Best Dry Bags for Kayaking to Waterproof Your Gear
Picture this; you're out on a weekend summer paddle when the evenings are long and as refreshing as an ice-cold pina colada. The sunset is breathtaking, so in order to remember this moment, you reach into your kayaking bag and pull out a soaked camera and a dripping wet cell phone.
Nobody wants a kayaking trip ruined by waterlogged electricals or damp spare clothing!
Fear, not friends, we are here for you! We have created this handy dandy buying guide for yours truly, to find yourself the best dry bags for kayaking.
It is the best way to keep your kit dry while kayaking. Keep your gear dry and invest in a dry bag.
How Do I Choose the Right Dry Bag For Kayaking?
When looking at buying a kayak hatch bag, you'll want to consider the materials, durability, size, shapes, styles, closure systems, straps, handles, and colors, to name a few. So let's dig in and figure out which bag features you want or need.
1. Materials
Waterproof bags come in variations of material, everything from heavy-duty PVC to lightweight stitched fabrics.
You should base your choice of material on what kind of submersion this bag might be doing and the abrasion it may face on a day to day paddle before picking your kayaking dry bags.
Thermoplastic urethane is commonly found in dry bags due to its waterproof ability and its ability to withstand submergence into the water.
Most dry bag materials are not breathable because if air can get through, so can that pesky, salty water, so it should be noted that to stop any condensation and eventually damp mold in your new bag, it's a sensible idea to open it and let it breathe to completely dry out the inside between kayaking trips.
2. Durability
If you're looking for a heavy-duty, durable waterproof bag for kayaking, then you want to pay attention to things like welded seams and the denier.
Denier
The denier number is the thickness level of the fabric being used in your kayak bag. The higher the denier, the thicker the bag. Think about it this way, if one thread was one denier, then five hundred denier is five hundred threads, and the more thread there are in a patch, the less hole there will be.
To sum up, the higher denier is more durable and more waterproof on a stitched fabric.
Welded Seams
Welded seams are a nice touch to any waterproof or resistant fabric as it stops the seams from being a weak point where water could leak through.
3. Size
It isn't easy to anoint the best size dry bag for kayaking as there are so many different sizes because the manufacturers know that there are many different uses for a waterproof bag.
Small
A 5-liter bag is perfect for any small items like cell phone, wallet, first aid kit, toiletries, or torch.
Medium
A medium bag could be something like a 10-liter bag, which is good for any medium-sized kit like a sleeping bag or spare clothes.
Large
If you're looking for a bag to fit all your spare clothes, toiletries, and food, then a large 30-liter kayaking dry sack may be the best option for you.
4. Shapes and Styles
Not only do dry bags come in all sizes, but they come in all shapes and styles, from cell phone-sized bags to a specifically designed waterproof camera bag for kayaking.
Some come with straps and look like backpacks, some look like holdalls, and some look like long tubes with a clip at the top. Depending on your purpose, there's bound to be a style to fit.
5. Closure System
Most of the best kayak dry bags have a roll-top system and top closure clips.
The roll-top closure system will ensure that the waterproof dry bag has pushed air out and locked any air in. When using the top closure clips or seal, the airtight, waterproof system will keep any water out easily.
This roll-top closure system paired with the waterproof materials is the perfect way to keep things in storage dry while kayaking.
6. Straps and Handles
Carrying straps and handles are there solely to aid in transporting your dry kit, getting to and from the kayak. If you plan on using it for multisport like camping, hiking, or canoeing, it's a nice addition to have a single shoulder strap on the bag, making it multifunctional.
Some bags also come with D rings attached, which can be really useful to strap or clip things to the bag and can make it easy to carry lots of bags strapped to one another.
7. Colors
As the theme continues, dry bags also come in an array of different colors. Some can be in bright and bold neon colors where some can come in light soft pastels or blacks and browns. You could probably find a dry bag with every color under the sun, but for safety value and if you tend to lose things a bright, bold color would be recommended. Just in case you found yourself in a scenario where it's floating off into the distance where you want to be able to spot it a mile off without mistaking it for a log.
The 6 Best Kayaking Dry Bags
Now you know that these dry bags come in all shapes and sizes and colors and styles and stuff, there is an overwhelming amount of waterproof bags out there to choose from.
Luckily, also included in this buying guide is our top dry bag picks to help you find the best dry bag for kayaking on the market!
1. Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Earth Pak has made quite a name for themselves on the dry bag front with reliable dry bag designs: simple, ergonomic, and waterproof. This particular bag comes in sizes 10 L to 55 L, and it comes in eight different colors, so you can match your kayak to your fray bag if that floats your boat!
Some of the Earth Pak dry bags have adjustable shoulder straps, and larger dry bags models come with an adjustable sternum strap to aid stability when transporting. This model comes with a useful waterproof phone case on a lanyard. Therefore, if you should be so unfortunate to drop your phone, it will be saved by the string around your neck.
