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Dry Bags That Actually Kept My Phone Alive While Kayaking
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items Started kayaking last summer and within two trips my buddy's phone was at the bottom of a lake. I got paranoid and tested a bunch of dry bags, pouches, and waterproof cases before trusting any of them with my stuff. If you paddle, fish from a kayak, ...
Sections
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Waterproof Phone Pouches That Actually Seal
Dry Bags for Gear and Clothes
Waterproof Cases for Tablets and Cameras
Dry Storage You Strap to Your Kayak
Small Waterproof Accessories That Solve Annoying Problems
Waterproof Phone Pouches That Actually Seal
I capsized in a Class II rapid with my phone in a cheap pouch from a gas station. Screen went black, phone went to rice jail. These are the ones I trust now after dunking them in my bathtub first like a paranoid person.
Grab this before your first river trip. I wore it around my neck during a 4-hour float and took underwater photos just to test it. Phone came out bone dry. Perfect for anyone who wants touchscreen access without removing the case.
MPOW PA084A Waterproof Phone Pouch
Toss one in your kayak and keep one around your neck. The double-lock seal is what sold me. My partner is the type to forget to close things and even she hasn't flooded one yet.
Syncwire Waterproof Phone Pouch [2-Pack]
Use this if you have a bigger phone like a Pro Max. Most pouches squeeze large phones and the touchscreen stops working. This one fits without drama and the lanyard clip is actually sturdy.
Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch
Spent the extra few bucks on this after my second capsize scare. It floats face-up if you drop it, which is the whole point when you're scrambling in moving water. Worth every penny for whitewater folks.
Pelican Marine Waterproof Cell Phone Floating Pouch
Keep this clipped to your PFD. Took it snorkeling in Florida and the photo clarity through the window surprised me. If you want one pouch for kayaking AND beach vacations, start here.
CaliCase Universal Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch
Snag this if you're on a budget and just need something reliable. I gave these to four friends on a group float and nobody lost a phone. Simple snap-lock, clear window, does the job without overthinking it.
Customer reviews for JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch
Dry Bags for Gear and Clothes
Nothing worse than finishing a paddle and pulling out a soaking wet change of clothes. I ruined a pair of leather sandals and a nice hoodie before I started rolling everything into these.
Roll the top three times, clip it, and forget about it. I left this in six inches of standing water in my kayak hull for two hours. Opened it up and my wallet, keys, and shirt were completely dry. Sized options are great for solo paddlers.
Earth Pak -Waterproof Dry Bag
Get the multi-pack so you can sort stuff. I do one for electronics, one for clothes, one for snacks. Color coding saved me from digging around mid-paddle when I just wanted a granola bar.
Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bags Set of 3 Dry Bag with 2 Zip
Bring this on overnight kayak camping trips. The 20L fits a full change of clothes plus a towel. Dropped it in the shallows loading my boat and it bobbed right up. Bright color makes it easy to spot too.
MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag 5L/10L/20L/30L
For the ultralight crowd who weighs everything. This packs down to almost nothing when empty. I keep one stuffed in my PFD pocket as a backup bag for unexpected rain. Barely know it's there.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sacks
Solid no-frills option if you just want one bag and don't need anything fancy. Took this on a 3-day canoe trip and the welded seams held up even stuffed under gear in the rain. Great for beginners.
Outdoor Products Ultimate Waterproof Lightweight Dry Bag
Pair the small one with the large one. Phone and wallet go in the small, everything else in the large. The shoulder strap is comfortable enough for portaging between launch points without cutting into you.
Wise Owl Outfitters Waterproof Dry Bag 3-Pack
Waterproof Cases for Tablets and Cameras
My buddy brought his iPad on a fishing kayak to watch the game during a slow bite. One wave splash later he was buying a new one. These would have saved him $400.
Slide your iPad in this before you even get to the water. I use mine to follow GPS maps on longer river routes and the touchscreen works fine through the vinyl. Fits tablets up to 12 inches.
Customer reviews for MoKo 9-11 Inch Tablet Sleeve Bag
Keep your GoPro and spare batteries in here. The pressure equalization valve is clutch because it won't pop open from heat expansion sitting in the sun on your deck. Built like a tiny tank.
