Do Dry Bags Actually Float?

Yes, a roll-top dry bag floats, as long as you leave a cushion of air inside before you roll it shut. The trapped air makes the sealed bag buoyant, so if it slides off your board it rides on the surface instead of sinking, and you can paddle over and grab it.

That floating ability is a feature of how a roll-top closes, not magic. You fill the bag, press out most of the air but not all of it, then fold the top down several times and clip the buckle. The folds make a watertight seal, and the pocket of air left inside is what keeps the whole thing afloat. Skip that step and stuff the bag completely full with dense, heavy gear, and you take away the air that does the floating.

A few habits make the float reliable. Leave a little air before you roll, do not pack the bag rock-hard, and clip it to a D-ring or under the bungee on the nose of your board so it stays with you even if it does go in. A floating bag is easy to retrieve, but a bag clipped to the board never gets away in the first place.

One thing a dry bag is not: a life jacket. It floats your gear, not you, so it is no substitute for a PFD. Keep it for keeping a phone, keys, wallet, snacks, and a dry layer out of the water, and wear a proper personal flotation device for yourself.

For paddling, a 20 liter roll-top is the versatile size: big enough for a day's gear and a dry layer, small enough to clip up front and forget. The NIXY 20L Waterproof Dry Bag ($31) is a roll-top design with padded backpack straps, so it floats when sealed with air and carries comfortably on the walk to the launch.

If you want to compare sizes from a 5 liter sack up to the larger packs, browse the NIXY dry bags collection and match the size to how much you carry.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a dry bag float? Leave a pocket of air inside before you seal it. Fill the bag, press out the excess air but not all of it, fold the top down at least three times, and clip the buckle. The trapped air is what keeps the sealed bag buoyant on the surface.

Will a dry bag keep my phone dry? A properly rolled roll-top dry bag keeps gear dry from splashes, rain, and brief dunks. For full peace of mind with electronics, put your phone in a smaller zip bag inside the dry bag, and always roll the top down at least three times before clipping it shut.

Can you use a dry bag as a flotation device? No. A sealed dry bag floats your gear, but it is not a personal flotation device and will not reliably keep a person afloat. Always wear a proper PFD on the water and treat the dry bag only as gear storage.

What size dry bag do I need for paddle boarding? For a typical day, a 10 to 20 liter bag holds a phone, keys, wallet, snacks, and a dry layer. Go bigger only if you carry extra clothing or camera gear. A smaller dry sack works for just the essentials.

How do you close a roll-top dry bag? Squeeze out most of the air, leaving a little inside, then fold the open top down on itself at least three times to form a tight seal. Clip the side buckles together. More folds mean a better seal and a more reliable float.