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 ORIGINAL AIR DRY DIVE FLAG SCUBA GEAR BAG BLACK $21.95 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 21m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 ScubaMax 50L Round Bottom Style Dry Bag Scuba Diving Snorkeling $59.95 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 27m |
 Seattle Sports Glacier Clear Dry Bag Medium $16.49 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 42m Buy It Now for only: $16.49 |
 Dry Bag Ultra Lightweight but Strong 85 Litres $23.63 Time Remaining: 9d 6h 6m Buy It Now for only: $23.63 |
 Frameless Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Bag Dive Gear Gift Set $79.95 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 |
 ORIGINAL AIR DRY DIVE FLAG SCUBA GEAR BAG ROYAL BLUE $21.95 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 20m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 2 Sets of H2OSporting Snorkeling Gear Set Silicone Mask Dry Top Snorkel Fins Bag $112.99 Time Remaining: 6h 29m |
 Panoramic Purge Dive Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Gear Bag Set $69.95 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
 Armor Amphibian Wet Dry Mesh Gear Bag and Backpack 91 $62.95 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 42m Buy It Now for only: $62.95 |
 NEW Seattle Sports Dry Bag Kayak Pack Waterproof Tote River Daypack Backpack $35.00 Time Remaining: 25d 11h 22m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 New US Divers KIDS Molaki Mask Island Dry Snorkel Bag HOT PINK $19.95 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 17m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Watershed Mississippi Dry Duffel Bag Red $161.96 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $161.96 |
 Liquid Image Camera Mask Dry Snorkel Mesh Game Bag Scuba Diving Snorkeling CM321 $219.95 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 31m |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag X Small Green $11.99 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 32m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 NEW Watershed Dry Bag Navy SEAL Issue Heavy Duty Water Shed Utility Bag $115.00 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 44m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Armor Dry Bag 88 $8.95 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 2m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Witz Dry Box Keep it Clear Locker ID Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Military Green $6.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 58m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 Outdoor Waterproof Vinyl Sack Roll Buckle Camp Raft Kayak Canoe Travel Dry Bag $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 30m |
 DRY PAK DP D1 Waterproof Duffel Bag Blue $39.99 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Medium Green $16.49 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 22m Buy It Now for only: $16.49 |
 Scubapro Compact Dry Bag for Scuba Diving Snorkeling or Water Sports $12.98 Time Remaining: 15d 11h 48m Buy It Now for only: $12.98 |
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 1 Seattle Sports Dry Bag Kayak Pack Waterproof River Daypack Backpack 29x16 $28.95 Time Remaining: 15h 17m Buy It Now for only: $28.95 |
 H2O Sporting Snorkeling Set Gear Silicone Dive Mask Dry Top Snorkel Fins Bag $62.99 Time Remaining: 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 Witz Dry Box SurfSafe for ID Cards Licenses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Blue $5.99 Time Remaining: 13d 10h Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Swimming Bag Sports Equipment Holdall Shoulder Strap and Wet Dry Compartments $39.44 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 1m Buy It Now for only: $39.44 |
 Kwik Tek Dry Pak Alligator Wallet Water Proof Wallet and Accessory Case Bag $14.95 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 32m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Akona Dry Duffel Red Bag AKB750 $59.95 Time Remaining: 14d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $59.95 |
 ScubaMax Kids Mask Semi Dry Snorkel Open Heel Fins Bag Scuba Diving Snorkeling $59.95 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 10m |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag X Large Yellow $24.99 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 7m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Akona Scuba Diving Dry Compression Sack Bag NEW $35.00 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 25m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Snorkeling Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Bag Dive Gear Gift Set $99.95 Time Remaining: 9d 15h 15m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
 Witz Dry Box See it Safe for ID Cards Licenses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Clear $6.49 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 DRY PAK Roll Top Dry Gear Bag 125 x 28 inch Blue $19.99 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 27m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Outdoor Waterproof Vinyl Sack Roll Buckle Camp Raft Kayak Canoe Travel Dry Bag $24.55 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 39m |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag X Small Red $11.99 Time Remaining: 28d 11h 57m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
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 DUI Diving Unlimited International Weapon Dry Bag Diving US NAVY SEAL Issue $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 13d 11h 53m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag X Small Yellow $11.99 Time Remaining: 28d 10h 37m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Waterproof Outdoor Vinyl Sack Roll Buckle Camp Canoe Raft Kayak Travel Dry Bag $24.55 Time Remaining: 4d 23m |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Small Dry Bag $13.00 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 52m Buy It Now for only: $13.00 |
 Akona Scuba Diving Wet Dry Day Pack Backpack Gear Bag AKB309 $69.94 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 34m Buy It Now for only: $69.94 |
 NEW Aeris Europa 3 Mask Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkel Mesh Bag ICE BLUE $79.95 Time Remaining: 7d 12h 34m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 |
 DRY PAK Roll Top Dry Gear Bag 115 x 19 inch Clear $15.99 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 27m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 DRY PAK Roll Top Dry Gear Bag 125 x 28 inch Clear $19.99 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 47m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Morgansportsbags Combo Vinyl Dry Gear Bag Mesh Gear Bag Two Dive Flags $90.00 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 27m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
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 Seattle Sport Dry Document Weather Proofing Bag Digi 01 Clear $7.49 Time Remaining: 21d 6h 27m Buy It Now for only: $7.49 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Small Red $14.99 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 22m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Watershed Westwater Dry Bag Backpack Black $125.96 Time Remaining: 23d 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $125.96 |
