Dry bags are useful around water, especially if you want to keep water away from the contents of the bag. But minimalist construction dry bags are also not the easiest to carry around, since there’s usually only one handle, which requires that you grip it the entire time.
The Chums Downstream Rolltop Bag is a much smaller waterproof bag that you can carry with you with ease—whether it’s around your waist or over your shoulder. If your trip involves kayaking, stand-up paddling, boating, fishing, hiking through streams, hanging at the beach, or nearly anything else water based, this is an ideal bag to bring along for stashing your gear, just as long as you’re not bringing anything too large.
The Downstream Bag measures 6 inches x 10 inches x 4.5 inches, so as I mentioned, an extra pair of shoes or your lunch won’t really fit inside. But you can easily stash your phone, money, cards, keys, sunscreen and snacks inside.
The bag’s main pocket is waterproof (with double-sided TPU-coated nylon and RF welded seams) and has a rolltop closure that keeps your gear securely inside and water safely outside. There’s also an exterior zippered front pocket that is water resistant and has a drain hole for quick drying.
Fasten the bag around your waist or use it as a cross-body bag—both ways allow hand’s free carrying, so you can bring your essentials with you and yet still be able to use your hands, paddling, fishing, playing beach games, etc.
I’ve used this bag on a handful of adventures, and it makes bringing small items along very easy. I’ve noticed that a bunch of folks who rent kayaks and SUPs from my shop at home tend to bring Ziploc baggies for stashing their phone and essential gear, and while those bags can be splashproof, they are not waterproof. Sad clients returning with waterlogged devices are all I need to see to make me want to have an inexpensive, waterproof bag along on my journeys around water.
The Chums Downstream Rolltop Bag comes in one color (gray) and lists for $44.99 on the Chums site. It’s also available at Amazon and Backcountry.