Dry bags have a vital responsibility — protecting your gear. Whether your raft gets flipped, you take a spill in a creek, or you get caught in an unexpected downpour, it’s essential that clothing, sleeping bags, and other necessities stay dry.
If your gear has ever been soaked in the wilderness, you know how difficult it can be, both physically and mentally. We’ve been there, and it inspired our hunt for the best dry bags around.
Whether you’re backpacking, paddling through a gorge, hunting with a fourth-season elk tag, carrying emergency supplies, or linking up national parks by motorcycle, there are plenty of adventures where a dry bag becomes a necessity.
There are a ton of dry bag sizes and applications, and a single bag won’t suit every person. To help you find the right bag for your adventure, we’ve highlighted a variety of options. If you need help deciding, check out our buyer’s guide, FAQ, and comparison chart at the end of this article.
If you know what you’re looking for, feel free to scroll ahead to the best dry bags for 2023.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Dry Bags guide on November 22, 2023, to be more reader-friendly and have the most up-to-date information.
The Best Dry Bags of 2023
Best Overall Dry Bag
-
Material
High-density, puncture-resistant nylon shell with EVA-molded bottom -
Closure
HydroLok zipper -
Gear capacity (L) options
50, 75, 100 -
Dimensions
28″ x 15.5″ x 11″ (75L) -
Weight
2,767 g -
Features
2 interior mesh pockets, removable shoulder straps, multiple lash points -
Best use
Multiday paddle trips, road trips with open-bed truck
-
Extremely durable -
Excellent, ergonomic, burly waterproof zipper -
Ample space for carrying apparel and gear
-
Higher investment -
Too large for some objectives -
Not easily foldable for storage
Best Budget Dry Bag
-
Material
Durable PVC and polyester -
Closure
Waterproof roll-top closure with magnetic StormStrip seal -
Gear capacity (L) options
65, 110 -
Dimensions
14″ x 24″ (65L) -
Weight
1,899 g -
Features
Removable, adjustable shoulder strap harness with a chest clip -
Best use
Multiday and single-day paddle trips
-
Padded shoulder straps -
Lower price point
-
Not as robust as other higher-priced dry bags -
Top-loading means you’ll need to dig to the bottom to find items -
Some users noted the StormStrip closure seal was not very durable
Best Compression Sack Dry Bag
-
Material
PU-coated 70-denier nylon and 40-denier nylon and eVent laminate base -
Closure
Roll-top with wrap-around compression straps -
Gear capacity (L) options
6, 10, 14, 20, 30 -
Dimensions
8″ x 18″ -
Weight
147 g -
Features
Compression straps! -
Best use
Backpacking, bikepacking, hiking
-
Helps to pack down space-consuming apparel and gear -
Four pull straps make the compression process easy -
Very lightweight
-
Exterior material is not the most robust we tested -
Not a bag we’d trust for full submersion
Best First-Aid Kit Dry Bag
-
Material
70-denier waterproof fabric that’s PVC-free -
Closure
Roll-top with 5/8″ buckle -
Gear capacity (L) options
1, 3, 5 -
Dimensions
8.6″ x 5.1″ x 11″ (5L bag) -
Weight
54 g -
Features
First-Aid Kit label and bright red color, D-ring attachment point at buckle, designed to be compatible with a 5/8″ Field Repair Buckle that can easily replace a broken buckle (with a Phillips head screwdriver) -
Best use
Backpacking, bikepacking, hiking, skiing, paddling, hunting
-
Universal first aid kit symbol and bright red color for quick identification -
Clear TPU window to see inside bag -
Very lightweight
-
The TPU window could be larger -
D-ring could be a bit larger
Runner-Up Best Dry Bag
-
Material
420-denier PU-coated CORDURA nylon blend -
Closure
ZipDry push-closure (imagine an extremely tough ziplock bag closure) that rolls down and includes two buckled straps -
Gear capacity (L) options
22 -
Dimensions
10″ x 19.25″ x 9.5″ -
Weight
726 g -
Features
Several hard lash points, carry handles -
Best use
Everyday use including kayaking, SUPing, sailing, first-aid kit for group expedition, hunting
-
Super-high-quality materials -
Long-lasting construction -
Very tough closure seal that keeps out water
-
The closure can be difficult to get open -
Higher price for the capacity
Best of the Rest
-
