The Very Best Dry Bags and Waterproof Backpacks
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When it comes to gear shopping, dry bags may not be among your top-ten most exciting purchases. But given the nature of many outdoor pursuits (wet!), a good dry bag might be the most important part of your gear setup. For the backpacker who needs to keep their extra clothing dry (and needs something lightweight and bright enough to find in a backpack), the fly fisherman looking for a watertight, well-organized backpack, the diver or paddler keeping their gear close by on the boat deck, or anyone who needs to keep their things neat and dry while traveling, a reliable, durable dry bag is a must for any day on the water or any outdoor excursion that might be impacted by weather — and that’s most of them.
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I’ve been testing dry bags in every category for the past decade, traveling, on the trail, and in the kayak. The six bags listed here range from technical backpacks to simple-but-practical reinforced nylon bags and will keep your gear dry whether you need a 65-liter bag for a multiday raft trip or a three-liter stuff sack for your electronics on your next overnight trip.
Our top picks
Whatwe’relookingforinadrybag
The right design for its intended use
Dry bags come in a few distinct styles, from ultralight, flexible roll-top sacks to heavy-duty, high-capacity bags and backpack-style options, and you’ll want to consider capacity, durability, organization, and carry style. Larger bags you’ll be hiking with or otherwise carrying should have padded, comfortable backpack or duffel-style straps. Dry bags for keeping small items protected for backpacking should be small, ultralight, and brightly colored so you can find them easily in a large backpack. My top picks for canoeing or kayaking should have a tougher exterior that can handle being crammed into a cockpit or chucked onto shore from the boat, and my favorite fishing or deck bags are backpack style with additional pockets for organization.
Capacity
The dry bags on this list range from three liters to 65 liters. If you’re looking for a small bag to keep your electronics safe, choose a three- or five-liter option. Clothes and other items? Eight to 16 liters is a good bet. My favorite waterproof backpacks are the same size as a standard daypack, ranging from 20 to 28 liters, and have a few additional pockets for organizing. For multiday trips, 45 to 65 liters of capacity can match that of a backpacking pack.
Materials
Most dry bags are made from polyester or nylon with a waterproof polyurethane (or PU) or thermoplastic polyurethane (or TPU) coating, and some have a durable water repellent (or DWR) treatment as well. Every bag on the list has taped or welded seams for added assurance at potential failure points. All dry bags on this list are tested for durability, but some prioritize weight and packability with lighter, more flexible materials that might not be as puncture-resistant, while others are more rugged and reinforced. Each combination of materials and treatments is tested for waterproofing, but lighter, more flexible bags aren’t as puncture-resistant, whereas heavier, thicker models can be banged around more without abrasions.
Closure
Dry bags can have either roll-top or zipper closures. Roll-top closures are simple and require no maintenance and are often less expensive than zippered dry bags. The main issue with a roll-top bag is organization, since they’re often tall and tube-shaped, and only open from the top, which can make digging around in the bag frustrating. Some people say the roll-top is less reliable when submerged compared to a zipper, but I haven’t had any issues as long as I roll the top three times.
Zippered bags usually have a wider opening and can make access easier, but they are more expensive and have more failure points. A peeling seal, jammed zipper, or gapped teeth creates more variables than simply rolling down the top of the bag, but when the zippers are in tip-top shape, I’ve found them to be quite impenetrable.
Weight and packability
When I’m traveling, I opt for a roll-top dry bag that can lie flat on my gear or be rolled down and tucked into a corner of my pack. But! If I’m using the bag as part of my luggage, a more structured, backpack-style pack is great. Weight matters mostly for backpacking, and I try to keep each dry bag under five ounces.
Waterproofing
Dry bags may be waterproof, but they are not intended for prolonged submersion. The waterproof zippers, reinforced materials, and roll-top closures will keep your items protected from splashes, falling off the side of the paddleboard, or if you drop the bag off the dock, but these are not intended to take swimming with you, and most have an IP66 rating, which means they are rated to be briefly submersible.
The best dry bag overall
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Capacity: 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 35 liters |Weight: 5.7 oz. (medium-size three-pack) |Materials: 70D nylon with DWR finish and taped seams |Closure:Roll-top |Additionalpockets:None
In my testing, the Sea to Summit Lightweight dry bags offer the best combination of low weight, packing flexibility, and a range of sizes that work for most people, whether they’re backpacking or traveling. The 70-denier nylon isn’t as rugged as the PU-coated SealLine bag or the 600-denier nylon on the Isle dry bags I’ve listed below, but for people who don’t slam their gear against rocks or need a large capacity, they can’t be beat (and they’re afavorite of Strategist staffers). The flexible fabric makes it easier to get a tight roll, even when I’ve crammed them full. Similar to my SealLine bag, these have an oval-shaped bottom, which makes packing easier without leaving gaps in bags, and a white interior, which makes it easy to find items. The bright colors are the final factor, and aren’t just for looking pretty. They help me remember what I’ve packed in each one and make it easier to grab them from a packed backpack or suitcase.
