Protect your gear from the elements with these waterproof dry bags.
Whether preparing for adventures on the water or an outdoor excursion with rain in the forecast, having a quality dry bag is essential. An unsung hero of many camping trips and days spent on the water, dry bags offer waterproof protection for electronics, valuables, gear, and provisions. I use dry bags on every camping trip, but their versatility extends to all types of outdoor travel. While cycling from Cambodia to central Vietnam, I relied on a 20-liter dry bag — strapped to my bike’s rear rack — as my primary storage for clothing, toiletries, and valuables.
While all dry bags share the simple principle of keeping out moisture, they’re available in a range of capacities and designs. To select the best dry bags, we tested them on real-world adventures from hiking to scuba diving to evaluate their waterproof protection, ease of use, and portability. We also accounted for different uses and storage capacities to curate a list that serves various travel needs and styles.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: NRS High Roll Duffel Dry Bag at REI $180 Jump to Review Best Cooler Bag: Rux Insulated Cooler Cube at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best Oversized: Isle Gateway Dry Bag at Islesurfandsup.com Jump to Review Best Roll-top: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag — Set of 3 at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Most Durable: Earth Pak Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag at Amazon $26 Jump to Review
Best Overall
NRS High Roll Duffel Dry Bag
$180 at REI View on Nrs.com Why We Love It
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It’s high-capacity and keeps items both dry and protected.
What to Consider
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Like all roll-top bags, it’s not designed for extended submersion.
When you need waterproof protection, portability, and ample storage capacity, the NRS High Roll Duffel Dry Bag delivers on all fronts. The bag is made with welded seams and TPU-coated 840-denier heavy-duty nylon that are durable and waterproof. We found NRS’s StormStrip closure system very user-friendly: simply fold the opening at least three times before attaching the buckles on the side of the bag. Then, pull the compression straps tight to cinch the bag and reinforce the seal for enhanced waterproof protection.
With the wide duffel-style opening, we had no trouble loading and unloading the dry bag, or quickly locating items packed below without rummaging around. It includes a removable padded shoulder strap, giving adventurers the option to carry by one’s side or over the shoulder. The straps also feature webbing chains to secure the bag to a watercraft or attach additional gear and equipment. The High Roll Duffel is also available in a 35-liter version for traveling lighter and a 105-liter version that’s suited for hauling gear and equipment on multi-day trips.
The Details: 28 x 15.3 x 11.8 inches | 70-liter capacity | 3.4 pounds | TPU-coated 840-denier heavy-duty nylon
Best Cooler Bag
Rux Insulated Cooler Cube
$60 at Amazon View on Rux.life Why We Love It
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The dry bag offers waterproof protection for provisions, electronics, and other accessories in a compact package.
What to Consider
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Its structured design doesn’t allow it to be packed down flat when empty.
Whether packing lunch for a day hike or safely storing tech on a camping trip, the Rux Cooler Cube is up to the job. We love the dry bag’s sturdiness and the security it offers. The bag uses memory foam for both insulation and padding, though this limits its ability to pack completely flat. It’s made with welded 840D TPU double-sided coated nylon fabric that’s durable and waterproof. The roll-top closure makes for easy loading and unloading, forms a watertight and dust-proof seal, and provides a handle for carrying when buckled. We appreciate the lifetime warranty, which adds further assurance that it’s built to last. It’s also compatible with other Rux storage systems: four Cooler Cubes can fit inside the Rux Soft Cooler Bag.
The Details: 8.6 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches | 5 liters | 0.7 pounds | RF welded 420D TPU double side coated nylon
Best Oversized
Isle Gateway Dry Bag
View on Islesurfandsup.com Why We Love It
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This quick-drying, waterproof bag offers portability and ample storage space for a variety of gear.
What to Consider
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The 20-liter bag is a bit oversized for tucking in a backpack; it's best as a standalone bag.
The Isle Gateway Dry Bag is a classic roll-top dry bag that can carry everything you need for a day’s adventure. We love the spacious design and find it easily fit our clothes, phone, sunscreen, and shoes and kept everything completely dry when brought on a boat for a day of diving (where everything else got soaked from the waves.)
It’s fitted with an external pocket that’s ideal for storing small items like sunglasses. Meanwhile, the main compartment’s IP66 rating affords greater waterproof protection if the bag gets submerged. Even when packed full, we found it comfortable to carry with the shoulder strap. We appreciate that it packs completely flat when empty, making it easy to tuck away at home or in a suitcase.
The Details: 22 x 15 inches | 20 liters | 1.5 pounds | 600D waterproof nylon
The Best Camping Gear Storage for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Best Roll-top
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag — Set of 3
$70 at Amazon $70 at REI View on Seatosummit.com Why We Love It
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This set of lightweight dry bags makes it easy to stay organized and pack just what we need for a trip.
