Hitting the river for a kayaking adventure requires gear that can handle more than just a few splashes. Your backpack is your mobile basecamp, carrying everything from dry clothes and snacks to safety equipment and electronics. Choosing the right one is crucial to keeping your belongings safe and organized, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip from put-in to take-out.
The ideal river kayaking backpack needs to be a fortress against water. It should be constructed from durable, abrasion-resistant materials and feature a truly waterproof design, whether through a roll-top dry bag closure or a submersible zipper system. Beyond just keeping water out, practical features like comfortable shoulder straps, external lash points, and well-organized compartments make accessing your gear on the go a breeze. We’ve compiled a list of the best options to keep your essentials dry and secure.
Our Recommended River Kayaking Backpacks
- ETRONIK Gym Bag for Men Women, Carry on Luggage
- ETRONIK Gym Bag for Women, Personal Item Travel Bag
- Gym Bag for Women, 3-in-1 Duffle with Laptop Space
- BAGSMART Tote Bag for Women, Work Tote with Compartments
- Fitgriff Gym Bag with Shoe & Wet Compartment
- Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack – Heavy Duty Hiking Backpack
- YETI Panga 28 Airtight Waterproof Submersible Backpack
- Outdoor Research DryComp Summit Dry Bag Backpack
- Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag Backpack
ETRONIK Gym Bag for Men Women, Carry on Luggage
This ETRONIK duffel is a highly organized option for kayakers who need to keep their gear sorted. Its thoughtful design includes a separate, removable shoe compartment, which is perfect for storing wet water shoes or muddy sandals away from your dry clothes and other essentials. The bag also comes with a dedicated toiletry bag, helping you compartmentalize smaller items.
Built for travel, it features a luggage handle sleeve for easy transport to and from the river. The spacious main compartment, along with multiple interior and exterior slit pockets, provides ample room for a change of clothes, a towel, and other personal items. While not fully waterproof, its structured design and included wet pocket offer a good level of organization for drier trips or as a gear hauler.
ETRONIK Gym Bag for Women, Personal Item Travel Bag
This ETRONIK weekender bag combines convenience with practical features for the modern kayaker. The integrated USB charging port allows you to power a device on the go, which can be useful for GPS units or a phone after a day on the water. Its dedicated wet pocket is lined with waterproof PVC, making it ideal for storing a damp swimsuit or towel without soaking the rest of your belongings.
Organization is a key strength, with multiple interior and exterior pockets to store everything from a water bottle to smaller essentials. The separate, ventilated shoe compartment at the bottom helps contain odors from wet footwear. This bag is designed to function as a personal item, offering a compact yet spacious solution for a day trip or overnight kayaking excursion.
Gym Bag for Women, 3-in-1 Duffle with Laptop Space
Versatility is the hallmark of this 3-in-1 duffle bag. Its adjustable straps allow you to carry it as a purse, cross-body bag, or backpack, giving you flexibility depending on how you need to haul your gear to the kayak. This adaptable design ensures you can find a comfortable way to carry your load, whether you have a long walk to the put-in spot or need hands-free convenience.
Beyond its carrying options, the bag offers well-considered storage. It includes a dedicated space for a laptop, which can be useful for travelers combining work with adventure. The inclusion of a separate shoe compartment and additional small bags for organization helps keep your clean and wet items separated, maintaining order within your pack.
BAGSMART Tote Bag for Women, Work Tote with Compartments
For the kayaker who needs to carry a yoga mat or a small dry bag externally, this BAGSMART tote offers a unique solution. It features a built-in strap specifically designed to securely carry a yoga mat, which can also be used to lash a rolled-up jacket or a small, lightweight dry bag. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to carry without adding significant weight.
The bag is generously sized with multiple compartments, providing ample room for pre- or post-paddle essentials. It can comfortably fit a laptop, books, a change of clothes, and other daily items. This makes it an excellent choice for someone heading to the river directly from work or another activity, keeping all their necessities in one organized place.
Fitgriff Gym Bag with Shoe & Wet Compartment
The Fitgriff duffel is built with the active user in mind, featuring two key compartments for river outings. The isolated, waterproof wet pocket is perfectly suited for storing a wet swimsuit or a damp towel after a paddle. Meanwhile, the separate, ventilated shoe compartment ensures your wet water shoes or sandals are stored away from your dry gear, helping to manage moisture and odor.
Constructed from a sturdy exterior fabric with a waterproof base, this bag offers solid protection against damp ground and splashes. Its practical design includes extended zipper pulls for easy access, even with wet hands. This bag is a reliable and straightforward option for keeping your wet and dry items separated in a durable carryall.
Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack – Heavy Duty Hiking Backpack
The Earth Pak is a dedicated dry bag backpack designed to offer complete waterproof protection for your gear. Its roll-top closure system is simple yet highly effective; you roll the top down 3-4 times and buckle it to create a watertight seal. This design is trusted by kayakers, boaters, and anglers to keep electronics, extra layers, and food completely dry, even if the bag is submerged.
Beyond its primary dry storage, the bag includes practical features for accessibility. It has a large splash-proof zippered pocket on the outside for items you need to grab quickly. Inside, a mesh compartment and a key ring help keep smaller items organized and secure. This combination of total waterproofing and smart storage makes it a top choice for serious water sports.
YETI Panga 28 Airtight Waterproof Submersible Backpack
For the kayaker who demands the absolute best in waterproof protection, the YETI Panga 28 is a top-tier option. It is built to be fully airtight and submersible, guaranteeing that your gear stays dry no matter how rough the conditions get. The standout feature is the massive HYDROLOK Zipper, which is designed to keep water out completely, providing peace of mind in torrential rain or if the bag takes an unexpected plunge.
