Best Waterproof Storage for Kayaking
Updated How we research
Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof Case, Blue, Large, Waterproof Dry Box with Wrist Strap
Plano's Guide Series 3700 Field Box, a large blue waterproof dry box with a wrist strap for tackle and gear.
SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Clear, Regular - 12 x 16 inch
SealLine's clear waterproof map case, regular size at 12 x 16 inch, a well-known map case for paddlers.
There are only two real categories here and confusing them is how phones die: splash resistant, which handles rain and spray, and submersible, which survives a capsize. A roll top bag is submersible only if you actually roll the closure three times before clipping it, and the litre figure on the label assumes you have not, so a twenty litre sack packed to the brim seals badly while a thirty litre one packed to two thirds seals well. Soft bags fail by abrasion rather than by leaking, so a heavier coated fabric matters more than a clever shape. Rigid cases are the right answer for anything with a screen or a hinge, and the specification is a gasket plus a positive latch, with a pressure valve if you paddle at altitude; a case that floats and is bright is a case you get back. Deck bags trade sealing for reach, since they have to open one handed while you are sitting in the boat, and they should clip to existing deck rigging rather than needing new holes. Phone pouches are rated, and the figure to read is the immersion class rather than the word waterproof, plus a lanyard and a window that still registers a touch. Hatch kits are sized by deck plate diameter, so measure first.
The short version
We compared 9 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof Case, Blue, Large, Waterproof Dry Box with Wrist Strap. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag - Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Sack, 30L Orange and 30L Black. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Clear, Regular - 12 x 16 inch. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:MIER Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Floating Dry Bag 30L, Army Green, Cushioned Back and Multi-Pockets. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof Case, Blue, Large, Waterproof Dry Box with Wrist Strap8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Clear, Regular - 12 x 16 inch8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag - Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Sack, 30L Orange and 30L Black8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.MIER Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Floating Dry Bag 30L, Army Green, Cushioned Back and Multi-Pockets8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Yak Gear Hatch and Storage Bag Kit, 4-Inch8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Gearlab Deck Pod 2 - Kayak Deck Bag, Deckhand system (Holds Paddle Float, Bilge Pump) (Black)8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Floating IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Pouch - Dry Bag for Kayaking, Beach, Cruise, Travel7.7/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.IDRYBAG Waterproof Backpack for Men 20L/30L/40L, Floating Dry Bag Kayak, Dry Backpack Hiking7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 9.YVUDW Waterproof Dry Box, Small Waterproof Storage Box Floating Dry Case for Boat Watertight Drybox7.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Plano's Guide Series 3700 Field Box, a large blue waterproof dry box with a wrist strap for tackle and gear.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Plano Guide Series is a trusted name in waterproof cases
- + 3700 size fits tackle trays, phones and wallets in one box
- + Wrist strap makes it easier to carry to the kayak
- - Large hard box takes up a lot of kayak deck space
- - Attach a tether so it will not sink if it goes overboard
#2SealLine's clear waterproof map case, regular size at 12 x 16 inch, a well-known map case for paddlers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + 12 x 16 inch size fits larger folded charts
- + SealLine is a respected name in waterproof storage
- + Clear case keeps the full map visible without folding it smaller
- - Larger case can catch wind on an open deck
- - Costs more than basic generic map pouches
#3Earth Pak's waterproof roll top backpack dry bag set with a 30L orange and a 30L black bag for two paddlers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Two 30L bags in orange and black give each paddler a bag
- + Earth Pak is a popular dry bag brand with backpack straps
- + Larger capacity suits camping gear and bulky layers
- - 30L bags are too big for small kayak hatches
- - Buying two may be unnecessary for solo paddlers
#4MIER Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Floating Dry Bag 30L, Army Green, Cushioned Back and Multi-Pockets
MIER's roll top floating dry bag backpack in Army Green, 30L with a cushioned back and multi-pockets.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cushioned back is more comfortable for longer walks
- + Multi-pockets help organize small items outside the main bag
- + Floating design adds peace of mind near water
- - Extra pockets may not be as waterproof as the main compartment
- - Army Green is less visible than bright colors
#5Yak Gear's hatch and storage bag kit, 4-Inch, a small hatch with a bag for adding reachable storage to a kayak.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 4-Inch hatch is small enough for tight spots between the legs
- + Storage bag keeps small items from sliding into the hull
- + Yak Gear specializes in kayak outfitting parts
- - Requires drilling and cutting the kayak to install
- - Small opening limits what you can store inside
#6Gearlab Deck Pod 2, a kayak deck bag with 6L of storage, a Deckhand attachment system and quick access for a paddle float and bilge pump.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + Deckhand system is made for kayak deck lines and is described as fast and secure to attach.
- + Holds a paddle float and bilge pump in a quick-access design, which suits safety gear stored on deck.
- + Mesh quick-access pouch for a navigation device, with 6L of low-profile storage for snacks and a hydration pouch.
- - Only 6L of space, far smaller than a 20L roll-top deck bag, so it is for essentials and not a day of gear.
- - At $88 it is the most expensive deck bag here, so value depends on how much you use the Deckhand system.
#7A floating IPX8 waterproof phone case pouch that works as a dry bag for kayaking, beach, cruise and travel use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + IPX8 rating is stated for submersion-level water resistance
- + Floating design helps recover a phone dropped in the water
- + Works for beach days and cruises as well as kayak trips
- - Check your phone's dimensions against the case size before buying
- - Touchscreen use through a pouch is less precise than bare glass
#8IDRYBAG roll-top dry bag backpack in 500D PVC, sold in 20L, 30L and 40L sizes, with a honeycomb back panel carrying system, an external splash-proof pocket and an internal zipper pocket.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 500D PVC body with a roll-top that seals after three to five rolls and side buckles to lock it
- + Backpack carrying system with a honeycomb back panel for hauling gear from the car to the launch
- + External splash-proof pocket for small essentials and an internal zipper pocket for organizing
- - The outer pocket is described as splash-proof only, so phones and keys belong inside the main bag
- - Costs more than the simple 20L roll-top sacks in this guide, and capacity depends on the option chosen
#9YVUDW's small waterproof dry box, a floating watertight case for phones, keys and small boat essentials.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Small floating case is easy to stash in a kayak cockpit
- + Watertight design protects phones and keys from splashes
- + Floating case helps if it falls overboard
- - Small size cannot hold wallets and phones together easily
- - Little-known brand with unproven seal durability
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Large hard box takes up a lot of kayak deck space (Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof...)
- Larger case can catch wind on an open deck (SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Clear, Regular...)
- 30L bags are too big for small kayak hatches (Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag - Roll Top...)
- Extra pockets may not be as waterproof as the main compartment (MIER Roll Top Waterproof Backpack Floating...)
- Requires drilling and cutting the kayak to install (Yak Gear Hatch and Storage Bag Kit, 4-Inch)
- Only 6L of space, far smaller than a 20L roll-top deck bag, so it is for essentials and not a day of gear. (Gearlab Deck Pod 2 - Kayak Deck Bag, Deckhand...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among waterproof storage for kayaking?
Plano Guide Series 3700 Field Box Waterproof Case, Blue, Large, Waterproof Dry Box with Wrist Strap is our top overall pick. Plano's Guide Series 3700 Field Box, a large blue waterproof dry box with a wrist strap for tackle and gear. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Clear, Regular - 12 x 16 inch is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. SealLine's clear waterproof map case, regular size at 12 x 16 inch, a well-known map case for paddlers.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Kayak Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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