Good Dry Bags for a Canoeing Campout

Q: My troop is going on a canoeing campout. What dry bag would you recommend?
— Will, Springfield, Virginia

A: For many outings, storing your stuff in heavy-duty garbage bags, 5-gallon buckets or resealable plastic bags can keep everything dry while saving you some cash. However, I’d think about investing in dry bags for longer backcountry treks.

Dry bags are made of durable fabric, such as nylon, that not only repels water but also holds up well on the trail. A fabric’s thickness is measured by its denier number. The higher the denier number, the thicker the material. For example, the NRS Expedition DriDuffel dry bag ($159.95-$359.95, nrs.com) is made with heavy-duty, PVC-free 840-denier nylon that’s thick and strong. The bag’s zipper is thick and toothless, creating a waterproof seal. So even if the bag is dunked under water, everything inside stays dry.

Many dry bags use a basic roll-top method to seal. Simply put your gear in through the open top, roll the top down a few times and secure it with the snap buckle. Mustang Survival’s Bluewater line ($34.99-$54.99, mustangsurvival.com) and Highwater backpack line ($119.99-$164.99) both use this method. Also, the bottoms of Mustang Survival’s dry bags are rectangular, allowing them to stand up. This is handy because they provide easier access to your gear, and you can reseal them quickly.

So look for bags that have a high denier number and are easy to use. Scouting America’s Northern Tier and Sea Base high-adventure bases sell dry bags online too.