Review Summary
Overall Rating: 9.3
|
Look |
The dry bag is functional first but the simple style looks great. There’s an option for everyone with six available colorways and 5 sizes. The larger sizes look a little awkward when you’re carrying them without another bag, but they’re not meant to be a long term carry solution. |
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Design |
The design lives up to its stated purpose, keeping the contents 100% dry. You can dunk the bag or toss it around in the sand without worrying. The durability is apparent in every aspect of the dry bag. |
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Value |
100% waterproof protection, easy to carry & travel with, and extremely durable materials make this bag well worth the money. It won’t replace a traditional daypack but that’s not why you’re buying it. Plus, can you really put a price tag on protecting your gear when you’re on the water? |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Truly 100% waterproof. When sealed correctly this dry bag will keep water out (and sand or whatever else gets thrown at it). | Bulky strap and clips. Heavy duty hardware makes this dry bag slightly bulkier and heavier than alternatives. |
| Extremely durable material. Everything is double or triple reinforced. After extended use our bag shows zero signs of failure. | Gets uncomfortable when fully loaded for long periods of wear. It's not meant to be a primary daypack and won’t replace a regular daypack. |
| Easy to pack and clean. It takes up limited space in your suitcase and a quick wipe or rinse cleans off the sand and salt. | Larger sizes are awkward to carry. There are more comfortable ways to carry a waterproof bag with 20 or more liters of capacity. |
Who Is The Overboard Waterproof Dry Tube Bag Ideal For?
This dry tube bag is perfect for any type of traveler who spends time on or near the water on their trips.
It's great to use as your daypack when you head to the beach to store a water bottle, snacks, phones, and accessories. But it's equally appropriate when you’re on a boat. You can rely on the smaller sized tubes as a compact daypack when you’re out for the day, but unless the forecast calls for rain there are more practical and more comfortable alternatives.
If your trip will involve water it's worth packing a compact dry bag to protect your gear. In most cases, this will not replace your primary daypack. It's meant to be brought as a secondary pack, and thanks to the compact size this is a no brainer.
Whether you’re a short term vacationer, long term backpacker, or flashpacker somewhere in the middle - an Overboard waterproof dry tube bag makes sense when you spend time on or near the water.
Shop the Overboard Dry Bag Tube
Full Review of the Overboard Waterproof Dry Tube Bag
About Overboard
Born out of the need to protect gear, tech, and valuables from water and sand while adventuring, Overboard dry bags provide the perfect balance of functional waterproofing with practical style & comfort. From compact dry bags to large capacity waterproof backpacks, Overboard 100% waterproof bags are durably built to keep out water, sand, dust, dirt, and snow.
When you need 100% confidence your gear will stay dry, there’s an Overboard waterproof backpack or bag for you. All Overboard products go through stringent testing including temperature, depth, dust & dirt, strength, dunk, weld pressure, repetitive stress, and load break tests. Plus, every Overboard bag is backed by a 5 year warranty.
Material & Quality
The Overboard waterproof dry tube bag is made from heavy duty nylon coated PVC tarpaulin with welded seams. The first time you hold the bag you’ll immediately notice the strength and durability of this material. It's heavier and more rigid than many other dry bags but the extra weight is worth it for the extreme durability it provides. There’s also a breaking in period, as the dry bag tube is quite rigid out of the box.
All of the seams are welded tight and there isn't a hint of a possible leaking point.
The trim and hardware are all double stitched and solidly reinforced. Even the buckles and clips feel stronger than alternative bags. They’re slightly bulkier and more rigid but leave you feeling completely confident in their strength.
The entire bag is easy to clean. Rinse it in freshwater or wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove the sand and salt that accumulates on the outside and you’ll be good to go for next time.
The quality overall is top notch. There are no areas where corners were cut and we’re confident it will last well beyond Overboard’s included 5 year warranty.