Durability and comfort are also central to its design. The bag is constructed from high-denier fabric that resists punctures and abrasion. The ergonomic DryHaul shoulder straps, along with the removable chest and waist straps, provide exceptional comfort and stability, making it easy to carry heavy loads on longer portages or hikes to remote launch sites.
Outdoor Research DryComp Summit Dry Bag Backpack
The Outdoor Research DryComp Summit is a technical dry bag backpack built for demanding environments. It utilizes a reliable roll-top closure to ensure the main compartment remains watertight, safeguarding your most important gear from immersion. This design is a favorite among adventurers who need guaranteed protection for their equipment.
This backpack is designed with functionality in mind, featuring a comfortable harness system for extended wear. The materials are selected for their durability and ability to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. It’s an excellent choice for kayakers who also engage in other activities like backpacking or climbing, needing a single, dependable bag for all their adventures.
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag Backpack
Sea to Summit is a renowned name in outdoor gear, and their Big River Dry Bag Backpack lives up to the reputation. It combines the simple, effective security of a roll-top dry bag with the practicality of a backpack. The seams are fully welded, not sewn, which eliminates needle holes and enhances its waterproof integrity.
The backpack straps are designed to be comfortable and are easily stowable when not in use, converting the bag into a streamlined dry sack for storage in your kayak’s hatch. Made from durable, waterproof TPU-laminated nylon, it is both tough and lightweight. This bag is a fantastic all-arounder for kayakers who value proven reliability and smart, adaptable design.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Backpacks for River Kayaking
When I’m getting ready for a day on the river, my backpack is just as important as my paddle or PFD. It has to hold up against splashes, potential dunks, and the general rough-and-tumble of moving from my car to the kayak. Over the years, I’ve learned that not just any dry bag or daypack will do. You need something built for the specific challenges of river kayaking. Here’s what I always look for.
The first and most critical feature is, without a doubt, waterproofing. You’ll see two main types: fully submersible dry bags and water-resistant packs. For true river running where a capsize is a real possibility, I only trust a fully waterproof dry bag with a roll-top closure. This style, where you fold the top over three to five times and buckle it, creates a seal that can keep your gear dry even if the bag goes for a swim. Water-resistant packs are fine for light spray, but they won’t protect your phone, keys, and dry clothes in a worst-case scenario.
Next, consider the capacity and how you pack. I find that a 20 to 30-liter bag is the sweet spot for a day trip. It’s large enough for a change of clothes, lunch, a first-aid kit, and some safety gear, but not so bulky that it’s hard to fit in your kayak’s storage. Think about how you’ll organize your gear inside, too. A single large compartment is simple, but some bags come with external pockets or even separate internal dry pouches for items you need to access quickly, like a snack or a river knife.
Durability is non-negotiable. The material makes all the difference. I look for packs made from high-denier PVC tarpaulin or TPU-coated nylon. These fabrics can handle being scraped against rocks, branches, and the bottom of your boat without tearing. Reinforced stitching at the stress points and robust, non-corrosive hardware like buckles and zippers are also signs of a pack that’s built to last many seasons.
Finally, think about comfort and carry. A backpack with padded, adjustable shoulder straps is a must. After a long day, the last thing you want is thin straps digging into your shoulders on the hike back to the car. Some packs even include a sternum strap or a hip belt to help distribute the weight more evenly, which is a huge plus if you have a longer portage. When you’re looking for the 9 best backpacks for river kayaking, balancing these factors of waterproof integrity, smart capacity, tough construction, and comfortable carry will lead you to a reliable partner for all your river adventures.
FAQ
What’s the difference between “water-resistant” and “fully waterproof”?
This is a crucial distinction. A water-resistant backpack can handle a bit of rain or splashing water, but it will eventually leak if it’s submerged or subjected to heavy, prolonged spray. A fully waterproof (or submersible) backpack, typically a roll-top dry bag, is designed to be sealed shut and can be completely immersed in water without letting a drop in. For river kayaking, where you could flip, I always recommend a fully waterproof option to protect your essentials.
Can I use a regular hiking backpack for kayaking?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it as your first choice. Regular hiking packs are not designed to keep your gear dry. Even with a rain cover, they have seams, zippers, and materials that aren’t sealed against water immersion. Your gear will almost certainly get wet in a capsize. A dedicated dry bag backpack is a much safer and more reliable choice for keeping your phone, car keys, and dry clothes secure and dry.
How do I properly seal a roll-top dry bag backpack?
Getting a good seal is easy once you know how. First, pack your bag but don’t overfill it—you need some empty space at the top to roll it down. Then, press down on the bag to push out as much air as possible. Start rolling the top down tightly towards the body of the bag. I always do at least three full rolls. Finally, clip the buckles together. The tighter the roll, the better the seal and the more air you remove, which also makes the bag more compact and buoyant.
What size backpack is best for a day of river kayaking?
For most single-day river trips, a capacity between 20 and 30 liters is perfect. This gives you enough room for the essentials: a dry set of clothes for after your trip, a lunch, plenty of water, a small first-aid kit, a headlamp, and other personal items. If you’re packing for two people or planning a longer journey, you might look at a 40-liter bag, but remember that a larger bag can be harder to fit into a kayak’s hatch or storage area.
Are there any specific features that make a backpack better for kayaking?
Absolutely. Beyond being waterproof, I look for a few key things. Drainage grommets are great for letting any trapped water (or condensation) escape. External lash points or daisy chains are useful for securing a helmet or a jacket. Bright, highly visible colors like yellow or orange are much safer than dark colors because they’re easier to spot if they fall overboard. Comfort is also a feature—padded straps and a back panel make carrying your gear to and from the river much more pleasant. Finding a bag that balances these traits is key when comparing the 9 best backpacks for river kayaking.