Lost $60 on a stupid dry bag that failed after 3 trips

I bought this cheap dry bag off Amazon for $60 thinking I was being smart saving money. First trip on the John Muir Trail it leaked on day 2 and soaked all my clothes. By the third weekend it had a hole in the seam. Shoulda just spent the extra $40 on a Sea to Summit one like my buddy told me. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way with gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

piper_green1mo ago

lol yeah I learned that one the hard way too. What worked for me was just buying a cheap one on purpose (like a $15 Amazon special) and testing it BEFORE any real trip. Fill it with paper towels, roll it tight, and squeeze the hell out of it in the sink for 5 minutes. If it leaks, send it back. I do that with every cheap dry bag now and only keep the ones that pass. Saves me from finding out on day 2 of a trip when my spare socks are soaked.

taylor.jessica2mo ago

Hole in the seam after three trips? Man that's rough, a dry bag is literally its only job and it couldn't even do that. I paid $80 for a cheap one once and it started leaking on the second day of a rainy trip, totally felt your pain. You think you're being smart with money but then it costs you way more in ruined gear and a wet miserable hike.

rowan6662mo ago

Friend of mine bought a name brand one for a trip and had the same thing happen on the first use, seam split right open. He was not thrilled when everything in his pack came out damp and smelling like a wet dog. @taylor.jessica is right, sometimes you just gotta pay for the tough ones and hope they hold up.