backcountry, Camping, Gear Review, hiking, waterproof

Watershed Drybags – Animas 40 L Backpack Drybag – Truly Waterproof

Watershed Drybags, Animas 40 L Backpack Drybag -Truly Waterproof Bona fide backpack drybag I have always had problems with the classic roll down drybags. No matter how tight I roll them, the inside never stays perfectly dry. “Damp bags” as I have heard them called. Animas 40 L Backpack Drybag Upon receiving the 40L Animas…

Sean Sewell

October 2, 2019

backcountry, backpacking, Camping, everyday, gear, Gear Review, packraft, raft, women

Watershed Drybags, Animas 40 L Backpack Drybag -Truly Waterproof

Bona fide backpack drybag

I have always had problems with the classic roll down drybags. No matter how tight I roll them, the inside never stays perfectly dry. “Damp bags” as I have heard them called.

Animas 40 L Backpack Drybag

Upon receiving the 40L Animas drybag from Watershed, I was immediately as hopeful as I was impressed. Watershed Drybags has completely redesigned a watertight system that guarantees safety for your items. After squeezing the air out, you close the opening with the ZipDry closure system. It works like an incredibly burly Ziplock bag.

After that, give the top a couple rolls and clip together the 3 buckles. There is one over the top and two side buckles to keep the closure system secure. What is especially unique about these bags is how you open them. There are two offset tabs on either side of the opening and you pull them toward each other to make a backwards S. Once you have the S, simply pull the sides apart and voila!, the bag is open.

ZipDry System

Since this would be next to impossible to mimic without two hands and two thumbs, you don’t need to worry about the ZipDry system opening without you. So, did it work? Absolutely! The ZipDry closure system is the most impressive aspect of the bag.

I’ve tested its strength my filling it with air and standing on it (unbuckled) and the system held. It can be submerged, splashed or at the bottom of the gear pile. Watershed Drybags has your back.

This bag is the perfect size for an overnight trip, so that is exactly what I did. The hike to the put in was 1 mile of steep downhill. The backpack straps were much more comfy that I thought they would be and the waist belt kept the bag from flopping around.

I like that once you are done hiking, you can take both the straps and the waist belt off. (If you’re not sure why thats a good thing, think about what would happen if the boat flipped and you or your foot got caught in a backpack strap.) It got strapped into the boat, splashed on and set on a sandy beach.

The backpack performed beautifully and I couldn’t be happier with the product. I’ve never felt so confident in a drybag before and highly recommend Watershed Drybags to anyone who spends time on the water. They also offer military grade fabric which is slightly more expensive, but worth the investment if you think you might put a hole in it. My Animas backpack is the standard material and is still thicker and feels more durable than the average drybag.

I am beyond satisfied with the Animas 40L backpack. I can count on it to keep my goods dry and no longer have to worry about the inside of my dry bags getting damp.



Animas 40L Backpack $143.10

Eliza Lockhart

Growing up snowboarding and hiking in the bitter cold winters and humid summers of northern Vermont, Eliza learned how to beat up gear and quickly became infatuated with new technologies. After moving to Colorado in 2015 to pursue a degree in recreation and outdoor education at Western Colorado University, her passion for the outdoors grew exponentially. Soon after, she picked up rock climbing, telemark skiing, backpacking, canyoneering, and is slowly learning to love rafting. Through these learning processes, Eliza began to understand the importance of the right gear and hopes to share her experiences and knowledge with others through Engearment.

Eliza Lockhart in water

Now working for Beacon Guidebooks as the ‘Wearer of Many Hats’ (yes, that is her official title), Eliza has learned the ins and outs of the outdoor industry. She has also worked on marketing teams, as a photographer, media coordinator, outdoor instructor and as a wrangler. She is especially excited to encourage other women in the outdoors and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion.

Engearment