Imagine this: You trek for miles, finally reach your perfect hunting spot, and then—a sudden downpour. Your expensive gear, your ammo, even your phone, gets soaked. That sinking feeling is something every hunter dreads. Keeping your essential equipment dry is non-negotiable when you are deep in the backcountry.
Choosing the right dry bag might seem simple, but it quickly becomes complicated. Do you need heavy-duty PVC or lighter TPU? What size actually works for your week-long trip versus a single day hunt? The wrong choice means ruined electronics, soggy clothing, and potentially ruined opportunities. You need gear that works as hard as you do, resisting tears, abrasions, and the worst weather nature throws at you.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the key features, materials, and sizing you need to know. By the end of this post, you will confidently select the perfect dry bag system to protect your investment and focus purely on the hunt. Let’s dive into how to keep your crucial gear safe from the elements.
Table of Contents
Top Dry Bags For Hunting Recommendations
- Waterproof Protection: Abrasion-resistant 500D PVC and secure roll-top closure locks out water
- Welded Seams: Fully welded seams provide a tenacious water barrier, keeping your belongings safe
- Stable Storage: Oval-shaped flat bottom helps the bag stand up on its own and prevent rolling; easy to fill
- Easy Attachments: Two D-rings provide places to attach the bag to other gear or hang accessories
- Specs: Capacity - 20L / 1220 in³; Weight - 13 oz.; Dimensions (after 3 rolls) - 16" H x 11" W x 7" D
- Keep Your Gear Organized: A set of 5 ultralight Dry Sacks in Five Different Colors and Sizes (3L,5L,10L,15L,20L), so you can easily recognize the contents. Best design for food, clothes, hats, and all of the outdoor gear.
- Stay Dry on your Adventure: Pro-grade Waterproof Polyester with a fully taped seam, combined with a Solid roll-top closure system provides a secure watertight seal. (Avoid full submersion)
- Ultralight & Durable: Made of 210T high-quality Tear Resistant Polyester Material, Effectively balances LIGHTWEIGHT ( 3L-35g,5L-40g,10L-45g,15L-55g,20L-60g), and DURABILITY, keep your belongings dry and clean as barely adding any weight.
- Considerate Design: 1. The base of the sack is rectangular for space-efficient packing, and the black base is dirty-resistant. 2. D-ring is easy to clip to your backpack.
- Ultimate Versatility: Ideal for backpacking, hiking, kayaking, boating, camping, cycle touring, travel, and more.
- Top Rated By Wirecutter: Durable, reliable, and wallet-friendly are just a few of the reasons why The NY Times Wirecutter chose earth pak as one of the top dry bags of 2024! Our classic roll-top design keeps your contents dry and all our bags are all protected by a five-year warranty.
- Shoulder Strap: 10L & 20L dry bags come with a 24-42 Inch single shoulder strap. 30L, 40L, and 55L waterproof backpacks are equipped with backpack style shoulder straps that also come with a sternum strap for added stability. Our new 55L also comes equipped with a heavy duty waist-belt, which relieves added pressure and helps support your load.
- IPX8 Certified Waterproof Phone Case: We have included our IPX8 Certified 6.5 Inch waterproof phone case that will fit even the largest of phones. This case features a very simple snap and lock access that has dual-sided clear windows that allow to take pictures while still inside the case. Suitable for phones up to 6.5 Inches of diagonal screen size.
- Ideal For Travel: Our water bag is very lightweight and compact making it an essential dry bag for all your travel plans. Easy to fold and pack tight in any sized luggage!
- Keep Your Items Dry and Protected: Protect Your Valuables with our 5L, 10L, 20L, 30L, 40L, or 55L Dry Bags! Just toss your gear inside your water bag, roll it down, and you’re good to go on your next adventure.
