Depending on the size of the sweatshirt, five liters would probably be more than enough. A 5L NRS Tuff Sack will fit a full roll of paper towels with a little room to spare. I have a 5L bag that is reserved for a raincoat, rain pants, and rain hat. It fits fine.

If I'm going to take a more than a couple warm layers AND a shell (and maybe a few other things), I'll take a 10L. Wander down to Next Adventure and see for yourself. Take some things to stuff in there.

I don't like the current generation of fasteners on the NRS drybags. I still have a stash of newer ones because I bought a bunch of different sizes to replace those "going into retirement." I covet the Watershed bags. One of these days I'll buy some. If you can spring for one of those, the smallest one is 10L. With the roll-top bags, you have to have them full to a minimum level for them to stay dry, and you have to be sure to roll 'em right. A Watershed bag will be dry even if it's totally empty.

Editing to add: Just get some of both. You can't have too many drybags.

 

I’d go with the 10L for sure unless space is at a huge premium for your floating situation. While your list of stuff will probably fit in a 5L, it may be tight and a pain to pack and you may be surprised by how quickly your wife decides she wants to be better equipped IE more stuff. The cost difference is minimal and she can just roll it tighter and smush it down if keeping the size small is important to you. 5L may be better for the kids, but again for the cost difference I’d go up a size so it’s easier to pack. They will grow into it eventually.
My spouse and I each use a 20L - I like to carry an extra layer from head to toe plus rain gear and a fleece top and it’s the perfect size for that. Fits everything but packs easy and doesn’t take up much space. I’d love to have a watershed duffle but haven’t been able to justify the splurge yet, although we do use watersheds for our big overnight bags. Just happened to get a good deal on those.
I like having a number of 5Ls for specialized purposes - a day groover bag of sorts, a diaper bag for my little ones, trash bag, etc.

 

You don't specify, but I assume you are wanting a roll top bag and not a duffle bag. If roll top is what you want, go 10 liter and just roll it down into a smaller bag if not all the space is needed that day... always better to have a bit more room than not enough and if you roll it down when not full it takes almost the same space as the smaller bag

 

In my experience, roll top drybags…aren’t. I used a couple different brands of roll top bags and it didn’t seem to matter — no matter how meticulously rolled if they were submerged water got in.

Watershed bags are expensive but they actually work. Their little Ocoee is your ticket.

 

I prefer a pelican case for guest use. More foolproof than a bag. Watershed Ocoee is the bomb, but not easy for guest to use.

 

It is just silly to buy anything other than Watershed bags. Everyone I know has a Watershed Ocoee and we all refer to them as our "River Purse." Im really not sure why roll top bags even exist, they are not water proof at all in submersion and they are a pain in the ass to get in and out of, find anything, or keep organized.

 

what is this...a drybag for ants!??

 

Wife and I use 15L. On flatter water mid-summer it feels like too much, but if you have extra warm layers or splash gear (prior to wearing it), it can start to feel tight. I wouldn't laugh at someone if they brought a 30L; I get it, it's just easier for some things.

 

Appreciate all the insight - actually forgot about Next Adventure as I’m still mourning the loss of A&B no matter how infrequent I would go

 

And I’m biting…. 10.5L Ocoee is $160, holy balls!

How difficult are Watershed Bags to use? I have heard some horror stories…

May Largo and they can all share…

 

And I’m biting…. 10.5L Ocoee is $160, holy balls!

How difficult are Watershed Bags to use? I have heard some horror stories…

May go Key Largo and the can all share…

They aren’t difficult at all. You just have to be able to follow very simple instructions.

 

For a day bag i would suggest you go larger. My wife uses a 20l and for the most part it is only half full but if it looks like it could get really cold or wet, she has room for lots of layers including a drysuit. Their is nothing better than a warm and mostly dry partner after a day with headwinds with horizontal rain and occasional hail.

As for the Watershed drybags, I have two of the Yukon size bags and love them and wish I had more. I'm not sure I would use a smaller version as a day bag as you have to be a little careful of getting the seal properly closed which is fine when on shore packing you gear but could be less than ideal for lots of opening and closing on the water.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the zippered drybags. They would seem to be ideal although they may be more susceptible to dirt although the Watershed bags have the same issue but with some care i have found them to be very easy to deal with.

 

I have some limited (just a few years) experience with an NRS TiZip drybag and a couple made by OtterBox that were on deep discount as discontinued items. Someone posted here about their availability, and I bought one of each size. I also have TiZip zippers on my SCUBA drysuit.

So far I haven't had any problems. I use the Otter bags regularly. The NRS doesn't get out often because it's freakishly huge. It was a mistake by the manufacturer that they sold cheap. I do think you need to be cautious to keep the zippers clean. I took the Otter bags on a GC trip this year, and they had no problems even with all the wind and the sand and everything else. I use the NRS to carry a River Wing, and there's still plenty of room. I think it's only been out six or so times, but so far, so good.