These are also my top picks for backpacking, and Sea to Summit offers a wide range of sizes that can handle everything from keeping small electronics organized to protecting your down jacket and base layers. I usually recommend the mid-size set, which includes three-, five-, and eight-liter bags. The eight-liter is perfect for keeping my camp clothes and warm layer protected, and I use the three-liter for electronics, and often the five-liter as a food bag on bear-free trips. You can also grab alarge three-pack, ranging from eight to 20 liters. If you want to compress your down items or save space in a suitcase, Sea to Summit also makes awaterproof compression sackthat does wonders for smushing down clothes and puffy items.
The best dry bag for day trips
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Capacity: 20 liters |Weight: 1 lb. 8 oz. |Materials: 600D TPU-coated nylon with seam sealing |Closure:Roll-top |Additionalpockets:One external
I have used this unassuming bag on numerous occasions over the past few years, from day trips on the lake near my house to traveling abroad in Thailand, where packing was so minimal that everything needed to pull double duty, and I ended up using it as my boat bag for scuba diving as well as a day bag for walking around towns when we weren’t on the boat.
The 20-liter capacity is more than enough for most day trips on a boat, and it also has a shoulder strap for easy carrying, so I don’t have to drag it around by holding onto the top roll-top closure. It packs down completely flat but has a nicely structured base when you snap it open. You can also roll it up and stuff it in the corner of your already overstuffed backpack. Made of 600-denier coated nylon, it is softer and more flexible than most rubbery bags out there, and looks nice enough that I didn’t feel too out of place carrying it as a sling bag in Phuket. The single external pocket (highly water resistant, but not fully waterproof on the zipper) fit my wallet, hotel key, and phone, and I was able to fit a layer, travel towel, mask, and watch, and spare flip flops in the bag easily, along with food and my water bottle. While it doesn’t have the same comfort as carrying a backpack, the lie-flat design, packability, reliable waterproofing, and midrange size make it my go-to when I’m packing light and need a versatile bag that can accompany me on a boat or around town.
The best waterproof backpack
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Capacity: 25 liters |Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz. |Materials: 600D TPU-coated nylon with seam sealing |Closure:Zipper |Additionalpockets:Three (one external, two internal)
I spent a lot of time on dive boats and recreational boats dragging a stuff sack around before relenting and getting a waterproof backpack to take with me. There are certainly dive-specific bags that would hold my fins and other gear, but I appreciate a bag that does its job well without sacrificing versatility. In this case, Isle’s Gateway Waterproof Backpack fits under the seat in front of me on an airplane, making it an excellent personal item that I can tote around town (and even put my laptop in when I’m not on the boat) while still being light and flexible enough to stuff with my gear and bring onto a boat. I can fit a towel, layers, lunch, water bottle, mask, and dive computer in here easily, and it also doesn’t feel like “too much bag” to walk around with while traveling if I want to use it as my day pack as well, plus it has an internal padded laptop sleeve that makes it a great choice as a one-and-done bag for boat trips where you’ll be migrating from land to water and back.
This bag also packs down smaller than thicker, more structured backpacks, so if I already have another personal item, it won’t take up too much room in a suitcase.
Like the other dry bags on my list, this bag isn’t intended for prolonged submersion, but it’s held its own while getting battered by waves coming over the side of the boat and floating in four inches of water in the gear compartment on deck, and it’s kept everything perfectly protected. It’s been briefly submerged (both accidentally and on purpose during testing) and has kept my wallet, phone, and towel dry. The backpack is made of the same material as Isle Gateway’s dry bag, and weighs less than two pounds, making it comfortable to carry. The external lash points are helpful for securing to a boat or raft, and while I don’t often dangle things outside my backpack, you can also use the daisy-chain rings to attach extra items to the outside of the pack. It has a zippered external pocket and two internal pockets for organization, and while the exterior pocket isn’t entirely waterproof, I have had no breaches during splashy boat rides.
