Where might I find a clear, waterproof map case that attaches to the thwart and won't break the bank ?

What amount would "break the bank"? A decent map case will easily cost $30 or so. On the other hand, you could use a 2 gallon zip lock bag and it would be serviceable. My point is, there is the best method and there are other ways that may not be the best overall quality, but they would work. Do what you can afford today, but have your eyes on the best quality option.

AquaQuest Trail Mapcase.
$35 Cdn.

Had mine churn in the rapids below Chatterton Falls after capsizing. Paddled back to our site and took stock of what we lost. We thought we had accounted for everything but about an hour later it dawned on us that we also lost our map case. We went searching for it and found it on the north shore near the first campsite almost a half kilometer north from where we tipped. It had been in the water between 2-3 hours. Everything inside was bone dry.

I would add that had we opted for any other colour than orange we probably wouldn't have found it.

Has removable strap and clips. Very supple and light; not stiff like other cases.

CCS Original Thwart bag for me.

No need for the waterproof case as I use Fischer maps and the thwart bag stays in place when I portage.

CCS Thwart Bag,

Ditto Aquaquest.

This One

The Sea to Summit map case/dry bag has Velcro that allows you to attach it to itself around the Thwart, this has worked really well for me.

ISRO: "CCS Original Thwart bag for me.

No need for the waterproof case as I use Fischer maps and the thwart bag stays in place when I portage.

CCS Thwart Bag, "

I second this, I just picked one up this spring and just got finished with the first trip using it. Well made and room to stuff little things like a compass, sun glasses and head nets.

I use the older version of the SealLine Map Case that used velcro to seal it. I particularly like this map case as it is see-through on both sides, thus I can double up on maps if I have to cross from one map into another on my trip day.

We use the seal line cases too. Also really like being able to see through both sides and just flip the case over.

Yep, I use the medium SealLine HP map case.
You read a map through the front and back of the case, and the loop allows me to just wear it around my neck over the portage.

Not far off the original, I'd recommend the CCS Pathfinder Thwart Bag. The combination of a thwart storage bag with the flip over map holder design is great. It keeps the map at the right angle for viewing while you're paddling instead of hanging straight down.

https://www.shop.cookecustomsewing.com/product.sc?productId=15&categoryId=7

I needed a new case prior to my recent trip, and I ran to REI and found this Ortlieb Map case. It was all they had, so I bought it - and I really liked it.

I like my maps to stay really dry so the CCS thwart bag/mapcase doesn't meet my needs. Ziplocs bags get pin holes too easily. I have been really happy with the Ortlieb map case
Ortlieb Ultimate map case
I don't use the clips, but they are nice if you are going to just keep it mounted to a pack in front of you. But for my solo trips, I added velcro to my thwart and to the top flap of the map case. I can easily remove or reattach the map with the flick of my wrist. This case is clear on both sides so I get double the map before needing to refold.

Jackfish: "...On the other hand, you could use a 2 gallon zip lock bag and it would be serviceable.... "

That would be my recommendation as well. Like, why spend $100 on a fire grate if you don't have to??

Bought two of these...worked great:

Map Case

I have always used the 2 gallon ziplocks. The maps I take are all waterproof anyway so the only purpose that the ziplock serves is to keep them organized and open on that day's routes. I have always enjoyed camping on my terms. BTW, I could buy 144 (2) gallon ziplock bags for what they want for 1 of the other $30 dollar jewel cases.

Just my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Cheers

SE

I, too, use the CCS thwart bag. However, I never attach it to the thwart, and I leave the map case part unattached while paddling. I could never get the angle to work right, and I like to place my baseplate compass on top of the map in the case.

What I do is just flop this on the floor of the canoe between my feet. That way the compass is mostly level and I can orient the map to the way I am traveling, and I can follow my course. I can take a bearing and just follow it by looking down at my feet.

