Hey guys, this time we got our hands on some highly useful shit. That is if your life revolves a lot around water. We had a chance to test the DryTide waterproof backpack. What is that? It is a proper backpack that is at the same time a drybag – meaning it is waterproof!
A Big Step Up From Drybags
So what is so special about it? Drybags have been around for a while, kayakers use them all the time, then people that go rafting, climbing in caves, people that go boating, fishing, stand up paddling… Problem with dry bags is that they are basically just pouches and are really uncomfortable to carry around and they lack pockets so all your smaller stuff ends at the bottom of the bag. This makes them ok for keeping your things dry, but for more than that they are a pain in the ass. Thanks to DryTide both of these problems are now solved!
DryTide Waterproof Backpack Features
DryTide backpack is a 50l backpack that gives you plenty of space for all you belongings that you want to keep safe and dry.
It has proper shoulder straps and a hip belt that makes carrying the backpack around much easier that carrying a dry bag.
It also has a padded back made out of non water absorbing foam that prevents direct contact between the bag and your back (less sweat!). With DryTide you can pack your gear and bring it on to the plane, car… and comfortably carry it around if you have to walk. There are lots of times you not only need your backpack to stay dry but also to to be comfortable to wear.
It can be either those 15min from the parking lot to the airport, from your car to the beach or a real hiking trip in wet conditions. When you get to the water you can just throw it into your kayak, paddle around and make sea touring trip to the nearby island, then take the backpack and hike with it to the top of the island. You can use it for trekking through the jungle, walking your dog in heavy rain… whatever.
This is your all in one backpack for water related activities, for traveling in heavy rains, humid environments or even extremely dry and sandy climates (sand can be even worse for your camera and laptop than water).
Backpack has pockets on the outside and a laptop pocket on the inside so you can organize all your little things like sunscreen, glasses etc… it’s really really useful.
Backpack has also two side mesh pockets that are designed to fit 1.5l bottle of water each, but you can use them for whatever you want of course.
Then there is a top pocket for smaller objects and a bigger back pocket that can serve as a stash for things that got wet like swimming suit, neoprene top, booties etc…
Backpack also has elastic straps if you need to quickly secure something to your backpack so your hands are free. There are also two side straps that help you attach taller items to the side of the backpack. It even has a small loop at the bottom that you can use to hang the backpack upside down so it dries faster if you wash it.
Construction and Durability
Backpack is made out of heavy duty material so it can take some abuse. As with any waterproof backpacks you still have to be careful not to puncture it. So keep it away from sharp objects.
All waterproof compartments on the DryTide backpack are constructed without stitching using ultrasonic welding. This means no holes for the water to get in! This process requires expensive machinery which is why these backpacks are more expensive than regular backpacks but still in comparison to some top brand backpacks you are getting a waterproof backpack for the price of a regular one!
We have been using this backpack for a while now and we love it. It is everything that I have needed for all my water trips and all my surf travel to Indonesia. I have used it also in France, Spain, Morocco, Italy… If you don’t fill it all the way it easily fits into the overhead compartments on planes so traveling by plane and using it as a carry on is also not a problem.
If you are interested and think this would come in handy, check it out on: http://drytidegear.com or read our travel backpack guide for more info on how to pick the best waterproof travel backpack (if you ask me, it’s the DryTide backpack).