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Reviews > Stuff Sacks > Dry Bags > Seal Line BlockerLite Dry Sack > Test Report by Coy Ray Starnes

SealLine BlockerLite dry sack
Test Report by Coy Starnes
Initial Report: July 21, 2017

Tester Coy Starnes
Gender Male
Age 55
Weight 245 lb (111 kg)
Height 6 ft (1.8 m)
Email starnescr@yahoo.com
Location Grant Alabama

Tester Biography
I live in Northeast Alabama.  I enjoy biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing/kayaking and most other outdoor activities, but backpacking is my favorite pastime.  I enjoy hiking with friends and family or solo.  I hike throughout the year and actually hike less in the hot humid months of summer.  My style is slow and steady and my gear is light.  However, I will sacrifice weight for comfort and durability.  A typical 3-season load for me is around 20 lb (9 kg) not counting food or water.
 
Initial Report: July 21, 2017

Product Information
Test Item: SealLine BlockerLite dry sacks
Manufacturer: Cascade Designs
Manufacturer Website: https://www.seallinegear.com
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Size: 2.5L (153 cu in), 5L (305 cu in) 10L 610 cu in), 15L (915 cu in), 20L (1220 cu in)
Weight: varies (see photo below)
Colors Available: Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Coral
MSRP: 2.5L $15.95, 5L $18.95, 10L $21.95, 15L $23.95, 20L $26.95

SealLine BlockerLite
                my post office weights match the above save one small detail explained later in report 

Product Description and Initial Impressions
Who knew writing a dry sack Report could be so involved....I mean, it's just a waterproof stuff sack, or in this case, five dry sacks.  For starters, I haven't used "backpacking " dry sacks before.  I have used regular stuff sacks and I've used backpacking designed ponchos, pack covers along with trash bags and zip-lock bags inside my pack for gear I really needed to keep dry.  Anyways, here is my take on the SealLine  BlockerLite dry sacks.

SealLine falls under the umbrella company Cascade Designs.  SealLine makes a variety of dry sacks but the BlockerLite is the lightest.  These come in five sizes and four choices of color for each size.  This means there will be a color overlap if all five sizes are purchased.  In my case it happens to be the smallest two sizes, the 2.5L and the 5L which are coral (red).  I also got an orange 10L, a yellow 15L and a blue 20L.

These stuff sacks are made of 20D silicon polyurethane-coated nylon.  I am familiar with this material since I have a hammock fly made of the same lightweight material.  Interestingly, the regular Blocker stuff sacks are made of 70D material and are almost 50% heavier, much like my 70D hammock fly.  As an example, the 20L BlockerLite weighs 2.1 oz (60 g) while the regular 20L Blocker weighs 3 oz (85 g).

They are constructed with welded seams which means no stitching.  According to the website this is actually 50% stronger than sewn seams.  The bottom of each stuff sack is rectangular in shape as opposed to round.   This is supposed to make them pack more efficiently, 20% more according to the packaging.   They utilize a roll top closure.  I'm not sure what is inside the sleeve that makes up the stiff part but it keeps the top part straight so that it can be rolled evenly with no way for air to enter.  Speaking of sealing, the directions that came with each stuff sack specifically state these are not designed for immersion, rather they are designed to protect items from rain, splash and spray and are not intended for submerged use.

When I first got the dry sacks I removed them from the packaging but left the little rubber bands on so I could go weigh them at the post office.  At the time I didn't realize the instructions were folded up with each one so I actually weighed the dry sacks and the instructions.   As a result, my weights were consistently 0.1 oz (about 3 g) heavier than the listed weighs.  But that's neither here nor there.  These suckers are light.  About the only way to get any lighter would be to go with Cuban fiber which cost substantially more. I also could not get the ones I unrolled and opened to close back as neatly as they were. Oh well, I think this is pretty normal.

SealLine BlockerLite
                                                      my re-folding of empty dry sack vs factory

Trying them out
I haven't had a chance to put these to use but I did take the time to see if my 10 F (-12 C) down under quilt would fit in the 15L dry sack. It was no problem to stuff it but because the material is waterproof it felt different than stuffing it in the non-waterproof stuff sack it came with. Basically, I had to expel the air through the under quilt when normally it passes through a little of both. I had room left over and rolled the top down four times before snapping it shut.  I was curious to see if I needed to end upon an odd number of rolls since the directions say to roll it three times but apparently this is no big deal.  I think three roll is the minimum because two just did not feel very secure (I tried it to see).  I could probably squeeze the under quilt in the 10L but I prefer not to squish my down gear any more than necessary and it would also stress the smaller sack more.  I'll experiment with the different sizes and what I pack in each as the test progresses.

SealLine BlockerLite
                                                  15L size with my 10 F (-12 C) down under quilt

That's all for now.  I would like to thank BackpackGearTest.org and SealLine for this testing opportunity.  Stay tuned for my Field Report in approximately two months for an update.

 



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