waterproof so it is coated in a layer of water-repellent before being used to make a dry bag. Silicone is a common water-resistant coating, but some are covered in a thin plastic. Nylon comes in an array of thread counts- the higher the thread count, the higher quality of the dry bag.

Vinyl

Usually used to make lower priced, affordable bags, vinyl is often used in dry bags that have “windows”- see through areas that allow for the view of items inside the dry bag. Vinyl is easy to patch and can be repaired when damaged.

Closures

Dry bags use a number of different closures to keep items safe and dry.  Most dry bags use more than one type of closure for added protection.

Zippers

A common closure is the metal zipper. Metal zippers are popular, however, they can be inconvenient as they seem to break at bad times and cannot be easily repaired. A bag with a broken zipper is quite useless.

Drawstring

Drawstrings are almost always used alongside another type of closure such as velcro or roll-down closures. Drawstrings are simple to use and can be repaired with slight to moderate attention. 

Roll-Down

Roll-down closures work to compress the items inside of the dry bag. After the bag is full, the top can be rolled down to expel excess air. To keep the top rolled up, there is usually a velcro strip or buckle.

Velcro

Velcro closures are usually used in addition to other closures, but tend to be perfectly sound on their own. They are handy because they are useful in both wet and dry conditions.

Straps

For long trips, it’s handy to have a dry bag that features straps. Most dry bags have at least a side strap, but many others have a pair of strap that can be used to carry the dry bag on your back.  

If you’re going to be going on a long journey with your dry bag, you may want to consider buying one that has two straps or purchasing an extra strap to attach to your bag. Wearing your dry bag on your back frees your hands and makes it easier to carry.

However, dry bags are still perfectly functional with one strap. Using only one strap, a dry bag can be carried across the front of your body so it’s easy to access.

Attachments

Many dry bags come with D-ring attachments. These make it easy to secure your dry bag to your backpack so it doesn’t get lost or forgotten. Ideally, the best dry bags come with at least one or two attachments. The attachment included should also be high-quality, meaning that you should not be able to bend the metal D-ring with your fingers.

 

Ideal Dry Bag Characteristics

Not every dry bag is designed to do the same thing, however, there are a few characteristics that should be true of any size, style, or type of dry bag. Here are a few of these characteristics.

Your dry bag should be made of thick, high-quality material.

How waterproof your dry bag is won’t matter if the first time it gets poked by a sharp stick it rips. Dry bags are used to store personal, important items and must be durable enough to withstand the trials of backpacking, camping, and everyday life. Keep an eye out for well-stitched seams, as this often means that the bag is high quality and dependable.

The dry bag should protect its content from water.

This is a given. What kind of dry bag allows for its content to get wet and ruined? High-quality dry bags meet this requirement in a second, however. Cheaper, poorly made dry bags may lack in this regard. Of the models that fail to meet this requirement, many are made of below-standard materials that are cheap and make for an extremely affordable model. Others lack here because they have poor stitching that allows for water to seep inside of the bag. Try to avoid buying knock-off brands and if you can, go brand name for your dry bag.

Dry bags should feature sturdy hardware.

If your dry bag is waterproof, well-stitched, and made of quality material but has low-quality hardware, it’s more than likely a waste of money. After water-resistant, sturdy hardware is the most important part of a dry bag as it keeps your belongings safely tucked away and aids in further water protection. Hardware that is made of cheap materials and breaks easily is no good, and will more than likely, let you down at some point in the future.

 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I seal a roll-top dry bag?

1. To properly seal a roll-top dry bag, the stiff sealing strips need to be free of wrinkles.
2. Shut the dry bag so that the strips are together and while the strips are together push down to release trapped air.
3. Fold the top over tightly so that the roll-top has been rolled at minimum 3 times.

What are welded seams?

Welded seams are seams that primarily use radio frequencies (RF) to bond two pieces of coated material. The materials are bonded together at a molecular level and result in a waterproof seam that is sturdy and leak-proof.

