Dry bags and waterproof storage

Dry bags and waterproof storage for adventures on the water

Exploring Canada’s many lakes, rivers and oceans is fun, but one small downside of water-based adventures is the small fear that your gear could get soaked. Nobody wants to canoe to that faraway camping spot, only to arrive and find your clothes are dripping wet from the waves. Same goes for camping. If a sudden rainstorm appears, what started as a relaxing woodland retreat can quickly turn into a soggy mess as you scramble to make sure your electronics and other important items stay dry. Dry bags and waterproof storage gear are must-haves for any canoe or kayak camping checklist, and are overall extremely useful pieces of equipment. You can find all types of dry bags, gear barrels, portage bags and more at MEC, designed by epic brands like MEC Label, Sea To Summit, Level Six and more.

Dry bags

Dry bags are rugged containers that are usually made from waterproof materials like PVC or nylon, with watertight roll-top closures that seal out any moisture that might try to sneak in. They’re excellent additions to your kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding or camping trip as they’ll protect your belongings from rain, splashes or a quick accidental submersion. A reason why dry bags are so popular is because of their versatility. You can get them in various sizes and styles, and they can hold small electronics or bigger items like clothes and sleeping bags. They’re also lightweight and pack down small when empty, making them ideal for any kind of trip you want to go on. To close them tight, some dry bags need to be rolled up at the top and fastened with a clip, while others come with zippers or drawstrings.

Gear barrels

Waterproof gear barrels are made from durable, hard-sided materials like high density polyethylene. They’re much more secure and safer from water than regular dry bags but are also a lot larger and heavier. They aren’t great options for a lighter trip on the water like on a kayak or paddleboard but are better for large boats and car camping. With their rigid structure, gear barrels also prevent crushing so you can easily pack them underneath all your other luggage.

Planning a paddling trip?

Check out everything you need from bow to stern, including PFDs, watersports footwear and more. Our staff can help with choosing and sizing gear.