Keeping your kit dry is your top priority. There is no better feeling than putting on dry clothes and cosying down in your sleeping bag after being soaked. If the all day downpour wasn’t enough to dampen the mood, not being able to get warm and dry will.
That’s where your dry bag comes in. Whether you failed to get your rain cover on in time or your backpack has rolled into a puddle when you put it down for a break, you know that your important stuff will still be nice and dry. Not just clothing either, power banks and other electronics you might have with you!
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What Is The difference Between A Dry Bag And A Dry Sack
Dry bag, dry sack or even waterproof bag are all used interchangeably, although there are two distinct types. Companies that sell both types will even have them organised on their website under the same headings of dry bags.
Dry Bags
Predominantly, with companies that tend to sell both types they will use dry bags to refer to the dry bag that will keep your kit dry even if it is briefly submerged through creating a seal once its rolled down. These are prefect for kayaking and other water sports where you may capsize. You can usually spot them because they tend to be more rubbery in appearance and have more features such as straps and handles. They also tend to be more expensive.
Dry Sacks
Dry sacks on the other hand still keep your kit dry from the rain but they cannot be submerged. These bags are usually better for hiking (unless you’re planning swimming across rivers!) as a good dry sack will keep out the rain. They are lightweight and can compress the air out of your clothes meaning you can pack more in a small space.
Something to note with either of these bags is that they are only as good as the seam quality and if they are fastened correctly. That is especially true with the dry bags designed for water sports.
Top 5 Budget Dry Sacks
1. Kuou 5Pcs Waterproof Dry Bags
I am a huge fan of these Kuou dry bags and have even brought more. They have lasted me a few years now and I have not had a problem with them at all. The largest one, the 6L is large enough to compress and waterproof a fleece and the smallest bags I use for my power bank or hat and gloves.
In the set you get 5 sizes: 1.5L, 2.5L, 3.5L, 4.5L and 6L. These sizes are excellent for all your little bits and bobs up to your spare trousers and t-shirts. The only downside is that they are too small to use as a backpack liner or to protect your sleeping bag. They are available in black, grey and a multicoloured pack.
I have the black sets because they were cheaper at the time but I would recommend getting the coloured set as it will make identifying things in the depth of your backpack so much easier. What I do currently is I label my bags with a fabric tape like this Duck Tape Original White (Amazon). A good permanent marker (Amazon) holds up on the labels.
I also decided to test these bags against my Osprey bag by submerging the bottom half of the bag with a piece of paper in it for 30s to see how it held up. Of course, these bags are not meant to be submerged but it they can withstand that then they can deal with the dampness of a days rain. These bags despite being a few years old now held up really well. There was only a small damp spot on the paper. Given the age of mine and that that is a hard test for the price of these this is excellent.
2. Mountain Warehouse Large Dry Pack Liner 80L
If you are looking for a cheap bag to line a backpack then this will do perfectly. It will fit your large multi-day backpack and still close properly. This dry bag is simple but effective especially if you can’t justify buying multiple dry bags.
This bag is large and therefore comes in at 540g which for a size to weight ratio is comparable to pricier brands. For most people a bag this size is simply overkill but if you have a large backpack for travelling and want some protection cheap then this will do a good job.
The mountain warehouse dry bags (I have a few of the 15L dry bags which I brought in store) are very similar in texture to the Kuou bags so this is a perfect option for those who just want a budget dry bag without worrying about buying several or for that added protection against the rain.
3. Osprey Ultralight Outdoor Accessories
These Osprey dry bags come in a range of sizes from 3L up to 76L and in a range of colours so you can mix and match to help with organising. Osprey is proud of its sustainability credentials and these bags are mailed from recycled materials and no PFAS.
I own two sizes of these bags and I take them with me on every trip. The larger bags really are value for money and even though you are only getting one bag, they can fit a large amount in and still roll up to keep the water and air out.
They stay compressed much better than my cheaper options and personally I think they feel nicer to touch. The multipacks are useful but you will need at least a 20L if you are planning to stuff a sleeping bag in or a backpack liner which will be similar in litres of your backpack.
To keep this budget friendly I would choose one or two Osprey bags to either use to line your backpack or to protect you clean clothes and sleeping bags. The test I talked about above showed that Osprey outperformed the others even if was just a little.
Prolonged exposure is the real test and I can vouch that these Osprey bags kept my clothes dry despite my bag being soaked through by 6 hours of torrential rain. The inside of the Kuou bags were a little damp after that but everything was still useable.
4. Victoper Waterproof Dry Bag Set 10 Pcs
This is the larger multi pack available. This multipack even goes up to 15L which is really useful for any jackets you want to bring and spare clothing.
If you want to max out with the 10 pack you only have the multi-coloured options although smaller multi packs are available in black or green if you didn’t want to be so bright. The colours work wonders for organising though, especially with the similarly sized bags.
This set is perfect for anyone who’s starting out who wants to try out a range of sizes to see what suits there needs best or those who like everything organised into different bags and colour coded.
5. Waterproof Dry Bag Set 5 Pack
These budget bags have welded seams and roll top closures so will keep your kit dry in a downpour. Again many of the dry bags are very similar so check out each type for reviews and pricing as Amazon regularly has discounts and you can grab yourself a bargain.
