Cold open water doesn't care about your phone, your car keys or your dry jumper. A dry bag is the one bit of kit that decides whether your post-swim life still works when you get out. This guide ranks the dry bags worth taking on a wild swim in 2026, from pocket-sized pouches to full kit bags for a day at the reservoir.
Best overall: the Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite). Best for phones, keys and valuables: the Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite). Best budget option: the original Dry Sack 1 Litre. Best for rough, cold open water and tow floats: the Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack.
- Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite) wins as the best all-round dry bag for wild swimming — one bag covers valuables and a change of clothes.
- Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite) is the smallest option here, built for a phone, keys and a car fob clipped to a tow float.
- Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack uses tougher tri-laminate fabric, better suited to rough or cold open water sessions.
- Set of 3 Dry Sacks (2L, 4L, 8L) suits swimmers who separate valuables, snacks and spare kit rather than mixing everything in one bag.
- None of these bags are certified as flotation devices — treat them as gear protection, not safety equipment.
Why this matters
Wild swimming spots rarely have lockers. Your kit sits on a riverbank, a jetty or a tow float while you're in the water, and a normal rucksack or tote bag soaks through in minutes of rain or spray. The gear that gets left on the bank needs to survive a dunking as much as the gear that goes in with you.
A dry bag built for dry bags for kayaking and canoeing works on the same principle a wild swimmer needs: a roll-top seal that keeps water out whether it's submerged, splashed, or just left in the rain while you swim laps of a lake. The difference for swimmers is size and how the bag travels — clipped to a tow float, strapped to a bike rack, or left with a friend on the bank.
What makes the best dry bag for wild swimming
- Roll-top seal quality — three folds minimum before clipping, welded seams rather than stitched
- Capacity matched to the trip — a phone and keys need under 2 litres; a full change of clothes needs 8 litres or more
- Material toughness — tri-laminate or rip-stop fabric survives being dragged over rocks and gravel
- Clip points — a D-ring or strap loop that attaches to a tow float, belt or bag rather than just a roll-top with no fixing
- Visibility — bright colours matter when a bag is bobbing on a tow float in open water
- Weight when empty — swimmers carrying a bag on a float or a bike feel every extra gram
Dry bags for wild swimming: at a glance
| Bag | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite) | Overall pick | Balances valuables and a full change of clothes | Too big to clip neatly to a small tow float |
| Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite) | Phone, keys, valuables | Small enough for a tow float or bumbag | No room for a towel or spare layer |
| Dry Sack 1 Litre (original) | Budget swimmers | Same roll-top principle, older build | Fewer colour options than the V2 line |
| Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack | Rough or cold open water | Tri-laminate welded fabric | Heavier empty weight than the X-Lite range |
| Dry Sack 13 Litre (X-Lite) | Full swim kit | Fits togs, towel and trainers together | Bulky to clip to a float |
| Set of 3 Dry Sacks | Group or family swims | 2L, 4L and 8L sizes separate valuables from clothes | Three bags to track instead of one |
1. Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite): best dry bag for wild swimming overall
The Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite) is the size that actually matches what most wild swimmers carry: phone, keys, a towel and a change of top layer. It's part of the X-Lite roll-top range that runs from 1 litre up to 140 litres, all using the same welded, fully waterproof seam construction.
Dry Sack 8 Litre pros:
- Roll-top closure with welded seams, not stitched
- Big enough for a towel and spare top without needing a second bag
- Light enough to clip to a rucksack strap for the walk to the water
Dry Sack 8 Litre cons:
- Not rigid, so it can feel bulky when only half full
- No internal pockets to separate a phone from wet togs
Best for: swimmers who want one bag that covers valuables and a dry change of clothes. Buy.
2. Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite): best dry bag for phone, keys and valuables
This is the bag that lives on the tow float or clips to a belt during the actual swim, not the one left on the bank. At 1 litre it holds a phone, car key and a bit of cash and nothing else — that's the point.
Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite) pros:
- Small enough to swim with, clipped to a float or belt
- Same welded roll-top seal as the rest of the X-Lite range
- Cheap enough to keep a spare in the car
Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite) cons:
- No room for anything beyond a phone, key and small wallet
- Needs a separate bag for clothes or a towel
Best for: open water swimmers who tow their valuables rather than leaving them on the bank. Buy.
3. Dry Sack 1 Litre (original): best budget dry bag for wild swimming
The older-build Dry Sack 1 Litre does the same job as the X-Lite version — roll-top closure, small enough for a phone and keys — without the newer colourway options. If you just need a functional pouch for a tow float and don't care about matching kit, this is the simpler pick.
Dry Sack 1 Litre (original) pros:
- Roll-top waterproof design at 1 litre capacity
- Simple enough for a spare-in-the-car scenario
Dry Sack 1 Litre (original) cons:
- Fewer colour and finish options than the V2 line
- Same capacity limits as the newer version, so no advantage beyond cost
Best for: swimmers who want a no-frills phone-and-keys pouch. Buy if the newer V2 isn't in stock.
4. Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack: best dry bag for rough, cold open water
Built from tri-laminate, welded fabric originally aimed at kayakers, this bag is the tougher option when you're swimming somewhere with rocks, currents or a gravel put-in rather than a calm lido. It's rated for lining a rucksack as much as standing alone.
Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack pros:
- Tri-laminate construction handles abrasion better than lightweight nylon
- Welded seams cope with repeated submersion, not just splash
- Doubles as a rucksack liner for the walk in
Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack cons:
- Heavier empty than the X-Lite range, noticeable if towing it
- Comes in fewer sizes than the X-Lite line
Best for: cold-water and rough-water swimmers who put gear through more abuse. Buy.
5. Dry Sack 13 Litre (X-Lite): best dry bag for a full swim kit
Step up from the 8 litre and you get room for togs, a towel, trainers and a spare top all in one bag — useful if you're swimming somewhere with no changing hut and need everything dry in one go.
Dry Sack 13 Litre pros:
- Fits a full change of clothes plus a towel
- Same welded roll-top seal as the smaller X-Lite sizes
Dry Sack 13 Litre cons:
- Bulkier to carry down to the water than the 8 litre
- Overkill if you're only swimming solo with minimal kit
Best for: swimmers without access to a changing room who need a full kit dry. Buy.
6. Set of 3 Dry Sacks: best dry bag setup for group or family swims
Rather than one bag doing everything, the Set of 3 Dry Sacks (2L, 4L and 8L) lets a group split valuables, snacks and spare clothes into separate bags — useful for a family swim session where three people don't want to share one dry sack.
Set of 3 Dry Sacks pros:
- Three sizes cover valuables, snacks and clothes separately
- Weather-resistant material across all three
- Good value for a group compared with buying singles
Set of 3 Dry Sacks cons:
- Three bags to keep track of on the bank
- Smallest size in the set is tighter than the standalone 1 litre X-Lite
Best for: families or groups who'd rather split kit across a few bags than cram one. Buy.
How we ranked these
Each bag is judged against the six criteria above: seal quality, capacity fit, material, clip points, visibility and empty weight. None of these are certified buoyancy aids or flotation devices — they're gear protection, and the ranking reflects that, not swim safety kit. Browse the wider Military Mart range if you're kitting out a whole swim group rather than one bag.
Which dry bag should you choose?
For most wild swimmers in 2026, the Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite) is the one to buy — it covers valuables and a change of clothes without needing a second bag. If you're towing gear during the actual swim rather than leaving it on the bank, add the Dry Sack 1 Litre (X-Lite) for your phone and keys. Swimming somewhere rocky or cold enough that gear takes a beating, go with the Heavy Duty Kayak Bag Dry Sack instead.
FAQ
What's the best dry bag for wild swimming in 2026?
The Dry Sack 8 Litre (X-Lite) is the best all-round pick for 2026 — it holds a phone, keys, a towel and a spare top in one welded roll-top bag. Swimmers who only need to carry valuables during the swim itself should size down to the 1 litre version.
How many litres do I need for a wild swimming dry bag?
1 litre covers a phone, keys and a small wallet. 8 to 13 litres covers a full change of clothes and a towel, which is what most swimmers without a changing hut need.
Can I use a normal dry bag as a swim tow float?
No — a dry bag keeps gear dry but isn't a certified buoyancy aid or flotation device. Use a dedicated swim tow float for visibility and safety, and a dry bag inside or clipped to it for kit.
Is a roll-top dry bag fully waterproof?
A properly sealed roll-top with welded seams, folded at least three times before clipping, is fully waterproof for submersion. A loosely rolled top or a stitched-seam bag is only splash-resistant.
What size dry bag do I need for a change of clothes after swimming?
8 litres fits togs, a towel and a spare top. Step up to 13 litres if you're adding trainers or a second layer for cold weather.
Do dry bags float if dropped in open water?
A sealed roll-top dry bag traps air and generally floats briefly, but this isn't a safety feature to rely on. Treat any flotation as a bonus, not a substitute for a proper tow float.
How do I attach a dry bag to a tow float or belt for open water swimming?
Look for a bag with a D-ring or strap loop rather than a plain roll-top with no fixing point — clip it directly to the float's tow line or a waist belt.
What's the difference between a dry sack and a dry bag?
The terms are used interchangeably for roll-top waterproof storage, though "dry sack" often refers to smaller, lighter versions used for lining rucksacks, while "dry bag" can include larger shoulder-strap designs like a 70 litre carry bag.
One last thing
The biggest mistake swimmers make isn't picking the wrong bag — it's under-rolling the top. Three full folds before you clip the buckle is the difference between a genuinely waterproof seal and a bag that lets water seep in after ten minutes bobbing on a tow float. Check the roll before every swim, not just the first time you use it.
Leave a comment