Material
PVC-free and TPU-laminated 420-denier nylon with double-stitched and taped seams -
Closure
Roll-top plus a buckle closure -
Gear capacity (L) options
3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 35, to 65 -
Dimensions
15″ x 10″ x 33″ (65L bag with top rolled three times) -
Weight
292 g -
Features
Designed to be compatible with a ¾-in. Field Repair Buckle that can easily replace a broken buckle (with a Phillips head screwdriver), lash points -
Best use
Kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, rafting, motorcycle tours, bikepacking
-
Lightweight -
Pliable -
Easy to transport
-
Roll-top requires some excellent organization (unless you want to dump out the contents often!) -
Not the most robust exterior we’ve tested
-
Material
70-denier nylon with fully taped seams and a polyurethane coating -
Closure
Roll-top with buckle -
Gear capacity (L) options
10, 20 -
Dimensions
18.5″ x 7.5″ x 4.9″ (10L bag) -
Weight
90 g -
Features
Over-the-shoulder strap for travel, D-ring attachment at the buckle, designed to be compatible with a 5/8-in. Field Repair Buckle that can easily replace a broken buckle (with a Phillips head screwdriver) -
Best use
Paddlesports, beach days
-
Very lightweight -
Includes adjustable shoulder strap for over-the-shoulder carry -
Low cost
-
Shoulder strap is not padded -
Not the toughest of materials
-
Material
PVC-free polyurethane film body and a polyurethane-coated polyester bottom -
Closure
Roll-top with a buckle -
Gear capacity (L) options
5, 10, 20, 30 -
Dimensions
14.5″ x 8.5″ x 5″ (10L bag) -
Weight
184 g -
Features
PurgeAir waterproof valve helps dump air -
Best use
Packing items like apparel or food inside a more durable backpacking bag, duffel, or dry bag
-
Super lightweight -
Transparency helps find items before pouring out contents -
The PurgeAir valve helps close up the bag without extra air
-
Not puncture-resistant, so be careful around rocks, cacti, or other pointy vegetation! -
Don’t dunk — not submersible
Dry Bags Comparison Chart
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Closure, Capacity (L), Dimensions, Weight.
| Dry Bag | Price | Closure | Capacity (L) | Dimensions | Weight |
| YETI Panga 75 Dry Duffe | $350 | HydroLok zipper | 50, 75, 100 | 28″ x 15.5″ x 11″ | 6 lbs., 10 oz. |
| NRS Bill’s Bag Dry Bag 65L | $160 | Waterproof roll-top closure with magnetic StormStrip seal | 65, 110 | 14″ x 24″ | 4 lbs., 3 oz. |
| Sea to Summit 14L eVent Compression Dry Sack |
$40-61 | Roll-top with wrap-around compression straps | 6, 10, 14, 20, 30 | 8″ x 18″ | 5.2 oz. |
| Sea to Summit First Aid Dry Sack |
$20 | Roll-top with 5/8-inch buckle | 1, 3, 5 | 8.6″ x 5.1″ x 11″ (5L) | 2 oz. |
| Watershed Chattooga 22L |
$154-222 | ZipDry push-closure that rolls down and includes two buckled straps | 22 | 10″ x 19.25″ x 9.5″ | 1 lb., 10 oz. |
| Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags |
$40-80 | Roll-top plus a buckle closure | 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 35, to 65 | 15″ x 10″ x 33″. (65L) | 10.3 oz. |
| Sea to Summit Lightweight Sling Dry Bag | $29 | Roll-top with buckle | 10, 20 | 18.5″ x 7.5″ x 4.9″ (10L) | 3.2 oz. |
| SealLine Discovery View Dry Bag | $27-58 | Roll-top with a buckle | 5, 10, 20, 30 | 14.5″ x 8.5″ x 5″ (10L) | 6.5 oz. |
How We Tested Dry Bags
On top of extensive research, we enjoyed putting these dry bags to the test. Our GearJunkie dry bag gear testers range from a professional outdoor photographer to search-and-rescue personnel, expert and recreational standup paddleboarders, and expeditionists setting records. These dry bags protected our overnight apparel, camp gear, and electronics on back-to-back water-travel days throughout the West from Utah to Colorado’s central mountains.
We took these bags on morning and afternoon outings as well as multiday river trips, in whitewater and on flat water through canyons and ravines and across wide-open lakes.
Senior Editor Morgan Tilton has a self-supported first descent down the 100-mile wild whitewater of Escalante River in Utah on SUP with four friends. As a backcountry skier and bikepacker, Tilton has used dry bags on hut-to-hut trips and endurance rides in a range of climates from the high alpine to the desert.
