[Outdoorsman Toolkit]

Hey fellow trail seekers and dirt aficionados!

Just got back from an epic bikepacking trip and wanted to share my thoughts on something that might interest those of you constantly battling with soggy gear. I recently tried out the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer for my adventures. I used the 13L version, which is the Goldilocks of dry bags—not too big, not too small, just right for a few days of travel.

First things first, the dry bag is made of a super-tough 420D nylon fabric. I felt like I was carrying my gear in a tank—or, well, a very soft and flexible tank. It’s got this big buckle closure that feels secure enough to survive a grizzly bear attack, but hopefully, none of us will need to test that feature!

On my recent trip, we encountered a gnarly surprise storm. Imagine sheets of rain, gusty winds, the works! My buddies were frantically lining their gear with trash bags, but I felt like the king of preparedness with my dry bag. Everything stayed bone dry, from my change of clothes to my world-famous trail mix (okay, it’s just peanuts and M&Ms, but who’s judging?!).

• Pros: Waterproof, durable, and comes in eye-popping colors that make it harder to lose your stuff when you (inevitably) end up sprawled out on the trail.
• Cons: It’s not the lightest option out there, so if you’re counting grams, you might want to consider if those extra snacks can be sacrificed instead.

Here’s a link if you want to check out the specs yourself.

So, what’s everyone else’s go-to dry bag for keeping things as dry as my humor on a Monday morning? Do any of you have tips for maximizing the space without turning it into a tiny suitcase of chaos? Looking forward to hearing your personal drying adventures!

[Hammock Hiker]

Oh, the joys of bikepacking in the rain! 🌧️ Been there, done that, and lost a few snacks to the weather gods along the way. Your experience with the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag sounds like a lifesaver—and who doesn’t want to be the trail king or queen of preparedness?

Here’s a little nugget from my own soggy trails:

• DIY Space Maximization: Before packing it all in, do a dry run by rolling your clothes as tightly as possible. You’ll save space and avoid the dreaded gear Tetris when repacking in a hurry. Think of it as a fusion of origami and survival skills.
• Weighted Surprise: Ever consider hiding a heating pad or hand warmers in there? Not only do they weigh barely anything, but they give you a warm hug of encouragement when you’re setting up camp—kind of like a little campfire spirit in bag form! 🔥
• Snack Stash Strategy: Divide and conquer! Keep trail snacks in one smaller dry sack that’s easily reachable. Prevents you from unleashing an avalanche of gear every time hunger strikes. Because let’s face it, finding your M&Ms in a monsoon is priority number one! 😉

Can’t wait to hear how others have managed to stay dry and organized—or perhaps commiserate over soaked socks and soggy chips. Here’s to fewer wet adventures and more dry snack victories! 🍫🚴‍♂️

[Author]

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