We’re heading into Autumn and it’s looking like it could be a wet one. But we can’t let a bit of rain stop us getting out and about, can we?
Your rucksack isn’t waterproof!
Most rucksacks are not waterproof and there’s nothing worse than going to put on another fleece and having to wring it out first! So I use these dry bags for everything. They’re probably the most understated piece of kit I own but the most used and hugely valuable.
Dry Bags help organise your kit
I’ve got a selection from OEX, Exped, Lomo and Osprey – they come in a mix of colour and sizes so are also great for organising my kit.
The first aid kit goes in the only red one – so I can always put my hand on it in a hurry.
Luminous green is bigger so my spare warm layer lives in there. The bags also allow you to squeeze the air out as you seal them so you can use them to compress soft clothing and it’ll take up less room in your rucksack.
I’ve got a darker green one that permanently lives in the bottom of my rucksack. Even in the summer it contains a woolly hat, a pair of thin gloves and a neck gaitor. Sometimes at the top of a peak the wind can be incredibly cold even in July or August!
And a blue one for food – I need to find my lunch and snacks easily.
While a smaller dark green one goes in the rucksack lid to keep my money and phone dry. Then if I stop on the drive home for a cuppa they’re easy to grab rather than having to search for them.
I generally have one or two big dry bags if I’m camping overnight. The sleeping bag goes into a medium dry bag and then into the big one – double bagging just in case! And you can put your clothes in the empty one over night to use as a pillow.
Dry bags compress your kit
By squashing the air out of the bag as you roll the top down and close the buckle you can squash the contents to make them smaller, and therefore take up less room in your rucksack. Great for big squashy things like your spare fleece, or down jacket. Not so good for your sandwiches…
Dry Bags don’t cost the earth
They keep my kit dry, they keep my kit organised and they double up as pillows. Great inventions! I highly recommend getting a few. Starting at around £7 they make a useful stocking filler at Christmas or just a great gift for anyone heading out on an Adventure!
If you’re heading out for a day hike in the UK, and you’re not sure what you should be taking in your rucksack, have a read of this blog for our hints and tips.
Great article here.. we have these challenges when camping..
V useful advice
101 uses for a small £7 bit of kit – great blog!!
Now that’s a challenge right there!
Great advice!
Thanks for the feedback Mal
Oooh Paula, I love the idea of the colour coding for different uses. We love camping and hiking off on walks and luckily my other half spent 13 years in the Army… however, i feel a feminine vibe coming on with my selection of dry bags 🙂
They are great…I find the OEX brand a bit ‘slippery’ and not as easy to squash and fold. I think the best ones I have are the Exped Fold Drybags.
We have a Facebook group ‘Make Adventures Happen’ which you’d be very welcome to join. It’s a growing community of Adventurers and wannabe Adventurers to share experiences, hints and tips, and photos. Come over and see what you think 🙂
Excellent advice Paula. Just ebayed some Exped. Thanks for the tip. Regards. Dave
No problem Dave, I’m pleased you found it useful.
A great blog on some practical uses for the dry blogs. Love that you colour code them so remember exactly what’s in what! My husband is going to get some in his Christmas stocking!