Dry Packs

Reviewed by BigRed

A lightweight, completely waterproof summit and day pack that can ride in a bigger pack for doing side trips on longer hikes, doubles as a dry bag in the pack. Attention to details make it comfortable and highly functional.

My wife has a habit of conveniently forgetting critical items so that she can replace them with something newer and better. For five years or so we both have been using the minimalist Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Packs for side trips on longer backpacking trips. On the first stopover on our recent trip to Iceland, a daughter-visit in Oslo, my wife discovered she had forgotten hers. So we found our way to an outdoor gear emporium downtown, and sure enough they had the S2S packs prominently displayed right next to the cash register.

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Featured review by Dustin White

Used in BWCA for an 11-day trip. No problems!

My wife and I used this pack on an 11-day trip in the Boundary Waters. During this time she and I both portaged loads in excess of 70 lbs, covering distances of up to one mile. While this pack has nowhere near the amount of support needed to to use as a dedicated backpack, for a portage pack, I haven't found anything better. The hip belt and shoulder harness are adequate to the task for short (.25-1.5 mile) hauls that one typically encounters while on a canoe trip. Due to the size of the pack, and the fact that the top will extend higher than one's shoulders, I don't recommend for solo paddlers trying to 'single-track' (I.E.

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Reviewed by Twig

The Sea to Summit Rapid 26 L Dry Pack is a well-constructed and featured day pack that happens to also double as a dry bag. I was impressed with its versatility in functioning in wet conditions and also meeting my needs as a day pack, even as an overnight pack. It handles loads up to 20 lbs quite well but begs to be loaded with more than just a few pieces of clothing, as I found that the top roll can unravel if not sufficiently stuffed and compressed. The universal fit worked pretty well for my more petite frame and appears to be expandable to larger sizes. The sleek and trim design should suit a variety of applications.

A Bit of Background: I have worked and played a substantial amount of my life out on the water, as a SCUBA diver, ship captain, marine biologist, and kayaker. I have seen my share of instances where things get wet when not properly stored. I incorporated an LL Bean dry bag with shoulder straps many years ago to suit such a lifestyle, mostly shucking it short distances across the gangways of ships and into the bellies of small boats. As such, I learned quickly that these early dry bag packs were not designed to go the distance on your back.

Read more: Sea to Summit Rapid 26L Dry Pack review (1)

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

This is a very reasonably priced, very large, pack-style dry bag that we have used for the past two years while canoe camping. It has held up very well, has a nice large capacity, and protects the contents. We anticipate we will get quite a few more years of use from this bag.

So, here in December, I am writing a review for a product we purchased for canoe camping...and generally put away for the season in October. No, we're not canoe camping now (though the spate of warm weather makes it tempting!).  However, I actually just packed the bag for a winter camping trip. Not a backpacking trip, but a remote cabin trip which requires us to haul our gear about .2 mile through the woods. In fact, very similar to portages/carries to campsites we do in the summer. This bag is HUGE! (140 l capacity).

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Reviewed by DECKEL!

Gear barrel, barrel pack, canoe barrel * NOT A BEAR-PROOF BARREL * This is a 64L food-grade (HDPE) "total-opening" cylindrical plastic drum with screw-on gasketted lid. Manufactured by CURTEC, and originally used for transporting pharmaceuticals. When they are retired, EUREKA! takes these barrels, cleans them, and gives them a second life as a canoeist's gear barrel.

The size and weight of gear barrels make them less than ideal for long-distance backpacking on dry land. But being waterproof gives them a distinct advantage on water, ie. when canoeing/portaging. Many brands sell a harness that is compatible with these barrels, and makes them more comfortable to carry on your back (sold separately). Ease of Use (10/10):On the topic of "ease of use", the following features stand out to me compared to barrels from other manufacturers: The screw-top lid means there's no metal strap that can get lost or damaged (or opened by crafty raccoons), and I find it's much faster and easier to spin the top and engage the threads than it is to fiddle with the metal belt-clamps of other brands of barrels.

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Reviewed by JR Hunte

Great minimalist waterproof day pack. Simple and light, very underrated!

I have many pieces of Outdoor Research gear, and I have been pleased with all of them. The Outdoor Research Dry Summit Pack LT does not disappoint! Might be light on features, but it checks all of the boxes if you are looking for a minimalist pack. What I like... I have been using it for a week, both as a daypack for work and used on a 5-mile day hike, and the pack performed admirably. Even though it has no internal frame or shape to speak of, it was comfortable on my back and handled gear with ease.

Read more: Outdoor Research Dry Summit Pack LT review (1)

Featured review by Atigun

The Dry Peak Bagger is an excellent 'extra' pack to bring along on those long winter hikes where your main pack is heavy — filled with all the necessary emergency gear. I use this ultralight waterproof pack to stuff with essential gear at the base of a summit resulting with a much lighter pack for the steep push to the top.

This pack has been a little 'gem' in both winter and summer. In the winter it is a must to keep your extra gear dry and using this as a 'summit' pack works perfectly. It is constructed well and has a comfortable fit.  The roll top closure makes access quick and easy.  The emergency whistle on the sternum strap is an added plus. When paddling in the summer this pack is extremely handy especially on portages giving you free hands to carry your canoe/kayak.  The exterior pocket works well to hold small items such as gloves, sunglasses, etc.  I have used this pack for several years now and it has far succeeded my expectations.

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Reviewed by Jim51111

A well built summit pack that is able to carry the essentials and tools when bagging peaks from a base camp.

I sought out this pack to fill a unique need. I wanted a summit bag that held about 30 liters, could hold tools like ice axes, crampons, and skis, and be frameless so that it could stuff inside a multiday pack. The OR DryComp Ridge Sack hit every one of those categories. For tool capability, the pack includes an external mesh pouch which holds crampons well. There are also two compression straps on either side which can be used to attach skis in an A-frame style. Additional there are two ice axe/trekking pool loops.

Read more: Outdoor Research Drycomp Ridge Sack review (1)

Reviewed by Matt S

Four-day canoe loop in Algonquin with full 24-hour thunderstorm, this pack kept my gear dry. Would rate 5 stars but the shoulder strap adjustment was a little bit lacking on the longest portages, but it is comfortable wearing while portaging a canoe. I was packed a little heavy for this trip and this pack was a workhorse. I think with some adjustment, the strap adjustments will be fine for me. Outer grab handles and top lug handles are heavy and well placed for tossing in and out of boat.

This pack was a workhorse for me on a four-day canoe loop in Algonquin. 24 hours of thunderstorm, and my gear stayed dry. Comfortable with a heavy load and a canoe yoke on top of the shoulder straps, but on extended portages (2+ km) I found the shoulder straps needed better adjustment than I had set up with the heavier load. Some time spent dialing in the fit for next time and I'm sure it will be better. External grab handles and top lug handle are heavy duty and well placed and suited for tossing the pack in and out of canoes and around camp. There are D rings on the external and I used small carabiners and clipped waterbottles and my pfd to them during hauling, so that is a convenient feature.

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