I’ve spent years traveling in some pretty rugged places, like Sub-Saharan Africa where my waterproof luggage was regularly strapped to my roof rack in torrential rain and across many dusty miles of dirt roads.

Most travelers won’t face the type of conditions I do, so they don’t really need true waterproof luggage, water-resistant luggage is usually enough. However, determining if this is actually the case for you is more nuanced.

This guide is here to help you decide whether waterproof luggage makes sense for your travel, what actually makes a bag waterproof, and what I think are the best options out there, based on my experience.

Here’s the thing(and no one talks about this): Waterproof luggage protects your stuff from a lot more than just water, and that was the most compelling reason I bought my waterproof luggage in the first place –to keep really nasty things out of my gear. Truthfully, once you get into more girtty, wet, or tropical climes, regular luggage can quickly become a real liability for your gear, electronics, and clothes.

Do You Actually Need Waterproof Luggage?

Answer yes to two or more, and waterproof luggage makes sense. Otherwise, skip it.

✅ You probably do need waterproof luggage if:

• You regularly travel in heavy rain or wet climate
• Extremely dusty locations
• You travel to insect or rodent-infested locations(especially the tropics)
• Your bag is exposed on boats, rafts, kayaks, or docks
• You strap luggage to a roof rack, an external carrier, or a pickup truck
• You carry electronics, camera gear, or critical equipment
• Your luggage gets stored outdoors or on wet ground
• You travel where replacing damaged gear is difficult or impossible
• Your luggage will be packed near oils, fuels, or other pungent fluids or other filthy locations
• You are a borderline germaphobe, and traveling with hermetically sealed stuff is comforting

❌ You probably don’t need waterproof luggage if:

• You mostly fly, drive, or take trains
• Your bag stays inside clean vehicles, hotels, and airports
• You’re worried about quick access and organization
• Weight matters more than extreme protection
• A good rain cover or water-resistant bag would solve 95% of your issues(See end of article)

What No One Talks About- Even if Water Is Not Involved

I think 90% of folks overlook the most compelling reason for waterproof luggage.

For me, waterproof luggage provides true containment and protects my stuff from elements that are often far nastier than water.

A truly sealed bag protects against creeping invisible damage that ruins clothes, electronics, and gear long before you may notice it.

• ❌ Dust- kills electronics and seriously messes up cameras.
• ❌ Beach sand– it gets into every crack of your body, and it will get into your luggage too.
• ❌ Ants and Cockroaches: In the tropics it’s common for hundreds of ants to breach your bag just to feast on a single throat losange! I’ve had it happen twice. Trust me, border security will have your head if you accidentally bring an infestation of these stowaways back home!
• ❌ Rodent urine: Rodents are particularly attracted to soft-sided luggage stored in sheds, vehicles, or remote lodgings. Besides their destructive gnawing, the pungent smell of their urine and feces are next to impossible to remove, plus they carry deadly diseases like hantavirus.
• ❌ Humidity and Mold: It’s a health hazard, smells and wrecks electronics, particularly camera lenses.
• ❌Random Nasty fluids: Goat pee, anyone? Extreme, I admit but luggage often shares space with furry friends on roof racks in Africa- let me tell you it’s pungent! The more common contaminants are Motor oil or Diesel from a leaking containers in the trunk and the like. Stuff like this ruins all other forms of luggage and permeates your gear with strong odors.

If you’re planning extended travel to tropical countries, you are probably a strong candidate for waterproof luggage even if water exposure is not a primary concern.

My Top Recommendations

Frankly, I’m disappointed with how few truly waterproof options the luggage industry has(particularly for hardsided luggage.) Currently our choices are limited to a handful of hard-sided luggage options as well as a good bunch of water-resistant dry sacks, duffels, and backpacks.

If you are in a hurry, here are my top recommendations:

What Do You Need Waterproof Luggage For?

As I mentioned earlier, I do a lot of travel in the developing world where extreme humidity, rain, and dust are commonplace. But those aren’t the only circumstance waterproof luggage really matters.

Here are some general uses for waterproof luggage:

What Kind of Waterproof Luggage to Choose

Selecting the right waterproof luggage mostly depends on your specific needs. For example, a 4×4 overlander and kayaker have vastly different gear requirements.

If you’re unsure what to get, go for a good quality mid-sized(40-45L) waterproof duffel bag like the Yeti Panga. Duffel bags are excellent multitaskers. They offer great capacity,easy access to all your gear, multiple-carry options and can be crammed into almost any space. The only disadvantage is that they are not crush-proof.

If you are overlanding, You could get away with get a dustproof/water-resistant cargo case like this one I reviewed.

