Waterproof boat bags are a key piece of gear that every outdoor enthusiast and water sports enthusiast should own. With a waterproof dry bag, you can keep all your gear safe and dry no matter the weather, or the conditions on the water.
I never used to own a dry bag as they simply weren’t around when I started fishing. I’d always worry about my smartphone getting wet, or important electronics being damaged, and had to keep my stuff dry by keeping it all in a plastic bag inside a backpack. Less than ideal!
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Dry Bag For Big TripsYETI Panga |
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| Best All-RounderEarth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag |
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| Best Dry Bag On A BudgetPiscifun Dry Bag |
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| Best Versatile Dry BagsIDRYBAG |
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| Best Of The BestFishPond Thunderhead Backpack |
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Nowadays, there are thousands of waterproof bags on the market, and picking a good dry bag instead of an average dry bag isn’t so easy, and if you want to keep your gear dry, you will want to use one of the best dry bags around.
Join me as we take a look at some of the top waterproof boat bags on the market so you can buy the best waterproof boat bag for you!
Waterproof Boat Bag Reviews
YETI Panga
Best Dry Bag For Big Trips
Specs
- Volume: 50 liters
- Submersible: Yes
- Material: High-density nylon, thick TPU lamination
- Closure: Zip
- Internal Pockets: No
Pros
- Heavy-duty and extremely durable
- Hassle-free lifetime warranty
- Will keep your gear completely dry
- Stays waterproof if it falls overboard
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Straps convert to backpack straps
- Waterproof zip closure system
- Easy access through the wide mouth opening
Cons
- No inner pocket
- No outer pockets
- Not the most affordable dry bag
The YETI Panga is not water-resistant, it is about as waterproof as a dry bag can get so not a drop of water will get into your gear.
This bag is built from super durable high-quality materials with double-stitched fully welded seams this not only makes it 100% waterproof but submersible too as it holds air inside and will therefore float and not sink.
It is quite a big waterproof dry bag with a 50-liter capacity and therefore would suit long trips where you need a safe place for your camping gear or boat gear. You also have the option to go for a 100 or 75-liter waterproof bag or a 28-liter backpack.
There is a long zipper down the middle which will prevent water from getting in and air from getting out. It runs down the full length of the bag so you can access anything you need quickly.
Carrying this waterproof bag is easy as it comes with padded shoulder straps and you can use the padded straps slung over your shoulder or as a backpack when doing a longer hike.
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
While this is a great bag, a missing key feature is an organization system as there are no outer or inner pockets to keep things separated. It also comes at an extra cost compared to most dry bags but it is super heavy duty and you will have it for life.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Best All-Rounder
Specs
- Volume: 10-55 liter
- Submersible: Yes
- Material: 500D PVC
- Closure: Roll top
- Internal Pockets: No
Pros
- Floats in the water
- Fully waterproof dry sack
- Light empty weight for storage
- Durable and long-lasting
- 5-year guarantee
- Removable shoulder strap
- Affordable for the quality
- Comes with a waterproof phone case
- Provides excellent water protection
Cons
- Not easy to organize and access gear
- A single shoulder strap can get uncomfy (small bags only)
The Earth Pak Dry Bag features everything you need from a dry bag as it is durable, great quality, fully waterproof, and great value too.
The Earth Pak dry bags are built from 500D PVC and when you close the bag properly, the taped seams and waterproof material will keep your gear dry in any event. The bag even holds on to air so if it was to fall in the water, the dry bag will float so you can rescue it again.
This bag comes in a range of sizes from 10 to 55 liters so you can choose the perfect size for your needs. The smaller bags come with a single shoulder strap and thus can get uncomfy when carrying heavy gear but the larger ones have two shoulder straps to ensure a heavy load is well distributed.
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
Another great thing about this bag is its value. It is very well made, comes with a 5-year guarantee, and is super affordable. The one annoying thing about this bag is that you can only access things from the roll-top which makes finding things, especially at the bottom of the bag, a little tiresome.
Piscifun Dry Bag
Best Dry Bag On A Budget
Specs
- Volume: 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L
- Submersible: Maybe
- Material: 500D PVC
- Closure: Top Roll closure
- Internal Pockets: No
Pros
- Comes in a range of sizes and colors
- Includes 2 straps for carrying comfort
- Outer mesh pocket to keep things accessible
- Bungee attachment points on the outside
- Full-welded seams and 100% waterproof
- Floats on water when closed properly
- Includes a waterproof phone cover
- Very affordable for the quality
- Durable material
Cons
- Straps are long and not great for shorter people
- Getting stuff from the bottom isn’t so easy
The Piscifun Dry Bag is very similar to the Earth Pak dry bags but they are more affordable and come with extra features too. If you are on a budget, this offers way more value than the other dry bags featured.
With a light empty weight, you can pack this dry sack in your main luggage until you need it. When you do, it is built from 500D PVC so it is both durable and more than water-resistant, it is waterproof and will float if lost overboard so you can guarantee everything will be safe.
It features a roll-top which is easy to use but this does make finding things at the bottom of these dry bags quite hard as this is the only access point.
But it does have an outer pocket made from mesh, and these kinds of mesh pockets are super useful as you can put your water bottle there and use the bungees to keep your rain jacket easily accessible.
