Watershed Big Creek Waterproof Backpack

Watershed's dry bags offer a degree of water protection that is head and shoulders above their competitor's dry bags. Watershed's bags are as waterproof as a bag probably ever could be thanks to their patented closure mechanism which is essentially a heavy-duty version of a zip-lock freezer bag. Watershed's competitor's are stuck offering various versions of a roll-top style closures which can never boast of being "water-proof" if completely submersed. Watershed, on the other hand makes drybags for the US Navy SEALs so you know they they must be pretty darn waterproof. One guy at the factory told me they had once tested a bag to 300 meters for the Navy and it didn't leak, but the contents were crushed by the pressure so the bag's more extreme depth capabilities proved to be a bit of a moot point. (Added bonus; Watershed bags are made in the USA.) The design of the Watershed "Big Creek" bag makes a few design choices, such as the tight opening, that may not necessarily make it the most convenient carry-all bag for general purpose use, but for what it is supposed to do it, keep your valuable and water-sensitive items dry, it performs admirably. I personally am glad Watershed did not sacrifice the water-proof capabilities of this bag for the convenience of some casual users who probably don't even need a bag this waterproof in the first place.

Speaking of casual users, at around a hundred dollars, I would advise shoppers who want a bag keep your clothes dry on a canoe trip or to protect items against splashes or a quick accidental immersion to consider buying a cheaper, easier to use roll-top type dry bag as it should be more than sufficient for your needs and you will have $70 left over to spend on something else. I purchased a "Big Creek" bag for a six month backpacking trip through Asia to protect my electronic gear and camera and it was the single best thing I took on my trip. If you think you may want to take your $2000 DSLR snorkeling or if you think you may want to take your camera, laptop, ipod and iphone on an unguided white water rafting trip through northern Laos in a primitive skift (which did capsize, twice) I would highly recommend a Watershed brand bag. Thanks to my Watershed bag my camera and sensitive electronics managed to survived multiple small boat capsizings, an elephant-back soaking, water-fall jumps and swims, more snorkeling and diving excursions than I can recall, rain forest downpours, rainy motorcycle rides, and swims in heavy surf when I didn't want to leave my valuables on the beach unattended. I figured if I was going to carry a big heavy DSLR camera all around Asia I wanted to have it with me when it mattered, and my Watershed bag gave me the ability to do just that. As a result I got shots during my travels that no one else was able to get because their cameras were locked in their rooms. (Sometimes a very risky place too.) I didn't have any thing stolen from me on my trip either, I think part of that was luck, but it didn't hurt that I never had to leave anything behind on the shore or in my room for fear of getting my stuff wet. It is peace of mind to have a bag you can trust your sensitive and expensive gear to when you know getting wet may be an unavoidable part of your day.

So in a nutshell I guess that's it. A sturdy, trusty drybag like the Big Creek is convenience and peace of mind for your important water sensitive things, because the bag gives you the freedom to take those things with you in some pretty extreme situations without having to worry.

Definite five star product.

It's a great pack to have your stuff available to you, and dry, when you're on the water. There's a fairly large nylon loop strap at the top of the backpack shoulder straps that you can use to hook the pack to straps or ropes on a raft, using a carbiner. The backpack straps are lightly cushioned and comfortable, and are functional for carrying a load. If you don't come close to filling the storage space, the backpack gets a little floppy, though. One giant advantage of this pack is that you can *see* everything, so you aren't stuck reaching around in "the hole," blindly. That said, the opening isn't quite big enough, or at least as handy as it could be if it were just a few inches wider, which is why I didn't give it five stars. (The opening is a little small, so it's like rummaging around in a bear canister.) It doesn't open like a typical dry bag. The opening mechanism is like a giant ziplock, and you have to twist the zip part to open it, and firmly press the zip part to seal it. It's not at all hard, but you have to spend a little time getting the hang of opening and closing it. It worked great, though, and none of my gear ever got wet. I have taken it on two rafting trips and a canoe trip, and haven't noticed any scratches or scuffs on the fabric. It's a good product.

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I bought this for a canoe trip and for when I do serious wading. It works great. It seals closed like a ziplock bag, and keeps out all moisture. On an over night canoeing/camping trip I inflated it and used it for a pillow. The only down side to this bag is the size of the opening, you can fit clothing in it, but larger articles, such as extra shorts or a towel, are a little harder to get in. It is also not the most convient if you need constant access to items such as maps you are trying to keep dry, but if all you want is to keep essential items dry then as a waterproof backpack it is a great buy.

Read Best Reviews of Watershed Big Creek Waterproof Backpack Here

This is in my opinion the best dry backpack that $$ can buy. I also really like the clear version of it to find all my stuff. Here is a video review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzmcMVdyh3U

I find the closer system of watershed packs to be the most trustworthy and the material is far more rugged then traditional dry bags. They cost a little more money, but they last forever. Look no farther if you are in the market for a dry bag.

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Great bag! Perfect size for a day bag for kayak or canoe. Second one, never had a leak i five years of use!