If you are flying, driving, or aboard a larger boat, go with either a waterproof duffel or a hardsided Pelican travel case

If you boat, canoe or kayak, an abrasion-resistant drybag is often sufficient, but I suggest a waterproof duffel as it is a lot more accessible on the go.

If you do frequent expeditions or carry sensitive equipment get a waterproof suitcase or a pro-level protective case.

If you are a hunter/angler consider a waterproof backpack so your hands are free.

Water Proof Suitcases

Fact: Airport baggage handlers don’t work any faster in the rain…and they don’t care how much stuff is piled on top of your sensitive electronics. While you can’t always control who touches your luggage in transit, a professional-grade waterproof suitcase will massively reduce the risk of damage to your gear.

Since waterproof and crushproof suitcases are bulkier, they are best suited for vehicle or boat-based adventures, professional exploration, or travel with sensitive equipment.

Waterproof suitcases offer the following advantages over soft-sided waterproof luggage:

• More capacity
• Most secure watertight seal
• Superior organization
• Maximum Crush protection
• Wheels

If my gear was going to be lashed to a roof rack with ratchet straps, I would much prefer it to be in a hardshell case rather than a duffel.

Unfortunately, suitcases like this tend to be bulky. There are very few waterproof suitcases specifically designed with air travel in mind, but there are a couple.

1. Pelican Air TRVL Suitcases

Pelican is basically the only brand these days making truly waterproof luggage that is suitable for air travel.

They have two luggage lines:

1. Pelican Air TRVL Series– more dual purpose travel/protective cases
2. Pelican ATX Series– more sleek & refined, 4-wheel spinners, nicer trolley handles

1. Pelican Air TRVL Series

Sizes: Carryon & Full Size

If you know Pelican, you also know they make redonculously tough cases and have been for 45 years and back them with an insane lifetime warranty.

The Pelican Air TRVL line complies with standard luggage dimensions and is up to 40% lighter than comparable waterproof protective cases making them a lot more practical for air travel. The Pelican AIR series can also be equipped with foam and dividers as protective cases for sensitive gear.

I think they look good and others do too. In fact, on my last trip to Africa, as I was disembarking, my Pelican Air carry-on caught the eye of an Air France flight attendant, who enthusiastically asked where I got it.

Pelican AIR TRVL Features

• Mesh lid organizer with rear zip compartment
• Two mesh packing cubes
• Secure push-latches
• TSA locks
• Side and Top handles
• Tamper-proof address label sleeve
• Stainless steel padlock hasps
• Air/watertight gasket
• Air pressure equalization valve
• Telescoping trolley handle
• smooth running wheels.
• Unconditional lifetime warranty
• Made in the USA

Bottom line: I own both the carry-on and suitcase versions and they have performed very well under a lot of abuse. The trolley handles are caveman-ugly, but they work. And if you want spinners your out of luck. They are a solid buy in my book.

2. Nanuk 935

I own the Nanuk 935(above in black) and it functions well as a carry on for international travel. It’s a very solid piece of luggage. It’s arch-rival is the Pelican Air 1535 which I also own(see that review). Both are 100% watertight.

That said you can probably tell which one is my favorite by all the stickers(above in blue).

Nanuk makes plenty of other very good waterproof protective cases, but they are heavy and better suited for vehicle or boat travel rather than air travel.

Bottom Line: The Nanuk 935 is a very good value. It’s cheaper than the Pelican and has a nicer extendable handle, but it weighs 3lbs more when empty. So there is a trade-off there.

Waterproof Duffel Bags

Duffel bags are the most versatile kind of waterproof luggage. They can often be slung as backpacks or side-carried. They offer larger capacity, and easy access to gear while providing exceptionally durability for the price. Also, duffels can be packed into odd shaped spaces and compressed when not in use.

If you don’t need crush protection, duffels make the best all-round waterproof luggage option.

Yeti Panga Duffel

Rating: 100% Waterproof

Sizes: 50L, 75L, 100L

YETIis famous for more than just coolers. They also make the best waterproof duffel bags on the market. The YETI Panga is easily the first choice of most professionals and has been an industry benchmark. They aren’t cheap, but you can certainly see why it is a cut above the rest.

Yeti Panga features:

• 100% watertight zipper
• Laminated, high-density nylon shell
• all-metal hardware
• Puncture resistant EVA molded base
• multiple carry points (backpack, normal carry, or end handles)
• Nylon loop lashing points
• Hi-vis blue Interior to see your gear more easily
• Two Interior mesh pockets

Sealine Classic Zip Duffel

Rating: 100% Waterproof

Sizes: 40L, 70L, 100L

The Sealine Pro-Zip duffel is sumbersible down to 1 meter for 30 minutes! Its made in the USA, sports a waterproof YKK Aqua-zip zipper, all metal hardware, can be carried as a backpack, and has grab-handles on all sides. Sea Line is certainly a trusted drybag brand because they consistently make waterproof luggage like this.

