If you are into Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing or Powerboating then you are likely to encounter wet conditions. However, unless you want your gear to also get wet, you need a strategy for keeping your stuff dry. There is a bewildering array of waterproof products available for precisely this purpose. Some choices are fine for general use. Other choices work superbly well for selected specialized applications. However, there are some choices which will likely be disappointing if used for the wrong application. This guide may be useful to folks who are looking for ways to keep gear dry with the use of a waterproof storage system.

Broadly, there are two general categories of waterproof products available to keep your stuff dry: Dry Boxes and Dry Bags

Which one of these two options you choose depends on what you want to keep dry. Thus, the first step in selecting a product to keep your gear dry is to determine what kind of gear you will be taking in wet conditions.

Let’s first consider in what kind of applications dry boxes make the most sense.

Dry Box

Choose a dry box if, in addition to keeping things dry, you also want to protect your items from damage to impact, shock or vibration. Items for which dry boxes make the most sense include sensitive electronic equipment such as cameras, camcorders, digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs, etc. A dry box is more likely to protect an item against breakage; hence folks carrying fragile items such as camera lenses, medical kits that contain items such as Epi-Pens or syringes, chemicals like the ones found in boat repair kits or other products like batteries that can leak if “squashed” will often find their needs best met by the dry box.

There are some disadvantages to dry boxes for certain applications. By design, a dry box is not soft and flexible. For certain applications in which one needs to be able to stuff items into a confined or irregular space, a dry bag will work better. Examples of such applications include locations like behind the seat of a whitewater kayak, inside the storage compartment of a sea kayak, in the bilge or settee of a sailboat or powerboat, etc. Of course, you can still use a dry box in these applications; however, you will just have to choose a smaller size (in volume) than what you could fit if you chose a dry bag instead. Another disadvantage to a dry box is that they tend to get bulky, heavy and cumbersome in the larger sizes. For example, it makes little sense to tote around 5lbs of sleeping bags in a massive 30 lbs dry box.

Dry boxes do offer some distinct advantages. High quality dry boxes, such as the ones by Pelican or Otter are waterproof and dry to the point of being submersible. In general, the models offered by Pelican or Otter are the driest option (in comparison to most dry bags) for all your critical equipment. Here are some examples of some common sizes of dry boxes that work well for paddlesports and watersports applications:

	Pelican Micro Cases (models 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060) –used for all sorts of small items such as cell phones, PDAs, ultra-compact cameras or even a pack of cigarettes.
	Pelican Small Cases (models 1120 and 1150) -generally, these are the largest sizes that will fit into the front hatch of most sea kayaks. These can be Velcro ™ to the bulkhead to keep them in place. They will also fit behind the seat of many whitewater kayaks. These sizes will accommodate most camcorders or digital cameras with spare batteries and tapes. They also make good, robust choices for personal sized first aid kits. One of our employees uses an 1120 case to carry his cookies so they don’t crumble and get crumbs everywhere!
	Pelican Small Cases (models 1200, 1300, 1400) –with caution, one can place these inside the cockpit (under or between the legs) of some kayaks (if used in this fashion, you must secure using Velcro ™ or equivalent and make certain it will not impede exit). Some kayaks with large rear hatches can also accommodate these sizes. These sizes are popular for use with canoes, sailboats or powerboats. The 1200 size can be used as a great camera box that can be used as a deck box on a sea kayak. These sizes are popular for use with SLR cameras, larger video cameras and group-sized first aid kits.
	Pelican Medium Cases (models 1420 and 1500) –the 1420 case is designed to be hung on the gunwale of a canoe or other small boat. It can hold cameras, binoculars, cell phones, etc. The 1500 case is a good way to carry a small camera outfit that includes an SLR, 2 lenses, a flash or other similar sized object. There are larger sizes available; however these tend to get too bulky for most small boat applications.

Now that we’ve taken a look at some Dry Box choices, let’s examine some applications where Dry Bags make the most sense.

Dry Bags

By far, the widest array of choices for waterproof storage can be found in dry bags. Generally, a dry bag is lighter, cheaper (except for Watershed dry bags) and more flexible than a dry box. The dry bag is the logical choice for keeping bulky, non fragile items such as clothing, sleeping bags, food and certain camping gear items dry.

Dry bags do have some disadvantages compared to dry boxes. Unless, you pad the contents somehow, you will want to avoid carrying fragile items like cameras in dry bags. Note that padded liners do exist for dry bags; however, if you can get away with using a dry box for camera equipment, you should do so. Also, most dry bags are not waterproof enough to be submerged for long periods of time. There is one notable exception: the Watershed Dry Bag is the only dry bag that we are aware of that does not employ a roll-down closure and is completely dry – even submerged under a raft that has flipped and is flushing through a Class V rapid. Consequently, the Watershed Dry Bag is the only bag we can recommend for the storage of water-sensitive equipment.

