Keeping Your S%!t Dry
Fall is a great time to paddle. The temps are nearly perfect in many parts of the country. In others the temps are rather cold, but there’s water in them creeks… so get your paddle wet.
And when you’re in the drink you definitely want to keep your stuff dry. No not that stuff; your cell, wallet, etc. You could always use a zip lock or other little plastic bag, but let me tell you, it won’t work. Keeping your stuff dry when canoeing, kayaking, or rafting doesn’t have to be a challenge though.
Here are 3 great ways to keep your stuff dry when paddling.
This little dry box is the perfect size for a cell phone or wallet. It is made of extremely hard plastic to withstand boulder attacks. The clamps on the front clip down tight to make sure the rubber seal is bombproof. The inside is lined with rubber for extra protection of your goods. There is also a pressure equalization valve that regulates the pressure inside so it doesn’t build up or reduce and the thing flies open. And to round it all off there is an accessory cord with a biner on the end to clip it to anything you like.
Retails for $14-$17ish
Adventure racers swear by these. I have one and I can vouch for them as well. They are a pretty basic concept. Take the idea of a zip-lock and make it kick ass. These are not your ordinary zip locks my friends. They are made to last practically forever and have a watertight seal. They are perfect for smaller items like maps. They have various sizes and the nice thing about these little ditties is that they can be stuffed almost anywhere; pfd pocket, stuff sack, front of your pants, etc.
Retails for $6-$16 (depending on the size you want)
The goal of a Dry Bag is to keep things dry, this one does it well. I’ve dropped it in a river, and splashed it many times. I’ve also found that if you fill the empty space inside with air it will float. I have a Wal-Mart special dry bag that velcros shut at the top and I’m always worried things will get wet. This one just seals together, similar to a zip lock but it doesn’t quite lock. Then you roll the top down and snap the buckles together. Keep in mind when buying these that you will probably need a size bigger than you think. Once you’ve rolled the top down and sealed it you loose about 1/3 of the volume.
Retails $14-$32 (depending on size)
So there you have it. No excuses on getting your stuff wet. Now get out there and get your boat in the water!
Add comment October 16th, 2008
