Outdoor Research Dry Bags - A warm dry place in a cold wet world
1. OutdoorResearch Double Dry Window Sack
$30-$45 (5L - 35L sizes)
There’s always a need for a strong, durable, dry bag to hold all those things you’ll need after a day playing in the water. This double dry bag easily holds it all and defends against the elements so the moisture stays where it belongs.
Good: Window for quick access to what I need. Gear loops along one side for secure stowage. Double closures for redundant water proofing protection. Durable quality material will last.
Bad: During the 12 hour dunk test, the bag didn’t keep out the water (to be fair, they did tell me it was nearly submersible).
Ugly: Note to self - still should put my sunscreen in a sandwich bag - how does one little bottle of goo end up covering every single surface in the bag?
Tough, durable, and dry - everything I want out of my dry bags. When I’m out on the water for an extended period of time its usually necessary to bring along some extra layers, a set of dry shoes, maybe some grub. These are all things I’ve sadly had to wring out and let dry in the sun when my dry bag has failed to keep out the river (notable exception: the PB&J, never survives the wringing out part). OR’s double dry bag lived up to my expectations very well with the battery of tests it endured.
I took this great big bag (35L) on two trips to Plumas County, California down the Spanish Creek, Indian Creek, Feather River, and out on Lake Almanor. I tossed it out of the boat numerous times above the rapids and retrieved it at the bottom to see how well it took the abuse. It also spent some time (12 hours!) anchored to the bottom of my pool with its little brother the window deck bag. In all conditions except the extended pool soak it kept everything inside as dry as a sunny day in Redding. Generally, dry bags are meant to protect against quick submersion, not prolonged exposure at the bottom of my pool so this was above and beyond any normal conditions. Here at Trek Tech we push all of our gear to its limits so you don’t have to. I expected some leakage after 12 hours, and that’s what I got. Honestly, it was must less water than I anticipated from this test, only a few inches at the bottom.
The durable “Hydra-seal” nylon and radio frequency welded seams make it waterproof and “nearly submersible”, it also has a full length clear urethane window to show what’s stashed inside (so I don’t have to rummage around to find my Scooby-Doo fruit snacks - they’re rrr’awesome). Gear loops along one side, and a handle/anchor point on the bottom make securing it to the boat fast and easy. The inner and outer roll-top seals provide excellent redundant protection from the elements. There are many size and color (blue, red, gray) options with this bag, ranging from 5 to 35 liters depending on your need and stowage capacity.
After everything I threw at it, the bag shows minor wear and no leakage. With performance like that, this will be my go-to dry bag for the foreseeable future. I anticipate dry and delicious sandwiches at the end of my paddles from now on, especially if I can remember to pack my sunscreen a little better next time.
2. OutdoorResearch Flat Dry Bag
$28-$40 (2 sizes)
A flat roll-top dry bag, perfect to lash to the top of the boat with maps, a gps, an energy bar, and some sunscreen. Keeps everything you need close at hand, and dry as a bone.
Good: Large, clear window help to see what’s stowed inside. Capacitive touch screen works through the clear material.
Bad: More anchor points would help keep this bag secured better.
Ugly: Watching my stuff spill out as I grabbed my energy bar after unhooking the anchor point/roll top closure.
We’ve all had to find out the hard way the technology and water don’t play well together. This flat bag sports a large clear urethane window to view maps or other navigation aids and easily grab the energy bar or sunscreen stashed in there. I lashed this thing to the front of my kayak with some maps and my touch screen GPS tablet to track my heading across Lake Almanor near Chester, CA during a windy, drizzly day. The screen was clear and responsive through the bag’s windowed front. Sealing up my tablet says something about the anticipated performance of the bag based only on first impression. One issue - the table did get hot with no airflow and the GPS working away, so lesson learned that a running tablet should not be sealed off in this manner for an extended period of time.
I also took this bag with my maps, an energy gel and car keys down some rough water in the nearby creeks and rivers of Plumas County that trip. It’s very important that this bag is extremely durable and waterproof due to the amount of exposure on the deck of a boat during paddling. This bag held up well to the pounding without a single drop of leakage. I did have a bit of a spill when I un-buckled the front of the bag (which is also its anchor point) to unroll it and get out my sunscreen. My keys came perilously close to taking a swim in the drink - they bounced off the side of my boat and into my lap! It would be nice to have a separate anchor point next to the roll-top to keep it secure while rummaging around inside of it on the water. Back at my casa a few days later, the bag was submerged (no tablet this time) for 12 hours at the bottom of my pool and came up bone dry.
The bag comes in either a 3, 8, or 15 liter size to fit any type of deck, and color choice is brown-orange only. Integrated handle and gear hook by the buckle help to keep it secured to the deck. The material is thick but flexible, durable and definitely waterproof.
I feel confident strapping this to the front of my boat and heading out for some water-based fun anytime of the year. It’s amazing how useful a dry compartment within easy reach can be out on the water. I’ll be stowing all my sensitive gear in here for easy access and worry-free protection.
3. OutdoorResearch Sensor Dry Pocket
$24.00 for Smart-phone Size, $35.00 for Tablet
This handy junior dry bag is excellent for keeping your prized technology close at hand but protected from the inevitable dust, sweat, and water. It’s also beefy enough to defend against an accidental skittering across a granite face. This little bag tagged along with me through some tough water keeping my modern day leash safely at my side.
Good: Durable material, secure top seal, plenty of anchor points, waterproof headphone jack.
Bad: Too small to fit my phone while in its case.
Ugly: Taking apart my beefy nuclear bomb proof iPhone case so I can get it into this bag - so much rubber and plastic!
I’ve had plenty of nights in the past decade where my precious phone full of pictures and phone numbers had to spend a night in a bag of rice. While that method may work (most of the time), isn’t it just easier to keep it dry from the start? This durable well-made case is the type of bag I can trust with my sensitive, expensive smart phone while I traipse my way through whatever challenge I decide to tackle. Not only can I bring it with me, but with a clear touch friendly front screen my phone is still accessible and plays media cleanly through the integrated headphone jack.
Now some features are lost with all this protection, such as the ability to take pictures with the the higher quality back camera, and calls are way too muffled while it’s sealed up to be useful without a wireless headset. My thick rubber/plastic phone case is too bulky to fit into this bag, and most guys like me have the beefiest case we can lay our hands on to protect our delicate little phones! It’s sure a hassle trying to get that thing in and out.
Available in one color (brown-orange) and two sizes (smart-phone and tablet), this case has two hook and loop straps and a plastic clip to keep it securely tethered. The top opening has a zip-top then rolled closure that is secured with a strip of hook and loop to ensure a tight seal. Material is durable nylon with radio sealed seams, front window is a flexible clear urethane.
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Tags: apparel, Boat, Dry Bag, gear, Kayak, Phone, travel bag, Water, waterproof, Whitewater
Author: David Skinner