Editor Mary Murphy is an avid single-day and overnight paddleboarder as well.
Our metrics included waterproofness, ergonomics, ease of use, waterproofness, flexibility, accessories such as pockets and padded straps, simplicity of closure, and durability across a range of sizes and price tags. To find the best of the best, we only considered the highest-rated, most popular, and best-selling dry bags on the market.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Dry Bag
Dry bags might seem simple, but they’re incredibly diverse. Each design complements specific water activities, outdoor needs, and personal preferences.
Size and Fit
A few of the primary factors to consider when choosing a dry bag are the shape, capacity, and straps. Will the bag fit where it needs to be stowed, and how far will it need to be carried? When the bag is loaded, is the carry system ergonomic for the bag user?
Some larger dry bags have backpack straps for easier transport that are also removable, which decreases the chance of a snag.
After use, it’s essential to consider how easily the bag can be packed down, flattened, and stored — especially for folks without a garage or much storage space.
Durability
The durability of the dry bag handles, lash points, straps, and material is crucial. Will the exterior withstand environmental encounters like rigid juniper branches along the river, thorny bushes on the trail’s edge, transport over boulder-strewn banks, or a dog’s sharp nails?
Look for an extra layer of waterproof, durable material on the bottom of the bag and where it will experience high use. Lash points can be hard or soft, and strap variations include those for carry or compression.
Submersible
Obviously, the bag needs to be waterproof, and the closure system needs to completely keep water out — even when submerged. And to top it off, the closure should be easy to use. Both zippers and roll-top bags require you to use them properly.
Be sure to fully close your zippers and tightly roll your bags for a waterproof seal.
FAQ
If you are a minimalist paddler and just want a dry bag for the essentials: phone, keys, GPS device, a 3-10L dry bag works great. The same goes for beginner paddlers. If this is your first dry bag purchase, start with one on the smaller volume side.
If you are running a full day or longer day trips, we find an additional 10-20L bag to be helpful — this can hold anything from your extra layers to a camp chair to a packed lunch and more.
Ultimately, the size of the dry bag you need depends on a lot of different factors: the length of your trip, the time of year, the amount and weight of your gear, and how often you’ll be hitting the water.
You’ll also want to consider factors like durability and price. Are you going to be using that 5L dry bag on a weekly basis? Maybe upgrade to a slightly larger size dry bag or one with a more durable material to give yourself (and your gear) some wiggle room.
This also all depends on how often you find yourself on the water and what types of trips you usually take. If you only take a river trip once or twice a year, you probably only need a few dry bags.
If you paddle year round, you’ll probably want a collection of bags: a 5-10L, a 30-40L, maybe a 60L, and a few heftier ones (100L+) for the big adventures.
If you aren’t sure which dry bag will work for you best (even after our recommendations!), consider getting two different types: a duffel or backpack dry bag and a rolltop bag. And if you know you need a specific size bag for a certain trip or to fit in, say, a rented raft or kayak, you may find yourself purchasing one or two to start.
Pro tip: If you are covering a lot of mileage and rivers, you’ll want at least three bags for gear of varying sizes. For short- to medium-length trips — whether it’s whitewater or flatwater — we recommend one bag for your shelter, sleep system, and clothes; one bag for your food and stove; and one bag for day access: things like snacks, maps, and emergency items.
For us, these bags tend to be three different sizes. (And if you plan ahead like us, you can even color-code them!)
This is a great question and one every brand approaches it differently in terms of design. Once you buy a dry bag, there should be a tag (sometimes even printed instructions!) on the top inner portion of the roll-top bag.
The magic number is usually three to make sure there’s an airtight and watertight seal. But the amount of times you’ll roll a bag also depends on the amount of gear inside.
Always be careful not to overstuff a dry bag — there should be room to roll it to fold that seal. On the other hand, if you only have a few items stored in a larger bag, make sure you roll out the extra airspace for easier packing on the water. Alternatively, you can roll the bag a few extra times.
With any of the dry bags on this list, you can’t go wrong. For backcountry-based trips where we are carrying a lot of gear, we are partial to having only as many bags as we need (one to three for overnight and maybe three to five for a weeklong trip) and as many lightweight bags as possible. In order to do this, we usually have a few different types of bags with us.
If you are also traveling in a smaller vessel with limited space (like a sea kayak, paddleboard, or pack raft), we’d recommend the NRS Bill’s Bag (the most versatile large hauler) or the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags (the most versatile in size on our list).