The Pro-Zip Duffle is, a truly impressive piece of kit that deserves serious consideration when you’re headed to extreme locations.

Features:

• Submersible(1 meter for at least 30min)
• YKK Aquazip waterproof zipper(diagonal)
• All metal hardware
• Daisy chain side lashing points
• Multiple Grab handles
• 600D polyester fabric and 18oz TPU coating(24oz on ends and bottom).
• Oval consturction prevents rolling around

Best Waterproof Backpacks

Waterproof backpacks offer many practical advantages over other forms of waterproof luggage. Having your hands free is especially important for avid anglers and hunters.

1. Yeti 28 L Waterproof Backpack

Rating: 100% Waterproof

Size: 28L

The Yeti 28L Waterproof Backpack is a formidable, fully submersible beast with a well-respected reputation and minimalistic design. The single large compartment is accessed via a waterproof zipper. The Panga also has daisy chain loops for lashing points and side carry handle and very ergonomic shoulder straps. Certainly, you are paying a premium for the name, but this backpack is arguably the most durable waterproof backpack on the market.

Features:

• Thick puncture/abrasion resistant TPU skin
• Side-carry handle
• Interior sleeve
• Interior mesh pocket
• Removable chest strap and waist belt
• Exterior daisy chain lashing points
• Metal hardware
• Broad comfortable shoulder straps

3. Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack

Rating: 100% waterproof

Size: 28L

The Fishpond Thunderhead (Amazon link) is designed specifically for anglers, but it is certainly multi-mission capable. This backpack is constructed from a super-rugged 1680d nylon and TPU coating. Fishpond also offers modular accessories for the Thunderhead such as reel holders, shoulder strap accessories, and a chest pack. THE Fishpond offers multiple “water-resistant” accessory pockets but I wouldn’t trust my phone in them if you go under.

Features

• 1680D TPU coated recycled nylon
• One set of Lariat gear straps (included)
• Waterproof TIZIP® ZipperD
• Water resistant zipper closure on the front pocket
• Foam shoulder strap, hip belt, and molded back panel
• Removable hip belt
• Coated webbing daisy chain and D-Ring.
• Interior organization with one zippered pocket and one clear stash pocket

Best Dry Sacks (Almost Waterproof)

NOTE: Contrary to popular belief, most dry sacks are not completely submersible. They will float just fine, but if submerged water will seep in. .

Dry Sacs are generally more suited to multi-day kayak and canoeing expeditions where you don’t need to access your gear too often and full submersion is unlikely. While dry sacks are more affordable, they often lack carry options and exterior pockets. Since they are top-loading it can also be a pain to access items at the bottom without removing everything.

1. Sealine Discovery™ Deck Dry Bag

Rating: Nearly Waterproof

Sizes: 10L, 20L, 30L

As far as Dry Bags go, Sealine’s Discovery Deck line of dry bags(Amazon link)are world-class in terms of durability, and features. The Discovery Deck series are constructed from 18oz polyurethane-coated 300d polyester. A convenient waterproof air-purge valve allows you to compress the dry bag and a removable shoulder strap makes portaging a whole lot easier. These dry bags can handle bumps and abrasions without an issue.

Features:

• Purge-air valve(waterproof)
• Ajustable carry strap
• Oval bottom prevents rolling
• Light colored interior for easier visibility
• Durable construction
• Roll-top seal

2. Sea to Summit HYDROLIC Dry Bag

Rating: Nearly Waterproof

Sizes: 25L, 35L, 65>

Sea to Summit makes some very rugged professional gear designed extreme adventures. Their line of Hydrolic dry bags are the toughest of all. A 600D fabric laminated fabric with UV-resistant TPU coating ensures excellent water-proofing and robust abrasion resistance for whatever you may drag this bag through. Large lashing points and an oval bottom ensure this dry bag doesn’t go “walk-about” without your permission.

Features:

• 600D TPU-laminated fabric- waterproof and very abrasion-resistant
• Non-wicking TPU roll-top closure
• Welded construction for permanently sealed waterproof seams
• Withstands cold temperatures
• Heavy duty lash loops for secure attachment
• Oval base to resist rolling
• Field-reparable clasp

Conclusion

Finding “waterproof” luggage is one thing, but setting yourself up with the kind of waterproof luggage that will protect your gear for decades is quite another. Yes, you can get away with using cheaper thin-skinned “waterproof” luggage for occasionally. However, if you are into any serious adventures, just save yourself peace of mind and step up to something you will use for years to come without any worries. This is especially true if you regularly bring cameras, computers, or drones along on your adventures.