The Best Kayaking Dry Bags + Boxes

Updated: July 2024

In the past few years of kayaking, I’ve tried a few waterproofing options to keep my belongings dry while on the river. If you’re looking for the best option to use on your next adventure, check out these kayaking dry bags and boxes. Here are the options I’ve tried, the money I spent, and the results I got…

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Kayaking Dry Bag (box) #1

Small Dry Box

My first purchase was a small dry box (in store for $9). This watertight box has a rubber key clip to attach to your kayak. This box size is great for wallets, IDs, Phones, Keys, and other small personal items. It will fit most branded phones with up to 6″ screens. It always holds up well to getting wet and being dropped in the water while keeping all items dry. It works well, but the size is limiting.

It’s made from a shatterproof polycarbonate material so you can see your contents when they are stored inside the box. Although this sounds like a positive, it also lets in sunlight, which can overheat phones if the box is left in direct sunlight. If this is the option you choose, I suggest getting one with a lining to protect against direct sunshine and heat exposure.

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Kayaking Dry Bag (box) #2

Large Dry Box

Once the size of the small box became an issue, I upgraded to a larger box. The next box was another in-store purchase of the same brand (for under $20).

The size of this box was a better fit for me, allowing more items to be packed in the box. It keeps all items dry when dropped in the water and easily latches to the kayak with an attached carabiner. The downfall of this box is 1- (again) my phone gets too hot if I don’t keep the box out of direct sunlight, and 2- the latch closures are tricky for me to pop open, especially with long fingernails.

Kayaking Dry Bag #3

Dry Sack (2 Liter)

Once I decided I needed an easier-to-open and close option, I started looking at dry bags. My first purchase was an affordable $20(ish) for the Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack. It is rated 10,000mm waterhead (the higher the waterhead rating, the more waterproof the fabric).

Dimensions: 5.1 x 11.4 inches, weight: 1.8 ounces, volume: 2 liters (with closure rolled three times)

This small bag (blue bag in front of the seat) works fantastic for easy access to the items I use frequently when on the river (phone, chapstick, etc). I can get in the bag quickly to pull out the camera for a picture or put it up quickly if I see some concerning rapids coming up. I attach a carabiner to the tab and clipped it next to me in the kayak so it’s always within reach.

This bag keeps my items mostly dry. However, after a long day of kayaking, being splashed with water, and sitting in small amounts of water that have accumulated in the kayak, there are slight signs of moisture inside the bag. I like the ease of accessibility for my frequently used items, so I continue to use this bag and keep a small handkerchief inside the bag to catch any moisture.

Kayaking Dry Bag #4

Dry Bag (10 Liter)

With the longer kayaking trips came the need to pack along more items (and keep them dry). The next purchase I wanted to make was a backpack. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money while experimenting with bags. My goal was to keep it in the $20-$40 range. The first waterproof backpack we tried was the Earth Pak.

There are options of 5L, 10L, 20L, 30L, and 40L sizes. Being unsure of the size we needed, we started with a 10-liter bag.

The 10L and 20L dry bags come with a single shoulder strap that is adjustable and can extend up to 36 inches. The 30L and 40L dry bags have backpack-style shoulder straps.

Once rolled down and bucked, the bag has a water-tight seal, while the outer zippered pocket is splashproof. Once sealed, the bag can float and the colors will make it easy to find in case of a kayak dumping.

My partner purchased and used this bag with no issues. We were both pleased with the functionality and performance of the bag.

Kayaking Dry Bag #5

Kayaking Dry Bag (20 Liter)

The Earth Pak works so well, that when we decided it was time to get another bag, we purchased the same brand, but sized up one notch to the 20L. The 10L works well, but once we account for rolling it a few times, we need a little bit more space.

This $25-$30 bag is perfect for our current adventures. I take the Earth Pack 20L and the Sea to Summit 2L bag on every kayaking trip. Larger items get packed in the Earth Pak (sunscreen, snacks, towels, phone charger power bank, etc.). Smaller items go in the Sea to Summit (cell phone, chapstick, etc.).

My next bag upgrade will be when we start overnight hiking or kayaking trips and need to pack even more items. I see an Earth Pak 30L or 40L in my future!

Reach out! Leave me recommendations of bags (or other options) you have tried and loved (or warnings for those that didn’t perform so well)!

My usual setup (minus the skeleton for a Friday the 13th float on Crystal Lake), is a 20L dry bag for the larger items, and a small 2L dry bag for the small, quick-access items I may need (in the middle kayak).

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