 Snorkel Jacket w Pkts Dry Bag Adult SJ200 Adult Yel $37.95 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 28m Buy It Now for only: $48.95 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Size X Long Blue $22.49 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $22.49 |
 Seattle Sports Dry Bag Kayak Pack Waterproof Tote River Daypack Backpack Large L $45.00 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 7m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Witz Dry Box SmartPhone Locker IPhone Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Clear $10.95 Time Remaining: 19d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Small Yellow $14.99 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 42m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Akona Dry Duffel Bag $67.99 Time Remaining: 4d 13h Buy It Now for only: $75.13 |
 Seattle Sport Dry Docmnt Weather Proofing Bag Passport $4.15 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 12m Buy It Now for only: $4.15 |
 DRY PAK DP D1 Waterproof Duffel Bag Green $39.99 Time Remaining: 15d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 1 Collapsable Gamma Lid Dry Bag Kayak Pack Waterproof Tote River 2 pieces $24.95 Time Remaining: 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 Witz Dry Box SurfSafe for ID Cards Licenses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW RED $5.99 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 5m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Watershed Yukon Dry Duffel Bag Black $116.95 Time Remaining: 11d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $116.95 |
 2 Sets of H2OSporting Snorkeling Gear Set Silicone Mask Dry Top Snorkel Fins Bag $112.99 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 30m |
 Witz Dry Box SmartPhone Locker IPhone Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Black $10.95 Time Remaining: 19d 4h 10m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
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 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Large Blue $22.49 Time Remaining: 28d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $22.49 |
 Outdoor Waterproof Vinyl Sack Roll Buckle Dry Kayak Canoe Raft Travel Bag Red $24.99 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 45m |
 London Bridge Weapon Dry Bag For Diving US NAVY SEAL Issue SOCOM JSOC MARSOC $1,000.00 Time Remaining: 13d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 |
 DRY PAK Roll Top Dry Gear Bag 95 x 16 inch Clear $12.99 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Witz Dry Box Wrapper Locker Glasses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Yellow $10.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 39m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag Large Green $22.49 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 2m Buy It Now for only: $22.49 |
 Witz Dry Box LENS Locker Glasses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Black $9.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 H2O Sporting Snorkeling Set Gear Silicone Dive Mask Dry Top Snorkel Fins Bag $62.99 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 Watershed Colorado Dry Duffel Bag Black $134.96 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $134.96 |
 Mares 10L Dry Bag $14.74 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 43m Buy It Now for only: $14.74 |
 Witz Dry Box SurfSafe for ID Cards Licenses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Purple $5.99 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 9m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Witz Dry Box Keep it Safe Locker ID Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Black $6.25 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $6.25 |
 XS SCUBA DRY LOGBOOK BAG BG690 $4.99 Time Remaining: 6d 7h 41m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 New Pink Tilos Dry Pocket Mesh Bag for Scuba Diving Snorkeling boating Beach $29.95 Time Remaining: 24d 6h 21m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
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 Seattle Sports Glacier Clear Dry Bag X Large $24.99 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 42m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Waterproof Dry Bag with Velcro Clip Attachment $9.99 Time Remaining: 14d 5h 49m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Seal Line Dry Bag $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 20m |
 Armor Dry Duffle Bag $49.95 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 Witz Dry Box LENS Locker Glasses Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Blue $9.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Witz Dry Box Keep it Safe Locker ID Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Blue $6.25 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $6.25 |
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 AKONA DRY BAGMARES X VISIONSIGNAL SAUSAGEAQUAFLEX FINS $100.00 Time Remaining: 2d 54m |
 ScubaPro Scuba Dive Compact Dry Bag $13.00 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 55m Buy It Now for only: $13.00 |
 Seattle Sports Explorer Dry Bag X Large Green $24.99 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 27m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Witz Dry Box Keep it Clear Locker ID Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Clear $6.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 55m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 Witz Dry Box Keep it Safe Locker ID Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Camo Green $7.25 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 21m Buy It Now for only: $7.25 |
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 Aqua Lung Tropical Rolling Gear Bag Travel Case for Diving Equipment + Dry Bag $99.99 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 42m |
 Watershed Animas Dry Bag Backpack Red $107.95 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 42m Buy It Now for only: $107.95 |
 New US Divers KIDS Molaki Mask Island Dry Snorkel Bag SKY BLUE $19.95 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Witz Dry Box SmartPhone Locker IPhone Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Blue $10.95 Time Remaining: 19d 4h 28m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 Witz Dry Box DPS Locker Camera Scuba Diving Gear Bag NEW Yellow $10.95 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
Dry Bag
West Coast Trail-How to Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry
The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia is a challenging backpacking hike in conditions that are changeable from step to step and day to day. The hiking terrain is very diverse, and very often near the water. The campsites are all at beaches; and the weather can be wet even without rain. With all of these conditions, it is important to be comfortable in camp and to get good rest to help prevent fatigue on the trail, and possible injury. One of the key elements of maintaining comfort to get good rest is knowing how to manage your sleeping system.
