Best Waterproof Bag for Canoeing

Best Waterproof Bag for Canoeing

Canoe resting on a calm mountain lake at sunset

Activity guide Canoeing

A canoe is an open boat. That one fact decides what kind of bag you need, and where it should ride.

Updated October 5, 20265 min readGear setup

The best waterproof bag for canoeing is usually two bags: a roll-top dry bag tied into the boat for bulky gear, and a small sealed bag worn on your body for the phone, wallet and keys you can't lose.

The problem

Why a canoe changes the answer

A kayak has a deck and hatches that keep most water out. A canoe doesn't. Paddle drip, splash, rain and bilge water all collect in the same hull as your gear, so anything that isn't sealed gets wet even on a calm day.

The bigger issue is the swim. Maryland's paddling guidance tells paddlers to expect to capsize and swim occasionally in a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or raft. When that happens, loose gear floats off. Kansas Wildlife and Parks puts the fix simply: tie down gear and distribute weight evenly.

Pennsylvania's Fish & Boat Commission adds that if you capsize, you should hold on to your boat unless it presents a life-threatening situation. In a calm capsize, a bag tied to the boat stays with you. If you have to let go of the canoe, anything that's tied to it goes with the canoe. That's why the bag setup splits in two.

Carry plan

What goes where

Sort every item by one question: does it need to stay with the boat, or with you?

Zone 1

On you

  • Phone
  • Car key
  • Wallet or ID
  • Small meds

Anything you'd need if you got separated from the canoe: a call for help, the drive home. Keep it in a small waterproof bag worn on your body, over or under your life jacket as it fits.

Zone 2

Tied into the canoe

  • Dry clothes
  • Food and water
  • Towel
  • First-aid kit

Bulky gear in a roll-top dry bag clipped to a thwart, low and centered. The American Canoe Association's checklist includes a dry bag with extra clothing.

Zone 3

Left at the takeout

  • Spare key
  • Laptop
  • Extra cash

Whatever you don't need on the water. Less gear in the boat means less to secure and less to lose.

Bulky gear stays with the boat; essentials stay with you.

Carry plan organized by SKÖ from the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kansas and ACA guidance cited in this guide.

Scale the setup

What to bring by trip type

Trip Bag setup
Short paddle, calm waterAn hour or two, close to shore A small waterproof bag worn on you may be all you need: phone, key, ID.
Full day on flatwaterLunch, layers, sunscreen Small bag on you, plus a 10–20 L roll-top dry bag tied to a thwart for food and a dry layer.
Cold water or shoulder seasonSpring, fall, mountain lakes Same two bags, with a full change of dry clothes in the tied-in bag. Maryland warns cold water immersion can occur in water as warm as 77°F.
Overnight tripCamping gear aboard Several dry bags or a waterproof pack, all tied in and kept low; essentials still on you.

Organized by SKÖ. Bag sizes are a starting point; size to what you actually carry.

The bag on you

Choosing the small bag

It has to be truly waterproof, not just splash-resistant, and it has to stay put while you paddle. The SKÖ Waterproof Crossbody is one example of what this job looks like.

Capacity
~1.14 L
Size
7.5 × 4.7 × 2 in
Material
1680D TPU
Closure
Waterproof zipper

Where it fits

  • Phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses, worn hands-free
  • Designed to be waterproof and submersible when the zipper is properly closed and sealed
  • Stays with you, not the boat, if you end up in the water

Where it doesn't

  • Clothing, food, towels or camera gear: that's a dry bag's job
  • It isn't a flotation device or safety equipment
  • No published depth or time rating

Comparing compact options? See how waterproof crossbody bags stack up.

Questions

Canoe bag FAQ

Do I need a dry bag for a short canoe trip?

If you're carrying anything you'd be unhappy to see soaked, yes. An open canoe collects splash and rain, and a capsize can happen on any trip. For a short paddle with only a phone and keys, a small waterproof bag worn on your body may be enough.

Is a waterproof crossbody enough for a full day of canoeing?

Only for essentials. At about 1.14 liters, the SKÖ crossbody holds a phone, wallet, keys and similar small items, not clothing, food or camera gear. For a full day, pair it with a roll-top dry bag or waterproof backpack tied into the canoe.

Should I tie my dry bag to the canoe?

Yes, to a thwart or lash point with a short connection, so it stays with the boat if you flip. Never tie a rope to yourself or another paddler.

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