Dry Bags and Packing: Keeping Gear Dry on the Water
By Trailbound Editors · Published · Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
Assume everything will get wet and pack accordingly: a dry bag for anything you cannot afford to soak, a separate one for the items you need during the day, and nothing valuable loose in the cockpit. Roll-top dry bags with taped seams work; splash-proof stuff sacks do not.
On the water, water always wins. The useful approach is not to seal the boat but to decide in advance what can get wet and what cannot.
Which bags work
Roll-top dry bags with welded or taped seams are the standard. Roll the top at least three times and clip it closed; most failures are bags that were rolled twice and folded under pressure.
Waterproof zips are convenient when new and need regular care to stay waterproof. They tolerate less sand than a roll-top.
Splash-proof stuff sacks are not dry bags. They keep spray off and will not survive immersion, which matters if you swim rather than paddle.
Packing the boat
Heavy items low and near the middle, light bulk at the ends, and balance left to right — a boat that leans is tiring to paddle for hours.
Keep a small bag within reach of your seat for the day’s essentials: water, food, sunscreen, a phone. Everything else can go in the hatches.
Pack it in this order
- Electronics and keys — the first things into the dry bag, and the bag goes where it cannot be crushed.
- Spare clothing, in its own bag, especially a warm layer.
- Food, in a bag that closes, so crumbs and wrappers do not end up in the bilge.
- Anything you need during the day in a reachable bag, not in a hatch.
Before you launch
Check the hatches seal, test your dry bag by putting a tissue inside and dunking it, and make sure nothing heavy can shift if you capsize. Then clip everything down. A dry bag floating away is the most avoidable loss in paddling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are roll-top bags better than zips?
Roll-tops are more forgiving and easier to seal reliably, and they tolerate sand and grit. Waterproof zips are convenient when new and deteriorate with use, and they need care to keep working.
How do I pack a kayak?
Heavy items low and centred, light bulk at the ends, and the things you need during the day in a bag you can reach without leaving your seat. Keep the hull balanced side to side, because a boat that leans is tiring to paddle.
What needs protecting most?
Phone, keys, and anything electronic first, then spare clothing and food. A wet spare layer on a cold day is a safety issue rather than an inconvenience.