- 500D Waterproof Guaranteed: IDRYBAG 20L dry bag backpack is carefully designed and meticulously constructed of 500D Vinyl-coated woven polyester with heavy duty welded and watertight seals, which has excellent performing on water resistance, tear resistance and abrasion resistance. The waterproof backpack dry bag is the perfect combination of premium quality, extreme durability, and maximum protection! Keeps your gear dry & safe...Amazing companion for outdoor enthusiasts!
- Easy to Use & Clean: Just load your gear into the dry backpack, grab the top woven tape and roll it down tightly 3-4 times, and then plug buckle to complete the seal. You may also guide the stretched strap over the zipped clip for a more compressed fit. It is waterproof either way! Quick and easy to use, the smooth durable surface of your dry sack backpack is easy to wipe clean after each use.
- Zippered & Protective Pockets: The front pocket of dry bag backpack allows to store small necessities and not have to dig into the main compartment. Beware this pocket isn't completely waterproof but rather splash-proof, do NOT put valuables like your phone. Idrybag 20L dry sack has a zipper pocket inside, which is good for keys, cash or anything you want added protection for. Foldable side pouch of the waterproof bag backpack is specially designed to hold water bottle for your quick access.
- More Carrying Ways & Safe: The waterproof dry bag backpack could be carried by handle or be carried as a backpack with included two shoulder straps. It would be a relaxing trip if you go hiking, camping, climbing, biking or water sports like floating, kayaking, swimming, rafting, boating, canoeing...Just take Idrybag dry bag and you are ready to go! Besides, we set the reflective strip on this dry backpack, which is highly visible at night when light touches. That means your safety is assured.
- 100% Pleased Customer Service: We admire pleased customer policy. We’d like to satisfy you at all costs. If you are not satisfied with our dry bag, just contact us without any hesitation. We’ll certainly seriously solve all your problems and confusions the first time. What all you need to do is watch TV with the superb outdoor product service!
- 100% WATERPROOF AMMO STORAGE - Built with Arc Welded Technology and fully welded seams, this Banded waterproof ammo pouch keeps your ammunition dry in rain, snow, or marshes; Ideal for duck hunting gear, shooting range accessories, and all-weather outdoor storage
- ULTRA-DURABLE ARMOR-COATED SHELL - Made from rugged 600D armor-coated fabric, the Arc Welded Ammo Dry Pouch resists punctures, abrasions, and wear; Designed for hardcore hunters, it stands up to field abuse, making it a reliable addition to your hunting pack or blind bag
- ROLL-TOP SEAL WITH SIDE BUCKLES - This dry ammo pouch features a roll-top closure that creates a reliable waterproof barrier, keeping contents protected from rain, splashes, and submersion; Side-release buckles ensure a tight seal while allowing quick access during waterfowl hunts and range sessions
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT DESIGN - Measuring just 4.75" in diameter and 7.5" tall, this compact ammo dry bag from Banded fits easily into backpacks, duffels, or layout blinds; A go-to waterproof ammo bag for travel, hiking, range days, and backcountry hunts
- MULTIPURPOSE HUNTING & SHOOTING POUCH - Whether you're carrying shells, loose rounds, or small gear, this Arc Welded Ammo Bag is essential for waterfowlers, deer hunters, and shooting enthusiasts; Great for organizing ammo inside larger tactical or hunting bags
- Built to Endure: Featuring a reinforced multi-layer construction, this dry bag delivers exceptional tear and abrasion resistance while staying flexible year-round. Its ruggedness is reinforced with expertly welded seams, heavy-duty buckles, sturdy straps and robust stitching. Designed to withstand scrapes against rocks and harsh conditions, it keeps your gear protected, dry and secure on every water adventure.
- Superior Waterproofing: The roll-top seal ensures complete watertightness. Simply spread the bottom open to capture more air, roll the top down 3 to 5 times and buckle it shut. This traps air to block water, making the bag float, while the round bottom speeds up air capture. It keeps contents dry in all common wet conditions from rapids and waves to snow and sand, though not during extended submersion.
