The Best Dry Bags - Plus How to Choose And Care For Them

 

Not all of the items in your luggage are safe with water. Having a dry bag is an effective way to ensure your gear and belongings are dry and functional during your trip, especially when you travel somewhere in a rainy season or are looking forward to any type of watersport.

So, how do you know which is the Best Dry Bag for your needs? Is there anything you should be aware of when using them? Let’s go through some of the things that might be helpful to you in this article.

1. CabinZero’s Pick

We are confident in recommending our ADV Dry Bag collection. These products are some of the best dry bags available in the market, with a minimalist design and 02 different sizes to choose from.

ADV Dry 11L

Pros:

• Perfect for short trips and easy to carry around.

• Made with waterproof 70D nylon ripstop fabric and TPU film, ensuring your gear stays dry.

• The roll-top design provides a tight seal to keep water out.

• The small size makes it ideal for compact storage when not in use.

Cons:

• With just 11L, this dry bag may not be sufficient for longer trips or carrying larger gear.

With a dimension of 32 x 21 x 12 cm, the ADV Dry 11L is the one to go for if you are looking for the best dry bag to carry your essentials. The bag is designed with a removable zip pouch, an RFID blocking pocket, and lightweight air-mesh shoulder straps.

Our ADV Dry 11L is made of 70 Denier Nylon Ripstop fabric with TPU film, adding a water-resistant coating, ensuring your inside belongings are safe and dry. Besides the stowaway backpack straps, the bag is also equipped with a shoulder strap, a top handle, a bungee cord, and a key clip.

A huge pro of the ADV Dry 11L is that it is foldable, which means it doesn’t take much space to carry around and can be squished to fit your luggage. We provide you with a pouch to contain it when not in use. The roll-top closure not only allows the bag to be sealed but also acts as a vacuum to help push out the air, allowing you to squish the bag even further.

This bag proudly won the 2019 Frontier Award for “Star Product of the Year (Under $100)”. Therefore, you can be completely assured about the product quality.

The ADV Dry 11L is suitable for carrying essentials while enjoying watersports.

ADV Dry 30L

Pros:

• The 30L capacity provides ample room for larger gear or multiple items.

• 70 Denier Nylon Ripstop fabric with TPU film ensures superior protection against the elements.

• Padded straps offer more comfort, especially for longer hikes or extended periods of use.

• Ideal for both short and extended trips, whether on water or land.

Cons:

• It’s slightly bulkier, which may not be ideal for ultra-light packers.

The ADV Dry 30L is a bigger option for travellers who need to bring along gear, travel longer days, or simply look for a versatile bag for different purposes. With all the amazing features of the ADV Dry 11L, the 30L still serves its role as one of the best dry bags.

50 x 32 x 15 cm are the dimensions of the ADV Dry 30L. This size allows it to act as hand luggage on any airline (if it’s not, simply squash the bag). Trust us, we have tested. So no matter where you go, whether you are about to have a long flight, a trek, or a trip to the jungle, the ADV Dry 30L can easily accompany you.

Two cons of this backpack might be that one, it doesn’t have a laptop sleeve. And two, it doesn’t have a water bottle pocket. On the other hand, it is extremely light and equipped with a sternum strap, an RFID blocking pocket, and a bungee cord.

Compared to other models like the ADV 32L and the ADV Pro 32L, the ADV Dry 30L is definitely not an optimal backpack if you travel for work. But it’s the perfect option for explorers who are looking for a backpack that can be used in any circumstances and is convenient to carry around.

The ADV Dry 30L is suitable for travellers on long days.

2. How Do I Choose A Dry Bag?

Choosing the best dry bag that suits your needs might not be as difficult as you think. Like any other type of bag, you should make it clear why you need a dry bag and what you need in it.

First, consider why you need it. This will determine the size of the bag you are about to buy.

• A 5L bag is for your "bits and bobs:" a phone, wallet, keys, and maybe a snack.

• A 10-20L bag is a solid daypack size, perfect for a change of clothes, a towel, and essentials.

