My 10 Dry Bags for Kayaking (Comparison & Buying Guide)

MY BEST DRY BAGS FOR KAYAKING COMPARISON:

PRODUCT	FEATURES	PROS/CONS	PRICE
Able to easily remove the straps and use it as a kayak large dry bag SEA TO SUMMIT HYDRAULIC WITH HARNESS	Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz. Material: TPU-laminated 600-denier polyester Capacity: 120 L Features: Welded seams – EVA foam and quick-drying mesh Harness – TPU roll-top closure seals easily – Oval base – PVC free	–Really big –Easy to carry –High resistance to UV light and cold temperatures –Adjustable back length –Height adjustable sternum straps –Resists rolling and stays where you put it –Durable attachment points –Durable –Thick –Versatile –Able to easily remove the straps and use it as a kayak large dry bag –Floats –Super light compared to similar packs Easy to adjust –Not intended for prolonged submersion –More than one user said that the shoulder straps do not hold and slip –Getting items in the bottom of the bag is not easy	Check Price on REI
Versatile & comfortable large-capacity waterproof pack available in 65L & 115L SEALLINE BLACK CANYON	Weight: 61 oz Material: 600-denier polyurethane-coated polyester Capacity: 65 – 115 L Features: PVC-free waterproof materials – Carry-on size – Sternum strap – Made in USA – Roll top – Hip belt – Compression straps – Padded waist belt – Welded seams – Roll-top closure – Removable waist belt – Lash points – Light-colored interior	–Lash points to secure accessories to the pack and secure the pack to your kayak –Tight and simple sealing –Affordable –Contents can be easily identified –One user said that the side buckle broke when tightened down not hard on the first trip –Pricey	Check Price on Moosejaw
Very lightweight option that is best for long kayak sessions  SEA TO SUMMIT LIGHTWEIGHT	Weight: 2.5 oz Material: PU-coated 70-denier nylon Capacity: 13 Liters Features: Much lighter weight – Fully taped seams – Hypalon roll-top closure – D-ring attachment point to attach to the kayak and secures roll top – Easy to repair buckle with just a screwdriver – Bright white inner laminate	–Budget-friendly –Very lightweight –Waterproof –Tough –Seals very easily –Very high quality material –Two users had problem with the screw unravels easily and one of them solve it	Check Price on REI
All-purpose dry bag that is affordable and available in multiple sizes SEALLINE BAJA	Weight: 28 oz Material: Rugged vinyl-coated materials Capacity: 5 – 10 – 20 – 30 – 40 – 50 L Features: Waterproof protection – Roll-top closure – Welded seams Dry seal roll-top closure to ensure your essentials are well protected – Made from the reinforced vinyl side for heavy-duty use, Well designed buckles	–Not feeling too bulky –Waterproof without being so stiff –Solid –Heavy material –Well constructed –Seal tightly –Two users said that the bottom seam got separated from the colored portion	Check Price on Moosejaw
A lightweight option that is available in multiple sizes OSPREY ULTRALIGHT 12	Weight: 0.7 / 0.9 / 1.2 / 1.6 / 1.9 oz Material: 40-denier ripstop nylon Capacity: 3 / 6 / 12 / 20 / 30 L Features: Watertight roll-top closure – Rectangular shape – Coated fabric and seams	–Super lightweight –Simple easy to use design that works –Easy hanging from the loop top –Good quality –The bright color makes it super easy to find –One user found a little bit of water inside after using it for white water kayaking –Thin quality makes it pretty easy for tears	Check Price on REI

MY BEST DRY BAGS FOR KAYAKING REVIEWS:

SEA TO SUMMIT HYDRAULIC WITH HARNESS

• Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz.
• Material: TPU-laminated 600-denier polyester
• Capacity: 120 L
• Features: Welded seams – EVA foam and quick-drying mesh Harness – TPU roll-top closure seals easily – Oval base – PVC free
• Pros: Really big – Easy to carry – High resistance to UV light and cold temperatures – Adjustable back length – Height adjustable sternum straps – Resists rolling and stays where you put it – Durable attachment points – Durable – Thick – Versatile – Able to easily remove the straps and use it as a kayak large dry bag – Floats – Super light compared to similar packs – Easy to adjust
• Cons: Not intended for prolonged submersion – More than one user said that the shoulder straps do not hold and slip – Getting items in the bottom of the bag is not easy

SEALLINE BLACK CANYON

• Weight: 61 oz
• Material: 600-denier polyurethane-coated polyester
• Capacity: 65 – 115 L
• Features: PVC-free waterproof materials – Carry-on size – Sternum strap – Made in USA – Roll top – Hip belt – Compression straps – Padded waist belt – Welded seams – Roll-top closure – Removable waist belt – Lash points – Light-colored interior
• Pros: Lash points to secure accessories to the pack and secure the pack to your kayak – Tight and simple sealing – Affordable – Contents can be easily identified –
• Cons: One user said that the side buckle broke when tightened down not hard on the first trip – Pricey

