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This design is great for stuffing inside a backpack.

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The Best Roll-Top Dry Bag

Consumer Reports

If you're on a budget and just want to keep your essentials safe and dry, the NRS Ether HydroLock is our first recommendation. This small capacity sack is seriously waterproof when locked closed with a beefy zipper secured by a roll-top. The roll-top actually functions more as a backup to keep the zipped seal shut than as a water-blocking barrier itself. This bag kept air inside even when fully submerged and didn't leak a drop in our reverse water testing &#40;fill the sack with water, hold it upsidedown, and shake&#41;. We had it clipped to the outside of a kayak that flipped in big waves on a windy day, and the contents inside stayed bone dry. It's built solidly, with welded side seams rather than sewn and a handy view window that makes it easy to find exactly what you need.
Of course, operating that zippered top is an extra step compared to most, though we find it well worth the effort. The "zipper" is susceptible to catching grains of sand, though, so take care when using it. Unlike most models with their three-dimensional shapes, the Ether HydroLock is totally flat. Though odd, we quickly got used to it and found it makes it even easier to locate objects inside and keep the sack laying flat when lashed to the outside of your boat or pack. For absolute protection on short day missions and afternoon lake paddles, there's no other dry sack we trust more than this one &mdash; and its comparatively low price just makes it that much more appealing.

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The Osprey Ultralight Drysack is a simple dry bag that very much lives up to its name without breaking the bank. Made of very thin 40D ripstop nylon, this high-capacity sack weighs less than many with a quarter of the volume. Ultrathin sides allow light inside this rectangular-shaped bag, helping you more easily locate your belongings against vibrantly colored sides and a dark grey base. It lacks the extra features and frills of other options, but you won't need these with this bag stuffed inside another bag &mdash; which is how it's best used. The lack of features also helps keep the weight low and the bag easy to use. 
Of course, by utilizing such a thin fabric, the Ultralight is not built to withstand abrasion. Up against rocks, sand, or even years of heavy backpacking use, both versions of this bag that we've tested developed tiny holes. They managed to retain an impressive level of water resistance, thanks to the ripstop pattern, but a hole is a hole. If you want a dry bag you can strap to your kayak hull or drag to the beach, this one isn't quite up to the task. But if you're ready to upgrade your packing system for travel, backpacking, or camping, this modestly priced ultralight dry bag is an excellent addition that we've enjoyed using for years of adventures. 

OutdoorGearLab

The Osprey Ultralight Drysack is a simple dry bag that lives up to its name, all without breaking the bank. Made of very thin 40D ripstop nylon, this high-capacity sack weighs less than many with a quarter of the volume. Ultrathin sides allow light inside the rectangular-shaped bag, helping you more readily locate your belongings against vibrantly colored sides and a dark grey base. It lacks the extra features and frills of other options, but you won't need these with this bag stuffed inside another bag &mdash; which is how it's best used. The lack of features also helps keep the weight low and the bag easy to use. 
Of course, by utilizing such a thin fabric, the Ultralight is not built to withstand abrasion. Up against rocks, sand, or even years of heavy backpacking use, two of the three versions of this bag that we've tested developed tiny holes. The bag still managed to retain an impressive level of water resistance, thanks to the ripstop pattern, but a hole is a hole. If you want a dry bag you can strap to your kayak deck or drag to the beach, this one isn't quite up to the task. But if you're ready to upgrade your packing system for travel, backpacking, or camping, this modestly priced ultralight dry bag is an excellent addition that we've enjoyed using for years of adventures. 
Read more: Osprey Ultralight Drysack review

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Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack 6L | Pack Hacker

The Outdoor Products 3-Pack offers excellent value for the money, giving you three dry bags for less than half what most companies charge for just one. The different dimensions are well designed for use during an afternoon trip on the lake or, better still, part of an organizational system within a larger bag. 
The roll-top closure lacks any reinforcement and is not the most robust watertight design. It fails when put under pressure or if left to soak in water for a prolonged period. This product is best leveraged when part of a multi-bag system. Helpfully, since you'll have three bags, it is easy to double bag your small items that especially need to stay dry. At less than the price of a large burrito, this deal will help you keep your lunch dry on your next boating adventure. 
Read more: Outdoor Products 3-Pack All Purpose review

Dry Sack Comparison