Keep the Water Around You. Not in Your Gear.
Waterproof carry and practical field guidance for protecting phones, electronic keys, wallets and personal essentials from paddle drips, spray, wet hands, accidental drops and capsizes.
Waterproof storage protects personal essentials. It does not replace a properly fitted personal flotation device or other safety equipment appropriate for your water, weather and trip.
Your gear is only useful if it stays dry and stays with you.
Kayaking puts belongings close to water for the entire trip. Paddle drips, waves, spray, wet hands and water inside the kayak create constant exposure, while a capsize or accidental drop can put a bag completely underwater.
Small critical items such as a phone, electronic keys, wallet and ID can fit compact waterproof carry. Clothing, food, towels, safety supplies and larger equipment generally belong in a secured dry bag or waterproof backpack.
Start with the essentials you cannot afford to soak or lose.
The exact packing list changes with trip length, weather and water conditions. The items below are the small valuables most paddlers want protected, secure and accessible.
Phone
Useful for photos, navigation and communication, but exposed to paddle drips, wet hands, spray and accidental drops.
Electronic Keys
Put the key fob into waterproof storage before launching instead of leaving it in an open pocket or ordinary backpack.
Wallet & ID
Keep identification, cards and cash together and protected rather than loose in the cockpit or mixed with wet gear.
Larger Gear
Extra clothing, towels, food, first-aid supplies and bulky equipment generally need larger waterproof storage.
A normal pocket solves neither problem.
Your phone and keys need protection from water, but they also need to stay secure if the kayak tips or you become separated from the boat. Plan both the waterproofing and the attachment before you launch.
Compact storage for the valuables you want close.
Phone. Keys. Wallet. One waterproof place.
The SKÖ Waterproof Crossbody is designed for waterproof and submersible protection when its waterproof zipper is properly closed and sealed. Its approximately 1.14-liter capacity is intended for small valuables you want protected and accessible around the water.
SKÖ manufactures this product. Clothing, towels, food, safety supplies and larger equipment require appropriately sized storage. Secure all gear appropriately for your kayak and conditions.
Paddle spray and a capsize are not the same waterproofing problem.
A bag that handles rain or occasional spray is not automatically designed to protect electronics when dropped into the water or submerged during a capsize.
Keep critical valuables close. Secure everything else to the kayak.
The right storage depends on what you carry and how long you will be on the water. More gear means more capacity, but it should not mean more loose equipment.
Secure larger storage. A waterproof dry bag can still float away or become separated from you. Use appropriate deck rigging, attachment points or the kayak manufacturer's recommended storage system.
Go deeper on kayaking and waterproof carry.
Use these guides to protect electronics, compare waterproof bag styles and understand the closures that matter when gear lives close to the water.
How to Keep Your Phone Dry While Kayaking
Protect your phone from paddle spray, wet hands, accidental drops and possible submersion.
Best Waterproof Crossbody Bags for 2027
Compare compact waterproof options for phones, keys, wallets and other personal essentials.
Best Waterproof Sling Bags for 2027
Compare larger technical slings for paddling, watersports, travel and longer gear loads.
How Do Waterproof Zippers Actually Work?
Learn why the closure matters when your gear may face more than rain or surface spray.
Why Won't My Dry Bag Roll-Top Seal Properly?
Learn the common reasons a roll-top closure does not seal the way you expect.
Why Is There Condensation Inside My Dry Bag?
Understand how trapped moisture can appear inside waterproof storage even when water did not leak through.Clean the closure before you pack it away.
Sand, grit, mud and salt can collect around waterproof closures and straps. A simple post-paddle routine helps keep sealing surfaces clean and ready for the next trip.
Rinse
After saltwater or dirty-water use, rinse the exterior, zipper, straps and hardware with clean fresh water.
Clear
Remove sand, grit or debris from zipper tracks and sealing surfaces before closing the bag again.
Dry
Allow gear to dry before extended storage and follow the manufacturer's instructions for closure care or lubrication.
Kayaking & waterproof gear FAQs
How do you keep your phone dry while kayaking?
Keep it in waterproof storage designed for the water exposure you expect. If you want the phone accessible, compact waterproof carry can keep it protected without burying it in a larger dry bag.
Where should I put my phone when kayaking?
Keep it in waterproof storage that stays secure. Depending on your setup, that may mean attached to your body or secured to the kayak rather than loose in an open pocket or cockpit.
How do I keep my car keys dry while kayaking?
Put electronic keys in waterproof storage before launching. They should be protected from both splashes and accidental submersion.
Do I need a dry bag for kayaking?
It depends on how much you carry. A larger dry bag is useful for clothing, food, towels and equipment. A smaller waterproof bag may be enough if you only need to protect a phone, wallet, keys and a few personal essentials.
Is a waterproof crossbody good for kayaking?
It can be useful for small valuables because it provides hands-free carry and quick access. Make sure the product is designed for the level of water exposure you expect and does not interfere with your personal flotation device or paddling.
Is water-resistant good enough for kayaking?
Water-resistant storage may handle limited splashes or brief moisture. If electronics or valuables could be submerged during a drop or capsize, greater waterproof protection is more appropriate.
Can every waterproof bag go underwater?
No. “Waterproof” does not automatically mean a product is designed for submersion. Check the manufacturer's specifications. The SKÖ Waterproof Crossbody is designed to be waterproof and submersible when properly sealed.
Explore by activity.
Keep your most important gear dry and close.
Protect your phone, electronic keys, wallet and small essentials while larger gear stays secured to the kayak where it belongs.