They come in sizes 1.5L up to 6L and in a multi-coloured, black or green packs depending upon your colour and organisation preference. The reviews are very position for durability and keeping your items safe from a downpour.
Budget Dry Bag
Are you planning to be on the water? If so you will need a fully water proof dry bag designed for use in such activities. These bags are designed to keep your stuff dry from the splash of a paddle or if you capsize. If you have ever used one of these bags before you will notice it is heavier, more robust at the seams and there is an additional flap at the roll top to create a seal.
Ultra Dry Adventurer Premium Waterproof Bag
This bag is an excellent budget choice for your water sports or if you want to be extra sure that your kit if fully water proof for example if your doing river crossings. This bag would make an excellent backpacking liner if complete waterproofing was essential.
With this budget bag you get to choose from 7 colours and 4 sizes from 5L up to 30L making it adaptable to your needs and comes with a free waterproof phone case. This bag is made from durable material and is able to handle being in the water without leaks. One point to note that if you plan to carry your bag around a look the stitching on the carry handle is a weaker point.
Is A Dry Bag Worth It?
Having a dry sack or bag is completely worth it. No backpack is waterproof no matter what they tell you. Rain covers help but there is still areas exposed to the rain especially if it is prolonged and eventually you will take your backpack off for a rest. Even if it stops raining, the ground will be wet.
I spent a 7 hour hiking day on the Cumbrian Way in torrential rain. Once I arrived my backpack was soaked through. My dry bags were soaked too on the outside, but even my cheap bags which I have recommended above meant I had dry clothes to spend my evening in.
I even use dry sacks on short city breaks. They compress my clothing making more fit in an everyday rucksack and have saved me when I have been caught in downpours in the middle of a city park before check in. No matter where you are, wet socks are not worth it.
A few well chosen dry bags can make a huge difference. Either choose a dry bag that will act as a backpack liner and everything will be protected with one bag or choose a few sizes that will fit your sleeping bag in and your dry clothes.
Not only is there nothing better than getting into something warm and dry at the end of the day especially if you have spent it in the pouring rain regretting your life choices it also saves lives. Wet clothing can cause hypothermia.
I would recommend getting either 20L or 35L Osprey dry sack to protect your sleeping system. The size depending on what your sleeping bag will fit into and a multi-pack for the other small items and spare clothes. If you don’t camp a 20L Osprey bag will fit most of your layers in and will be very versitile.
No matter how hard you try, dry bags will eventually fail especially as they get older or in extreme conditions. Thats why it is worth using dry sacks along with rain covers and backpack liners for long trips.
What Can You Use Instead Of A Dry bag
If dry bags are still out of your budget then plastic bags can provide some protection for your items. You can use a heavy duty bin bag to line your backpack and that will give a good amount of protection from the sides. Avoid using the everyday bin liners as you will rip a hole in that immediately.
For everything else I would use large zip lock sandwich bags. These actually work really well for compressing clothing to maximise space and they do keep the water out. I still use these for added protection and for organising inside my larger dry bags.
There are a few downsides though. If you do not squeeze all the air out and try and ram more items in your bag or even use your compression straps on your backpack you risk popping the bag.
Obviously sandwich bags are only designed for short term use and therefore not very durable. Although you can reuse them a few times, they very easily get holes in them and you can tell when you compress the air out and it either escapes through another hole which you can hear or it inflates again. The wear and tear holes are usually so small that you wont spot them.
The last issue is that these bags may work for your underwear but you will not find one large enough that seals to protect jackets or your sleeping bag but they are good to use in conjunction with dry bags.
Whatever method you use, or a combination then the best approach you can always take is utilising as many layers between your equipment and the water as possible. Using rain covers, backpack liners and double bagging your sleeping bag is not overkill especially if you know your heading into prolonged wet weather such as winter trips.
Tips For Maximising Your Dry Bag Budget
Keeping to a budget isn’t always about finding the cheapest option its about value and getting what you need. A few well thought out decisions can save you money at the time and in the long run.
1. Pritorise Your Equipment
Not everything in your backpack needs to be waterproofed to the highest standard. You need to ensure that your sleeping system stays dry and a set of clothes for the evening.
If you are camping then you need a dry bag for your sleeping bag. You want this separate to any backpack liners you are using because you do not want to open this in the rain and have water roll in.
Even if you are staying in accomidation, keeping your dry set of clothes in a separate dry bag to your bag liner will ensure you have clothing for the evening. Everything else is less important and can be placed into plastic sandwhich bags or loose if it doesn’t need more than a backpack liner to keep dry such as your snacks.
2. Put your Dry Clothes In With Your Sleeping Bag
If you are trying to minimise your dry bags then get a dry sack that will fit your sleeping bag as well as your evening layers. This is your one dry bag that you will not open until you are in shelter. Best practice would be to use some plastic bags to separate your clothing just in case the dry bag gets damaged but you will be fine to do this in most situation’s.
Conclusion
Dry bags are essential for anyone getting into outdoor pursuits and if you plan out what you really need then you can get everything you need on a tight budget. Investing in some larger bags for your sleeping system and pairing with a cheaper multipack for the smaller items and even sandwhich bags will allow you to keep everything you need dry. Happy Adventuring!
