Pack Like A Pro: How To Use A Roll Top Dry Bag Properly

If you spend much time by the water, you’ll know that taking kit with you can be a bit of a gamble. It’s pointless leaving your keys, phone and spare clothes on the shore or in the car where they are no use to you when you need them most. However, take them with you, and you run the risk of a rogue wave damaging your valuables or your dry clothing becoming a lot less dry…

This is where a roll top dry bag can become your most reliable adventure companion. These waterproof bags are a surprisingly simple piece of kit, but their effectiveness and protection lies in a proper roll-and-clip technique. Fortunately, getting your head around how to get the most from and use a roll top dry bag properly is pretty straightforward. Let’s get into it.

How To Use A Roll Top Dry Bag

Roll top dry bags are designed to offer fuss-free protection for your belongings and understanding how to use a roll top dry bag shouldn’t be a time-intensive process. However, there are a few key steps you can follow to ensure a watertight seal every time you hit the water. 

1. Pack

Before you close your dry bag, make sure that everything is in it. There’s no right or wrong way to pack (we’ll come onto this later), but do make sure that you squeeze out as much excess air as you possibly can. This makes the bag compact and helps to create a tighter and more resilient seal.

2. Roll

When it comes to how to use a roll top dry bag properly, the easiest thing to get wrong is the roll. Once your bag is packed, make sure that you roll the top opening down a minimum of three times. Multiple rolls help to create a barrier that water simply cannot penetrate - and don’t worry about creasing the fabric as the tough, tear-resistant construction is designed to cope with these rolls. 

3. Clip

With a tight seal in place, pull the two ends of the buckle towards each other and clip them together to complete the seal. Larger dry bags, like our 30L and 60L roll top dry bag backpacks, will also have extra buckles to fasten to compress things further and hold everything in place.

4. Test

For added peace of mind or if you’ve not used your dry bag in a while, it’s wise to give your seal a test before use in open water. To do so, simply inflate the bag with some air but no belongings and seal as per the steps above. Submerge it in some water (a shallow bathtub will do) and check for any leaks or bubbles. If all looks good, you’re ready for action.

Using A Roll Top Dry Bag Backpack

For longer days on the water and when you simply need to carry more gear, it’s likely that you’ll be using a more spacious roll top dry bag backpack. Our 30L and 60L options are built with the same rugged, wipe-clean fabric and roll-top closures you’d expect from a more traditional 10L design, but come with the added benefit of padded airflow straps. 

If you’re in this position and looking to understand how to use a roll top dry bag backpack, you’ll still need to start by following the same sealing steps as a standard dry bag. However, you’ll also want to make sure the straps are properly adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit. On the 30L model, ensure the removable straps are properly attached first. Then, for both the 30L and 60L styles, aim for a close, comfortable fit to avoid strain on your back. The daisy chain attachment points also give you the option to clip on extra gear if you need it. 

Using A Roll Top Dry Bag As A Swim Float

One of the great features of a smaller dry bag, including our 10L roll top dry bag, is versatility and the ability to double up as a swim float for open water swimming. If you want to use your waterproof bag in this way, it’s nice and simple. Simply leave a small pocket of air in the bag before you seal it. This trapped air will then make the bag buoyant when you’re in the water.

Packing Tips

As we touched upon already, packing your bag is one key part of using it. The approach you take really does vary depending on what kind of kit you need to take with you to the water. Nevertheless, a few simple considerations will make your life easier and ensure you’re making the most of the functionality of your roll top dry bag.

The first thing to bear in mind when packing like a pro is what you’ll need to access first. Put bulky clothing and heavy items at the bottom of your bag and then strategically pack smaller items around them. You can then leave essentials and anything you might need to grab mid-swim or paddle until last, placing them at the top of the bag or in safe internal pockets for easy access.

Whatever kind of adventure you are going on, we hope that these tips help you master how to use a roll top dry bag properly! If you are looking to upgrade your dry bag, make sure to check out the complete Red Equipment range, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.