On the portage, I grab the map case in one hand and carry it across. The rest of the thwart bag has been relegated to carrying my fishing gear and stored in the top of my Duluth pack. I didn't like it hanging from the thwart, threw off my balance while portaging and would swing around too much.

I use Dan Cooke’s CCS Pathfinder Thwart Bag which is great although it does get in the way when portaging.

i just bought the NRS map case listed above. I figured that I might as well give it a try. I've had other map cases (Granite Gear, REI, etc.) and some have worked and others not so much. I usually run into the problem that their sizing is kind of odd which makes weird folds for the maps I carry.

I've gotten into the habit of using the large ziplocks to slip the maps into and then into the map case. Perhaps it's overkill, but the map cases aren't always as watertight as advertised and the ziplocks provide a bit more protection as well as keeping the maps organized.

I've had the odd map case get blown overboard before I could secure it down or fall out of my canoe ( I always stuff it between my crazy creek and the seat when portaging) when I take it for a walk in the woods. The map case helps me keep it all organized and found if it falls out somewhere.

Anyway, to each his/her own. Do what works for you.

gotwins: "I didn't like it hanging from the thwart, threw off my balance while portaging and would swing around too much."

This was my experience too. Very well made, as all CCS stuff is, but after a couple trips I sold the thwart bag (and bow bag for similar reasons) and just stash my maps in a large zip lock bag. My permit and compass goes on the bag as well. The zip lock bag is in the top pouch of my CCS Pioneer Hybrid Pack most of the time. I tend to only look at the maps at the end of the portage before setting out on the next paddling leg or in camp. For mid-paddling progress/bearing checks I use the map app on my phone which is tethered into the front pocket of the PFD.

As a poor grad student self-outfitting for my second BWCA trip I started using zip lock bags. Some 30 years and about 30 trips later I was still using zip lock bags though every other piece of gear had been upgraded perhaps 2-3 times. It worked fine for me, but I had no interest in attaching it to the thwart. I have an under-seat bag and just tuck it between the seat and the bag on portages. It flew out of the boat once I think, and dropped on a portage once, but that was easy to recover. It worked fine for me.

Two years ago with a longer Canadian trip with more and bigger maps I knew I needed to upgrade so picked up an NRS and it worked great. It does not come with straps or velcro, but there are holes in each corner so you can make it hang from a thwart if you like. I just use a short cord and tiny carabiner to make sure it stays attached when portaging. In the boat it sits on the bottom in front of me.

I hate map cases. When my son and I first started tripping years ago we thought they were a must. I found them to be a pain in the butt on portages; one more thing to drag around, lose, or step on and slip. On wet trips they usually turned out to be mostly map marinaters and were harder to dry out than the maps that were in them. Eventually I realized that the wet maps dry out quick when hung in the tent or under our kitchen tarp, and they survive just fine. So we started just using clips (see pic) to keep them folded onto the part we need at the time. They lay in the bottom of the canoe, easy to read, rain or shine. At a portage, another quick fold and into a pocket. I have several maps that we have reused on multiple trips and have yet to need to replace them. We use Fisher, McKenzie, and Voyager. All stand up well and most cost less than a freeze dried meal for two. Haven't used map cases in 15 years.

jeffnson: "I hate map cases. When my son and I first started tripping years ago we thought they were a must. I found them to be a pain in the butt on portages; one more thing to drag around, lose, or step on and slip. On wet trips they usually turned out to be mostly map marinaters and were harder to dry out than the maps that were in them. Eventually I realized that the wet maps dry out quick when hung in the tent or under our kitchen tarp, and they survive just fine. So we started just using clips (see pic) to keep them folded onto the part we need at the time. They lay in the bottom of the canoe, easy to read, rain or shine. At a portage, another quick fold and into a pocket. I have several maps that we have reused on multiple trips and have yet to need to replace them. We use Fisher, McKenzie, and Voyager. All stand up well and most cost less than a freeze dried meal for two. Haven't used map cases in 15 years. "

I love the minimalist concept, and challenging the need to put something waterproof in a waterproof bag.

