Dry Bags
A dry bag is the cheapest insurance in the boat. Coated fabric and a top that rolls shut instead of zipping, which is the whole reason these outlast every zippered pack that has ever ridden in a wet hull. Roll it down at least three times before you clip the buckle. Two rolls looks closed and leaks the first time it takes a wave.
What size do you actually need
- 10L: phone, wallet, keys, headlamp, a fleece. The Muddy 10L ($19.99) measures 18.89 x 9.64 x 5.7 inches and tucks under a seat.
- 20L to 30L: a full change of clothes, or lunch and a first aid kit. The Muddy three-bag set ($59.99) covers 10L, 20L, and 30L at once.
- 35L to 50L: waders, boots, and a jacket. The DU Guardian Backpack Dry Bag ($69.99) carries that load on shoulder straps.
- 70L: overnight kit or a sleeping bag. Top size on the DU Guardian Dry Bag ($29.99 and up).
Fabric weight and shape
Denier tells you how much abrasion the fabric takes. The Muddy bags use 300D polyester ripstop with a PVC coating, light enough to pack down small. The Guardian Backpack steps up to 500D polyester PVC with fully welded seams for gear that gets dragged across gravel bars and boat ramps. Shape matters too. A flat-bottom rectangle stacks in a hull without shifting, and the Guardian Backpack uses an oval flat bottom that keeps it from rolling when the boat leans. It also carries a valve that bleeds trapped air, so you can compress the whole load down before the walk in.
Rinse the salt or river silt off after a trip and hang them open to dry. Water sitting inside a sealed bag is how a good one starts to smell.
Shop the rest of the boating category, keep tackle sorted with waterproof tackle storage, or plan a float with our Missouri gigging season guide.