Dry bags have plenty of advantages compared to dry boxes. The biggest advantages are low bulk and flexibility. Certain models work particularly well inside the storage compartment of Recreational and Touring Kayaks. Other models will carry bulky items well for canoe camping or sailing/powerboating. Quite simply, you can stuff dry bags into places where you simply could not fit a dry box. Here are some paddlesports and watersports applications and examples of some common types of dry bags that will work well:

Dry Bags for Sea Kayaking

You will need multiple, small, slick dry bags that can easily slide into the recesses of a storage hatch. Avoid the PVC material dry bags; these are too stiff and not slippery enough for this application. Instead choose a coated nylon dry bag that can fit into the nooks and crannies of a sea kayak. Multiple small bags will work much better than the larger bags; you will find it a lot easier to stuff the bag behind skeg boxes and rudder cables if you choose smaller sizes. Buy an inexpensive mesh duffle bag to carry all the small bags from your boat to your campsite. Examples include:

Seal Line (Cascade Designs) HP Map Case: This item is used for carrying a chart on the deck of your boat. The HP Map Case is waterproof to the point of being submersible and can accommodate a GPS, if necessary.

Dry Bags for Canoeing or Rafting

You will want to get 1-3 medium-large sized dry bags with straps for hauling in and out of the boat. Larger bags work well for this application since they are easier and faster to fill with gear. Also, 1-3 bags are easier to keep track of than 6-7 smaller bags. The PVC material is cheaper, thicker and durable enough for this type of application. If you choose one of the larger PVC dry bags, pick one that has shoulder straps for backpack style carrying. Examples include:

• Camp Inn Bomber Paddle Sport Bag: This is a roll-down closure style, heavy duty PVC fabric dry bag with a nylon D-ring strip for easy attachment to a canoe or raft. These bags come in a wide variety of sizes.

	Camp Inn Clear Choice Paddle Sport Bag: This is a roll-down closure style, transparent PVC fabric dry bag. You can see through the Clear Choice Dry Bag to view what is inside without having to open the bag.
	Camp Inn Float Bag: These are large dry bags with padded shoulder straps for backpack style carrying. You can fit a lot into these bags and will appreciate the backpack straps on a long carry.

Dry Bags for Cameras, Camcorders and other Critical Equipment

In our opinion, there is only one dry bag that we would trust with sensitive electronic equipment under all conditions, including submersion under pressure:

• Watershed Dry Bag: These bags use a patented heavy duty rubber Zipdry ™ closure system that is similar to a giant freezer bag zipper. These bags are constructed of 420-Denier nylon packcloth, laminated with multiple layers of polyurethane on both sides. All seams are RF-welded. These are tough bags that can withstand a prolonged dunking underwater. The US military trusts these bags with their sensitive equipment and so can you. The Watershed Dry Bags are available in a wide variety of configurations; however for cameras and camcorders, the Ocoee Duffle with padded insert works particularly well.

Dry Bags for Sailing, Powerboating and General Luggage Applications

Convenience, ease of use and durability are the requirements for these kinds of uses. Though you can use a roll-down style closure system like the ones found on the Camp Inn dry bags, you will probably prefer the speed and ease of use offered by a zip-style closure system. Additionally, you will want something that carries like a traditional duffle bag for convenience. Furthermore, you will want a product that is durable enough to hold heavier items on a regular basis and can withstand the rigors of travel. Here are some excellent options that can meet these requirements:

• NRS Ultimate Duffel: These waterproof duffle bags use a 500-Denier urethane coated nylon Cordura material and a tough, waterproof T-zipper for durability and superior dryness. These bags are the easiest opening/closing bags that can still withstand submersion. The Ultimate Duffle is available in 3 sizes.
• Watershed Duffels: These are the driest duffle bags available; you can hold them under water for as long as you like and they will not leak. See above sections for construction details. There are 5 sizes of Watershed Duffels available to fit every need.

Watershed Ultimate Ditch Bag: This is the dry bag you want on your boat if it is about to sink. This bag uses a YKK submersible waterproof zipper closure that is actually air tight (just the zipper costs about $100)! The Ultimate Ditch Bag is complete in every way: it has 4 external lash points, end carry handles, top carry handles, removable shoulder and waist harness system, an inflation/purge valve (so you can blow the thing up to make the whole bag float or to pack it down by purging all the excess air) and an interior zippered pocket. This is the bag you put the really important stuff in!

Dry Bags for Whitewater Kayaking

There is little space for storing items inside a whitewater kayak. However, if you want to bring a change of clothes or even enough gear for a light overnight trip, there are some options for even the smallest whitewater kayaks:

Watershed Futa Stowfloat: Space is limited in a Whitewater Kayak; why not put gear inside your airbag. Instead of a conventional floatation airbag (and everyone should use one of these or else be prepared to go after their own boat if they swim in front of their buddies), use the Futa Stowfloat for both storage and floatation. This hybrid product is dry bag that is shaped like a floatation air bag except it has a Zipdry ™ closure on one end with an inflation tube. The Watershed construction will ensure that your clothes or sleeping bag will stay dry even after hours of roll practice and being hole bait. These bags fit behind your seat; choose one for most storage needs or two for overnight use.

Watershed Ocoee Duffle Bag: In many Whitewater Kayaks, there is a spot for a water bottle between your legs. If desired, you can place a Watershed Ocoee (the smallest Watershed duffle bag) in this location. This placement will provide you a convenient location for your video/photo gear. Make sure this placement does not impede your exit!

As you can see, there are a lot of options available for dry storage. Hopefully, the information presented here will be of help to you in making a good selection. For further assistance and even more choices, please drop by one of our shops and browse our selection and talk to our excellent staff.