You can buy these dry bags in a range of colors and sizes, from high-vis yellow to army green and 5 liters to 40 liters. They also come with two shoulder straps for better weight distribution and carrying comfort but the straps are quite long for shorter people despite being adjustable.
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
Overall, this is an excellent quality bag for the price and is the waterproof boat bag you should be buying if you are on a tight budget.
IDRYBAG
Best Versatile Dry Bags
Specs
- Volume: 20-40 liters
- Submersible: Yes
- Material: Eco 500D PVC
- Closure: Roll-Top Closure
- Internal Pockets: 1
Pros
- Outer splash-proof pocket
- Inner valuables pocket
- Reflective trim for safety
- Compression straps
- Comfy ergonomic shoulder straps
- Waist and Sternum strap for weight distribution
- Fully waterproof and protects your gear
- Breathable padded back panel for comfort
- More versatile than other bags – boating/camping
- Floats when thrown in the water
- Durable build that lasts
- Affordable for the quality
Cons
- Hard to access things at the bottom
The IDRYBAG is one of the most versatile dry bags featured in the article as you can use it for everything from boating to hiking up mountains, and it will survive every adventure while keeping all your gear bone dry.
The dry bag is made from 500D PVC which is very durable and the seams are welded to ensure they never fail at stopping water from getting in. The bag is also a backpack and features dual shoulder straps, a wait, and a sternum belt along with a padded breathable back panel.
This makes the bag super comfy to carry and therefore you can wear it while hiking, fishing, boating, and more.
It also comes with an inner valuables pocket so you can access things like your phone easily and an outer splash-proof pocket for accessories like a multi-tool or weather gear too.
When closed using the folding closure at the top, the backpack is fully waterproof and if it falls in the water, it will float too, so you can go and get it. It also comes with reflective parts so you can be spotted at night or find it easily at night too.
The main issue with this dry bag, as is the case with all top closure systems, is that finding what you need at the bottom of the bag is a nightmare, as everything sits on top of everything, and therefore access is not easy to everything in the bag. Pack wisely!
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
Overall though, this is a great value waterproof backpack as it is affordable, durable, reliable, comfy, and you can use it for anything from hiking to sailing.
FishPond Thunderhead Backpack
Best Of The Best
Specs
- Volume: 28 liters
- Submersible: Yes
- Material: 1680d TPU coated recycled Cyclepond nylon
- Closure: Zip
- Internal Pockets: 3
Pros
- Built from recycled materials
- Bomb proof dseisgn that lasts
- 100% waterproof, submersible, & floats
- Comes as a backpack for portability
- Zipper closure system for easy access to everything
- Internal valuables pockets
- Outer pocket for things you want close by
- D-ring and other outer attachment points
- Comfy shoulder, waist, and sternum straps
- Easy to carry when heavy
- Super versatile and protects gear in all situations
Cons
- Expensive
The best waterproof bag that I would buy for boating, fishing, kayaking, and even taking my laptop to an office is the FishPond Thunderhead Backpack.
This waterproof pack is made from recycled material, 1680d TPU coated recycled Cyclepond nylon, which is made from old pond liners. It is 100% waterproof, incredibly durable, and abrasion and puncture resistant, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Unlike a lot of other waterproof boat bags, this one comes with a waterproof zipper closure which makes accessing what you need from the bag and packing it a lot easier. On the inside, you will find a handy valuables pocket with 3 areas, one of which is clear so you can always see your phone/passport.
On the outside is another pocket which great for keeping outdoor gear like a knife or multi-tool close by. There is also a D-ring and lots of webbing attachment points on the outside too for adding accessories and extra gear.
In terms of carrying comfort, this pack is hard to beat as its padded shoulder straps, waist, and sternum straps ensure that even when fully loaded it will be comfortable.
I have used this backpack when fly guiding, and wow does it stay dry. I even swam with it on my pack and it kept me afloat as I crossed a river, and nothing got wet.
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
The only downside to this waterproof bag is that it is expesive but well worth it for the quality and the lifetime guarantee if you can afford it.
Does Price Matter When Buying A Dry Bag?
Yes, and no. You can buy a good dry bag for less than $40 and it will keep your gear safe but chances are it won’t last very long. Whereas if you buy one that is $100 or $200, it is probably going to be with you for life and come with a lifetime guarantee that fixes it if it breaks.
What Closure System Is Best?
You can choose to buy a dry bag with a roll top or zipper closure. Both are 100% waterproof options but I find that getting what you need out of a roll top a long process compared to a zipper, so I would suggest a zipper.
That being said, zipper closure bags costs more than roll-tops so budget is also a consideration.
Straps Vs Purpose
If you are buying the bag to simply leave on the boat then the carrying straps might not be such a concern. But, if you want to wear your dry bag, go hiking with it, and use it camping, having comfy supportive straps is key.
Winding Up
Thanks for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and have found the right waterproof bag for you. Make sure you stick within your budget and go for the best you can afford, as quality is what you need to ensure your gear stays dry.
Please share the article around with your outdoor buddies and check out some of my others. I cover everything from how to tie specific knots to the best fly fishing spots in California.