The material offers a waterproof guarantee and durability against any abrasion. These bags are heavy duty and built to last.
This cylindrical waterproof dry bag is simple yet effective, made from heavy-duty abrasion-resistant waterproof nylon with double-stitched, reinforced, taped seams. This bag is not to be messed with.
This waterproof bag comes in many sizes, from as small as 3 liters to as large as 65 liters. It also sports a range of color options such as blue, green, orange, and yellow, which is great to have the dry bags be visible in the water should they accidentally float away from your boat. However, for those who feel confident and trust themselves enough not to lose their valuables, a black option is also available.
The Sea to Summit Big River can withstand heavy loads while still folding down to a compact and convenient size. Like most dry bags, this one has a roll-top closure and includes some useful lash loops for secure attachment.
Are you looking for the best submersible dry bag? Well, we may have found it for you in the form of the Yeti Panga Airtight Submersible Bag.
This dry bag is insanely good. It offers premium quality at a premium price point. In the shape of a duffel bag, this waterproof bag will keep the most hard-core adventurers dry, especially those who can’t avoid getting submerged!
Submersible, waterproof, and airtight this bag is no match for a pesky bit of water. Manufactured with high-density laminated nylon to create the ‘thick skin’ outer shell, which is abrasion and puncture resistant.
The Dryhaul shoulder straps are durable and comfortable and enable you to carry the waterproof bag backpack style should you need to transport the contents on a hike or a long walk to the campsite. Paired with the hydro lock zipper, making it 100% waterproof, there’s nothing this bag can’t take!
Could this be the best dry bag for kayaking? Read on to find out!
Next up a truly affordable contender, coming with a handy waterproof phone case. The Piscifun Waterproof Dry Bag makes the list as the budget-friendly option, in total contrast to the Yeti!
This waterproof dry bag comes in nine colors and a range of sizes from 5L to 40L. It's made with 500D PVC, and the shoulder strap is adjustable and padded for carrying comfort should you choose to carry the bag like a backpack. If the backpack style doesn't suit you, the shoulder straps can be used in an across body shoulder strap design or adjusted to use in the form of a duffel bag.
This bag has a useful feature in the form of an outer mesh pocket, perfect for keeping any waterproof items you want to be close to hand. We know what your thinking. This pocket is not a dry place to keep your phone, so how are you supposed to have your phone handy? Well, luckily, this waterproof dry bag comes with a waterproof phone case so you can have your phone close by for snapping pictures of that beautiful sunset.
The Earth Pak Summit series has everything the regular waterproof dry bag has but better. Not unlike the previously mentioned Earth Pak waterproof dry bag, it is made with 500D PVC fabric, which is waterproof and abrasion-resistant. Especially good for when you're carrying kit, you don't want to get damaged.
It has a roll-top closure system keeping the water out from the inside when your kayak faces some choppy splashing waves.
The best thing about this dry bag is the exterior splash-proof pocket where you can place all of your items you want close by. It is important to note that the pocket is 'splash proof' but not waterproof, so it's best not to put any item in there you don't want to get wet.
The shoulder strap on the smaller sized waterproof dry sacks come in the form of a single adjustable shoulder strap which can extend up to 36 inches. The 30L model and 40L model shoulder straps come in a backpack style with a sternum strap if two shoulder straps aren't enough!
Last but not least this kayak dry bag comes with a handy phone case. This phone case is waterproof so that you can keep your phone safe and dry like it has a little mini dry bag of its own.
Are you a keen photographer? Is your passion for photography why you kayak? Are you looking for a waterproof dry bag for your camera? If all the answers to these questions are yes then we have the perfect dry bag for you!
The Overboard SLR Camera Dry Bag is made with tough 600D PVC tarpaulin keeping your camera dry and safe and the bag tight and sealed with welded seams. Like any other dry bag, it uses the common roll top system to close keeping the goods inside dry, and the water out, and includes and adjustable shoulder strap for your carrying convenience.
The best thing about this dry bag is the protective inner lining it has to stop your camera from any damage, knocks, or bumps along the way.
If you were to drop your camera dry bag in the water, not only will the dry bag keep the camera fully protected it will also float in the water, providing the user peace of mind when things get a little clumsy.
This dry bag also has an internal wet/dry pocket for any smaller items and an outer mesh pocket for any waterproof items which are unaffected by water damage.
This bag is submergible, providing the 100% waterproof protection you could only hope for in a camera dry bag and also protects the contents from dust, dirt and sand.
Our Top Pick!
Having looked at plenty of the best dry bags for kayaking we now need to anoint the top dry bag, the one dry bag to rule them all. So here goes. Our favorite dry bag is the Yeti Panga Airtight Submersible Dry Bag!
This bag has everything from tough waterproof, abrasion-resistant materials to comfortable shoulder straps, and even though this bag is a little pricey, we think it's totally worth it!