I do have to ask, though, if two medium sized standard binder clips would be enough to cause one, two, or three maps to sink in deep water? Have you tested?

I have used a mapcase since receiving a SealLine M mapcase before my first trip. It served me well for many years before being replaced by a Sea-to-Summit L mapcase a few years ago. Both are larger than a ziplock allowing a large section of map to be viewed and are clear on both sides and have anchor points at all 4 corners. I use a couple of biners to attach them to the small pack I keep in front of me so it is in view and there is no worry about dropping or losing it. I can easily orient it either vertically or horizontally. Neither have leaked and they are more durable than a ziplock. I keep my permit, notes, marker, license, and usually a compass in there.

I haven't tested the floatability of a map with two clips on it. The two clips I use weigh next to nothing ( together 0.2 oz. They're 3/4 inch wide.) I suspect a map dropped into the lake would sink very slowly if at all. Have to give it a try next trip.

Jaywalker: "

jeffnson: "I hate map cases. When my son and I first started tripping years ago we thought they were a must. I found them to be a pain in the butt on portages; one more thing to drag around, lose, or step on and slip. On wet trips they usually turned out to be mostly map marinaters and were harder to dry out than the maps that were in them. Eventually I realized that the wet maps dry out quick when hung in the tent or under our kitchen tarp, and they survive just fine. So we started just using clips (see pic) to keep them folded onto the part we need at the time. They lay in the bottom of the canoe, easy to read, rain or shine. At a portage, another quick fold and into a pocket. I have several maps that we have reused on multiple trips and have yet to need to replace them. We use Fisher, McKenzie, and Voyager. All stand up well and most cost less than a freeze dried meal for two. Haven't used map cases in 15 years. "

I love the minimalist concept, and challenging the need to put something waterproof in a waterproof bag.


I do have to ask, though, if two medium sized standard binder clips would be enough to cause one, two, or three maps to sink in deep water? Have you tested?"

I also don't care for a map case
I have float tested voyager maps a few times and had no problem paddling back to recover. All the spares are secure in my pack

Recreational Barrel Works also makes a waterproof case:

https://recreationalbarrelworks.com/product/paddlers-map-case/

I use one from CCS, so I have not tried this, but RBW seems to have good stuff...

Putting a waterproof map in a map case hasn't been necessary for me. However, I have used ziplocks when taking non-waterproof lake topo printouts.

That said, I did have a map situation on a solo some years back that would have been helped if using a case. It was a breezy day and I had a folded Fisher map at my feet for navigation. The wind caught it and tossed it into the water. I circled back to get it and was blown off course a bit. Not wanting to capsize by reaching too far, I circled back again just in time to see that yellow map slowly sink out of sight in the stained water. That last view of a fading map is forever burned into my memory.

With no backup and any store being many hours of paddling and driving, I continued the route by memory. This was uncomfortable so I basecamped and typical day-trips were very limited.

I've never taken another trip without backup maps.

CCS makes a combo thwart bag with detachable map case. Works well and quality construction.

ISRO: "CCS Original Thwart bag for me.

No need for the waterproof case as I use Fischer maps and the thwart bag stays in place when I portage.

CCS Thwart Bag, "

I use this & like it as well. Quick attachment/removal, nice amount of space in the bag, & holds several maps + navigation tools in Velcro map pouch. I’ve not had any water get into the bag as the map case sits atop of the zipper. I use bungee dearie bobs to secure it while portaging the canoe else it drops down & blocks vision. While I thankfully haven’t had to use it, the clips on CCS gear have built in safety whistles. Gear pouch fits gortex jacket, large bilge sponge, sunglasses case, binoculars, & has room to spare for stuff like socks/hat/bug dope/etc. Fabric/color seems to also not get too hot in the sun/has good reflectivity.