Waterproof Dry Bags For Travel Gear Are Essential

The main philosophy behind my travel gear strategy is to have the right equipment to travel almost anywhere at anytime in nearly all weather conditions within reasonable weight and space restrictions. In point, my intent is to be as prepared as possible for each situation I foresee coming. This strategy means that I also need to be prepared to protect some pieces of my non-weather resistant gear from the elements, as I do not want my camera, computer, and travel docs getting wet. To prevent against I use waterproof dry bags.

A dry bag is a synthetic, pvc coated, air and water impermeable bag that has a plastic clip at one end. To use a float bag properly you stash your gear inside it, seal the opening then pinch-roll it down a few turns, and then buckle it up. These dry bags are mostly designed for kayaking/ canoeing/ water-sports, but I find them to be perfect for keeping my electronics and travel documents dry when traveling on rainy days or in wet climates.

I have three different sized dry bags that came together in a package that I picked up one year at a Walmart for around ten dollars. The largest of these bags will fit my netbook computer and its associated electronics and plugs, while the smallest one is the perfect size for my camera, voice recorder, and passport.

Dry bags

I generally always keep a dry bag in my EDC daypack and I make sure that it’s always with me when outside with my camera. For the most part, my small dry bag and camera are inseparable. I quit using weather-proof cameras last year, now I need to make sure that this essential piece of travel blogging gear is always safeguarded from rain, dampness, and full immersion in water. The last thing I want to do is needlessly drop hundreds of $$$ to replace my camera because I got caught out in a rainstorm with it and without a way to keep it dry.

Dry bag

I’m not the sort of person who goes running for cover at the first sign of drizzle. I’m not going to go in a frantic search for a building I can hang out in because I don’t want my camera to get ruined by the rain. I’m not the kind of traveler who is going to sit inside all day long just because it’s raining. No, I reach into my bag, pull out my rain jacket, sheath my electronics/ travel docs into waterproof bags, and I carry on with my travels. Some of the best days of travel I’ve ever had have been in the rain. In some parts of the world in some seasons it rains regularly throughout the day. Carrying dry bags allow me to be prepared to face wet weather conditions anywhere.

Buy the same dry bags that Wade uses!

That said, I use my dry bags almost daily. When not being used to keep my electronics dry I just them as general bags to keep my gear organized. These dry bags are cheap, durable, and essential pieces of travel gear. And while your at it, why not try a jutebag?

(For more on all-weather travel bags, check out our article on the Northface Waterproof Messenger Bag.)