ashenEarlier in this blog we talked about a Sea to Summit dry bag on our post about waterproof bags for Kayaking. Well, to provide you with some insight, Sea to Summit dry bags are quite well known within the outdoor community as their other outdoor gear. Therefore we felt the need to bring together all of their popular products and review them for you, so that you can choose the one that suits you perfectly. Sure enough it’s confusing to choose a sack/bag just by knowing the specifications for they’ve a wide range starting from Nano dry sacks to heavy and spacious hydraulics. So, without further delay let us proceed to the actual reviews of all these sacks/bags and you can sort out the ones that will serve your purpose best.
How to Know Which Sea to Summit Dry Bag to Choose
As we mentioned before, there are a variety of selections. And although they may sound the same because of material correlation and a few other specs other than size, the usage is different for each outdoor activity. Therefore make sure you choose the right bag/sack for the right activity. For example, are you stuffing the bag inside another bag while hiking? or keeping it strapped to a motorbike while crossing counties?
Also are you looking for a dry bag or dry sack? What are the differences between the two? Apart from the obvious reason for size variation. A dry sack is an ultralight option which can be stuffed inside another bag and doesn’t occupy a lot of volume or manages to hold a ton of stuff. A dry bag is the opposite of a sack. Just like the Sea to Summit bag we recommended as a good waterproof kayak bag. Because it is rugged and tough enough to withstand rough weather patterns and watery surroundings.
We will prioritize reviewing Sea to Summit dry bags first and then go ahead with the dry sacks, because they are the most widely purchased and serve a higher purpose with better functionality while outdoors. Even in these dry bags, the material and functionality varies with the size. Let’s see what they are;
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
- TPU laminated fabric with 10,000 mm hydrostatic head
- 420D Nylon fabric
- Waterproof, double stitched, reinforced, tape sealed seams
- Waterproof Hypalon roll-top closure does not wick moisture
- Available in: 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 35, 65 litres
Why not start with the most popular and widely used in the industry huh? The Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is especially famous within the Kayaking, Rafting and Canoeing communities. Let’s talk about the material to begin with. 420D Nylon fabric is the lightest coated fabric that Sea to Summit uses. 15 Denier Ultra-Sil is a siliconized nylon fabric with a polyurethane (PU) inner coating for mild waterproofing. 210 fibers vertically and 210 fibers horizontally makes the 420D thick fabric weave. It also has a polyurethane (PU) inner coating for mild waterproofing. The letter “D” at the end of 420D stands for the coating of the fabric. In simplest terms it means that your product is durable, has good tensile strength and is waterproof.
Just as we mentioned above, this is a dry bag hence mostly apt for rugged water sports like rafting rather than climbing in which case you are bound to be wary of the weight sooner than later. The seams are taped, reinforced and double stitched, therefore completely waterproof. The Hypalon loops are tougher than you see and are resistant to extreme temperatures and chemicals. The buckles are stronger and able to withstand even when you throw the bag around, mainly because they are of higher grade than the buckles of a general purpose bag. Needless to say all these extra features come with additional weight. For example the Sea to Summit 8L dry bag weighs 3.5oz / 99g. It is also available in 6 different colors.
What The Customers Are Saying
It is a collectively agreed thought that these bags are a best bang for the buck. For example a customer who purchased the 8L as his kayaking bag says that the bag resists almost anything and not just water. The material is thick enough to be durable, but not bulky or stiff and inflexible. You can strap to a hull or just stuff them anywhere in a boat and not worry about your gear. Bags like the 8L and smaller sizes are suitable for storing one specific gear like a camera. Another customer even used this bag to pack a fuel stove for backpacking and car camping.
The material is thick and tough enough to resist the sharp edges on the stove pot and it keeps the residual fuel vapors enclosed within. The rolled closure is what ensures this. Most people use the lower volume bags for bike camping as well and are pleased with the functionality. However some customers have complained about a misleading capacity. They say this happened once the closure was rolled about thrice to get a proper seal and that lessened the internal volume. Nonetheless the overall reviews and feedback are much positive and optimistic and the customers are more than happy with the Sea to Summit Big River dry bag.
