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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Portage Pack Dry Bag
 
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straighthairedcurly
08/21/2024 01:48PM
  
Besides the Sealline series, I really like the EarthPak dry bag packs. They are well made and cost effective. On our latest trip we brought a Sealline 115L, an EarthPak 85L, and an EarthPak 55L. My son carried the 115L on his back with the 55L on his front. I carried the 85L. (Husband carried the canoe because he hates all packs except his pack basket which the rest of us hate...LOL).
 
CanoeViking
08/14/2024 01:10PM
  
I am looking to upgrade my portage pack dry bag. I like having a dry bag for a portage pack. It gives the gear another layer of water protection and when water gets in the canoe the backpack isn’t soaking up water. I can be persuaded to something else, but you will need to sell me on it though.

I am looking for a 100L, 60L, 40L, and 20L (I have the Daddy bear, Mama Bear, and three baby bears situation)

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
TAS58
08/15/2024 04:41PM
  
We love our Watershed bags.
The closure is a bomb proof ziplock type so the bag can be filled all the way to the top without regard to needing enough bag to roll it down. And roll down bags are not waterproof, they are splash proof.
Watershed bags are submersible.
They have both portage style and duffle style. We own both.
I'll never go back to a roll down style for a portage pack.
We still use smaller roll down for odds and ends but they don't compare to a Watershed.
https://www.drybags.com/product/westwater/
 
Samsquatch
08/14/2024 01:59PM
  
I've been using a Seal Line Baja bag for many years. The bag is made from a thick vinyl and has a roll top seal wth buckle. I think mine is a 40 Liter and I use it for clothes or sleeping system. I almost always use it inside a pack. They can be used as a stand alone, bag. The Seal Line is heavy. My trip partners used a Seal Line to hang their food on our recent trip. This summer I borrowed two similar bags made by NRS. They were smaller but I don't know what size. Anyway, I feel the NRS material might be a slightly thinner and lighter, but not thin enough I'd wory about easy punctures.


I have used the trash compactor bags that come with some canvas portage packs in the past. They are waterproof and cheap. However, i don't trust tying off or taping the bag shut and would worry about punctures longterm.
 
TrailZen
08/14/2024 01:36PM
  
I have two dry bag packs. My original (don't remember when I bought it!) is a Seal Line 115L Boundary Pack that is bomb proof. It's also heavy, weighing in at a bit over 4 pounds.

We single-walk portages, and I was carrying sleeping gear (fiber-fill 25 degree bags, 3/4 length ThermaRest pads, full length RidgeRest pads) and some clothes, permits, passports, etc, as well as the canoe. While the 115L was bulky, it wasn't heavy, and my total portage weight was under 70#.

Last year we discovered nice air mattresses (REI Helix insulated) and suddenly didn't need the 115L volume any more. I found a Sea to Summit Red River 50L drybag pack that weighs in at just over 1.6# that still carries all the above-mentioned gear while giving me a 2+ pound weight reduction and a major reduction in bulk. And we recently purchased nice down bags for a bit more weight reduction. The Sea to Summit bag isn't as tough as the Seal Line, but I don't abuse my gear and feel I'll get a lot of years service from it.

Neither option is cheap, but you may be able to find some of the sizes you're looking for in used gear shops, etc. I've seen some cheaper options on Amazon, but I've read some horror stories related to the no-name gear purchased there. Good luck!


TZ
 
boonie
08/14/2024 06:11PM
  
Among other things I've accumulated I have a Sea-to-Summit drypack. It has served me well.
 
mgraber
08/22/2024 02:14PM
  
I like the Sealline Pro 70 and 120. I don't care for the non pro models.
 
TrailZen
08/14/2024 08:46PM
  
boonie: "Among other things I've accumulated I have a Sea-to-Summit drypack. It has served me well."


Great to hear--mine has performed well so far, but after living with the heavier Seal Line, I've been a bit concerned about the Sea to Summit. Thanks for speaking up.


