You should protect your electronics not just because they’re expensive, but also because replacing them is often inconveniencing. Water and electronics do not go well together. If you can keep your electronics away from water, they are bound to last long. To do this, consider by a couple of dry bags.
Buying a dry bag may not be a big investment strategy. However, it’s definitely a good idea. Dry bags don’t just help keep electronics safe; they can also be used to protect other items like clothes.
Many people only think of dry bags are useful for water sports, canoeing or camping. But did you know that because of their light weight, dry bags can even be better than backpacks? There are even dry bags with two straps. You can wear these dry bags like a backpack!
Comparison Chart for Top Rated Dry Bags
With the unpredictability of weather patterns, I think everyone should own one of these dry bags for traveling.
Dry bags come in different sizes. The best size dry bag will depend on your needs. Check the comparison chart below for the features of the best dry bags for the outdoors.
| Dry Bag | Material | Size (Lt.) | Straps | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | 5-55 | N/A | |||
| Silnylon | 2.5-55 | N/A | |||
| PVC | 10-40 | 1-2 | |||
| Polymer | 5-40 | 1-2 | |||
| Polymer | 10-20 | 1-2 | |||
| Coated Polyester | 10-20 | 1 | |||
| PVC | 20 | 2 | |||
| Coated Nylon | 5-40 | 1-2 | |||
| Nylon | 3 | N/A | |||
| PVC | 5+10 | 1 each |
Såk Gear Premium Waterproof Dry Bag
ZBRO Dry Bag Waterproof Bag
Unigear Dry Bag Sack
The Friendly Swede Compact and Lightweight Dry BagWhat is a Dry Bag?
A dry bag is a waterproof bag that can be used to protect your valuables from water. Some of the bags can be used as backpacks since they have double straps. You can also buy single-strapped dry bags.
When used as a backpack, dry bags can be useful when traveling and any outdoors activity e.g. camping, motorcycle riding, hiking, etc.
Dry bags come in different sizes, weights and materials. However, all dry bags are waterproof and are closed by rolling the top several times and pushing out the air.
Small sized dry bags are perfect for keeping your electronics to protect them from water. On the other hand, big dry bags can be used for multiple purposes. These include kayaking, as a flotation device, and also as a laundry bag.
Although dry bags are water proof, it’s not a good idea to submerge them into water for long periods of time.
Features of a Good Dry Bag
Size
The size of a dry bag is rated in liters and ranges from 1 to 55 liters. The standard size of a day pack, which is also the normal size for fitting a dry bag to a raft, is 20 liters. A 55 liters dry bag is very big.
Choose a dry bag size based on your specific needs.
i) Extra Large
A dry bag with a capacity of 40 liters and above is categorized as an extra-large. These bags are not ideal for camping. Instead, they are more ideal for storing items in the house.
ii) Large
This is a dry bag that is between 30 to 40 liters. This size makes for a great motorcycle bag. The bag can also be used for storing various items.
iii) Medium
These dry bags range from 10 to 20 liters. This is the ideal size for a day pack. However, most of the bags come in a single strap. This size is also good for storing clothes or large electronics.
iv) Small
A small dry bag will range from 1 liter to 10 liters. Most of the bags are strapless and are therefore ideal for storing into a larger bag. This size of a dry bag is perfect for storing loose items like phone chargers and small electronics.
Straps
Most large size dry bags have either single or dual straps. Dual-strapped dry bags are perfect for day trips. You can purchase extra straps for them especially if you want to use them in addition to normal luggage.
Attachments
Most dry bags have one or two D-rings that can be used to attach them to a raft of backpacks. An ideal travel dry bag should be attachable to your luggage in a way.
Construction
Good quality waterproof dry bags are made of vinyl-type or thick nylon material. Therefore, these dry bags are lightweight but strong. Some bags have thick bottoms and seams to enhance their strength and protection capability.
Dry bags without seams or thick bottoms are still good quality as long as they are still strong and reinforced. The extra bottom thickness only provides good padding for your luggage.
Dry bags are made to allow a lot of air to be removed to make them watertight. On the table above of the best dry bags for traveling, all the bags have a roll top. To effectively use them, ensure that all the air is sucked out of the bag before you roll the top three to four times and then place the strap over to secure the top.
When you learn how to use one bag, you will be able to use all types of dry bags.
Best Dry Bags
# 1. Osprey Ultra-Light 3 Dry Sack Review
The Osprey dry bag comes in different sizes, with the smallest one being about 3 liters only in capacity. This small dry bag is ideal for keeping small size electronics and other loose items.
Osprey dry bag is made of nylon, which makes it lightweight but strong. The nylon material is not only waterproof but also rip-proof. This bag is closed in the same manner as all dry bags; simply roll the top after squeezing out the air.