Sleeping Bag Types
Four common types of sleeping bags are readily available. The types relate to the fill material used for insulation. Each has its place and proper care.
- The first is the old style barrel bag lined with cotton, filled with synthetic fibers,
- Second, is the bag filled with down in a synthetic shell,
- Third is the synthetic fill bag in a synthetic shell, and
- Fourth, is the hybrid bag with a combination of down and synthetic fill in a synthetic shell.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Part of the planning and creation of a sleeping system is knowing where you are going to use the system, what the hazards are in the climate, and how to adapt the strengths and weaknesses of your sleeping system to the environment. On the West Coast Trail, the main problems are water and weight, so we will look at how the relative weights of the bags and how they handle the wet. These are all based on a -12ºC bag.
- Cotton/wool bags: These bags are quite heavy, around 2 to 2.5 kg, available many places, particularly Canadian Tire, Walmart, and other general stores, $70+. These bags start heavy and as they soak up water, they get heavier. Even though they are filled with synthetic fibers, they lose some insulating capacity due to the cotton soaking up water.
- Down bags: These bags are available in outdoor stores; they are light at about 1.4 kg and less. These bags range from generally good to highly technical, and ate quite expensive at $300 - $1,000. Down bags are very warm for their weight, but they lose their insulating capacity when wet.
- Synthetic fill bags: These bags are widely available, can be fairly heavy at about 2.4 kg, very reasonably prices at around $120+, and retain their insulating capacity even when wet.
- Hybrid bags: These bags have a combination of down and synthetic fill. The synthetic fill is on the bottom, at the feet, and around the neck, as well as a thin layer over the down top. They are light, coming in around 1.6 kg, and are available at Mountain Equipment Coop for about $150+. The down portion loses insulating capacity when wet.
The Hazards
One the West Coast Trail, hiking around surge channels, on rock shelf with pools and standing water, and on beaches is common. Any slip and fall and gear can get wet by falling into the water, even if in the pack. This is a real and significant hazard. Another other main hazard is rain. Everything can get wet when it is raining on the west coast. Even the air is a hazard. The air there holds a huge amount of water and sleeping bags are notorious for absorbing it directly from the air. The next consideration is how to manage these hazards.
Managing Your System
The two main considerations for a sleeping system on the West Coast Trail are the wet and the weight. Managing the weight is important for all the sleeping bag types, but absolutely critical for some. The main ideas of keeping the bag dry are:
- Keep it in a dry container, such as a dry bag or a stuff sack with a large garbage bag inside.
- Leave it in the container when you are not sleeping in it-take it out only when going to bed and re-stuff it when you get up.
- Take off any wet things in the tent before getting your bag out, and put them away in their own garbage bag. Keep a "sacred dry set" of clothes for inside the tent, and keep them in a separate, dedicated dry bag or stuff sack/garbage liner combination.
- Wipe down the tent floor if any water gets in before taking out the bag.
- Making sure the tent is rain proof with a good fly and set it up to avoid splash up under the fly into the tent.
Many people, and especially tour companies, advise you to not take a down sleeping bag. They are managing risks externally for themselves. If you know how to manage it, a down bag is fine. Down bags are light, so they are the ideal for carrying on the West Coast Trail. Following the management suggestions above should make it possible for you to have a down bag no matter what the conditions. Hybrid bags are a good compromise because you do not lose all your insulating value if the bag gets wet. Generally, you would want to avoid the cotton lined bags altogether because of the coldness and the weight, and the synthetic inner/synthetic shell bags are heavy as well, but keep you warm no matter what. If do not have any or much backcountry camping experience, go with the heavier, but bomb-proof synthetic/synthetic option. Practice your sleeping system management and get yourself a down or hybrid bag after you are totally secure in keeping your bag dry in all conditions.
To learn more about hiking trips on the West Coast Trail and other coastal hikes, visit www.coastalbliss.ca where you will find article, videos, and more about BC hiking tours and coastal adventures.
About the Author
Gary Ward has been leading trips and teaching in wilderness areas for 20 years. Having travelled from desert to sea, he spends most of his time now in coastal areas, exploring the boundary between land and sea, land and sky, and sea and sky.
Gary can be found on one of these boundaries, running Coastal Bliss Adventures with his partner, Georgia Newsome, and writing about Beautiful BC.
How much is a small bag of dry ice? I'm 18 can I buy dry ice?
I live in las vegas and I would like to know if I can buy a bag of dry ice by myself without any license...
Price varies by location, as can laws concerning its purchase.