There are few things more annoying than getting back to the boat, beach or campsite and discovering that your belongings such as your clothes, towel or other essentials, particularly your mobile phone, have got wet. That is exactly why a good waterproof dry bag is such a useful bit of outdoor kit.
For years, OverBoard has been making waterproof bags designed for life around water. From compact dry bags for your phone and valuables to larger bags for clothing, towels and watersports equipment, there is an OverBoard bag for almost every kind of adventure. And while they are a natural choice for sailors and boat owners, you certainly don't need to own a boat to get plenty of use from one, indeed paddleboarders, kayakers, hikers, and travelers count them as irresiplacable items.
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Why are OverBoard dry bags so useful?
The appeal is wonderfully simple: put your belongings inside, seal the bag and enjoy yourself.
OverBoard waterproof bags are designed to protect your gear from water, spray, rain, sand and dirt. Many of the dry bags use tough waterproof materials, welded seams and OverBoard's roll-top Fold Seal System™, creating a dependable barrier against the elements.
Some models are also designed to float if accidentally dropped into the water – a particularly reassuring feature when you're on a boat, paddleboard or kayak.
That means you can worry less about your belongings and concentrate on what's actually important: enjoying your time outdoors.
Whether you're looking for a dry bag for sailing, a waterproof boat bag, a kayaking dry bag, a waterproof bag for the beach or a dry bag for your travels, OverBoard has built its range around practical outdoor use.
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Choosing the right OverBoard dry bag size
One of the great things about the OverBoard range is the choice of sizes. You don't necessarily need to carry a huge bag when all you want to protect is your phone, wallet and keys.
5 litre – ideal for essentials
The smaller 5L OverBoard dry bags are perfect when you only need to carry a few essentials. Think phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, snacks or a small camera. They're easy to carry and particularly useful for day trips, boat trips, kayaking, paddleboarding and beach days.
They are also available in a range of colours, including options such as black, blue, red, yellow, pink and white, depending on the model and current availability.
12 litre – a great everyday size
Moving up to a 12L waterproof dry bag gives you considerably more room without becoming cumbersome. It's a useful size for a change of clothes, towel, food, personal belongings or other equipment you want to keep protected from the weather.
For many leisure activities, this is an excellent all-rounder: big enough to be genuinely useful, but still easy to carry.
20, 30 and 40 litre – when you need more space
If you're packing for a full day on the water, a camping trip or a weekend away, the larger 20L, 30L and 40L OverBoard dry bags provide plenty of extra capacity. They're particularly useful for clothing, towels, food, camping equipment and watersports kit.
And if you're buying bags for several members of the family, choosing different colours can be a surprisingly easy way to make sure everyone knows which bag belongs to them.
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Which colour should you choose?
There's more choice than simply black. OverBoard produces waterproof bags in a selection of colours, including black, blue, red, yellow, pink and white across different products. Of course, colour is largely a matter of personal preference, but brighter colours can have a practical advantage on a boat or beach. A bright yellow or red bag is much easier to spot amongst other equipment.
They're also handy if several people are using dry bags. Give everyone their own colour and there is considerably less chance of someone walking off with the wrong bag!
For a more understated look, classic black is difficult to beat.
Dry bags aren't just for boating
Sailing and boating
This is where a waterproof dry bag really comes into its own. Keep spare clothes, phones, wallets, keys, towels and other personal belongings protected from spray and rain. A dry bag is particularly useful in a tender, where even a relatively calm trip can result in plenty of splashing.
Kayaking and paddleboarding
If you're kayaking or paddleboarding, getting wet is generally part of the fun. Getting your belongings wet doesn't have to be.
A waterproof kayaking dry bag, many of which have safety lanyards, can keep mobile phones, payment cards, spare clothing, food, towels and personal items protected while you're out on the water.
OverBoard also produces dedicated deck bags designed for activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, giving you convenient access to the things you want close at hand.
Beach days
A day at the beach presents a different challenge: water and sand. A waterproof beach bag gives you somewhere practical to keep your phone, wallet, clothes, books, sun cream, and other valuables away from both.
It is also useful for keeping wet swimming gear separate from everything else.
Camping and walking
You don't have to be anywhere near water to appreciate a dry bag. A sudden downpour can quickly ruin clothing, sleeping gear or food when you're camping or hiking. Putting important items inside a waterproof dry bag provides an additional layer of protection against unpredictable weather.
Holidays, travel, and commuting
An OverBoard bag can also be surprisingly useful when travelling. For us, it is hard to imagine a trip away with anything other than a dry bag backpack. Generally lightweight, and ideal come rain or shine, it just helps knowing that everything inside is protected. Use one to separate wet and dry clothing, protect belongings during outdoor excursions or simply keep important items together and protected from rain and dirt.
Need more carrying capacity? Try a waterproof backpack or duffel
Sometimes a traditional dry tube bag isn't quite what you're looking for. If you're carrying more equipment, OverBoard also produces waterproof backpacks and duffel bags. A waterproof backpack combines the convenience of hands-free carrying with protection from the elements, making it useful for boating, cycling, hiking, commuting, kayaking and travel.
For larger loads, a waterproof duffel bag provides substantially more room for clothing and equipment while still giving you the reassurance of waterproof protection. They're particularly useful for sailing holidays, watersports weekends, camping trips and travelling when you need to carry a larger amount of kit.
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Our favourite thing about a good dry bag?
It's one of those pieces of equipment that you don't really appreciate until you need it. When the rain starts, the boat takes a splash or your paddleboard unexpectedly ends up tipping over, knowing your clothes, phone and other essentials are safely sealed away is worth a lot.
And because OverBoard bags are useful for so much more than boating, a good dry bag rarely spends the whole year sitting in a cupboard. Use it for sailing in summer, a beach trip with the family, kayaking at the weekend, camping in the countryside or travelling somewhere new, it can even be useful on sking trips and mountain hikes.
Find the OverBoard bag for your next adventure
Whether you need a small waterproof dry bag for your valuables, a 12L or 20L everyday bag, a larger 30L or 40L dry bag, a waterproof backpack or a spacious duffel, the OverBoard range gives you plenty of options.
Choose the size that suits your kit, pick a colour you like and then get outside.
Because the whole point of a good waterproof bag is simple:
Keep your gear dry. Get on with enjoying yourself.
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