- Multiple Sizes & Colors: A range from 5L to 40L suits any activity. 5L/10L are ideal for light trips and feature an adjustable, removable shoulder strap for cross-body carry. For heavier loads, 20L to 40L have backpack straps for even weight distribution, functioning as a waterproof backpack. Every size folds into its own compact pouch. Choose from classic darks to vibrant brights to match your style.
- Stays Afloat & Secure: When properly sealed and not overloaded, the dry sack floats prominently on the water, ensuring your gear is visible and quick to retrieve. For added security, the reinforced D-ring and strap allow you to fasten the bag to your boat or kayak. This keeps your belongings within reach to prevent loss, giving you peace of mind to fully enjoy the thrilling outdoors.
- Versatile Utility: Engineered for reliable waterproof protection and rugged durability, this bag is essential for any aquatic adventure or rainy day. It is suited for water sports like paddling, sailing, canoeing, surfing, river tubing, or trips to the water park or beach. When rain arrives, it also serves as a dependable waterproof bag for traveling, climbing and hunting, keeping your gear dry in any weather.
- Waterproof Protection: Abrasion-resistant 500D PVC and secure roll-top closure locks out water
- Welded Seams: Fully welded seams provide a tenacious water barrier, keeping your belongings safe
- Stable Storage: Oval-shaped flat bottom helps the bag stand up on its own and prevent rolling; easy to fill
- Easy Attachments: Two D-rings provide places to attach the bag to other gear or hang accessories
- Specs: Capacity - 35L / 2135 in³; Weight - 1 lb. 3 oz.; Dimensions (after 3 rolls) - 21" H x 13" W x 8" D
- WHY WATERPROOF? --- MIER dry bag is constructed with waterproof soft TPU + welded and heat-taped seams + roll top closure for better waterproofing. This 100% waterproof bag will prevent water, rain, snow, dirt, dust, or sand penetrating this bag and keep your gears such as cellphone, cameras, clothes dry
- ROLL TOP BACKPACK --- The roll down sealing system makes the bag dry pack easy to open/close, provides ultimate protection while traveling, can easily pack tighter or expand larger depending on your needs
- HANDY POCKETS --- The external water-resistant pocket came in very handy to keep items you use a lot to reach easily. There is a pocket inside for storing your mobile phone, wallet, keep small items organized. The biggest difference from others’ dry pack is the 2 sides fold-able pockets, can zip up to a small size and have a nice look
- BUILT FOR COMFORT --- Constructed with an ergonomic padded back panel, reinforced contoured shoulder straps, and low-profile sternum strap providing ultimate comfort by taking the weight off your back
- MULTIPLE APPLICATION --- With its waterproof features, the dry sack is great for most of the outdoor activities, such as Kayaking, Rafting, Surfing, Boating, Swimming, Camping, Hiking, Beach, Fishing, Diving, Water park, etc. The outstanding modern look available in 4 colors determine the rucksack can be used at the daily bike and motorcycle commute
The Essential Buying Guide for Dry Bags Built for the Hunt
Hunting means facing the elements. Rain, snow, mud—your gear needs protection. A good dry bag keeps your clothes, electronics, and important documents safe and dry, no matter how tough the trail gets. Choosing the right one is crucial for a successful trip. This guide helps you pick the best dry bag for your next outdoor adventure.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features. They make a big difference in how well the bag works when you really need it.
1. Waterproof Rating (IP Code)
Look for bags rated IP67 or higher. This tells you how waterproof the bag truly is. A higher number means better protection against water immersion.
2. Closure System
The seal is the most important part. Most quality dry bags use a roll-top closure. You roll the top down tightly three or more times, then clip the buckles. This creates a strong, watertight seal. Avoid bags with simple zippers unless they are specifically designed as waterproof zippers (like heavy-duty TIZIPs).
3. Durability and Abrasion Resistance
Hunting grounds are rough. Your bag needs to handle scrapes against rocks and branches. Look for reinforced seams and tough exterior fabric.