Sea to Summit Stopper Dry Bag
- 210D TPU-laminated nylon fabric
- 10,000mm waterhead
- Waterproof TPR roll-top closure
- Streamlined shape and oval base
The next type of Sea to Summit dry bags. The specifications of the stopper dry bag are as mentioned above. The bag buckles are the same as of the 420D Big River. Stainless steel pins to withstand the tough environments and weather patterns. We talked about the material before, so no point in elaborating the same thing over again. The hydrostatic head is more than sufficient water protection for paddle use but does not submerge completely.
Although the construction is almost identical as the Big River it is advised to avoid sharp or abrasive rocks and knife blades. The roll-top closure, permanently sealed seams collectively work to ensure maximum waterproofness. Therefore well adopted for paddle sports, but does not have lash points unlike the Big River to fasten to bike when going bike camping. The sizes range from 5L to 65L and each serves a different purpose. For example the 5L can host a couple of day’s food while the 35L is good for general outdoor gear.
What The Customers Are Saying
As usual the customer reviews are positive and helpful except for a minor amount who have found fault with the bag. Accordingly, for some customers the 5L works great for packing clothes and undergarments and all are kept dry and warm because of the thick material. And the oval shape is very helpful for stacking and loading supplies in. For some customers, the bag served well by keeping their electronics secure and dry in extreme Alaska weather conditions. And the list goes on and on. However, just make sure to keep the bag away from sharp and pointy edges for it to last long.
Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Bag
- 600D TPU-laminated waterproof fabric
- Non-wicking TPU roll-top closure with an interlocking profile
- Permanently sealed waterproof seams
- Heavy duty lash loops
- Oval base to resist rolling
As you can see this is the strongest of all Sea to Summit bags and has the ability to withstand anything that comes in its way. The material is 600D, hence ultra-waterproof. This material plus the RF welded construction throughout give the Hydraulic its superior strength. The RF welded loops provide secure lash points. The Field Repair Buckles are stronger and are more resistant to damage. And that is the whole point of this hydraulic bag, is that it is made for the toughest of environments.
The hydraulic bag comes in three different shapes, 20L,35L, 65L. All of them are suitable for water sports although Sea to Summit advises against using the bag for canyoneering. “A Hydraulic Dry Bag is unlikely to survive more than a couple of seasons without needing to be retired.” is what they are saying. This bag too should not be submerged completely in order to avoid water seeping in through the closure.
What The Customers Are Saying
Most customers have used this for motorcycle camping. Even stuffing a tent/ground cloth /poles and they could still fold the closure to the recommended 3X. Above all, the hydraulic bags are widely praised for the tough build and the extreme waterproof materials and the follow ups to enhance it. The backpack straps are also regarded as adjustable and comfortable. You can swim, float through a river with this bag while having it bumped on stones and rocks and still remain intact. Not a drop of water seeps in. However some customers found that the space wasn’t enough once the top was rolled.
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Dry Sack-Bonus Review
- Siliconized, high-tenacity CORDURA Nylon fabric
- Double stitched & tape sealed seams
- Hypalon roll top closure with quick release buckle
- Oval shaped base
- D-ring attachment point
Just to give you a brief overview of what dry sacks are and distinguish it from a fry bag. So the Ultra-SIL dry sack is quite popular among campers and hikers. It is super compact and light weight that is very well fit for hikes and climbs. Sizes start from 1L all the way up to 35L. Note the material difference from dry bags. Waterproof 30D Ultra-Sil CORDURA brand fabric it’s the perfect choice for modular packing to organize your gear inside your backpack. With an almost translucent look, visibility of contents is easy and therefore convenient for the user as well. You can use the 2L to store some snacks or first aid essentials plus some light travel wear. The 35L can be used as a full pack liner for overnight packs.
The buckles are on point and also replaceable if you break them. A slight doubt point is that the hydrostatic head of 2000mm might not be able to withstand torrential downpours. It will keep the accessories dry inside a backpack during a light to moderate rain, but beyond that it’s functionality is doubtful. Although this dry sack is very resourceful, the Sea to Summit View Dry Sack seems to be the better choice for protection and durability.
Summary
The Sea to Summit dry bags are a great companion for a water sport lover to keep their stuff safe and waterproof as they wade through torrents of water. Good quality tested and perfected material, Durable, Lightweight(though some are not) and plenty of space even once the top is rolled. Also the size and color variation provides you with quite a flexible choice to suit your requirements. We hope this Sea to Summit dry bag reviews shed some light and helped you to sort out the next dry bag that you should accompany in your kayaking or rafting trip.
