One of the joys of taking part in watersports is having that chance to get out on the water and get absolutely soaking wet! 

While your body should be able to handle this, it’s less likely that your belongings will be able to. This is particularly true for anything like phones or tablets, while your car keys and wallet are best kept away from water too. 

The thing is, if you are going to be out on the water all day, you may be struggling for a way to protect and keep such belongings dry.

Whether you are an experienced paddler or new to paddling, it’s vital you find a resolution to this problem. Fortunately, there are solutions out there. 

At Gill, we have an excellent collection of dry bags that can keep belongings safe and protected, allowing you to completely focus on your activity. 

In this blog, we take a look at the Voyager Bag collection, and explore how these items can help you keep items dry and give you peace of mind.

How do dry bags work?

The design of a dry bag essentially creates a watertight seal in order to protect the contents. These bags are made with a puncture resistant waterproof PVC Tarpaulin fabric with fully welded seams so once the bag is sealed, it can be fully submerged in water without the contents getting wet. 

Waterproof dry bags need to be resilient and not susceptible to punctures. If a dry bag is of a poor quality and does suffer a puncture, then the whole reason for using them is undermined.

Who should use a dry bag?

Dry bags are suitable for anyone getting out on or in the water, such as kayakers, canoers, standup paddlers or sailors. Kayaking dry bags are very popular as they allow people to head off on the water all day, safe in the knowledge that their belongings are protected even if they end up in the water themselves.

Sailors can also gain additional peace of mind in the knowledge that rather than being out on deck, their belongings are safely stored away in a sailing dry bag. 

Ultimately, a dry bag can become a standard part of your paddling kit alongside your buoyancy aid and the other equipment you use!

Where should dry bags be stored?

There are a variety of dry bags on the market, including dry bag backpacks and dry bag rucksacks that can be worn whilst kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding or coastal walking.

The range of products in this collection which include a variety of shapes, colours and sizes come with multiple D-ring attachment points, making it easy to secure the bag down to your boat, kayak or front of your paddleboard.

The Voyager Bag Collection

All our Voyager Bags are made with a puncture resistant waterproof PVC Tarpaulin fabric, and have stitch-free, high frequency welded seams to support complete protection.

These dry bags have roll-down closure (we recommend rolling down three times) with side release fastenings for a watertight seal, and external D-ring attachments to secure them down.

The bags are made of 85% Polyvinyl Chloride and 15% Polyester, and are available across the range in black, grey, sulphur and our special edition bluejay colours.

So, what’s new in our collection?

5L, 10L, 20L and 50L Voyager Dry (Cylinder) Bag 

Our  Voyager Dry (Cylinder) Bags vary in size, with 5L, 10L, 20L and 50L versions available to purchase. This means that you should have no trouble finding a Gill dry bag that meets your requirements.

There is also a semi-transparent, mesh-reinforced window on the Voyager Dry bags that allow you to see what’s inside. The base of the bags are flat, which helps improve their stability. This also means that the bag can be stacked in tight upright spaces both during and after use.

10L, 30L, 60L 90L Voyager Duffel Bag

Our  Voyager Duffel Bag comes in 90L, 60L, 30L and 10L, and is perfect for packing for longer trips away with its easy access, wide opening. The larger versions of the Voyager Duffel Bags can be transported effortlessly with the reinforced haul -handles and detachable strap. You can also store gear on a larger boat where there is more space for storage, while the smaller versions are better suited to smaller crafts like kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards.

New to the Voyager Bag range are our backpacks, an ideal choice across the board, whether you're coastal walking, standup paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking or sailing. Thanks to the detachable straps and flat base you’re able to strap this down to your boat or board, as well as wearing as a backpack on your daily commute.

Our bags feature the same PVC tarpaulin fabric with stitch-free, high frequency welded seams as the Dry Cylinder and Duffel bags in the range, however each come with their own unique features, designed to meet every requirement. They were made to keep you cool and comfortable all day against your back with the breathable air mesh harness system, while the multiple attachment points and removable shoulder straps are there for added convenience.

30L Voyager Back Pack

Featuring an internal padded compartment and zippered pocket for your valuables, as well as two outer water bottle pockets for easy access. You can navigate easily (whether you’re on a board or on foot) with the clear map window on the front.

35L Voyager Kit Pack

Featuring an external zippered pocket with water resistant zipper to store your valuables and a front bungee cord to quickly stash away extra layers.

25L Voyager Day Pack

A perfect lightweight pack for day trips, with an internal zippered pocket to store your valuables.

Shop for dry bags and outdoor bags at Gill

We are thrilled to be able to bring a new range of bags to our customers, augmenting our existing collection of superb bags and storage choices.

We at Gill hope you are feeling more inspired than ever to get out on the water this summer. If you are keen to give paddling a go, here are some do’s and don’ts to take heed of, as well as the  Go Paddling paddlepoint locator.

Take a look through all we have to offer and find the perfect addition to your kit today.

Be sure to browse through our  delivery options too, and if you have questions, simply contact the Gill team.