Pelican 1060 Micro Multi Purpose Case
Throw your car keys, sunglasses, and wallet in this and snap it shut. I strap it under my bungee cords on the bow. Survived a full roll in a rapid and everything inside stayed dry. For anyone who doesn't trust bags alone.
Outdoor Products Small Watertight Dry Box
Smaller than the 1060 but perfect for just keys, a lighter, and some cash. I clip it to my PFD D-ring with a carabiner. Feels indestructible and the rubber liner keeps things from rattling around.
Pelican Micro Case Medium 1040
Use this if you want to read your Kindle on calm water without white-knuckling it the whole time. The clear window works with touchscreens and the roll-top closure gives extra peace of mind.
Large Tablet Dry Bag | While Supplies Last
Originally a tackle box but I repurposed it for camera gear. The Dri-Loc gasket seal is legit. Took it through a full day of rain-soaked paddling and my lenses stayed fog-free inside.
Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof Case
Dry Storage You Strap to Your Kayak
Loose gear in a kayak ends up in the water. Learned that the hard way when my water bottle, sunscreen, and a sandwich all went overboard on the same run. These stay put.
Strap this behind your seat and keep snacks, sunscreen, and your phone pouch within arm's reach. The roll-top keeps splash water out and it fits perfectly on most sit-on-top kayaks without blocking your paddle stroke.
Seattle Sports Kayak Fishing Insulated Deck Top Catch
Works as a cooler bag strapped to your stern. I packed lunch and two drinks in here on a 5-hour paddle and everything was still cold at the takeout. Not just for fish despite the name.
Customer reviews for Insulated Fish Bag - 40x17
Fits right in the tankwell of most recreational kayaks. Kept my drinks cold for a full afternoon float in July heat. The tie-down straps are already built in so it doesn't slide around when you hit waves.
Perception Splash Tankwell Cooler - for Kayaks
Swap out your stock bungees with these if yours are stretched and loose. Installed them in 15 minutes and now my dry bags actually stay on the deck instead of slowly sliding off every time I lean.
Yakgear 8796146 Nylon Bungee Deck Kit
Rig this in your tankwell if you fish from your kayak. Rod holders, tackle trays, and dry bag attachment points all in one setup. Took me an afternoon to customize it and now everything has a home back there.
Pelican - Exocrate Fishing Crate Bag
Get this for your roof rack so your kayak actually stays put on the drive. My old foam blocks let the boat shift on the highway and I spent more time re-strapping than paddling. This fixed that permanently.
Yakima SweetRoll Kayak Carrier
Small Waterproof Accessories That Solve Annoying Problems
These are the little things I didn't think about until I was on the water cursing. A fogged-up pair of sunglasses, a lost whistle, a dead headlamp. Tiny purchases, big difference.
Wear this for dawn launches or if you paddle into dusk. Water-resistant enough for splash zones and the red light mode doesn't kill your night vision. Weighs almost nothing clipped to your hat brim.
NITECORE Rechargeable Headlamps in Headlamps
Clip this to your PFD and hope you never use it. Coast Guard requires a sound signal device on kayaks and this thing is ear-splitting loud. Cost almost nothing and it could literally save your life.
Fox 40 Classic Pealess Whistle – 115dB
Patch leaky seams on older dry bags before tossing them out. I revived two bags I was about to throw away with a thin bead of this stuff. Dries flexible and holds up to repeated dunking.
GEAR AID Seam Grip WP Waterproof Sealant
Use these to clip pouches, whistles, and small bags to your PFD or deck lines. They lock so nothing unclips itself mid-paddle. Lost a nice knife to a regular carabiner before switching to these.
Nite Ize S-Biner MicroLock Stainless Steel Carabiner
Bring this on lazy summer floats when there's no breeze. Sounds ridiculous until you're baking on flat water at 2pm with no shade. My girlfriend calls it her favorite piece of kayak gear and she's not wrong.
O2COOL, Handheld Misting Fan, 10.5 inch, Blue
Stuff this in your dry bag as insurance. Weighs nothing, packs tiny, and when a storm rolled in 3 miles from the takeout last September, I was the only one in our group not completely miserable and shivering.
frogg toggs, Waterproof Jacket, Ultra-Lite 2