Dry Bags
Short version: for a phone, keys and your license, a 4 or 8 liter roll-top dry bag is plenty. For a day of gear in the blind or the boat, the Ducks Unlimited Guardian runs 20 to 70 liters and closes the same way. If the bag could go over the side loaded, the MOmarsh Element WaterBox has foam sealed into its walls so it floats.
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waterfowl blind bags · waterproof and floating gun cases · waders · duck hunting gear · hunting packs and bags · boating gear
Which hunting dry bag to buy
Four bags cover everything from a pocket-sized phone sleeve to a 70 liter gear sack. The real decision is how much you carry and whether the bag needs to float on its own.
| Bag | Sizes | Closure | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rock Gear Roll Top Dry Bag | 1, 4, 8, 13, 25 L | Roll-top | Phone, keys, license, first aid, lunch | from $7.95 |
| Ducks Unlimited Guardian Dry Bag | 20, 35, 50, 70 L | Roll-top | Spare layers and a day of gear in the blind or boat | from $29.99 |
| Ducks Unlimited Guardian Backpack Dry Bag | 35, 50 L | Roll-top with compression strap | Walk-in hunts and the haul from truck to boat | from $69.99 |
| MOmarsh Element WaterBox 25L | 25 L | IPX-rated zipper | Calls, shells and electronics in the boat, floats if dropped | $259.99 |
Dry bags for duck hunting
A blind gets wet from every direction. Rain comes down, the dog shakes off next to you, and a boat ride in the dark puts spray on everything in the bow. A waterfowl dry bag is one sealed compartment for the things that cannot get wet: your phone, truck keys, license and stamps, a dry pair of gloves and the base layer you will want at 10 a.m.
The Ducks Unlimited Guardian Dry Bag is licensed DU gear from ALPS OutdoorZ, sold in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland or DU Tan. The 20 liter handles a hunter's essentials. The 50 and 70 liter sizes swallow a full set of spare layers. The Guardian Backpack Dry Bag adds shoulder straps, a grab handle, an oval flat bottom that resists rolling and a valve that lets trapped air out so the bag packs down smaller. It is built from 500D polyester PVC with fully welded seams and ships with a repair kit.
If you want pockets, dividers and choke tube storage, you want a blind bag. Those live in waterfowl bags and storage.
Waterproof bags for boating: size by what you carry
Liters describe volume, which is hard to picture, so here is a rough guide. One liter holds a phone, keys and a wallet with little room to spare. Four to eight liters adds a headlamp, a small first aid kit and something to eat. Thirteen to 25 liters is where a packed rain jacket and a spare layer start to fit. Thirty-five liters and up is a full gear bag for a long day on the water.
The Red Rock Gear roll-top dry bag covers the small end in black or OD green, and a 4 liter plus a 13 liter together still cost less than the smallest Guardian. For a boat dry bag that rides on the floor with everything else, the Guardian sizes make more sense.
Roll-top or waterproof zipper
A roll-top seals by folding. Push the air out, roll the top down at least three times and buckle it. Treat a roll-top as protection from rain, spray and a brief dunk. Holding one underwater asks a lot of a fold. In exchange they are light and simple.
The MOmarsh Element WaterBox takes the other route: an IPX-rated zipper, customizable dividers, an exterior pocket and reflective strips you can find with a flashlight in a dark boat. Buoyant foam is sealed into the walls, so it floats loaded. You pay for that, and for the GORE Optifade Marsh camo, but it is the only bag here built to come back up.
Hunting dry bag FAQs
What is the best dry bag for duck hunting?
For most hunters, a 20 or 35 liter Ducks Unlimited Guardian Dry Bag in Original Bottomland. It holds the essentials plus a spare layer and disappears in a blind. If you hunt from a boat in open water, the MOmarsh Element WaterBox is the safer pick because it floats.
What size dry bag do I need for a boat?
Keep a small 4 or 8 liter bag within reach for your phone and keys, and a 35 liter or larger bag on the floor for clothing and gear. Two bags beat one big one, because you stop digging through everything to find your phone.
Do dry bags float?
A sealed roll-top with some air left inside will usually float, but how well depends on what is packed in it. Only the MOmarsh Element WaterBox on this page has flotation foam built into the bag.
Who makes the Ducks Unlimited Guardian dry bag?
ALPS OutdoorZ, under license from Ducks Unlimited. Buying licensed DU gear supports the organization's habitat conservation work across North America.
What is the difference between a dry bag and a blind bag?
A dry bag is one waterproof compartment. A blind bag is organized storage with pockets, dividers and shell and choke tube slots, and some float. Many waterfowlers carry both: a blind bag for the hunt and a dry bag for the things that would ruin the day if they got wet.
How do you close a roll-top dry bag?
Press the air out, line up the top edges, fold them down at least three times and clip the buckle. The folds make the seal, so do not skimp on them.