The 10 Best Dry Bags

Dry Bag Buyer’s Guide

What Is a Dry Bag?

If you are new to dry bags, these handy products are (typically) plastic sacks made for stowing items you want to keep waterproof, but not just from the rain.

These bags are usually built for full waterproofing, such as floating the satchel in the water next to you down a river while kayaking or canoeing to save room in your vessel.

Many dry bags are made from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, a popular plastic polymer. Some PVC materials can be incredibly durable against scratches and are waterproof as long as they are sealed entirely.

Always inspect your dry bag thoroughly before use, even if it has worked well for you in the past. After all, a single hole in a dry bag will eliminate the watertight quality if it is submerged.

How to Pick a Dry Bag

One of the first things you’ll want to do is contemplate all of the activities you are likely to use your pack for. If you are only camping for one night next month but will probably need a dry bag for a two-week hike next summer, seek out a size that will suit your needs. 

Some people like to have a separate mini dry bag for their most essential items. Keep in mind these bags can sometimes seem smaller once you fill them with things and roll down the top.

If you think you only need a 1L size, it might be smart to get a 2L or 3L instead. Many smartphones are too large for a 1L capacity. 

If you want to pack an entire sleeping back with other items, it will likely be best to look for a 40L size, or at least a 30-35L if you have more compact goods. Rolling your clothing tightly can help you fit more into the sack.

Picking up a separate mesh baggie that you can stuff, and cinch closed can also help save you space.

You’ll also need to consider whether you need straps, double straps, on only a carry handle. Do you want to be able to wear your dry bag like a backpack? Look for padded double straps if that is the case.

If you are just using it to go to the beach or for something like a ski trip, a single strap will work in most cases.

For some, having an outer mesh pouch is as crucial as having a cupholder in the car. If your dry bag is for hiking, looking for one with an exterior pocket to hold a water bottle is something to think about. Otherwise, you might get stuck with a pack on your back and a bottle in your hand for your entire hike.

Another thing to consider (and check reviews for) is the interior color of the bag. Lighter colors will make it a little easier to find items in your dry bag when sifting through it in dim light. With lesser-quality bags, occasionally the color can rub off and stain your clothes inside the container.

So, look into the customer feedback for this issue before purchasing a dry bag. 

How to Pack a Dry Bag

Make sure you pack your essentials near the top of your dry bag. If you are hiking, camping, or going down a river and will need a few items first (such as a head torch) put those items in last at the top.

Roll down your goods such as clothes and sleeping bags to give yourself the most room before packing them away.

Don’t put anything breakable in a dry bag, as anything like broken glass can puncture your sack and compromise the waterproofing. Even if a bag claims it is puncture-resistant, it is not worth risking it.

For the same reason, don’t pack anything sharp or too pointing that could wear down a spot in your bag.

Don’t overfill your dry bag. If you pack it with too much pressure, the closure will not seal correctly at the top. Even if it does, any additional stress, such as the bag being tossed or sat on could break the seal and cause your goods to get wet.

How to Seal a Dry Bag

Most dry bags will have a zipper seal at the top, similar to a sturdy Ziplock bag closure. They are designed much like a giant, durable sandwich bag that also rolls closed, buckles, and can be worn as a crossbody sack or a backpack.

Make sure to compress as much air out of the bag as you can while sealing this closure. Test the zip to make sure you have sealed it entirely.

Fold over the top once and test for air pressure again. Simply give your bag a bit of a squeeze to see if any air can escape. If you need to get more air out, undo the seal, squish it out, and close it back up. Once you start folding the roll-top, no air should be able to escape through standard PVC dry bags.

If air can continue to squeeze out, that means water can find a way in.

When rolling the top, make sure you have clean folds and roll the top three to five times, depending on the sack and the number of supplies you have packed. Close any buckles and check once more for the airtight integrity of your dry bag.

If the inner “zipper” closure is not sealed all the way, it doesn’t matter how many times you roll the top—the sack will not be waterproof if that zip does not have a complete seal.

Testing Your Dry Bag

If you have not taken a trip with your dry bag yet, it is not a bad idea to test it out in a bathtub or with a hose before going on a long voyage. It is better to find out at home with a few casual clothes whether you have learned to seal the bag correctly, or if the bag has a hole in it.

You don’t want to be on a canoeing trip and have to camp overnight in wet sleeping bags.

Pack the bag as if you are getting ready for a trip and fully submerge it or hose it down. Don’t put valuable items in your dry bag when you test it the first time.

Make sure you inspect your bag before each use, even if you have used it for years. All things wear out over time, even the best dry bags with the highest quality can get tears or wear spots if they are handled enough.

If the interior of your dry bag is a color other than white, it is also a smart idea to take an old t-shirt or washcloth, dampen it, and see if any of the inside colors wear off on clothing. You don’t want to learn the hard way if you have a product that will stain clothes or other items you love. 

If the color does wear off when testing it out, consider returning the dry bag and finding another.

For Truly Valuable Items in a Dry Bag

As mentioned, even the highest quality dry bags can lose their integrity over time or get holes with rough use. Even if you test your dry bag and it works wonderfully, it’s wise to give the most essential items another layer of protection.

If you have to carry a passport with you or an ID that could get ruined if wet, these should be stored inside something like a sealed sandwich bag.

If the off chance that your dry bags work but get a hole during your journey you will be glad you saved your items from getting soaked with this spare level of protection.

Considering stowing your phone, any wires or electronics, flashlights and batteries, and passports in something like a Ziplock bag inside the dry bag.

Ideal Uses for a Dry Bag

The times you can find a good use for your dry bag are unlimited, but some popular (and some not often thought of) times to take advantage of having a dry bag are as follows:

There are so many uses for a dry bag; other alternative ideas are abundant if you search online or get creative yourself. We like the smaller sizes for organizing wired items on trips, or for storing your most valuable goods in their own separate waterproof pouch. 

Storing a Dry Bag

Make sure you always clean your dry bag and allow it to air dry thoroughly before storing it. Any odors left inside the sack will only get worse for the next time you pull it out. You don’t want to start camping, skiing, hiking, rafting, or a beach trip with a stinky bag or one with mildew inside. 

If you leave even a small amount of water enclosed in the bag, it can grow bacteria and mold, leaving you an unpleasant surprise the next time to go to use your dry bag. 

Clean off any sand, dirt, and saltwater from the material to keep it clean, and to prevent salt from wearing away at the PVC. Rough sand left on the bag can also scratch the outer surface if it is packed tightly or handled roughly.

You can hand wash the bag inside and out if necessary, with a gentle detergent, and allow it to dry before packing away.

Make sure the inside of the sack is entirely dry before storing and keep your dry bag out of direct sunlight (it can break down the materials over a long period) and do not keep it folded so tightly that it stretches the PVC. It is also best not to stack heavy items on top of your dry bag. 

Now Get Outside!

Once you’ve found the best dry bag for you, tested it out, and learned to pack it correctly, get out there and find as many uses for it as possible. Dry bags are excellent at helping you get outdoors and experience the water, the rain, and the snow without all of your things getting soaked. 

It can be surprising how much joy you can get from reconnecting with the outdoors while still having the comforts of dry clothes and a warm sleeping bag. Now get outside and enjoy nature with dry items