In our knowledge, dry bags should all be waterproof?” The words ‘dry bag’ would indeed suggest that the bag can keep your gear completely dry in any weather conditions. However, this isn’t always the case.
Instead, many bags that are labeled as ‘dry bags’ are water-resistant, not waterproof. These bags are designed to be used in wet and rainy conditions, but they’re not strong enough to prevent water from seeping in if they get submerged in water. Meanwhile, truly waterproof dry bags should be able to withstand brief submersion.
Now, this may seem like misleading marketing, but the reality is that no dry bag—waterproof or otherwise—will keep your gear completely dry if it’s submerged underwater for an extended period of time. The submersion pressure will eventually allow water to seep in through the seams of a bag, regardless of how well it’s made.
What’s important is that you know and understand this reality so that you can get the best dry bag for your needs.
For example, if you just want a small, lightweight dry bag for storing some spare clothing during a casual afternoon paddle on a local lake, a water-resistant model might be okay. Alternatively, for a significant sea kayaking expedition, fully waterproof models would be ideal.
That said, you should never trust a single dry bag to keep your sensitive electronics and gear dry—even if the manufacturer says that it can handle being submerged. Dry bags can and do fail without warning. So, always double- or triple-bag your most important pieces of gear when on the water.
Post time: Jan-31-2023