Waterproof Dry Bag Multi-Pack Review: Honest Thoughts from a Scottish Kayak Trip

This waterproof dry bag multi-pack review comes after a recent kayak camping trip up in Scotland. Before packing, I picked up this multi-pack of waterproof dry bags from Amazon.

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I am not an extreme expedition kayaker, and I am not writing this as a professional gear tester. I am a casual paddler who wanted an affordable way to keep my kit organised and protected without spending £80 on high-end marine sacks.

The online reviews are mixed. Some owners praise the bags. Others report leaks. I wanted to see how they handled ordinary paddling and camping.

How I Used Them on the Water

The set comes with several sizes and colours, which makes sorting gear in the hull of a kayak straightforward. I used the colour coding to divide my kit:

• Food and snacks went into one bag.
• Spare clothes and camp layers went into another.
• Valuables (phone and iPad) went into a smaller one.

I gave the electronics an extra layer of protection. These lightweight roll-top bags have thin fabric, so I put my phone and iPad into a sealed zip-lock plastic bag first. The extra layer took five seconds. For expensive electronics, choose a purpose-made waterproof case. A zip-lock adds another layer without guaranteeing protection.

Throughout the trip, every single thing I kept in these bags stayed dry.

How the Bags Performed

What They Do Well

• Splash and spray protection: Inside a kayak hatch, on damp boat floors and through the rain on my Scottish trip, the bags kept my kit dry.
• Organising your kit: Multiple sizes help you fill awkward spaces inside a kayak. Bulky 20-litre PVC bags are awkward to push into narrow bows. These softer bags squeeze into smaller gaps.
• Decent value: You get an assortment of bags without paying for a separate premium bag for every piece of kit. The pack suited my budget.

The Drawbacks

• Prolonged submersion: I did not test these bags underwater. I would not rely on them to protect valuables after a capsize or a long soak in a loch. They use a roll-top closure and lightweight fabric.
• Thin fabric: The material feels closer to a lightweight coat than thick vinyl. The fabric packs down well, but needs care around jagged rocks and gravelly shorelines.
• Air seal: Air slowly escapes past the roll top when you compress the bags. I would not treat them as airtight storage. Check for leaks before trusting your kit to them.
• Packaging smell: There was a noticeable chemical smell straight out of the packet. Mine aired out after an afternoon hanging outside. Give yours some air before packing clothes or food.

Packing the Bags

Leave room for several rolls instead of stuffing each bag to the brim. Keep clothing clear of the opening before clipping the buckle. An overfilled bag leaves less fabric for a secure closure.

Check for obvious leaks with dry kitchen paper at home before packing valuables. Afterwards, let the bags dry before storing them, and keep wet clothing separate.

Group smaller items together so you only need to open one bag for a snack or an extra layer. Keep the bag you expect to use next within reach once you have landed. Opening every bundle on a wet shore defeats some of the point of organising your kit.

Check the rolled opening for trapped clothing and grit each time you close a bag. Avoid forcing a sharp corner from camping equipment against the thin fabric. Food belongs in its own sealed packaging inside the sack, especially if you have noticed a smell from a new bag.

My Waterproof Dry Bag Multi-Pack Review: The Verdict

These dry bags on Amazon suited my Scottish kayak camping trip. I liked the choice of sizes and colours, and the pack kept my clothes and camp food organised.

I would buy them for the same sort of use again. For prolonged exposure to water or expensive electronics, I would choose more protective storage.

Check the current price and pack details on Amazon UK (paid link).

I’m Mark, enthusiastic paddler and owner of Kayak Mad! Read more about me, or browse my other kayaking gear reviews.