 

Thanks I may give those a try. I think I did see the NRS bags on sale as well but the size as you have said was huge. I believe it was 105L as I recall which must be a bit of a beast to carry if you fill it up

 

I used an ortlieb zippered duffel and had good success but was never wrong side up.

I used the NRS duffels but one completely delaminated - I’m guessing that is why they are going bye bye.

 

Yer supposed to get the 110L Bills Bag and dump it all out in the sand every time you need a chapstick.

 

It doesn't matte HOW you pack it, and it doesn't matter WHAT you need to get - it is on the bottom.

I pack a space blanket on the very top so it's the first thing that comes out. Unfold it to have a slightly cleaner place to start pulling everything out for... it doesn't matter. It's on the bottom. I don't know how the space blanket stays on top.....

My ex is even smarter. She uses her Roll-a-cot or camp chair as a clothes tree.

 

Watershed 12201-ZD 12.5-liter small utility bag. They are made with the old-style mil spec. fabric that was used before they switched to the current stiff coated fabric that tends to wear out on the fold. You can find them used on eBay for reasonable prices. I have a bunch of Watershed bags and find the original fabric ones to be much more durable. Some I have used since the 90's are still going strong. I have a 21-liter mil spec. Watershed backpack that is the same as the Big Creek consumer model that works well as a day bag and can double as a day pack for hikes. They can occasionally be found on eBay.

 

Watershed….. roll tops are for dirty clothes, dirty shoes and dirty tents, maybe charcoal and trash…

 

We use the zippered Ortliebs and prefer them over our Watersheds (which haven't been used in years). The Ortlieb's are much faster to open/close. You do have to make sure to fully close the zipper the final inch or so to achieve waterproofness.

Don't get me wrong, Watersheds (duffels) are outstanding products and we loved them until we converted to the much easier to use Ortliebs. I guess a good comparison is to dry suits. Some dry suits used to have the zip lock Watershed type closure but I think all of them have gone over to zippers.

However, if I were an outfitter I'd stick to roll tops with a interior 3 mil contractor bag.

We have a few of the 5L Seal Line Discovery View Dry Bags that we like for day and multi-night Sea Kayaking trips. They are much more durable then other see through dry bags. They are not dirt cheap but you get what you pay for, $35 for 10L Seal Line vs $160 for the 10L Ocoee Watershed.

Amazon.com : SealLine Discovery View Dry Bag, Olive, 10-Liter : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : SealLine Discovery View Dry Bag, Olive, 10-Liter : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

BTW, we don't use the Ortliebs sea kayaking only because they are to big.

 

We use the zippered Ortliebs and prefer them over our Watersheds (which haven't been used in years). The Ortlieb's are much faster to open/close. You do have to make sure to fully close the zipper the final inch or so to achieve waterproofness.

+1 for Ortlieb zippered dry bags. I'm easy on the zipper, been using them for years, and have had zero issues. I've been tempted by Watershed numerous times, but I can't justify switching over. Side note: I don't do a lot of silty desert rivers, so maybe that is why I've had success with the zipper?

 

If the items you are expecting to store in the dry bags (and the user's kids) you might look at duffel types. I've found them just as dry but ton's easier to use than a round dry bag. You can access them without untying them from the boat. The big openings allow you to find things quickly and you don't have to pull stuff out to reach the bottom.

Jack's Plastic Welding has bombproof bags, of course. https://rec-law.us/ypmj49h8

I've seen a lot of incorrectly sealed bags by kids if the seal requires merging to sides.

Zippers get sand in them on river trips and fail unless cleaned every day.

Find one that fits your boat, fits your needs and of course, matches your color and design motif.

 

Do not give your wife and kids watershed bags, they will hate using them.
Just buy a 10l and a 5l and see what works. There's rarely a perfect solution, and by the time you might land on one, trip needs will change it up.

 

Watershed all day no matter the cost. 10-20 years from now and many uses of actual dry gear you won't care what you paid for it. Key to using the bag is keeping the gasket lubed up with 303. Once they start to dry out it will be hard as all get out to "ziplock" the gasket. 303 resolves this instantly.

 

Had a brand new watershed. 110lb wife ripped the pull tabs off first night of use, doing the S maneuver as intended. Watershed fought us (and the shop) so hard on a warranty claim. One of their guys was kind of an ass about it too. Finally agreed to have us send it in, took them 2 or 3 months and multiple follow ups on our end, and they sent it back "repaired" with some messy stitch work done. It was a brand new bag, just stand by your product and replace the damn thing.