Did you ever wonder how to keep your phones and extra clothes from getting wet while on a boat ride, hiking, or any outdoor adventure? Zip locks are useful and one of the most commonly used bags to keep things, especially phones and cash, dry.
But how about when you need to protect more items? Putting them in different zip locks can cause inconvenience. There is no guarantee that it will keep the items dry too.
Rather, use a dry bag. But what is it and how does a dry bag work?
A dry bag is a container in a form of a bag that keeps sensitive things dry. It is made of nylon or vinyl that is 100% waterproof and keeps water from getting inside. It is used in rafting, diving, canoeing, beach trips, etc.
How does a dry bag work?
A dry bag is usually made of water resistant fabric, plastic, or plastic covered fabric manufactured in a way that it will be water impermeable. It has a roll-top cover which should be rolled or folded three times to ensure a watertight seal. It is made by sewing, welding, or gluing.
How to seal a dry bag?
Even though it is made of impermeable materials, it is important to properly seal the roll-top opening of the dry bag. Without sealing it properly, it might open while on an outdoor activity and water might get inside. How to seal a dry bag?
- First, put the items you need inside. Make sure to leave at least ¼ of the bag as a spare space on top.
- Remove the remaining air inside. You may also leave the air inside if you wish the dry bag to float on water when it gets over board.
- Tweak the vinyl top of the dry bag. Fold the edges like dog-ears.
- Fold the fabric down three times or up to the black folding band.
- Then merge the buckles together to secure a fitted seal.
Factors to consider in a dry bag
To ensure the maximum protection, it is important to use the right kind of dry bag. If intend to protect your cameras and other gadgets, a waterproof pouch is ideal.
If you want to you keep your extra clothes and towel dry, a lightweight dry bag is recommended. Here are the other types of dry bags according to the capacity:
PVC dry bags
PVC dry bags are the sturdiest, deniest kind of dry bag. It is made of ultimately durable PVC that makes it very waterproof and strong. It can withstand forces and does not rip.
It comes in two colors and in three capacities. One disadvantage of PVC dry bag is its heavy weight due to its material.
Heavyweight dry bags
If you are going on a camping or spend outdoors for few days, the heavyweight dry bags can help you keep all your items dry and protected from dews, rain, and snow. It can accommodate from 16 liters up to 45 liters.
Rucksacks and holdalls
If the heavyweight dry bag is not enough, the rucksacks and holdalls might be the right size. They have the biggest capacity of up to 70 liters. They are made with PVC with welded seam and are quite heavy.
Other uses of dry bags
Did you know that aside from keeping your things protected from getting wet, dry bags have other purposes?
Water bucket
If you are in a camp in the middle of the forest, you can empty the dry bag and fill it with water in the nearby falls or river. This way you’ll avoid frequent trips to the water source and you will have liters of disposable water.
You can also keep the water clean by closing the roll top opening of the dry bag.
Laundry storage
If you are not on any outdoor activity, you may also use the dry bag to manage the laundry. You can put dirty clothes in it to separate them from the clean ones. You can clip the roll top opening of the dry bag to prevent odor.
Cables or wires storage
Dry bags are safe storage for cables or wires too. Save yourself from organizing these items or preventing them from getting misplaced.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with the answer to the question “how does a dry bag work”. Apart from keeping the important items dry, it has many other practical uses too.