Salty Saturday - Waterproof Packs
WATERPROOF PACKS
How you carry your gear for a day on the water is a very personal thing. Some like to keep everything fast and light, others prefer to take every item they have with them. Lucky for us, there are plenty of options to accommodate for all tastes.
I want my gear to stay dry, particularly in saltwater, so waterproof packs are essential for me. Here are a few questions I’m often asked in regards to waterproof packs:
“Is there a difference in how waterproof different waterproof packs are”?
- The answer is yes.
- Simms G4 Pro packs are waterproof in the sense that if you fall in, or get rained on, your gear will stay dry. Think water resistant with G4 Pro’s.
- If you are the hardcore type who will swim across a channel to get to an island, or to access a different flat, the Dry Creek range is definitely for you as they are completely waterproof.
“Why would you buy G4 Pro over Dry Creek”?
- They have much better organisation due to the pockets and compartments incorporated into their design.
- They are more affordable.
- Not everyone NEEDS a completely waterproof pack, often water resistant is enough.
“Why would you buy a Dry Creek over a G4 Pro then”?
- When you NEED your gear to stay dry no matter what.
“What should I buy - a hip pack, a sling or a back pack?”
- Each has its advantages, but the choice is usually dictated by how much gear you need to carry, and how comfortable you find each option.
HIP PACKS
The Simms G4 Tactical Hip Packs are ideal for the fast and light types. Enough room for a fly box, water bottle and some bits and pieces. They are super light and compact.
The Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is a personal favourite of mine for flats fishing, and you can read all about it in detail in an earlier Blog I wrote HERE
SLING PACKS
Slings have certainly made a big impact since becoming available. The functionality of being able to access your stuff while you are waist deep in water is a massive advantage over other types of packs. They are closer to a small Back Pack in capacity, yet have the swing around access functionality of a hip pack.
The Simms G4 and Dry Creek Slings both have plenty of room for gear. The G4 has the storage edge, with lots of compartments for ease of storing your gear. The Dry Creek wins in the swim across a channel and keep your gear dry kind of way.
BACKPACKS
I use backpacks when I need to carry lots of gear comfortably. They also double as carry on luggage for interstate/overseas trips, and as a boat bag.
Which bag you should choose depends on how much you wish to carry, how organised you want to be, and how dry you want your gear to stay.
My first choice when I travel Internationally is the Dry Creek Backpack, particularly when the weight of your main bag is an issue. Read why HERE
The Dry Creek Z Backpack is a smaller, more compact Pack that is perfect for a Flats day pack. If I was choosing a Back Pack just to Flats fish with, it would be this one. It will also serve as a smaller carry on if you don’t take as much gear as I do.
As you can see, there are loads of options with waterproof packs. The key to choosing the right one for you is to work out what your needs in a pack are.
