Best Dry Bags for Paddle Boarding | 2021

When it comes to keeping your gear dry, a reliable waterproof dry bag is one of the first things that every paddler should invest in. Whether you’re embarking on a multi-day SUP touring adventure or a leisurely day on the water with friends, waterproof bags are designed to keep your gear and valuables safe and dry.

There are several different types of dry bags available today, including waterproof fanny packs, duffel bags, backpacks, roll-top tube sacks, and phone cases. In this 2021 dry bag buyers’ guide, we’ll list our top-rated waterproof bags for this season and also share some useful hacks that we think you’ll enjoy.

It’s important to remember, while there are an endless number of newer, cheaper options constantly coming on the market, we recommend buying the best dry bag you can afford. A waterproof pack failure can be incredibly costly if you lose a costly phone or valuable, so it’s always best to avoid cheap bags and invest in a high-quality product made by a reputable company.

Best Dry Bags — 2021 Comparison Chart

	BAG	TYPE	COLORS	CAPACITY	BUY
	YETI Panga 28 Backpack	Waterproof Backpack	Storm Gray	28L	Check Price
	YETI Sidekick Dry	Waterproof Fanny Pack	Fog Gray, River Green, Charcoal, Field Tan	4.25L	Check Price
	SealLine Discovery Deck Bag	Roll-top dry bag	Black, Blue, Lime, Olive, Orange, Orange Plaid	10L, 20L, 30L, 50L	Check Price
	YETI Panga Duffel	Waterproof Duffel	Storm Gray	50L, 75L, 100L	Check Price
	Sea to Summit TPU Guide Case	Phone dry bag	Black, Blue, Lime, Yellow	Regular, XL	Check Price

Waterproof Dry Bag Reviews

YETI Panga 28L (Best Waterproof Backpack)

The most insane waterproof backpack we’ve tested to date, YETI’s well-built Panga backpack provides 28 liters of storage capacity and is designed to keep your gear bone dry even when fully submerged.

Best known for their high-quality coolers, YETI’s reputation for bombproof build quality is once again on full display with their Panga 28L dry bag backpack. This pack is built like a tank and features a versatile design that allows it to be used for a wide variety of activities.

The bag’s HydroLok zipper gives you quick and easy access to your gear without having to fuss with roll-top closures and when closed, provides a vault-like airtight seal.

For more info on our favorite waterproof backpack, be sure to check out our in-depth YETI Panga 28 backpack review.

YETI Sidekick Dry (Best Waterproof Fanny Pack)

Another one of the best dry bags for is the versatile YETI Sidekick Dry. Like the Panga 28, the Sidekick Dry is incredibly well-designed and provides an airtight seal that’ll keep your valuables completely dry even when fully submerged.

Out of all of the waterproof dry bags on our list, the YETI Sidekick Dry is the one we reach for most often. It can be used with a nylon webbed belt and worn as a traditional belt pack or attached to the Panga 28 as an external storage pouch. We also use it together with MTI’s 16g Belt Pack PFD and it’s the perfect solution for keeping your phone, keys, and other valuables totally safe and within arms’ reach while you’re out paddling.

Unlike many other waterproof pouches that have a cumbersome roll-top design, the Sidekick Dry features a unique magnetic closure that provides an ultra-secure seal and takes things to another level in terms of convenience.

Check out our article comparing the best waterproof fanny packs for even more options.

SealLine Discovery Deck Bag (Best Roll-Top Dry Bag)

If you’re looking for a more traditional roll-top dry bag, the SealLine Discovery Deck Dry Bag is an outstanding option. While the 30L size is perfect for our needs, SealLine also offers the Discovery Deck Bag in 10L, 20L, and 50L versions.

This is a rugged, extremely durable dry bag with a tube-like design that securely closes with a roll-top closure. While the roll-top design takes a bit longer to open and close when compared with YETI’s HydroLok zipper, it provides a watertight seal that does an excellent job of keeping water out.

While this bag also provides an airtight seal that allows it to float, SealLine incorporated a purge valve into the side of the bag which allows you to expel excess air — a handy feature for those times when you want to compress the bag and reduce its overall size.

Read our SealLine Discovery Deck Dry Bag review for more info on this highly-rated dry bag.

YETI Panga Duffel (Best Waterproof Duffel Bag)

Available in 50L, 75L, and 100L sizes, the YETI Panga Duffel is currently the best waterproof duffel bag money can buy. Like the Panga 28 backpack, each one of YETI’s duffel dry bags are built to extremely high standards and designed to deliver the ultimate performance in the most challenging of conditions.

The Panga waterproof duffels are the best option for serious SUP touring due to their large capacity and ability to swallow tons of gear. If overnight and multi-day SUP excursions are your thing, this is your bag.

Sea to Summit TPU Guide Case (Best Dry Bag for Phones)

Last but not least, for those who simply need a reliable dry bag to keep their phone dry, Sea to Summit’s TPU Waterproof Guide Case is our recommended option. This top-quality smartphone dry bag features a slim, pocketable design that effectively seals out moisture without negatively impacting a phone’s touchscreen or camera performance.

For more details on this high-quality waterproof phone case, check out our Sea to Summit TPU Guide Case review.

Final Thoughts Dry Bags & Paddle Boarding Other Accessories

So those are your four most commonly used types of dry bags when paddle boarding. If you’re thinking of bringing food or drinks, you may also want to take along a hard- or soft-sided cooler like the ones in our best SUP coolers review.

There are lots of other great add-ons to make the most of your SUP as well. Check out our top paddle board accessories list for our favorites.

Questions? Find a dry bag that you think we should review? leave a comment below…