For most paddle boarders, a 10-liter roll-top dry bag clipped under the deck bungees is all you need, and the Earth Pak is the cheapest good one. If you want something lighter and better made, the SealLine Discovery is the bag independent testers rate best for the money. If your phone and keys must survive a full dunk, get a bag with a waterproof zipper, like the Watershed Aleutian deck bag.
We haven’t tested these bags hands-on. We picked them from independent testing (mainly OutdoorGearLab’s dry bag review), manufacturer specs, owner ratings and current availability. Four of the five bags in our 2021 list are no longer sold or not available on Amazon right now, so this is largely a new list.
Our picks at a glance
- Best budget: Earth Pak Original Dry Bag, 500D PVC roll-top with a shoulder strap, for under $20.
- Best value: SealLine Discovery, light, welded seams and an oval base that doesn’t roll.
- Most durable roll-top: Sea to Summit Big River, tough 420D nylon in sizes up to 35L and beyond.
- Best submersible deck bag: Watershed Aleutian, made to strap to a SUP or kayak deck and rated IP68.
- Best phone pouch: JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Case, a few dollars for a second layer of protection.
A dry bag isn’t a submarine. Roll-top bags are built to keep out splashes, rain and a quick swim. Held underwater, most will slowly let water in. Only bags with a sealed waterproof zipper (or a proper submersible rating) are designed to be fully submerged.
The cheap, cheerful roll-top
Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag
Earth Pak’s Original dry bag is a classic roll-top made from 500D PVC, with D-rings and an adjustable shoulder strap. It comes in 5, 10 and 20-liter sizes, and it’s one of the most-reviewed dry bags on Amazon, with tens of thousands of ratings.
PVC is heavier than the nylon and polyurethane fabrics on pricier bags, but it’s tough and easy to wipe clean, which suits a bag that lives on a sandy board deck.
Who it suits: casual paddlers who want a phone, keys, snacks and a light layer to stay dry on calm water.
| Spec | Earth Pak Original |
|---|---|
| Material | 500D PVC |
| Closure | Roll-top with buckle |
| Sizes | 5L, 10L, 20L (backpack versions up to 55L) |
| Carry | Adjustable shoulder strap, D-rings |
| Price | Around $16–18 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very cheap
- Tough PVC shell
- Huge number of owner reviews
Cons
- Heavier and stiffer than nylon bags
- Roll-top only: not for long submersion
Verdict
The easy default for day paddles. Buy the 10L for a SUP deck.
The tester favorite for the money
SealLine Discovery Dry Bag
SealLine has made dry bags for decades. The Discovery uses a PVC-free polyurethane-coated fabric with welded seams (stronger and more reliably waterproof than sewn-and-taped seams), a DrySeal roll-top and an oval base so the bag doesn’t roll around on your board.
OutdoorGearLab gave it their Best Bang for the Buck award. They liked the welded seams and semi-see-through fabric, which makes it easy to find things inside. They also found it wasn’t completely watertight when held underwater under pressure, which is normal for a roll-top.
Who it suits: regular paddlers who want a lighter, better-made bag than the bargain options.
| Spec | SealLine Discovery (10L) |
|---|---|
| Material | PVC-free polyurethane-coated fabric |
| Seams | Welded |
| Closure | DrySeal roll-top |
| Weight | About 6.8 oz (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Price | Around $40 at the time of writing (10L) |
Pros
- Welded seams
- Oval base stays put on deck
- Light and see-through enough to find things
Cons
- Not fully submersible
- Costs more than PVC bags
Verdict
Our pick for most paddlers who’ll use a dry bag every weekend.
Built for rough treatment
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
The Big River is Sea to Summit’s heavy-duty roll-top. It uses 420D nylon with a TPU laminate, a triple-coated base for abrasion, reinforced tape-sealed seams and plenty of lash points. Like the SealLine, it has an oval base, and the white interior makes it easier to see what’s inside.
Sea to Summit sells it in sizes from 5 liters upward, and the buckles can be swapped in the field with a screwdriver if one breaks.
Who it suits: paddlers who drag their board up rocky shores, river trippers, and anyone carrying a spare layer, lunch and first-aid kit on longer SUP tours.
| Spec | Sea to Summit Big River |
|---|---|
| Material | 420D nylon, TPU laminate |
| Seams | Double-stitched, tape-sealed |
| Closure | Roll-top |
| Sizes | 5L upward |
| Price | Around $40–80 depending on size at the time of writing |
Pros
- Tough, abrasion-resistant fabric and base
- Lots of lash points
- Replaceable buckles
Cons
- Sewn and taped seams rather than welded
- Not designed for long submersion
Verdict
The roll-top to buy if your bags tend to wear through.
Fully waterproof and made for a deck
Watershed Aleutian Deck Bag
Watershed makes bags with a ZipDry closure, a waterproof zip-lock style seal, so they’re designed to stay dry underwater. The Aleutian is a low-profile deck bag that Watershed says straps onto most sea kayaks and paddle boards. It has a clear map window you can use your phone through, a water bottle holder and straps that can hold a bilge pump.
OutdoorGearLab named it their Best Kayak Touring dry bag, calling it fully waterproof and noting its five attachment points. Their main criticism was that the external straps and pockets can feel cluttered.
Who it suits: ocean paddlers, SUP tourers and anyone carrying a camera or phone they can’t afford to get wet.
| Spec | Watershed Aleutian |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 11.5L (700 cu in) |
| Closure | ZipDry waterproof seal |
| Rating | IP68 (Watershed) |
| Size | About 19.5 × 14.5 × 4 in, tapering |
| Weight | 1.7 lb |
| Price | Around $198 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Designed to survive submersion
- Low profile, so it sits flat under bungees
- Clear window for a phone or map
Cons
- Expensive
- Slower to open than a roll-top
- Extra straps can get in the way
Verdict
The bag to trust with electronics in rough water.
Cheap insurance for your phone
JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Case
Even inside a dry bag, a phone is safer in its own pouch, and a pouch on a neck strap lets you take photos without opening your bag. JOTO’s universal case is one of the best-selling phone pouches on Amazon, with tens of thousands of ratings. It has clear windows on both sides, a snap-and-lock closure and a neck strap, and JOTO claims an IPX8 rating to 100 feet.
It fits phones up to about 7 inches diagonally. Some large phones need their case taken off to fit.
Who it suits: every paddler with a smartphone.
| Spec | JOTO Universal Case |
|---|---|
| Fits | Phones up to 7 in diagonal (about 3.35 × 6.69 in) |
| Closure | Snap-and-lock |
| Rating | IPX8 to 100 ft (JOTO’s claim) |
| Extras | Neck strap, clear front and back |
| Price | Around $5–10 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very cheap
- Take photos through the window
- Huge number of owner reviews
Cons
- Touchscreens can be fiddly through the plastic
- Check the seal before every trip; cheap pouches wear out
Verdict
Buy one (or a multi-pack) and keep your phone in it whenever you’re on the water.