TZ
 
kenpark23
08/14/2024 09:06PM
  
NRS Bill's Bag 65 and a day pack will get you by if you pack light. I've had the 110 Bill's Bag but got rid of it. It can get real heavy and lends itself to over packing. "Should I bring this cast iron dutch oven? Why not I've got 110L of capacity" etc. Wife and I have used the 65s for the last 4-5 years and see no reason to change in the foreseeable future.
 
AlexanderSupertramp
08/15/2024 07:52AM
  
I have a Seal Line Black Canyon 65L and it has been rock solid on several trips so far. The harness is really comfy as well.
 
plmn
08/15/2024 01:51PM
  
My SealLine Boundary 115 from 25-30 years ago is still in good shape and I've liked it enough that I bought another last year. Still made in USA. The Boundary doesn't have as nice of a harness as the Pro but it's worked OK for me. If you're carrying a lot of weight in it I'd go with the Pro or Black Canyon.


The biggest annoyance with dry bags is that when they're open it's a long reach to the bottom.
 
plmn
08/15/2024 08:09PM
  
TAS58: "We love our Watershed bags.
The closure is a bomb proof ziplock type so the bag can be filled all the way to the top without regard to needing enough bag to roll it down. And roll down bags are not waterproof, they are splash proof.
Watershed bags are submersible.
They have both portage style and duffle style. We own both.
I'll never go back to a roll down style for a portage pack.
We still use smaller roll down for odds and ends but they don't compare to a Watershed.
https://www.drybags.com/product/westwater/"


SealLine bags are classified into three categories: Splashproof, waterproof, and submersible. The bags we are talking about here are rated "waterproof", meaning they will withstand quick submersions, such as dumping out of a canoe. If I don't get the air out before I roll it, the air won't come out, so I feel they seal pretty well.

Still, looks like another interesting American-made option, though the harnesses leave something to be desired. And not sure I would like a ziplock enclosure. I struggle fully sealing my Platypus Gravity filter bag sometimes. Often when I think I have it fully sealed, I don't.
 
TAS58
08/16/2024 04:54AM
  
plmn: "TAS58: "We love our Watershed bags.
The closure is a bomb proof ziplock type so the bag can be filled all the way to the top without regard to needing enough bag to roll it down. And roll down bags are not waterproof, they are splash proof.
Watershed bags are submersible.
They have both portage style and duffle style. We own both.
I'll never go back to a roll down style for a portage pack.
We still use smaller roll down for odds and ends but they don't compare to a Watershed.
https://www.drybags.com/product/westwater/"



SealLine bags are classified into three categories: Splashproof, waterproof, and submersible. The bags we are talking about here are rated "waterproof", meaning they will withstand quick submersions, such as dumping out of a canoe. If I don't get the air out before I roll it, the air won't come out, so I feel they seal pretty well.


Still, looks like another interesting American-made option, though the harnesses leave something to be desired. And not sure I would like a ziplock enclosure. I struggle fully sealing my Platypus Gravity filter bag sometimes. Often when I think I have it fully sealed, I don't. "
The Watershed website rates these as "submersible" and whether they are or are not, the zip lock closure is certainly more dependable than a roll down closure.
They are extremely easy to zip closed. I know what you mean about how the zip lock closure of some bladders is finicky. These are not like that at all. They open easily BUT only if you use the proper method as shown in Watershed instructions and videos. To open you put your thumbs in the loops along the zips and form an "S" in the closure and ipull apart and it's open. But when it's zipped closed and the side straps are clipped down, it ain't coming open. If the bag has any empty space, you can still give it one additional roll and I'm telling you that thing is as waterproof as a dry bag can be.
Yeah, they could have better straps but they aren't bad. IMO It's a minor tradeoff .
 
Peregrin8or
08/18/2024 10:18AM
  
I like Seek Outside packs. Kind of cool that they are made in the USA. Sometimes I pack heavier, and my Unaweep model from them is comfy with a heavy load. Not made as portage packs, but perfectly suited. Just another option I haven't seen mentioned here.