Available Sizes
There are 5 sizes available: 5, 12, 20, 30, and 40 liters. We’ve been testing the 5 liter. The material and construction is identical for every size so you’ll get the same level of durability, and they are all 100% waterproof.
The sizes vary slightly in their shapes. The 12 liter is longer and skinnier than the other 4. The 20 and 30 liter have the same length but vary in diameter whereas the 40 is longer and has the same diameter as the 30 liter. So before you buy, make sure to check the sizing chart to make sure the dry bag fits your application.
| Volume (liters) | Length (inches) | Diameter (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 8.6 | 7 |
| 12 | 17.7 | 7 |
| 20 | 17.3 | 9.8 |
| 30 | 17.3 | 11.4 |
| 40 | 21.6 | 11.4 |
We believe the 5 and 12 liter sizes are the most practical for this style bag. They’re compact enough to bring as a secondary daypack with space for the small essentials you want to keep dry. Larger sizes might be awkward to carry. Especially as they get heavier, the cross body shoulder strap isn't going to be very comfortable. We suggest opting for a waterproof backpack or dry duffel bag if you need larger capacity. For example, when we hike in a wet climate we use the Overboard Classic Waterproof Backpack. For a weekend trip on the boat the Overboard Pro Sport Waterproof Duffel has been fantastic.
Ease of Use
With a simple and intuitive design the Overboard dry tube bag couldn't be easier to use. Roll the top a couple times then clip it together to lock the seal. There is a rigid bar along one of the top seams that makes this even easier and ensures a waterproof seal.
You can wear the bag cross body or over the shoulder with the adjustable shoulder strap. The strap can easily be removed with the two clips if you don't need to carry the bag; for example, you might put it in a larger bag to keep some electronics protected.
The bag sits upright on its own and packs flat for easy transport.
Most importantly, it truly is 100% waterproof. In all of our testing we have had no leaks - and yes, we’ve thoroughly tested this dry bag.
Testing and Ownership
Our test bag has sat in the sun on the beach dozens of days, kept our phones dry on multiple dive boats, and been used as a secondary daypack on countless hikes without showing any signs of wear and tear. We have yet to experience a leak and remain confident in Overboard’s 100% waterproof claim.
It’s important to note, the bag is only 100% waterproof when sealed correctly, but that’s pretty easy to do. If you overpack it and can’t roll the seam more than once don’t expect it to be properly closed. Overpacking it is really the only scenario where it might not seal properly. You need at least two rolls to ensure it's sealed. But it's very intuitive and we have never had a problem.
The 5 liter waterproof dry tube bag is awesome to use at the beach. We pack our water bottle, phones, books, sunscreen, and keys in it to keep everything organized and protected. The shoulder strap makes it a breeze to carry and everything stays protected from sand and water and out of the sun.
On the boat it's just as practical. For day trips or dives you can ensure your electronics and keys stay safe, no matter how rough the skies or seas may get.
We have also relied on it countless times for hikes or on days out exploring. Often it will be used as a secondary daypack when one person has a backpack. Especially if you’re in a region like the Caribbean where afternoon showers can pop up out of nowhere it's great to have this bag to keep your gear protected. If you’re going somewhere like a waterfall or cenote you can keep the bag with you the entire time so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about anyone stealing your valuables.
There are so many practical uses for this dry bag. Unless we plan to spend an entire trip in the city, we always bring one along.
Final Verdict
The Overboard waterproof dry tube bag is awesome.
It’s practical for any trip where you’re on or near the water, and it’s easy to bring as a secondary bag without taking up a ton of room or weight in your primary bag. The design and construction is unbeatable and will absolutely last through countless years of adventures.
Most importantly, through all our tests, the bag remained 100% waterproof and we never had to worry about the contents getting wet.
We prefer the smaller sizes of the bag because they’re comfortable to carry and practical. When you’re hauling more gear but still need 100% waterproof protection consider an Overboard dry bag backpack or Overboard duffel dry bag.