If you're an outdoors or water sports enthusiast, you're likely familiar with dry bags. This trusty tool is perfect for keeping your electronics and gear dry while exploring the wilderness, but its usefulness doesn’t stop there.
Your dry bag can be used for far more than just keeping your stuff safe from water damage. In this post, we've compiled creative and unusual ways to use the dry bag that you probably haven't thought of before. From using it as an emergency flotation device to flipping it inside out for a highly portable makeshift bucket, read on to discover the versatility of this outdoor essential. Get ready to be amazed by the many faces of the humble dry bag.
Keeping the “Dry” in Dry Bag
Sure, it's a no-brainer to keep your electronics and gear from getting waterlogged, but it can also be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping a change of clothes dry. Store a spare set of clean, dry clothes in a dry bag when hiking or camping, and you won't have to worry about wearing soggy, damp clothing after getting caught in the rain or accidentally dropping your bag in a creek. (Or squishing into a wet set of clothes the next morning).
Another use that still puts the "dry" in dry bag, but has nothing to do with electronics or high tech gear, is using it to store an emergency stash of firewood. It's a genius way to ensure you always have a dry bundle of wood and kindling to start a fire with, even if you find yourself caught in a downpour or need to cross a stream. Simply keep some in a dry bag and never worry about soggy kindling or struggling to get a fire going with wet wood again.
But the dry bag isn't just for keeping things dry...
Beyond Waterproof – Dry Bags are Buoyant
Did you know that your dry bag actually floats? This means that it can double as an impromptu emergency flotation device if someone unexpectedly falls into the water. That’s right – the humble dry bag is capable of saving a life from the water, not just your gear. But why stop at just the serious stuff?
For a fun and functional twist, toss some ice and your favorite beverages inside your dry bag, seal it tightly, tie it to your boat or kayak, and you've got yourself a floating cooler that's perfect for a day on the water.
When it comes down to it, your dry bag's potential is limited only by your imagination – need a fishing bobber to keep your bait suspended, or a marker buoy for your underwater crab pot? Look no further than your trusty, versatile dry bag and its unbeatable buoyancy.
Dry Bag Storage Solutions
Dry bags make for a great storage solution in a lot of situations. For instance, you could toss your dirty clothes in a dry bag as a portable hamper or store your dirties in it when camping or traveling to make sure your fresh clothes stay unsullied and squeaky clean. Not to mention – when you fill your dry bag with soft items like clothing or towels, it makes a great makeshift pillow.
If you're prone to misplacing things, a small-sized dry bag could be the perfect way to keep your valuables all in one spot and never be caught scratching your head and wondering, “now where’d I put that” again.
This also works well when traveling, where pickpocketing is a concern. The dry bag adds an extra layer of security and it's hard to open on the sly. You need to unclip it and unroll it – much tougher than simply reaching in a purse or pulling a zipper open.
If you're camping or storing food outdoors, a sealable dry bag can keep your food fresh, dry, and safe from critters. It also makes a good portable pet bowl if your furry friend is joining you on your adventure.
Or, take your dry bag to a higher level and repurpose it as a bear bag for all your backcountry adventures. Alternately, you can use it as a game bag. If you’re fishing or hunting small game and need a quick and easy way to carry your haul back to your campsite or car, transport it in a dry bag.
And for a final smart storage solution, if you hate the idea of snakes, spiders, or other bugs crawling into your shoes overnight while you're camping, simply store them inside a dry bag. That way you can rest assured your shoes will be creepy crawly-free and not the source of a nasty surprise in the morning.
As you can see, your dry bag makes for an efficient, innovative, and resourceful storage solution in a lot of situations.
Inside Out: How Flipping Your Dry Bag Can Unlock Its Full Potential
Have you ever thought about turning your dry bag inside out? It might not seem like a big deal, but it opens up a whole new world of unconventional uses for this handy piece of gear. Suddenly, the inside of the bag is waterproof, which means you can use it in ways you might not have thought possible.
For instance, you could use it to collect rainwater, which could be a lifesaver in a survival situation. Or, you can use it as a bucket to carry water from a lake or stream back to your campsite.
When it's time to do laundry, fill it with water and soap, toss in your clothes, and wash your camp clothes. Thanks to your dry bag, you've got yourself an off-grid, portable washing machine to clean your clothes while on the go. Or maybe you need a quick wash bucket for your hands and face or a portable sink to do some outdoor dishes? You guessed it - inside out dry bag.
And if disaster strikes and you ever find yourself bailing water out of a boat or kayak, your dry bag can double as a bail out bucket. You'll be extra glad you brought it along.
We mentioned using it as a cooler above, but if you fill it with ice, you can also use it as a makeshift ice pack for injuries. Or, you can use it as an ice pack to help cool you down when the heat of the day threatens to overwhelm you. With these creative uses, the humble dry bag suddenly becomes an indispensable item in the wild.
Dry Bags: An Unexpected Swiss Army Knife of Outdoor Gear
The dry bag is a highly versatile tool with uses far beyond keeping critical electronics dry on a rafting or boating trip. Dry bags belong in every camping backpack, bug out bag, survival kit, and prepping household. From smart storage to emergency flotation to collecting water for survival, it's a must-have for anyone who loves the outdoors or values preparedness.
Next time you're planning your outdoor adventure, don't forget to bring your trusty dry bag along – you never know what other weird and wonderful ways you might find to use it.