Dry Bags

“I am going to be doing a bunch of canoing in the Boundary Waters in the BWCA this summer. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions about dry bags. I want to make sure I have a dry pair of socks and dry clothes after say a hard rain, or heaven forbid capsizing in large waves. Ideas?”

“Somebody posted this the other day.

http://www.vaude.com/packs/packs_main.cfm?subcatagory=Waterproof%20Packs

I have a couple of dry bags I got from REI about 10 years ago that have held up pretty well. They are blue and come in a couple of sizes. I bet they still carry them.”

“I have the large dry bag with straps so I can carry my gear to camp. I have smaller dry bags for the camera, film, sunblock, etc. Got mine from REI.”

“Looks like they're not blue anymore. They were similar to these
http://www.rei-outlet.com/cgi-bin/rei/searchc.pl?stat=8265&query=dry+bag&x=20&y=11”

“I have the big red one with shoulder straps, a medium clear with white thread/squares, and a small clear one for the small stuff.”

“I've got a big yellow one with shoulder straps. The straps definitely come in handy.”

“How heavy and sturdy are they? Are they something I would want to consider bringing on backpacking trips as well?”

“They're pretty heavy vinyl so they'll take some abuse. The straps on mine wouldn't be comfortable for far.”

“Nope not for backpacking. They would tear you up. Works great for portaging though.”

“The vaude is a backpack ($160 though)...”

“So it is!
That's pretty cool. I was thinking of the old standby drybag portage packs.”

“I guess I'm not looking for backpack sized bags, just some smaller ones to fit some clothes, matches, and maybe a camera in.”

“Try freezer ziplock bags. Not the other brand with the "slidey thing"--seal gives out after a day or two.

Had lots of luck with quart and gallon freezer bags. Sometimes you might want to double-bag, depends on what's inside.”

“How large is a "20-ounce" dry bag? Was looking at some from REI and wondering if they're big enough to stuff a down bag in.”

“I noticed that WalMart now carries large (3 & 5 Gallon) zip lock bags in the sporting goods section.”

“Along with my comments on waterproof packs, such as the VauDe line, on the waterproof pack thread, consider the following:

Top notch selection of various drybags at the major whitewater rafting/kayaking suppliers, such as Northwest River Supplies or Cascade Outfitters.

For a place that knows the Boundary Waters well and carries a full line of appropriate equipment, track down Piragis Outfitters in Ely on the web. Granite Gear, which is in Two Rivers, MN, makes great canoe packs, as well as backpacks and dog packs. And check Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis (and on the web) for a large regional gear shop that is very knowledgeable about their backyard paddling, ie the BWCA. The MM spring gear and adventure show is April 26-28 for those near the Twin Cities who want to see gear and hear speakers in abundance.”

“I posted this on another link.

http://www.riverraiders.com/accessories/drystorage/drystorage.html”

“Too lazy for html.”

“...about WRR on the waterproof pack thread.”

“I've done some conoeing in the Boundary Waters and Quetico.

Piragis has lots of dry bags, including some for electronics. Have been happy with their gear and service.

http://www.piragis.com/”

“Sierra Trading Post.com
Small 600 cu in $10.50
Medium 1300 cu in 13.30
Large 2500 cu in 14.70
X-large 3500 cu in 17.50
You need 2 smalls one to keep emergency clothes in the second for what I call survival items, the L or XL to pack your tent, sleeping bag and air mat into. Everthing should be in dry bags incase of rain, or dunking. Boundry waters are great, If you can get it the large backpack type are great for portaging.”

“Wow, thanks for all the information. I'll check some of those resources out.”

“Stay away from texsport, too light of material developes holes quickly. Old Town bags deteriate and start developing pinholes after about three years.”

“I've Canoed part of the BWCA. We did a five day trek in the gunflint lake region. I used and recomend Seal-line bags. I carried a single large one and a small clear one. I kept all my clothes and stuff in the big bag and the stuff I would need with me in the small one. I didn't have the bags with portage straps, but I know some people that use them and they say that it makes carrying the bags much easier and after doing some long portages, I'd believe it.”

“Mine are all seal-line and I like them. Two are portage packs but I wouldn't want to carry them a long way.”

“I wouldn't go canoeing without dry bags... i do a lot of whitewater and extended trips, but it's nice to have a dry sleeping bag and some dry clothes, not for backpacking though... them suckers weigh a few pounds alone.”

“can anyone recommend a dry bag/container for a Digital Rebel camera. I want to take the camera with me when I go kayaking. It needs to be able to attach to the top of the kayak and be easy to open for those shots that happen quickly.”

“I thought "dry bags" were ..... oh, n/m”

“Yes, I'm 12.”

“Ewker, I use the sea to summit bags. Not very heavy and I can lock them around my hip belt. So far it worked well for me. I don't know anything that would open faster, well besides a ziplock bag.

http://www.seatosummitusa.com/products/usdrysacks.php
http://www.seatosummitusa.com/products/drysacks.php
last edited: 10/13/05 10:26:27 AM”

“I dunno but I've been looking at those Pelican hard sided dry cases. Seems like that would work well.

