The 10 best SUP dry bags

Getting wet is a pretty core element of paddleboarding. From wobbly beginners to experienced speed demons, paddleboarders are prone to a splashing at best, if not a full dunking.

Far from being a cause for concern, this is one of the pleasures of stand-up paddleboarding. But it does pose a danger to any kit you want to bring with you. From phones and wallets to cameras, food or camping equipment, it pays to paddle with a dry bag large enough to protect sensitive equipment.

Dry bags are a cheap and effective way to keep the water out. They should be easy to attach to the paddleboard—either clipping on or fitting snugly under the bungee webbing usually found at the bow. Many also double as comfortable rucksacks so that you can walk in to your paddleboarding spot or climb up to find somewhere to camp.

If you buy the right size for your gear, there’ll be plenty of air inside the dry bag when it’s fastened, which means it will float. This is important when you’re paddling in deeper water of offshore. All the same, some manufacturers recommend keeping any super sensitive electronics in a separate waterproof pouch within the dry bag itself, just in case of accidents.

Here’s our look at the 10 best dry bags for paddleboarding.

The Paddle Co. Waterproof Duffel Bag, £44

UK paddleboarding specialist The Paddle Co. has designed what it calls “the ideal pick” for adventures on and off the water. Its classic duffel bag has a 30-litre volume and can be carried easily using the two padded side handles, or worn as a rucksack using the detachable, ergonomic shoulder and waist straps. It also has handy end grab handles.

The bag is waterproofed to IP65, which is enough to handle rain and spray but not total immersion. It should be fine on the water, but you wouldn’t want to fall in wearing it on your back, for instance.

Measuring 31cm in diameter and 51cm length, this bag is big enough for the basics. It stands out from the rest because of its go-anywhere duffel bag design, which would make it just as good for long journeys by car or train. It is also small enough to be admitted as cabin baggage on a flight. Other nice features include the way the bag opens up completely so you can rummage through the contents, and the internal mesh pocket with a zip for keeping keys or cards safe.

What’s more, The Paddle Co. says it is a ‘carbon negative’ company offsetting more carbon that it takes to produce and ship its products.

Itiwit Waterproof Backpack 30L, £44.99

Decathlon’s Itiwit brand produces carefully considered paddling products at razor-sharp prices, and its 30-litre dry bag is no exception. It is built of heavy 600-denier polyester coated with polyurethane for good waterproofing. The dry bag can easily handle light splashes, rain and immersion.

Close it quickly and easily using the typical fold-over-and-clip fastening at the top. There are three useful interior pockets, including an A4 sized compartment, plus one non-waterproof one on the outside.

The bag has comfortable padded shoulder straps for walking, and it is easy to fasten to the board using the two orange straps. It measures 55 x 35 x 25cm but is also available in larger and smaller sizes.

Lomo 30L Drybag Daysack, £36

Lomo’s extensive line of dry bags includes this 30-litre rucksack drybag. Broad, padded shoulder straps make it comfy to wear, and there is a waist belt and chest strap built in too. The back area is also comfortably padded in quick-dry material.

The bag offers two compartments. The main one is waterproof with the classic roll-top closure. And on the back is a zipped pocket that isn’t fully waterproof, but offers a handy repository for items you might need in a hurry—a GPS, perhaps, or binoculars. Dimensions are 29cm wide, 27cm deep and 56cm tall.

Lomo Ultra Light Weight Dry Bag, £7.99

Robust dry bags are all very well, but sometimes you want something lighter. At 60g, this 20-litre bag from Lomo Watersport fits the bill perfectly. It is made of fine, coated nylon with taped seams and features the usual roll-top closure which doubles as a handle. Simplicity is the name of the game here, so features are minimal. But there is a really handy clear plastic window on one side.

Aquapac 15L Heavyweight Waterproof Drybag, £23

If you paddle with a smaller payload, then Aquapac’s 15-litre drybag might be enough for you. In jazzy acid-green or lemon-yellow colourways, it’ll also help you show up when you’re out on the water.

The bag is made of polyester-reinforced PVC tarpaulin, with no bells or whistles for a compact weight of 290g. The roll-down closure acts as the handle, but there is also a shoulder strap attachment which would prove useful if you had to lug it any distance.

It measures 33 x 22cm. Also available in blue, and in 7-litre or 25-litre sizes.

Cambridge Kayak Deck Bags, £25

Although designed with kayaks in mind, these dry bags from Norfolk-based Cambridge Kayaks would work equally well on a stand-up paddleboard. The 30-litre model comes in a bold yellow with roll-over closure and carry strap. Waterproof on the inside, it also features a useful mesh outer pocket for storing small items you might need under way. And there is also original bungee webbing on the outside which would broadens the storage possibilities.

Gill Voyager Dry Bag, £25

Marine clothing manufacturer Gill produces a fantastic value dry bag for paddleboarding. Its 25-litre Voyager has a useful side window so you can find what you need with minimal rummaging. And the stitchless design includes a flat base, so the bag stands up by itself. The fabric is bombproof PVC tarpaulin with welded seams, so it should resist puncture. A D-ring on the side offers a useful lashing-down point, as well as an anchor for the detachable shoulder strap. Available in sulphur or black, measuring 56cm by 30cm. Other sizes are available from 5-50 litres.

Northcore 20L Backpack Drybag, £28.99

Northcore calls this the toughest, most durable bag available, thanks to its heavy-duty PVC construction. It is built in a similar way to the Gill bag—welded rather than stitched, for greater waterproofness. To achieve its 20-litre volume, it measures 60cm high, by 38cm wide and weighs a decent 540g.

There are padded shoulder straps again for this model, which can be detached. A waist strap helps for long walk-ins. On the other side is a padded handle for hefting the bag, and there are plastic D-ring attachment points all over it—no chance of losing this bag. Reflective patches are another smart addition. Available in five colours.

Musto Evolution 20L Dry Tube, £32

Sailing performance brand Musto naturally has a pretty slick take on the standard dry bag. Part of its technical Evolution line, the 20-litre dry ‘tube’ is a classic roll-top bag, whose closure doubles as a carrying handle. There’s also a useful shoulder strap which can be removed if necessary. The only other feature is a translucent window for locating gear inside the bag. Simple it may be, but beautifully executed in Musto’s signature black, white and red. The mixture of polyamide and PVC fabric should provide long-term waterproofing. Measures 24cm in diameter by 40cm high. Also available as a 10-litre and 1.5-litre bag.

Two Bare Feet 30L Waterproof Dry Bag, £17.99

Most dry bags are fairly squat for easier carrying, but if you want a bag to protect a longer item (such as a tent), then Two Bare Feet may have the answer. Built in heavy-duty PVC, their 30-litre bag is as waterproof as any other, but it measures nearly 1m in length. It is designed to accommodate an inflatable bodyboard, but it would work just as well with clothing and camping gear. Carry it using the roll-top closure or the, which also provide good tethering points on the paddleboard. Available in black, blue or red.

Specialist paddle board insurance through Insure4Boats 

If you're protecting your goods with a dry bag, than you may also consider protecting your SUP through specialist paddle board insurance for peace of mind.

At Insure4Boats, the cover is designed to protect your SUP against theft, loss, and damage.

You’ll also receive £3m of Public Liability cover as standard, so you’ll be protected against claims if you injure someone or damage third-party property whilst out paddle boarding.

Personal Accident cover is available as an optional extra to protect you if you’re injured in a paddle boarding accident.

Find out more about how we can help here, or get an online quote in minutes.