Choose the best waterproof bag

Picksea gives you tips on how to find your perfect waterproof bag. Sand, UV rays, latent humidity, salt... When you're out at sea, there are plenty of threats to your clothes or electronics. Waterproof bags are the perfect solution to avoid these problems and protect your belongings efficiently.

From lightweight, durable backpacks to large, waterproof travel bags, manufacturers offer a wide range of products to discover. There are several important points to check to find the right bag for your activity:

1. The capacity of the bag
2. Waterproofness index of the bag
3. The type of closure
4. The type of bag
5. The use of your bag

1 - Capacity of waterproof bags

• 0 à 40 L Perfect for carrying small equipment on board, ideal for small trips to the seaside to protect your keys, mobile phone, GPS, tablet or a beach towel.
• 40L à 60L Suitable as a small travel bag for regattas or walks on the water. Large enough and practical enough for a weekend trip. It can be easily stored in a cabin and easily carried over the shoulder.
• 60L à 80L For racing or long weekends, it allows you to carry enough stuff or to carry bulky equipment safely. Ideal for offshore racing or demanding sailors.
• 80L and more The waterproof travel bag par excellence. A large capacity to carry a maximum of equipment, the models with wheels allow you to pull the bag on the docks or airports without putting too much strain on your arms.

2 - Waterproof bags protection index

Picksea's waterproof bags aredesigned to resist both water and sand.

Generally made from thicker fabrics to allow for greater resistance to abrasion and impact and to ensure optimum waterproofing, we find PVC or nylon bags, which are widely used in the marine environment. The most effective fabrics in extreme conditions are those above 600g/m², they will be thick and resistant enough to avoid tears and tensions.

The IP rating is an international standard used to evaluate the waterproofness of a bag. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 8 for moisture. Picksea only offers bags in its "waterproof bag" category that meet at least IP rating X4 which corresponds to proven resistance to rain.

3 - The different types of closure

The seams are the weakest point of the bags, most of them are thermo-welded at high frequency to avoid water infiltration but 3 categories exist for the closures:

1. The 3 turn folding closure. Efficient and with an incomparable look, it allows a quick total immersion in water while protecting its contents against water and dust.
2. Zipped bags. More practical than the folding bags, they are sometimes lined with a protective flap when the zip is not waterproof. Note that bags with the patented TIZIP closure are IPX7 waterproof. All zip bags allow better access to the contents without unpacking everything.
3. Submersible cases. The must-have for protecting your electrical equipment, they are resistant to both dust and water. With a removable foam interior, they provide perfect protection with their rigid shells and O-rings.

4 - The different types of waterproof bags

• Backpack : Practical for carrying equipment on the trail, at the beach or simply to keep a few things close at hand when sailing, waterproof backpacks can often be closed by rolling up. The shoulder strap models provide a resolutely marine look.
  Some backpacks are specially designed to carry laptops or digital tablets. In this case, they have a slim compartment for inserting the laptop, which is both light and robust.

The plus: the removable shoulder straps.
The minus: the capacity of the bag which decreases with the rolling up

• Bag: For everyday use, at work, on the boat or at the beach. The waterproof bags give a typically marine look and are useful for travelling in wet weather when you need to take your papers or your computer with you.

The plus: marine look, multi-pockets.
The minus: limited waterproofness (except for the TIZIP bags)

• Waterproof cases: In order to transport fragile, technological and/or electrical equipment, these cases offer optimal protection thanks to their solid shells and O-rings which ensure a waterproof seal. The internal foam is removable to adapt to the content and allows to absorb the shocks in case of fall or collision. Their capacity varies from 1L to 40L and their weight from 1 to 10 kg.

The plus: some brands offer a lifetime warranty.
Minus: bulky for the larger models

• Waterproof covers and hulls : For the more technophile, there is a wide range of waterproof covers that allow you to use your smartphone / tablet / computer or VHF in a marine environment. There are simple pockets in which to slide your equipment, which are closed by different systems of closure and which allows the use through including for touch devices.
  For iPads and iPhones, there are also specially adapted waterproof cases. Thin and light, they even allow access to the jack and power socket.

The plus: you can finally use your phone underwater.
Minus: touch products are slightly less responsive.

5 - Using your bag

The walk/outing by the sea

To carry the bare essentials but to protect your belongings from sand and moisture, light and practical to store keys or your mobile phone.

Our selection: Dry Tube 15 Litres waterproof bag or MINO 40 Litres waterproof bag.

The weekend getaway

To go away with a few things and be practical enough to be stored in limited spaces, some models offer air evacuation valves to reduce the volume of the bag.

Our selection: UNO 60 litre waterproof bag - Dry Tank 60 litre waterproof bag.

Travelling

Ideally, a wheeled bag of more than 70L to carry enough stuff and not be encumbered by the weight when travelling.

Our selection: HH Duffel 90 litre du ffel or TRI+SEC 80 litre waterproof bag.

Water sports (Jet-skiing, surfing, diving...)

Practical bags to carry and store your equipment correctly. More like a backpack to be easily transported on the jets or on the beach, it must have a good capacity to carry both the equipment and a change of clothes.

Our selection: Harken Roll Top WetDry 54 Liters Backpack - Swell Waterproof Bag HPA 50 Liters