Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
A rugged backpack is great for most travelers, but if you’re taking a more extreme vacation, or spending a lot of time outdoors, it may be wise to invest in a dry bag.
What is a Dry Bag?
As the name suggests, the best dry bags are waterproof sacks that keep your contents organized, secure and — most importantly — dry. Made from waterproof materials (think industrial-grade PVC that has a thick, rubbery texture), dry bags are an essential part of any outdoor kit, great for camping and hiking, and especially great if you’re going to be out on the water.
How Do Dry Bags Work?
The best dry bags will completely seal out moisture (and dust and dirt and debris), and they’ll actually float on water too. Going paddle boarding or planning a lazy day tubing down the river? Attach these versatile dry bags to your board or innertube and let your stuff float alongside you.
We like picking up smaller dry bags for our emergency kits as well. Stash your important documents, family heirlooms and other valuables inside a dry bag to keep everything safe, say, in a storm or natural disaster. These waterproof bags are also great for storing food and tools — great for a car or home survival kit.
We’ve found some popular dry bags that offer a ton of storage space, with spacious main compartments for larger items (think shoes, books and electronics) and smaller pockets for your keys, ID and accessories. The main compartment in dry bags either seal shut with locking plastic strips (kind of like a Ziplock bag) or fold down and clip shut with a roll-top design and locking buckle. Keep in mind: you’ll want to squeeze most of the air out of the bag and then fold down 2-3 times along the top of the bag to get a tighter seal. The more tightly it’s folded, the better its waterproof performance. The smaller pockets on dry bags zip shut, and all the seams of these waterproof bags are thermowelded to prevent any water from seeping in.