4. Carrying Comfort
If you carry the bag for long distances, comfortable straps matter. Look for padded shoulder straps and sternum straps, especially on larger bags. Some bags offer backpack-style carrying systems.
Important Materials That Matter
The material determines weight, flexibility, and how long the bag lasts.
- TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): This is a top-tier material. It is very durable, highly abrasion-resistant, and stays flexible even in cold weather. TPU seals are often welded, making them stronger than stitched seams.
- Heavy-Duty PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is very tough and offers excellent waterproofing. However, it can become stiff and crack in very cold temperatures.
- Nylon with PU Coating (Polyurethane): This is common and lighter weight. Ensure the PU coating is thick; a thin coating wears off faster, reducing the waterproof quality.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all dry bags are created equal. A few details separate the excellent bags from the mediocre ones.
Quality Boosters:
- Welded Seams: High-quality bags use heat-welded seams instead of stitching. Welded seams do not allow water to seep through the needle holes.
- Heavy-Duty Buckles: Strong, impact-resistant buckles will not break when dropped or crushed under weight.
- D-Rings and Attachment Points: Extra loops let you secure the bag to ATVs, boats, or pack frames easily.
Quality Reducers:
- Thin Fabrics: Very thin materials puncture easily. A puncture ruins the waterproof protection immediately.
- Basic Sewing: If the seams are only stitched, water can easily enter, especially during heavy rain or accidental drops in a stream.
- Flimsy Roll-Tops: If the material you roll down feels thin or weak, the seal will not hold up under pressure.
User Experience and Common Use Cases
Think about how you will use the bag on your hunt. This determines the size and style you need.
Protecting Electronics and Optics
For small items like rangefinders, phones, or GPS units, a small (5L to 10L) cylinder-style bag works perfectly. You can toss this smaller bag inside a larger, less waterproof backpack for a second layer of security.
Keeping Clothing and Sleeping Gear Dry
If you are backpacking or camping, you need larger bags (20L to 40L). These keep your spare socks, insulated layers, and sleeping bag dry, which is vital for survival if you get soaked.
Transporting Game
Some hunters use large, extremely durable dry bags (60L+) to line their backpacks when packing out meat. This prevents blood and moisture from soaking into the main backpack fabric, making cleanup much easier later.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Hunting Dry Bags
Q: What size dry bag do I need for a weekend hunt?
A: For clothing and essential gear for a 2-3 day trip, a 20-liter to 30-liter bag usually provides enough space.
Q: Are dry bags airtight?
A: When sealed correctly, yes, they are airtight. This feature is important because it helps keep things dry even if submerged briefly.
Q: Can I use a dry bag as a floatation device?
A: No. While they float when empty or lightly loaded, they are not designed or tested as life-saving devices.
Q: How do I clean mud and dirt off my dry bag?
A: Rinse the exterior with cool water. Use a mild soap if necessary, but avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the waterproof coating.
Q: Should I get a roll-top or a zipper dry bag?
A: For maximum waterproofing reliability in the field, always choose a roll-top closure.
Q: Will a dry bag protect my gear from animal teeth?
A: No. Standard dry bags offer zero protection against sharp teeth. Keep them stored securely away from bears or other curious animals.
Q: What is the purpose of the D-rings on the bag?
A: D-rings let you lash the bag securely onto a pack frame, kayak, or tree branch so it does not get lost.
Q: Do dry bags need to be completely submerged to fail?
A: Not necessarily. Heavy, driving rain or continuous pressure from being packed tightly in a wet environment can force water through weak seams or poor seals.
Q: Are colored dry bags better than black ones?
A: Brightly colored bags (like orange or yellow) are easier to spot if you drop them in water or leave them behind in tall grass.
Q: How long should I expect a quality TPU dry bag to last?
A: With proper care, a high-quality TPU dry bag can easily last five to ten years or more.