Reviews > Stuff Sacks > Dry Bags > Sea to Summit Stopper Dry Bag > Test Report by Jamie Lawrence

SEA TO SUMMIT - STOPPER DRY BAG
TEST SERIES BY JAMIE LAWRENCE
INITIAL REPORT
December 26, 2012

TESTER INFORMATION

I was introduced to bushwalking/tramping/hiking as a young child in Boy Scouts and through my school physical/adventure education. After leaving school, I mainly did short daywalks until recently when I have started to again re-walk some of Tasmania's key hiking routes and try walks I have yet to attempt. I mainly walk in the winter months, in Tasmania's central highlands areas. I prefer light gear, extended walks (3-5 days) in a group of 3 or shorter walks (1-3 days) walking solo. I would generally carry a base weight pack of around 8 kg-10 kg (17 lb-22 lb).

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Sea to Summit
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Manufacturer's Website: manufacturer's website
MSRP: N/A
Listed Weight: 4.4 oz (125 g)
Measured Weight: 4.23 oz (120 g)
Sizes Available:
Stopper Dry Bag 5L
Stopper Dry Bag 8L
Stopper Dry Bag 13L
Stopper Dry Bag 20L
Stopper Dry Bag 35L
Stopper Dry Bag 65L

I am testing the 13 L model which arrived in a bright yellow colour. On their website, Sea to Summit also has a picture of a blue colour and lime green colour that are available.

Dry Bag in Package


This new product from Sea to Summit is part of it's extensive range of stacks and bags. This model is fully welded dry bag that is constructed from 210D nylon with a TDU lamination on the outer surface to shed water and improve durability. Sea to Summit claims it is UV resistant and wont crack in extreme cold. It is a conventional roll-top design with the added feature of a 'Field Replacement Buckle and stainless steel pin'.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Dry Bag arrived nicely packed in a cardboard package that featured a picture of white water rafting. Whilst I imagine that water sports are a key target market for this product, I intend to test this (as I am a keen kayaker and sailor) in addition to the use for non-water sports such as backpacking and camping where I wish to keep items protected from water.

Sea to Summit makes it clear on the packaging that this product that this bag is not designed to be submerged and that the performance of the bag (presumably at keeping the contents dry) depends on the correct use of roll-top closure.

Info on Package

My experience in the past with products similar to this is that the available space inside the bag is limited by the amount of rolling of the top that is required to get a good tight seal. This is further increased as the thickness of the fabric increases. In this case I found the Sea to Summit bag to be quite thin but not so thin to cause me alarm about keys or similar puntcuring a hole if I were to store these inside. Given the additional warning on the label to protect the bag from abrasion and sharp objects during use, I suspect this bag is not intended to be strapped to the outside of a raft or kayak (despite the picture on the label) as this would damage the sack and compromise the waterproof outer.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions were located on a removable sticker at the top of the bag. Consistent with other bags, simply roll the top a few times (in this instance 3) and then clip the buckle together to seal and close. This bag has reinforcing at the top which makes it easy to roll and the clip slides together easily and feels firm when closed.

Removable Instructions Sticker

I easily removed the sticker as I didn't feel I needed to retain it for future reference as this is a very easy to use product. I would not have any issues remembering the 3 folds as I would usually put at least 3 or 4 folds in a roll-top closure system.

TRYING IT OUT

My first use of the bag was fairly straight forward. I was heading out for a twilight sailing race and figured I would use the bag to store my thin jacket, wallet, keys, glasses and a spare hat. In my view, 13 L is on the smaller side for dry bags so I was a little worried I would not fit as much in this bag as I would like. In this case all of the above items fitt without any issues.

This bag features an oval shaped base, this made it easy to pack stuff inside as I could sit the bag on a table and it would remain upright. I also found the bright yellow colour was actually quite handy when I needed to qucikly change glasses during the race, I could locate my bag easily as it was nice and bright!

SUMMARY

Overall my initial impressions of the Sea to Summit Dry Bag are good. I own a lot of their products and have always found them to be excellent in terms of design and usability and durability, and this product appears to be consistent with my previous experiences.

I plan to test this bag over the next few months, which will see me out sailing twice a week, a few kayak sessions in there and some camping and hiking. The results of my Field Testing will be posted in the coming months.

My thanks to Sea to Summit and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

Reviews > Stuff Sacks > Dry Bags > Sea to Summit Stopper Dry Bag > Test Report by Jamie Lawrence