The best dry bag for canoeing and kayaking
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Capacity: 5, 10, 20, 30 liters |Weight: 7 oz. (10L) |Materials: Polyurethane-coated polyester with welded seams |Closure:Roll-top |AdditionalPockets:None
SealLine specializes in waterproof backpacks, duffels, and luggage, and its simple, durable Discovery Dry Bags have always been my favorite from the brand. These are more rugged than the flexible backpacking options from Sea to Summit’s Lightweight lineup, which makes them my top pick for taking out on the boat where they may take a beating being tossed from boat to shore or crammed into the cockpit of a kayak, and they have lasted me years of use without cracking, losing waterproofing, or failing at any seam points.
The bags all have light-colored interiors to make rummaging around inside easier, and the oval base shape makes wedging items easier than fully rounded stuff sacks. It’s a simple build without any exterior pockets or carrying options, and just has one D-ring near the buckle to lash to a carabiner or secure to a raft or boat. This bag also has a DrySeal top, which secures shut similarly to a partial-zip zip-top bag, and helps maintain the seal when being rolled. Finally, the seams are welded, which I’ve found to be more reliable than taped seams, though those work well for lightweight bags. I prefer the welded seams for boat-specific outings for potential rain protection.
The Discovery line comes in a range of sizes from five to 30 liters, but this ten-liter option has proven to be the perfect size for holding my phone and charger, a few snacks, and a rolled-up travel towel for afternoons of kayaking or canoeing. I did end up lugging it around on a dive trip to Honduras and wished I had brought a boat bag with a shoulder or backpack strap, but this simple bag did the job.
The best luxury waterproof backpack
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Capacity: 28 liters |Weight: 3 lb. 14 oz. |Materials: TPU-coated high-density nylon with seam sealing |Closure:Zipper |Additionalpockets:Two internal
Paying for a top-shelf brand isn’t always worth it, but I continue to fly the Yeti flag for coolers, water bottles, and this waterproof backpack. The company pays special attention to closures and seams throughout its product lines, and in my testing of bags, bottles, and coolers, durability remains unsurpassed. Yes, it’s significantly more expensive than the Isle backpack, but the Panga’s tough outer shell is made of high-density nylon with a TPU-laminate that resists both punctures and abrasions better than most bags I’ve tested, and the entire thing floats … an undeniably useful element for the clumsy boaters among us.
Like most of Yeti’s products, the Panga is streamlined but thoughtful with a structured base that stands up on its own, exterior webbing that can be lashed to a boat or raft, and the zippers are Yeti’s own HydroLok, which have never leaked on me. The pack also comes with a removable sternum strap and hip belt, which will be overkill for casual wear but can come in handy for keeping the pack close to your back. This is a good bag for fishing because it floats, has a solid full-day capacity, plus you can secure your fly gear on the front of the pack and keep small items organized inside the two mesh pockets.
I’ve used the Panga for all-day fishing outings and boat excursions, but it isn’t so specific to fishing that it doesn’t do anything else well (and if I’m paying over $300 for a bag, I want it to be versatile). The straps are comfortable enough to wear all day on the water, though I’d pause before using this as a hiking bag, as it doesn’t have the most breathable back panel — but I’ve used this as my personal item when I need a durable bag thatjust barelyfits under the seat in front of me. The Panga is a splurge, but I had my bag for years of heavy use and it barely showed any wear and tear. If you’re shopping for one water-ready backpack that can work for fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation where durability and waterproofing is paramount, it’s worth it.
The best dry bag for multiday trips
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Capacity: 65 liters |Weight: 3 lb. 13 oz. |Materials: PVC |Closure:Roll-top |Additionalpockets:None
Hauling gear on a multiday raft trip is an exercise in efficiency, strategic packing, and protection. Along with having enough capacity for all your gear, you need at least one or two bags that are comfortable to carry on portages and to drag up from shore to camp. NRS is an industry leader in the boating world, and I rarely see a raft trip go out without at least one or two of these in the gear pile. Equipped with a StormSeal top and roll-down closure system, this bag also has top and side webbing straps. These cinch down to compress the load, similar to my roll-top backpacking packs, so it takes up less boat space when I don’t have the 65 liters packed full.
This bag is nearly four pounds empty, but it’s the largest on the list and made with a heavy-duty 21-ounce PVC on the body of the bag and heavier-duty 34-ounce PVC along the reinforced bottom. The backpack straps are decently padded and highly adjustable, but you’re going to make some comfortable-carry sacrifices for the waterproofing and durability. This is first and foremost a durable, simple, waterproof gear hauler, not a backpacking pack, and you will get sweaty hiking it around rapids or on a steep climb to camp. But there’s a reason piles of these bags are in every flotilla cargo load, and I have never taken an overnight boat trip without one.
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