Best Dry Bag For Kayaking

By Taylor Jensen

Looking for the Best Dry Bag for Kayaking? Our buyers guide below is sure to help you pick the drybag that suits your needs.

Best Dry Bags For Kayaking

So you’ve decided on taking a kayaking trip where you will need to bring goods with you. You want to challenge yourself, to see what you can take physically and psychologically. Or, to be a bit less dramatic, go on a trip, removed from the world, just you (alone, maybe) or a group of friends, ready to face nature.

For that, you need to prepare. You need to carry food, medical supplies, and spare paddles, and a bunch of other things, if you want the trip to be a success. You may be overwhelmed with the amount of choice between all types of dry bags, and so we’re here to set the record straight. Find out everything you need to get the best dry bag for kayaking that will suit your needs.

So, first of all, what is a dry bag exactly? A dry bag is a bag that is made from certain waterproof materials. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though most are cylinder shaped and have a band around the opening, while on the other end you can find a release buckle. By following the manual and closing it properly, you can almost guarantee your stuff will stay dry while paddling along even in the harshest of waters.

There are a few elements you need to pay attention to, and which should correspond to your needs.

What to look for in the Best Dry Bag for Kayaking:

Size: They can widely vary in size, but this can be detrimental to their strength or your wallet. The best ones are usually somewhere between 20 to 30 liters in carrying capacity. These sizes are ideal, as you could also have trouble placing larger bags in your kayak comfortably.
Materials: You basically have a choice between nylon and vinyl, and certain hybrids. Vinyl is very tough and heavy and is perfect for some heavy gear or metal equipment (pots, pans, and knives, for example). You also have waterproof nylon which is not as durable as vinyl but is also not as stiff. These are useful for flexible and soft items, like your clothes, or basically any kind of cloth or fabric. The third kind is sil-nylon, which is very light and flexible. However, it is the least durable of all types and will tear easily. In these, you should put items that are not as critical and crucial as some other things are. It has a bonus of being slippery and is very easy to place into whatever nook and cranny in your kayak.
Water Tight: A good seal on your dry bag is crucial to keeping your contents dry. All the products we tested below were very effective at keeping water out of the bag.
Durable: If you are kayaking correctly, your dry back is going to be subjected to some rough handling. It’s important that the dry bag be able to withstand being dropped, dragged, etc.

ZBRO Waterproof Compression Dry Bag

TOP PICK

ZBRO’s 100% waterproof bag is just the kind of gear you need for serious kayaking trips. Available in several colors, our fav is the camo colored, with black straps and a black front mesh lining. If you’ve ever been afraid of getting lost, or just wanted to be spotted easily by your friends, then the ZBRO is just the right kind of sack you need. It has a reflective stripe that can be seen from a faraway distance. The straps are padded, giving you maximum comfort and they can be removed and adjusted easily, making this sack function like a backpack as well. Our testing concluded that this is one of best dry bags for kayaking.

You can choose between a 20L, 30L and 40L size bag.

What Users Are Saying:

High visibility
This is the BEST dry bag ever
Very well made and durable
It exceeded my standards
Clips are strong, not as brittle as most are
It floats. I can rest easy if my bag goes overboard

Enpeake Waterproof Dry Bag

The Enpeake Dry Bag is strong, yet secure. It’s made from a thick, durable material and believe me, you won’t have to worry about your things getting wet, ever! The special layers and fabrics ensure that there is no way that water can penetrate this bag. It has an adjustable shoulder strap, making it easy to carry. As an extra, it comes with a free waterproof phone case. This product is not only useful for kayakers but people in general who are constantly in contact with water.

It has a 10L carrying capacity.

What Users Are Saying:

Keeps everything bone dry, very impressive
Good price
Has excellent features
Great addition to my outdoor gear
Love the waterproof phone case you can attach to your arm
Perfect for shore excursions too.

SealLine Baja Dry Bag

This SealLine Dry Bag is very durable. The sides and the bottom of the SealLine are made from reinforced vinyl. They may be on the heavier sides, but they will certainly last for ages. This bag can withstand any and all abuse you, or Mother Nature, can throw at it. Another important point is its Dry-Seal roll-top closure system. This element makes it both easy to seal, and as airtight as possible. You won’t even have to worry about putting steel or heavy duty gear in this bag. Pots, pans, irons, stoves, whatever crazy thing you think you need on your trip, you can put it here, without fear of the items tearing the bag open.

This bag comes in a variety of colors. You can get it in orange, yellow, black, blue and green. It has a 30L capacity.

What Users Are Saying:

Excellent waterproof material
Thick but easy to fold
Well-made and easy to secure
Super high quality
heavy duty and completely dry inside when sealed up

Homar Waterproof Dry Bag

Never again will you be afraid of ruining your equipment, packed clothing or cellphone when going kayaking. You just need to carry your equipment in this bag. The Homar Dry Bag has an adjustable shoulder strap and reinforced buckle, and is very being very durable. The Homar also floats, so even if you drop it in a river, you still have a chance of getting your things back. Another nice addition is that its ecofriendly, perfect for all you kayakers who actually care about the environment. The inside of the bag is soft yet sturdy, while the outsides are made from reinforced and interwoven vinyl.

It comes in two sizes: 20L and 10L. You can get this bag in black, blue or camo.

What Users Are Saying:

the best dry bags I have used
Perfect for my outdoor adventures
Amazing color options available
A bonus that its Eco-friendly
Fast and free shipping

Dry Bag Sack by Unigear

The Unigear Dry Sack is a must have for any beginner and serious kayaker. First of all, it’s both lightweight, but its also quite sturdy. It can withstand water, frost, sand and sun- basically throw all the element at it, and it will still stand and it will still protect your gear. It also comes with an adjustable, and removable, shoulder sling, which makes it very easy to carry. As an added bonus, you get a place to store your cell phone, without fear of it getting wet or damaged – note, this may save you in an emergency.

It comes in over twelve colors, and ranges in sizes from 5L to 40L!