SEA TO SUMMIT LIGHTWEIGHT

• Weight: 2.5 oz
• Material: PU-coated 70-denier nylon
• Capacity: 13 Liters
• Features: Much lighter weight – Fully taped seams – Hypalon roll-top closure – D-ring attachment point to attach to the kayak and secures roll top – Easy to repair buckle with just a screwdriver – Bright white inner laminate
• Pros:  Budget-friendly – Very lightweight – Waterproof – Tough – Seals very easily – Very high quality material
• Cons: Two users had problem with the screw unravels easily and one of them solve it –

SEALLINE BAJA

• Weight: 28 oz
• Material: Rugged vinyl-coated materials
• Capacity: 5 – 10 – 20 – 30 – 40 – 50 L
• Features: Waterproof protection – Roll-top closure – Welded seams
• Dry seal roll-top closure to ensure your essentials are well protected – Made from the reinforced vinyl side for heavy-duty use, Well designed buckles
• Pros:  Not feeling too bulky – Waterproof without being so stiff – Solid – Heavy material – well constructed – Seal tightly –
• Cons: Two users said that the bottom seam got separated from the colored portion

OSPREY ULTRALIGHT 12

• Weight: 0.7 / 0.9 / 1.2 / 1.6 / 1.9 oz
• Material: 40-denier ripstop nylon
• Capacity: 3 / 6 / 12 / 20 / 30 L
• Features: Watertight roll-top closure – Rectangular shape – Coated fabric and seams
• Pros: Super lightweight – Simple easy to use design that works – Easy hanging from the loop top – Good quality – The bright color makes it super easy to find –
• Cons: One user found a little bit of water inside after using it for white water kayaking – Thin quality makes it pretty easy for tears

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR DRY BAG FOR KAYAKING

We have seen a surge when it comes to dry bags designs. Unlike before, singing out the best from the crowded industry is no longer a walk in the park. To help you find the best, here are some of the things you might want to factor in when you are out there shopping for a kayaking dry bag.

SHAPE

The shape of a dry bag is important and must be considered during the selection process. Normally any shape can work for you; however, for anything textile and clothes, you might need to go for cylinder shape. In other cases, if you know you are going to carry more shapely items, a rectangular dry bag will is going to be more practical

MATERIAL

When choosing a dry bag for kayaking, the material that has been used to make that particular bag should also be among some of the things you need to check. Dry bags come made from different materials and all of them do vary a lot when it comes to weight, durability and also flexibility. For example, if you are looking for durability, you can’t go wrong with vinyl. It is heavy duty and bag made from it can take some beating without any problem. Normally, if you know you will be carrying a stove, a bag made from Vinyl will be more practical.

In other cases, if you are looking for something lighter and more flexible, Waterproof Nylon is what you should be going for real soon. It is not as durable as Vinyl but it is light and super flexible. You won’t even feel like you are carrying something in your bag.

CAPACITY

Once you have an idea of the kind of shape that will work for you, the next thing you might want to consider is the capacity. How much capacity are you looking for? Are you looking for a dry bag to store items and essentials for those long trips? Or you are just looking for something to only use for a few hours? Whichever the case; you will find the perfect bag for you.

Normally, something like 3 or even 5-liter dry bag can be the best if you are looking for a bag for just a handful of items. However, that could leave you short of so many things if you ever wanted to go on those longer trips where you would need a lot of things.

In the end, although, you can choose to go for a smaller bag if you know you are not going to carry a lot of items, investing in a larger dry bag will make a lot of sense. After all, at no time will you be caught short. Plus, you really don’t have to fill it.

WEIGHT

Usually, most dry bags are super light by nature. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find others who hare a bit heavy. So when you are out there looking for a great dry bag for your next trips, take weight into great consideration. You need to go for the lightest option on the list without necessarily compromising the quality and also durability. The key thing here is to find something you carry on your back without breaking a sweat.

SUBMERSIBLE OR NOT

If you know you will at times be forced to submerge your bag underwater, you need to invest in a dry bag that can be put underwater and still be able to keep your items dry. One of great feature of submersible bags is that they come equipped with lock and seal openings where you can easily suck the air out without any problem. A submersible bag can truly come in handy for any beginner or even seasoned alike. Should your boat capsize and you find yourself at the bottom of the lake, you will not worry about your stuff coming in contact with water.

Updated on July 1, 2021 by Ben