How can I take care of and maintain my dry bag?

After each use, dry bags should be cleaned and allowed to air out. Regularly cleaning your dry bag will dramatically improve its lifespan. To clean your dry bag, wash it with soapy water and a sponge, and then proceed to rinse the bag and allow it to air dry. Store the cleaned dry bag inside out and don’t put it away while it is still damp. The ag should be completely dry before being folded up or otherwise stored.

Can I use my drybag for anything other than traveling?

Yes! Dry bags can be used for a variety of purposes. They are most commonly used for traveling, however, they can also be used to transport wet clothing such as bathing suits and wetsuits and to keep power cords and electric items safely stored. Dry bags are extremely versatile and can be used inside the house and out.

Dry Bag Recommendations

Gecko Equipment Dry Bag

The Gecko dry bag features a roll-down top that can roll three times, as well as an adjustable shoulder strap. The model is 10L in size and includes a waterproof touchscreen phone case that allows you to take photos while your phone is inside of the protective case. The bag comes in two colors: yellow and blue. An extra shoulder strap can also be purchased so that the bag can be carried as a backpack.

Pros:

• Two color options
• Included phone case
• Roll-down closure
• Adjustable shoulder strap

Cons:

• Smells of strong plastic

 

KastKing Dry Bag

The KastKing dry bag comes in four color options: yellow, blue, red, and black. Each dry bag features a see-through window that can be used to locate items within the bag. The bag uses a unique double roll-down closure and is made of 500D PVC material with fusion welded seams. The bag includes an adjustable shoulder strap.

Pros:

• 4 color options
• See-through window panel
• Double roll-down closure
• Adjustable shoulder strap

Cons:

• Reports of failing closure

 

ZBRO Dry Bag

The ZBRO dry bag comes in 7 color varieties and three size options. The colors options include green camo, gray camo, black, white, and yellow among others, while the three size options are 20L, 30L, and 40L. Each dry bag comes equipped with a reflective strip and removable inner pocket. It comes with two padded straps that can be adjusted and removed.

Pros:

• 7 colors
• 3 sizes
• Reflective strip
• Removable pocket
• Padded shoulder straps

Cons:

• Inner pocket is small

 

Earth-Pak Dry Bag

The Earth-Pak dry bag comes in 5 size options ranging from 10-55L. The smaller dry bags include a single shoulder strap while the larger sizes come with dual shoulder straps and a sternum strap. Each bag comes with a waterproof phone case that has a snap attachment and two clear viewing windows. The dry bags use roll-down closures.

Pros:

• 5 size options
• Waterproof phone case
• 8 color options
• Roll-down closures

Cons:

• Reports of leaking

Montem Dry Bag

Coated in 500-denier polyester vinyl, the Montem dry bag is a great option for long trips. The bag has welded seams and an adjustable shoulder strap. It is suitable for quick, full submersion and comes in a variety of sizes: 5L, 10L and 20L.

Pros:

• Welded seams
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Can be fully submerged in water
• 3 sizes

Cons:

• Single strap

 

Osprey UltraLight 3 Dry Sack

Available in 4 color options and made of  high-quality nylon, the Osprey ultralight 3 dry sack is spacious and dependable. The dry bag is roughly the size of a medium women’s purse and can hold a variety of small, important items. It has a roll-down closure and taped seams for extra water protection, and is rectangular in shape so that it can be folded and stored away with ease.

Pros:

• 4 color options
• Roll-down closure
• Tape seams
• Rectangular, easy to store, shape

Cons:

• Very small

 

Finding the perfect dry ag can make any outdoor trip a million times better. Dry bags are a camping staple and will keep your belongings safe in even the wettest conditions. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, and feature a host of different closures. The best dry bags have welded seams, multiple closures, and plenty of room.

To ensure that you purchase the best dry bag for you, follow the above tips and guidelines, and consider buying on our top recommended dry bags.

 

This is a guest post.