Bote Highwater Belt Pack in Black

Make a splash, but keep those important things dry with the Bote Highwater Belt Pack.

Larger in size than some standard hip packs, the Highwater Belt Pack’s main compartment is spacious, measuring 10″ wide x 6″ tall x 3.5″ deep. Inside, there’s two zip pockets as well as a mesh pocket. On the outside front of the pack, there’s an additional zip pocket.

All those pockets come in handy, keeping essentials like cell phones, car keys, and wallets, dry and easy to find.

I’ll admit, at first I was worried the Bote Highwater Belt Pack was a bit too big, but after a few uses, the size grew on me. The belt pack is designed to be worn slung across your back or around the waist. I’ve found the latter to be the most comfortable.

Bote Highwater Belt Pack on paddleboarder

Made with waterproof nylon, the belt pack is a natural fit for days spent on the water. However, I’ve also been pleasantly surprised how often I’ve grabbed it when headed out the door on rainy day, land-based adventures.

During a recent foraging trip along Northern California’s Mendocino Coast, I wore the belt pack atop my raingear, including Patagonia’s Women’s Torrentshell 3L Pants. Belongings ranging from my cell phone and car keys, to lip balm and tissues, stayed dry, secure, and organized. When I needed something, I felt as though it was quicker and easier to access it in the belt pack than it would have been if I had to dig through assorted coat pockets.

An assortment of MOLLE loops, cam straps, and a D-Ring, make it easy to attach additional gear to the exterior of the pack, if needed.

Bote’s Highwater Belt Pack is available in four colors: black, seafoam, verge camo, and native bombardier. Cost is $99 on Bote’s website.