This bag lacks extra padding. Therefore, it’s not recommended to use for storing vulnerable items. It’s also not ideal for use in situations that will involve serious submerging in water. However, it will protect from rain and other water splashes.
The Osprey bag is rectangular in shape. This makes packing things in it easy. This is a perfect bag for throwing in a backpack.
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#2. Gecko Equipment Dry Bag Waterproof Roll Top Sac Review
The Gecko Equipment dry bag is available in both 10 and 20 liters. Not only is it light, but it’s also one of the strongest dry bags in these capacities.
This Gecko bag is made of a polymer material that is resistant to both scratches and tears. The bag is made of several pieces joined with welded seams. This ensures its protective strength is not compromised. This dry bag also has a waterproof phone cover.
The large bag is ideal for a day pack while the smaller-sized bag can be thrown into another bag. Both bags are single-strapped but have a D-ring that allows you to attach an additional strap. You can buy an extra strap to wear the bag as a backpack.
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#3. Leader Accessories PVC Waterproof Dry Bag Review
The Leader Accessories dry bag comes in a variety of sizes, from 5 to 55 liters capacity. The bag also comes in a variety of colors. You can easily find one that’s perfect for you.
My favorite of this brand is the larger bags. These bags have a hard base and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Since this bag is heavy, it can be quickly submerged and is therefore ideal for boating. The bag can also float on water. Therefore, you can use it as a floatation device. It also has a D-ring that you can use for attaching to other things.
The Leader Accessories is made from strong PVC material that smells strongly of plastic. This makes the bag better for outdoor use than storing things inside the house.
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#4. Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack Review
One unique thing about the Sea to Summit dry bag is the eVent feature. This feature enables the bag to pass through the base while still being protected from water. eVent enables exhaustive removal of air from the bag to have excellent waterproofing.
To close the Sea to Summit dry bag, simply roll the top. The bags also have four straps that you can use to further compress it and secure the top.
Sea to Summit bags are small. Therefore, they are ideal for people who only require a dry bag to put their electronics inside and place the bag inside a larger backpack. The bags don’t have any carry straps. However, the compression straps are long and hence allow the bag to be mounted.
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#5. Adventure Lion Premium Series Waterproof Dry Bag Review
The Adventure Lion dry bag comes in 4 sizes, from 10 to 40 liters. The bags are made from waterproof polymer material that resembles rubber. This makes the bag protective. You close the bag by rolling the top and then secure it with a buckle.
This Adventure Lion dry bag is one of the strongest in our selection and can even be used as a floatation device. The small varieties have a single strap while the larger ones have double straps. The reinforced buckle helps to keep everything in place.
This dry bag also features a D-ring. You can use the bag in tough conditions and even in situations where you will need to swim.
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#6. SealLine Baja Dry Bag Review
There are many positive SealLine bag reviews and it is easy to see why. This bag comes in a variety of sizes, from 5 to 55 liters, and also a range of colors. The bag is made of heavy duty vinyl material and has a thick bottom.
SealLine dry bags are closed in the same manner as others. You should push out as much air as possible to ensure that the contents of the bag are fully protected. This bag has a single shoulder strap and one D-ring.
I wouldn’t really recommend using this bag in situations that involve complete submergence in water.
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#7. Earth Pak -Waterproof Dry Bag Review
The Earth Pak brand offers quality dry bags that come in a variety of colors. In addition to dry bags, this brand has some of the best water proof phone covers.
Earth Pak dry bags are made of thick PVC material and come in four sizes, from 10 to 40 liters. The largest size bags have padded shoulder straps that make them perfect for use as a day pack. The smaller bags have a side strap and hence are ideal for outdoor purposes.
These dry bags have a D-ring which you can use to attach them to other bags. These bags are great for storing sensitive electronics. The company also provides a waterproof phone cover for phone protection.
Although this bag, like most of the dry bags, lacks a divider to keep your stuff organized, it is still perfect for adventure.
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#8. Outdoor Research Ultra-light Dry Sack Review
When it comes to ultra-light dry bags, the Outdoor Research Ultra-light Dry Sack takes the trophy. The bag is made from a combination of nylon and silicon. Therefore, it is lightweight, waterproof and strong.
The Outdoor Research dry bag will easily roll shut after which you use a small buckle to strengthen the top. It has a single D-ring that you can use to attach it to other bags, which is more applicable for the small sized models that lack straps.
The standard Outdoor Research dry bag is 15 liters and weighs about 2 oz. The smallest bag is 2.5 liters, which is perfect for keeping accessories. The largest is 55 liters. There are 3 color choices for every size.
Although the dry bags is made from light material, it’s still strong. This is the perfect dry bag for attaching to a backpack. However, you should limit its use to the usual ordinary things.
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