How to Choose Storage Bags

ver eaten a soggy sandwich or put on a pair of damp sneakers after a day of paddling? Chances are, you didn't have your gear properly stowed. Water can work its way into your canoe or kayak via rain, waves, paddle drips or capsizes. To keep gear dry, it should be stuffed in a waterproof bag or container before it's stowed on your boat.

Basic Storage Options

On day trips or quick overnights in warm, dry weather, consider the following basic storage options:

Rucksacks, Day Packs and Duffel Bags

Almost any general equipment bag can be used to store and haul gear. Bags made of water-resistant materials should be lined with plastic trash bags for added protection.

Shoulder straps on packs and duffels leave hands free during portages so you can carry more gear and make fewer trips. Pockets and compartments help keep small items organized, but are harder to line with plastic bags. Very large bags may not fit inside your boat, especially if you're paddling a kayak, so test the fit before you leave home.

Nylon Stuff Sacks
Basic nylon stuff sacks keep gear and clothing safe from occasional splashes and drips. They also help organize small items such as clothing, food and camping gear inside larger packs or dry bags. Nylon mesh bags are great for storing wet gear.

Plastic Bags
Plastic bags form the backbone of most short-trip storage systems. They're lightweight, versatile and inexpensive — and they come in a variety of styles.

Resealable bags — Zip-top plastic bags are indispensable to paddlers. They're watertight, come in a variety of sizes, and are easy to open and close. Keep a supply on hand, especially the tough, freezer bag variety, for everything from food to socks.
Basic trash bag liners — Common kitchen trash bags are useful for bigger waterproofing jobs — like lining non-waterproof day packs or duffel bags.
Heavy-duty plastic bags — Thick, durable and tear-resistant, these bags withstand heavy abuse. Included here are trash compactor bags, asbestos-removal bags and plastic liners designed specifically for paddling. They turn almost any durable container into a temporary dry bag.

Waterproof Storage

In cold, wet weather or on longer overnight trips, it's even more important that your gear stays dry.

Dry Boxes
These hard-shell cases keep equipment safe from impacts and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit everything from sunglasses to cameras to cell phones. Some feature foam padding for added protection. O-rings provide a waterproof seal.

Dry Bags

Dry bags are tough, waterproof storage sacks made of coated nylon or PVC (a durable, rubberized fabric). They come in a number of different styles and sizes, from large backpack-sized models with built-in shoulder straps to simple, clear-plastic sacks designed to keep small items dry.

Most dry bags are sealed by rolling the collar of the bag down upon itself (as many times as possible), then buckling it closed to seal out water.

Cases and Pouches
Mini cases, chart holders and inflatable bags protect wallets, maps and other valuables from water. Some are designed to float in case they go overboard. Many of these are small enough to stash in a larger waterproof or water-resistant bag.

Kayak and Canoe Bags and Packs

Whether you paddle a canoe or kayak, there are storage containers designed specifically to fit your boat.

For Canoes

Duluth Packs are tough, heavyweight canvas bags designed to fit inside canoe hulls. These highly water-resistant, soft-walled packs (they have no internal frame) feature roomy, top-loading storage compartments that swallow lots of gear, plus convenient shoulder straps for easy carrying during portages. Duluth packs come in a variety of styles and sizes. Most canoeists line their packs with plastic liners for added water protection.
Modern soft packs/portage packs combine the best features of traditional Duluth-style packs with improvements such as waterproof fabrics, reliable closures and comfortable suspension systems. Some have built-in frames. Most are top-loaders, with single storage compartments designed to hold lots of gear. They are conveniently shaped to fit inside your canoe.
Thwart and seat packs are small- to mid-size storage bags that attach directly to the thwarts or seat braces in your canoe. They're designed to keep small essentials such as maps, compasses, sunscreen and water close at hand and off the floor of the canoe.

For Kayaks

Deck bags attach to the deck of a sea kayak. They allow easy access to lip balm, maps and other gear you want to access while on the water.

Choosing the Right Storage Options

When deciding what kind of storage containers you need, consider the following:

Packing your gear into a number of smaller bags (instead of a few large ones) will make finding specific items much easier. It will also help you distribute weight more easily throughout your boat.
Packing your gear in a few large bags means less carrying during portaging.
Make sure the bags or box will fit into your kayak or canoe. Long, narrow dry bags will fit in the narrow bow and stern sections of a kayak.
Be sure important items like clothing, sleeping bags and food are protected from water in reliable, watertight storage bags.
Packed dry bags and boxes can replace float bags in your kayak only if they are airtight, and only if the items they're filled with don't weigh more than the water each bag displaces. In other words, keep it light!