Last updated on September 30th, 2026.
A dry bag can come in handy when you carry items that need to stay dry no matter what. We tell you what to look for.
Our Picks for the Best Dry Bags for Fishing
Quick advice: For most fishing trips a 20-liter roll-top like the Sea to Summit Big River holds a change of clothes and a camera and keeps them dry in rain and spray. For your phone, keys and wallet on the water, the YETI SideKick Dry 3L goes on your wading belt.
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Best Overall: Sea to Summit Big River (from $39.95)
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Best Small Dry Bag: YETI SideKick Dry 3L ($55)
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Toughest: Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top ($39.95)
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Most Sizes and Colors: Skog Å Kust DrySak ($22.95)
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Best Value: Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag ($19.60)
How to Choose the Best Dry Bag
Dry bags have become a popular piece of gear for outdoor enthusiasts. Their primary purpose is to keep the gear inside dry, hence they are mostly built with one big compartment. (Make sure to check out our Guide to the Best Waterproof Backpacks) They are made from waterproof material such as nylon and almost always feature a roll-top closure where you fold the top of the bag a few times and then close it with a buckle strap. This mechanism ensures that no water enters and your gear stays dry no matter the outside conditions.
As fly fishermen we know a thing or two about staying dry. Hence we compiled this review to give you our recommendations of the best dry bags on the market. Let’s jump right in.
Best Dry Bags for Fishing Reviewed
Of course the term “best” is somewhat personal. Spending a lot of time out on the water, we have put many dry bags for fishing to use and hence feel comfortable giving you our favourites in this review.
Notice: We take part in affiliate programs. If you click on one of the links in the text and end up purchasing a product we earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. We only recommend products we are convinced of.
Sea to Summit Big River
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag for Fishing was a great product before its makeover, and now it’s gotten even better. This is a waterproof dry bag (beware: it’s not fully submersible) that shines due to its lightweight build (even in the huge 65L version it only comes in at 15.3oz).
It’s available in 6 different sizes ranging from 5L all the way 65 L and four colors. Personally I’m a big fan of the new red which is subtle enough along the river but still highly visible. The closure buckle of the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag for Fishing is straight forward. You just roll it a few times and tighten the buckle – that’s it. On the side of the dry bag, you can attach other gear or attach the bag itself to a raft or drift boat.
DIMENSIONS: 15.0 x 13.9 x 28.3 inches | 38.1 x 35.2 x 71.8 cm (in the 65L version)
YETI SideKick Dry 3L
The YETI SideKick Dry is the dry bag I carry for the small things on a day of fly fishing. It comes in three sizes: 1L for your essentials, 3L, the size I like best since it’s great for a day of fly fishing but not too bulky around your waist, and a 6L version if you want to bring a little more gear.
In my eyes, it fits your essentials such as car keys, a wallet or phone plus some additional gear such as an extra fly spool, extra tippet or even a camera. Its magnetic closure system does an excellent job and I haven’t had any problem with it flipping open during use. The SideKick Dry (officially) isn’t submersible (I’ve tried it and everything on the inside stayed dry, but do that only at your own risk). More in my YETI SideKick Dry review.
Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top
The Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top is another excellent choice if you are looking for a tough dry bag companion. Made from recycled nylon, the Fishpond Thunderhead Roll-Top‘s strength is its simplicity. A straightforward bag with a roll-top closure and a D-ring to attach it to other gear or secure in a boat or raft.
DIMENSIONS: 13″x9.5″ when rolled closed
Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating
If you are looking for the utmost in choices in terms of sizes and colors, the Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating is for you. Just like the other products in this review, the Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating features a roll-top closure and a buckle for secure protection from the elements.
The front slip pocket of the Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating offers quick access to a fishing or boating license without the need to open the main compartment. A D-ring attached to the buckle and the detachable shoulder strap offer a lot of flexibility. The Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating comes in three sizes (5L, 10L, 20L).
Earth Pak-Waterproof
The Earth Pak-Waterproof is another very versatile dry bag. Made from a heavy 500D PVC, the neat features of the Earth Pak-Waterproof are its waterproof phone case that comes with the bag and the small zippered pocket on the front that allows quick access to essentials such as car keys, a license or a wallet (not waterproof).
The Earth Pak-Waterproof also comes with a D-ring and a detachable shoulder strap. You can choose from a large variety of sizes (10L, 20L, 30L and 40L) and six colors.
Conclusion on Dry Bags
As you can see from our review almost all dry bags are built the same way. They open and close to a main compartment with a roll-top closure and buckle. Almost all also feature a D-ring which allows to attach the bag to other gear or safely secure it on a boat or raft. They also come in all sort of sizes and colors. Some of them feature a shoulder strap, others keep it to a minimum and need to be carried holding on to the top handle.
Best Dry Bag FAQ
A good size dry bag is one that can hold all your gear. Since everybody has their own preferences, dry bags come in all sorts of sizes ranging from very small ones that hold 2L all the way up to 30L.
Yes, dry bags are completely waterproof, hence the name dry bag. Some dry bags are even fully submersible which means you can put them under water for a certain amount of time without water entering the inside of the bag.
A dry bag is a great option for water sports such as sailing, SUP riding, kayaking or fishing from a boat. Especially if you are carrying expensive gear such as a camera, a dry bag just adds a layer of protection.
Leonard Schoenberger is a fly fishing professional and gear specialist with over 20 years of experience on the water. As the manager of Heidarvatn, a world-class sea trout lodge in Iceland, his product recommendations and tactical advice are tested in some of the most demanding conditions on earth. His expertise has been mentioned in The New York Times, the Financial Times, and at the Outdoor Media Summit.