When canoeing I just keep my dry bag near me but that isn't quick to get into and would be near impossible in a 'yak.”

“I have some dry bags but there a pain to unclip then unroll and try to get the camera out. Then you have to do it all again to put the camera back in. With the Rebel being larger than a point and shoot it will be even harder it get out and back in the bag.

I don't want to have to buy a smaller point and shoot camera for kayaking.”

“You could always bite the bullet and get one of these.

”

“if I had a camera that fit that case I would think about it. It is a lot cheaper than replacing or repairing a digital camera.

I also looked at some waterproof digital cameras..not cheap”

“Crap, I left off the link.

I was thinking about one of these but I don't know if it had points for tieing it down.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47826050&parent_category_rn=4501504”

“http://www.aquapac.co.uk/usstore/x1944.html
try this!
i think the sea to summit bags are pretty dang easy to roll and close. I can do it with one hand while hiking [yupp...done it before]
it's not perfect, but I had no water on my camera. the slr is heavier, so one hand may not work.

the link to aquapac is pretty cool. check it out


btw: I keep a couple of those Desiccant Sachets bags in my camera bag...can't hurt.
last edited: 10/13/05 11:26:21 AM”

“thanks Gem, I didn't know who made them. Now anyone ever use it?

last edited: 10/13/05 11:32:21 AM”

“Looks like a camera condom...”

“how about the sealine see 5? it's small enough to be handy and no fumbling with it.”

“Ewker, I don't have the link, sorry, but Cabelas makes one called a "thwart bag" and it's for canoes. I have one for my pontoon boat and it's small and handy---should fit your Rebel. It's a zippered opening but the zipper seals and there's a flap closure over top of the zip.


Sorry. It's the bow bag, not the thwart bag.
last edited: 10/13/05 12:30:03 PM”

“Hey Ewker, I have a small Pelican Case that I fit my point and shoot camera, wallet, and keys in when I go canoeing. It works really well for that. I have been thinking about a larger one with foam in it for the SLR.

On the digital camera/waterproof angle, I have read reviews of the Pentax WP, is waterproof to 3 feet up to 30 minutes, list is only $349 and I saw it in a camera magazine in the ads in the back for around $280 I think. Oh yeah, it is 5MP too....so sounds kind of nice for canoeing, kayaking, maybe even a little snorkeling.
last edited: 10/13/05 2:02:22 PM”

“Like that voodoo gem, I have started buying up Sea to Summit bags. Sigh... the now dead G5 fit in their XXS size, the smallest bag they have. They have lots of sizes. I got them at Cabela's, very reasonably priced. Funny, gem, when I got the very smallest size my whole idea was that I could clip it around a belt loop. ;-)

I also had some other clear, heavy, stiff kinda plastic/vinyl bag I took canoeing on the Namekagon. But I don't know where that is now.

Of course, as stated, you'd need a bigger size of either. And the bags don't have padding.”

“Like that voodoo gem, I have started buying up Sea to Summit bags. Sigh... the now dead G5 fit in their XXS size, the smallest bag they have. They have lots of sizes. I got them at Cabela's, very reasonably priced. Funny, gem, when I got the very smallest size my whole idea was that I could clip it around a belt loop. ;-)

I also had some other clear, heavy, stiff kinda plastic/vinyl bag I took canoeing on the Namekagon. But I don't know where that is now.

Of course, as stated, you'd need a bigger size of either. And the bags don't have padding.”

“Like that voodoo gem, I have started buying up Sea to Summit bags. Sigh... the now dead G5 fit in their XXS size, the smallest bag they have. They have lots of sizes. I got them at Cabela's, very reasonably priced. Funny, gem, when I got the very smallest size my whole idea was that I could clip it around a belt loop. ;-)

I also had some other clear, heavy, stiff kinda plastic/vinyl bag I took canoeing on the Namekagon. But I don't know where that is now.

Of course, as stated, you'd need a bigger size of either. And the bags don't have padding.”

“Gee lizs......say it, don't spray it, lol.”

“heehee...liz got the shakes!
I have the xxs [red] I think. my little powershot fit right in it. I actually didn't fit it around the hipbelt, but around the hipbelt straps that tighten the hipbelt on the side. [damn, I forgot the name]

I think a big slr will be too heavy to carry on your hip belt thou, and he can't access it fast enough on a kajak.”

“Gem, I am going at lunch to a camera shop that has the Aquapac SLR camera case. I will check it out and let you know.

I have found it online for 115.00-120.00 plus free shipping. Problem is I need it by next weekend.

If you are going to carry your Rebel bping just do what Windwalker did, carry it around your neck”

“thanks ewker. I am intersted in them myself. lemme know”

“If it comes down to crunch time there's always Old Reliable...

”

“Gem, they didn't have one after they told me they did. Actually they didn't know what it was till I showed them the item on the net. Guess I'll take a chance and order from the website.”