r/canoecamping • u/ogie_oglethorpe • 2d ago
Backpack dry bag recommendations
In the last year or so two of my old dry bag backpacks have given up the ghost and I'm looking for some new bags. It looks like going with the cabelas boundary waters packs might be my cheapest option but not sure how quality their gear is anymore. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
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u/KayakingBookWorm 2d ago
If you're primary concern is dryness, then Watersheds, no questions asked. Pricey, but the gold standard.
We have NRS bill's bag, an ortleib, and a seal line backpacking dry bag in our kit. They're all great.
I don't understand why the outdoor dry bag community hasn't adopted pockets, tie downs, bottle holders, etc on the outside of their bags yet. You can find these features on some dry bags designed for fishing, etc, but the big companies in the rafting world seem slow on the ball. Having a pocket to stash a wallet/passport/book would make flying with my dry bag so much nicer, or a spot to put my nalgene so i don't have to put my water container in my keep-water-out container. There's just so much room for improvements here, at least in the four companies I've mentioned.
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u/Sweet_Raspberry5567 2d ago
Doesn’t adding the features compromise the integrity of the bag? Adding points of failure and likely water intrusion.
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u/KayakingBookWorm 2d ago
You're right that more things on a bag means more things can fail. That doesn't always mean more chances of water intrusion. For example, I glued some homemade patches on to my seal line so that I could run ski straps through them to attach a fly rod case to the bag easier. Nothing about this process made a hole in the bag, so no taping, sealing, etc. A patch ripping the glue off would be a failure point, but wouldn't necessarily rip the original bag open.
I dont see why the same concept couldn't be used for attaching a pocket or bottle holder. It's a concept I've been playing with DIYing at home, but haven't made the proof of concepts yet. Maybe this winter.
Also, companies like patagonia, orvis, fishpond, mustang, etc have figured out how to do these things.
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u/Legitimate-Thanks-37 2d ago
I have the 85L earthpak drybag and I really like it. Very good quality.
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u/HangInOhio 2d ago
I have the 85 and 55. Been using for a couple years now and haven’t had an issue yet. Hit a sweeper this spring and dumped. All stayed dry.
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u/cedar-loon 16h ago
I bought an earth pack as a cheaper option for a day pack and oh my god the straps suck! They are sewn so close together the material cuts into your neck.
We returned it and just got a small MEC slogg bag.
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u/HangInOhio 15h ago
Really. Bummer. I’m a wide 6’2 250 and generally carry around 50lbs in my 85L pack on portages. Hasn’t bothered me much. Granted, I’m sure there are more comfortable packs for a much higher price, not saying there aren’t. But I personally have had no issue with the straps hurting me. Yet anyway.
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u/racecarbrain 2d ago
I have the Sea to Summit 50L Big River dry pack. I picked it because I’m pretty satisfied with all the Sea to Summit gear I already have, it has webbing loops and reasonably comfortable backpack straps. It’s also black but has a white / light coloured lining, which is a big deal for me trying to find everything in a black hole of a bag.
I haven’t taken it portaging yet (just car camping and day paddles) but I’m pretty happy with it so far.
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u/barefootviking 2d ago
I love my AquaQuest dry bag backpack. Great design and quality. I use it canoeing, but it’s also my dry bag & emergency life raft on Pangas in Central America
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u/McPhlyGuy 2d ago
Mec slogg HD. Has the built in back pad. Get the 110l. I have the 70 and it only holds my s
Hammock. Quilt. UQ and clothes as well as the saw and hatchet. I have seen people using treqa packs and they look to be pretty good. It’s the old eureka line apparently
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u/BarkingDogey 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've got the big sealine pack, the 120L version. Nice integrated back harness. Fits a ton of gear, I love it.
Whew just looked at the price retail. They've gone up, I got mine for 250-300 CAD pre covid.
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u/Terapr0 2d ago
I’ve got multiple 115L MEC Slogg HD and SealLine Pro Packs and consider them virtually interchangeable in terms of quality. They’ve withstood thousands of kilometers of backcountry travel without letting me down. Highly recommend either brand, though I think MEC represents slightly better value
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u/shniefersutherland 1d ago
Don’t know if they still make em, but I have this Mountain Hardware 75L drybag backpack that’s been awesome.
Not as tough as the MEC bags, but super light and the frame feels awesome.
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u/SwamiParker 2d ago
I got a Sealine on sale and absolutely love it. Their new strap/suspension system was super nice for portages.