What to Consider
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They're very lightweight and can blow away if left outside empty.
The Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Dry Bag Set is comprised of three dry bags — one three-liter, one five-liter, and an eight-liter model — that are color coded to clearly distinguish them. All three bags feature a roll-top closure that provides easy access to gear and reliable protection when the Field Repair buckles are secured. The ripstop nylon material is incredibly lightweight and partially translucent, helping us quickly identify what’s inside.
Still, we found the dry bag materials to be perfectly waterproof on our boating and kayaking trips. However, we wouldn’t recommend letting the dry bags be submerged for too long if they go overboard. We also appreciate that the ripstop nylon fabric is Bluesign-approved, meaning that it meets strict environmental and workplace safety requirements.
The Details: Three sizes | 3-8 liters | Nylon
Most Durable
Earth Pak Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
$26 $24 at Amazon View on Earthpak.com Why We Love It
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It’s versatile and keeps all items dry, even in extreme conditions.
What to Consider
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The shoulder straps aren’t extremely comfortable for wearing for long periods.
We’ve used this dry bag for two years now, and it’s been perfect for water sports. We’ve used it for kayaking in upstate lakes and in the Pacific Ocean, rafting, and as a beach bag. The 30-liter version has been super spacious (and we love that it comes in so many different sizes). It fits multiple beach towels, snacks, sunscreen, binoculars, and everything else you need on trips, and we’ve always felt safe packing valuables inside, even when it gets fully submerged. We’ve even capsized in rough waters and never sprung a leak.
Although the price is a bargain, the material is definitely tough. We've stuffed it in a suitcase and given it plenty of rough handling outdoors with no wear and tear. When it comes to dry bags, a backpack style is super handy. The straps are well padded and fitting, so it's super easy to throw on and leave hands free for other gear. The straps also have various attachment points for hauling smaller items.
The Details: 19 x 9.5 x 19 inches for 30-liter | 5-55 liters | 1.6 pounds for 30-liter | Polyvinyl chloride
Our Testing Process
Our expert testers evaluated a variety of dry bags at the beach, on lake trips, and even on dive trips. Before packing their bags, each tester assessed the overall quality and construction of the bag’s materials, clips, and straps, noting any weak points. Next, they packed the bag with all of the essential gear they would need on their adventures.
After sealing the bags, each tester took their dry bags on real adventures whether that was camping, hiking, kayaking, or other outdoor excursions. Each bag was dropped into water to determine any leaks and test whether or not it floated. After each use, all of the items were removed from the bags to asses whether or not they suffered any damages. None of the bags featured here suffered any leaks or spills after months of testing and the exterior of the bags suffered minimal damage.
Tips for Buying Dry Bags
Know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof
A quality dry bag should, as its name suggests, keep all items dry. Whether a dry bag is waterproof or. water-resistant depends on the materials used and the seam construction. Generally, dry bags that are designed to be waterproof will have seams that are welded or seam taped.
In terms of materials, look for an IPX-7 rating for superior waterproofing, as these dry bags can withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes. In comparison, an IPX-6 rating is designed to withstand rain and heavy splashes. Note that roll-top dry bags typically can’t be submerged for very long, as the water pressure can cause seepage through the closure.
Get the right size for your needs
Like all travel bags, dry bags come in a wide range of capacities. On this list, we’ve included dry bags ranging from three to 70 liters. Smaller dry bags are great for storing electronics, toiletries, car keys, and other valuables, whether used on their own or stowed in a larger pack to keep things organized. A dry bag that is 15 to 30 liters is well-suited for carrying everything you’d need for a day trip, such as extra layers, provisions, or a change of shoes. Going with a larger bag comes in handy for multi-day trips and camping excursions when you have more gear to keep protected and secure.
Look for special features
Most dry bags employ minimalist designs, but there are a handful of useful features to consider when comparing options. If you’ll be using your dry bag while rafting, kayaking, or boating, choosing a floating dry bag could be worthwhile to be better prepared for it falling overboard. Some dry bags include interior and exterior pockets to enhance organization as well, but note that exterior pockets often offer less waterproof protection. Dry bags can also be designed with insulation for storing food and drinks, adding versatile functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Kevin Brouillard is a writer based in upstate New York who specializes in outdoor gear and apparel. He used his first-hand camping, hiking, and paddle boarding experience as well as testing insights from T+L’s outdoor experts to curate this list of the best dry bags.
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Сообщение The 5 Best Dry Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed появились сначала на Новости Ставропольского края.
