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Initial Report: SealLine Storm Sack
22 July 2006
About Wayne, the tester:
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Height: 1.8 m (5' 10")
Weight: 90 kg (200 lb)
Email address: wayne underscore merry at yahoo dot com dot au
City, State, Country: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Backpacking Background: I started backpacking about five
years ago, although I did day walks in childhood. I hike in various
terrains from moderate/hard track walks to some off track (including
river walks). I generally like the temperature to stay above freezing,
and have not camped above the snow line during winter. I enjoy going on
multi day walks up to about a week as well as day walks. I carry a
moderate weight pack to enjoy a few creature comforts at camp. I would
normally do at least 2 overnight or multi-day walks every three months,
in addition to a number of 20 km (12 mile) or so day walks.
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About the test environment:
I will be testing the Storm Sack in Victoria, Australia. Elevations will
vary from 0 m to 1000 m (3300 feet) although I may climb higher up to
2000m (6600 feet). The test will be conducted in the winter and spring
periods with temperatures varying from 0 C (32 F) to 20 C (68 F).
Humidity varies from 30% to 90% + during this time of year. This time
of year is typically the wettest time in Victoria, although long range
forecasts are suggesting conditions could be drier than normal.
I will test the Storm Sack on my overnight or longer walks and
depending on what I am carrying, on day walks as well. I will use it to
carry my sleeping gear plus clothing, and possibly some food. |
Product Details:
- Manufacturer: SealLine
- Web site: www.seallinegear.com
- Year of manufacture: 2006
- Place of manufacture: China
- MSRP US$18.95
The SealLine Storm Sack is a dry bag with a
roll-down closure. The seams are sewn and taped sealed. Both the body
and the bottom use PVC-free 210D PU-coated nylon.
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Specifications for product as tested:
- Weight
- Manufacturer: 108 g (3.8")
- As tested: 116 g (4.1 oz)
- Dimensions
- Manufacturer: 22.9 cm (9 ") by 53.3 cm (21")
- As tested: 23 cm (9") diameter. The Sack measured 62 cm
(24.4") long and 35 cm (13.8") wide when flat.
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Test Plan:
When using the Storm Sack, I will be testing the following:
- Does the water tightness keep out dampness? How does it
perform if damp for a prolonged period if that were to arise?
- Is the bag easy to seal?
- Is it easy to get the air out of the sack while sealing?
- Do sealing characteristics vary throughout the 4 months of
the test?
- How durable is the material in a pack that will contain
stoves, tents and other items that rumble and tumble around?
- If (and I say only if!) I fall into the river on a river
walk, can the bag keep the contents dry given a short period of total
or partial immersion?
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Read more reviews of SealLine gear
Read more gear reviews by Wayne Merry
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The nylon has a good tactile feel and is
easy to handle. The grab handle (see below right) is useful to help
remove contents from the bag, but I do not feel it will be an option to
carry the bag for long periods. At this stage I don't believe that the
manufacturer's suggestion that the bag could be used on its own in place
of a pack "when you need to watch every ounce" is practical. That said,
the construction of the bag looks very good for the main purpose of the
bag - keeping the contents dry in all situations except for sustained
total immersion.