• A 30-40L bag, like the ADV Dry 30L, enters the realm of overnight bags or the main pack for a minimalist traveller.

Second, think about all the features you need in a dry bag. Do you need it to be able to carry your gear, or simply need it to protect your phone and wallet? Do you want to have different compartments in it, or can everything stay in the same place? Do you even need special sleeves to keep your laptop or camera? Any extra straps you need to buckle in the boat?

After listing down everything, you already have a vague image of the dry bag you are looking for. Now it’s time for the most important part of a dry bag: its water protection ability. 

You can reconsider your needs. Do you really need a high-water-resistant backpack? Or is a so-so one already enough? 

If you intend to play watersports like kayaking, canoeing, etc., where you have a high chance of being flipped into the water, then yes, you should definitely choose an extra water-resistant dry bag. On the other hand, if you go hiking and are afraid of the rain that can affect your belongings, then a backpack with a separate dry sleeve should be ok.

Usually, there are 02 types of closure for dry bags in the market. One is zippered and one is a rolled-top. We would recommend you go for the latter, as it is more air-tight and makes it harder for water to seep through. 

3. Are Dry Bags Worth It? (Spoiler: Absolutely)

Are dry bags worth it? The answer depends entirely on you.

If you usually travel to humid destinations (such as a rainforest in Costa Rica) or are simply someone who enjoys diving into the water, then you should definitely have at least one dry bag.

Even if you barely wander around, your belongings can still be at risk due to the sudden rain. Whether you will use them a lot or not, we would say it is worth having one as a backup plan for when you need it.

The key is to stop thinking of it as just a bag for keeping things dry and start seeing it as a versatile, multi-purpose travel tool. 

• Use it as a durable, waterproof alternative to a standard packing cube.

• After a swim or a gym session, toss your damp towel and clothes inside. The bag will contain the moisture and odours until you can do laundry.

• In a pinch, you can do laundry in your dry bag. Add clothes, water, and a bit of travel soap, seal it, and shake (be warned, though, doing this regularly might mean it won't last quite as long).

• Trap some air or soft clothes inside before sealing, and you have a surprisingly comfortable pillow for a long bus ride or an airport nap.

• Need to carry water back to your campsite or ice from the hotel machine? A dry bag is a leak-proof carrier.

• A well-made dry bag will outlast countless single-use plastic bags.

• Use it when you swim to work.

4. Are Dry Bags Waterproof?

Are dry bags 100% waterproof?

Hearing the word “dry bags”, you might think they are waterproof. However, this actually depends. There’s no guarantee that all dry bags are waterproof at all. To understand this further, you have to know about the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. 

In short, water-resistant bags can only resist water. Which means, at a certain point, water will break through and wet your belongings.

Most dry bags will protect your stuff from splash, rain, or short submersion. However, they are not fit for total submersion or prolonged exposure to water.

Mind you they are still incredible at what they does: keeping everything protected and dry, as long as you don't hold them underwater for an extended period of time.

You should check carefully with the manufacturer beforehand to ensure the bag meets your needs. The waterproof ones will have a much higher price, and for casual usage, the water-resistant dry bags have already met your expectations.

5. Do Dry Bags Go Bad - How To Clean And Maintain Them

Dry bags, though being water-resistant and therefore able to avoid most stains, can still get dirty. Moreover, their coating can fade over time, making the water-resisting effect decrease.

To maintain them long and function properly, there are things you should be aware of while cleaning these bags.

The most important thing to do is to read the tag carefully. All the information you need is printed in detail, from water temperature, chemical cleaning, to bleaching and drying.

It’s best if you wash dry bags by hand. This will avoid them being pushed and pulled in the washing machine. And remember to choose a gentle detergent to prevent corrosion of the waterproof layer on the fabric.

6. Best Dry Bags To Be Ready for Any Weather

The best dry bags are the ones that suit your needs. But choose high-quality products from the beginning, like the CabinZero ADV Dry bags, to ensure your bags can last and avoid unexpected damage. In the end, what’s the point in having a dry bag if it can’t keep your belongings safe and dry?

Claire Thuc