Choose a dry bag that keeps your gear and papers dry
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Quick answer
A dry bag is a waterproof sack with a roll-top closure that keeps gear dry in rain, spray and on boats. SealLine's Discovery is a welded, PVC-free bag in 5, 10, 20 and 30 L; the 20 L weighs 13.8 oz. The Skylake is an 18 L roll-top daypack with shoulder straps. For big loads, the Black Canyon pack holds 65 or 115 L and the Pro pack 70 or 120 L, both with padded carrying harnesses. Ready.gov suggests storing kit items in airtight plastic bags inside easy-to-carry containers.
- SealLine Discovery Dry Bag, 20 L (09648). Best for: A tough general-purpose bag for a go bag or boat. See options on Amazon
- SealLine Skylake 18 L Dry Daypack (14068). Best for: Carrying a small dry kit on your back. See options on Amazon
- SealLine Black Canyon Dry Pack, 65 L (14063). Best for: A large waterproof pack for evacuation or canoe trips. See options on Amazon
- SealLine Pro Dry Pack, 120 L (14055). Best for: The biggest waterproof haul. See options on Amazon
What a dry bag is for
A dry bag is a waterproof sack that you seal by rolling the top down several times and clipping it shut. Paddlers use them to keep clothes and gear dry, and for preparedness they protect documents, medicine, electronics and spare clothes in rain, storms or on a boat.
Ready.gov suggests storing disaster kit items in airtight plastic bags and putting the whole kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers. A dry bag does both jobs. See our bug-out bag list for what to pack.
Four SealLine bags compared
| Bag | Volume | Weight | Carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Dry Bag | 5, 10, 20 or 30 L | 13.8 oz (20 L) | Hand or inside a pack |
| Skylake Dry Daypack | 18 L | 13.5 oz | Removable shoulder straps |
| Black Canyon Dry Pack | 65 or 115 L | 3 lb 13 oz (65 L) | Padded straps, waist belt |
| Pro Dry Pack | 70 or 120 L | 5 lb 8 oz (120 L) | Adjustable suspension, back panel |
Figures are SealLine's. All four are PVC-free.
Choosing a size
SealLine lists the Discovery at 5 L (305 cu in), 10 L (620 cu in), 20 L (1,220 cu in) and 30 L (1,831 cu in). A 5 or 10 L bag holds documents, a phone and medicine; 20 L fits a change of clothes and a small kit; 30 L fits a sleeping bag or bulkier gear.
Leave room at the top to roll the closure down several times; an overstuffed bag will not seal well.
Material and closure
SealLine makes the Discovery from PVC-free 300D polyurethane-coated polyester with welded seams, and the Black Canyon and Pro packs from heavier 600D fabric. The Skylake uses lighter 250D fabric to save weight and pack small.
The Skylake, Black Canyon and Pro use SealLine's Dry Seal dual-strip roll-down closure; the Discovery has SealLine's updated closure for an easy tight seal.
Waterproof is not the same as submersible
SealLine rates the Skylake and Black Canyon as waterproof. A roll-top bag is made to keep out rain, spray and splashes, not to stay under water. For phones and papers that must stay dry no matter what, put them in a zip bag inside the dry bag as well.
Which one to buy
For most go bags and boats, start with a Discovery 20 L, and add a 5 or 10 L for documents and medicine. Choose the Skylake if you want a light waterproof daypack you can wear. Choose the Black Canyon 65 L for an evacuation or multi-day canoe trip, and the Pro 120 L if you need the biggest waterproof pack.
Care
Rinse dry bags with fresh water after salt or muddy water, let them dry fully open before storing, and keep them out of long-term direct sun. Check seams and the closure for wear before each season.
What to look for when you buy
SealLine Discovery Dry Bag, 20 L (09648)
Best for: A tough general-purpose bag for a go bag or boat
SealLine lists welded construction, PVC-free 300D polyurethane-coated polyester, an updated closure for a tight seal, 6 x 10 x 21 in and 13.8 oz at 20 L. Made in the USA of US and imported materials. Also sold in 5, 10 and 30 L.
Watch out: A plain sack with no straps; carry it inside a pack or by hand.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)SealLine Skylake 18 L Dry Daypack (14068)
Best for: Carrying a small dry kit on your back
SealLine lists an 18 L PVC-free roll-top daypack at 13.5 oz with a Dry Seal dual-strip roll-down closure, a front stretch mesh pocket and removable shoulder straps, rated waterproof. It rolls up to stow when not in use.
Watch out: Lighter 250D fabric than the Discovery bags.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)SealLine Black Canyon Dry Pack, 65 L (14063)
Best for: A large waterproof pack for evacuation or canoe trips
SealLine lists a PVC-free 65 L portage pack in 600D polyurethane-coated polyester with a Dry Seal roll-down closure, padded shoulder straps, waist belt and lumbar pad. It weighs 3 lb 13 oz and measures 17.5 x 9 x 25 in.
Watch out: SealLine says the suspension supports moderate loads.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)SealLine Pro Dry Pack, 120 L (14055)
Best for: The biggest waterproof haul
SealLine calls the Pro its portage pack for big river running and expedition travel, with a fully adjustable suspension, padded shoulder straps, a full-length breathable back panel and lumbar padding. The 120 L size weighs 5 lb 8 oz, with 600D body fabric and 400D bottom and sides.
Watch out: Large and heavy for everyday use.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What size dry bag do I need?
- SealLine's Discovery comes in 5, 10, 20 and 30 L. Use 5 or 10 L for documents and electronics, 20 L for clothes and a small kit, and 30 L for bulky gear.
- Are dry bags fully submersible?
- Roll-top dry bags keep out rain and splashes and are rated waterproof, but they are not meant to stay under water. Double-bag anything critical.
- How do you close a dry bag?
- Press out extra air, roll the top down several times and clip the buckle.
- Is a dry bag good for an emergency kit?
- Yes. Ready.gov suggests airtight bags and easy-to-carry containers for disaster kits, and a dry bag provides both.
Sources
- Discovery Dry Bag (cascadedesigns.com), SealLine (Cascade Designs)
- Skylake Dry Daypack (cascadedesigns.com), SealLine (Cascade Designs)
- Black Canyon Dry Pack (cascadedesigns.com), SealLine (Cascade Designs)
- Pro Dry Pack (cascadedesigns.com), SealLine (Cascade Designs)
- Build a Kit, Ready.gov (maker page: www.ready.gov/kit)