The waterproof bag is the ideal equipment to protect your belongings from water or sand if you have decided to go to the beach or if you want to practice a water activity (canoeing, paddle, etc.). ). There is a wide variety of waterproof bags. To help you choose a waterproof bag that perfectly meets your expectations, we present in this article the main criteria on which you can rely. So follow the guide and choose a waterproof bag perfectly suited to your needs!
Choose your waterproof bag from different models
There are several types of waterproof bags, and not all of them have the same characteristics. The tube bag and the backpack are the main types of waterproof bags found on the market, but you can also opt for a satchel or a waterproof travel bag.
The waterproof tube bag
The tube bag is essential equipment for going to the beach. It is one of the most used waterproof bags. It is characterized by its simplicity of use and its practicality in use. The waterproof tube bag can be worn on the shoulder or across the body, but you will find tube bags on Feelfree that can be worn as a backpack, for optimal comfort of use. The tube bags are equipped with a roll-up closure, which makes them perfectly waterproof in the event of splashing water or temporary immersion.
The waterproof backpack
The backpack is known for its many advantages, starting with its practicality. A waterproof backpack will allow you to keep your belongings dry while keeping your hands completely free. Like the tube bag, the waterproof backpack exists in several formats, and can be adapted to all uses, whether you want to use it during your hikes or your water activities. To guarantee their waterproofness, the backpacks can be equipped with a roll-up closure, a flap closure, or a zipper.
Choose your waterproof bag according to the activity practiced
A waterproof bag is also chosen according to its use. Indeed, not all waterproof bags have the same characteristics or the same amenities, in terms of practicality or capacity. You will therefore need to choose a waterproof bag that will be perfectly suited to the type of activity you will be practicing.
For a hike in the forest or to spend the afternoon on the beach, a waterproof bag with a small carrying volume will be enough to allow you to carry everything you need. For a walk or an outing by the sea, it will be especially necessary that your waterproof bag is light and easy to carry.
If you intend to go to the seaside for several days, and you plan to do a water activity during your stay, equip yourself with a waterproof bag large enough to carry all the items necessary for your excursion.
If you practice a water sport (paddle, surf, diving, etc.), choose a waterproof bag large enough to carry your spare gear, but also light enough to be comfortable to carry. Choose a waterproof backpack to have your hands free when practicing your water activity.
Choose your waterproof bag according to its type of closure
All waterproof bags have a suitable closing system to guarantee their waterproofness, but they do not all close in the same way. So choose your waterproof bag based on the closure system that seems most practical to you. There are three types of closures for waterproof bags:
- Roll-up closure: also called folding closure, this type of closure is very effective in guaranteeing optimal sealing of a bag against splashes of water and temporary immersion.
- The zipper: bags with a patented TIZIP® zipper are resistant to temporary immersion.
- Clip closure: this closure system mainly concerns submersible cases, the watertightness of which is ensured thanks to their O-rings.
Choose your waterproof bag according to its waterproof level
As its name suggests, the purpose of a waterproof bag is to prevent water or any other external element (sand, earth or dust) from infiltrating. You must therefore choose your waterproof bag according to its degree of waterproofing.
To achieve maximum waterproofness, waterproof bags are made from thick fabrics and materials resistant to shock, stretching, abrasion, friction, as well as UV rays.
The use of synthetic materials such as polypropylene or nylon allows waterproof bags to benefit from maximum waterproofing. The weight of the fabrics used by waterproof bags is generally greater than 600 g/m², in order to limit the risk of tearing.
To determine the waterproof level of a waterproof bag, check its protection rating (IP). This is an international standard that assesses the level of protection offered by a bag against moisture, from simple resistance to light rain to resistance to total immersion.
The waterproof level of a bag is measured on a scale of 0 to 8, but to truly be considered “waterproof”, a bag must have an IP rating greater than 4:
- IP 0: no protection against humidity
- IP 1: protection against rain falling vertically
- IP 2: protection against rain falling at an angle of inclination greater than 15°
- IP 3: protection against rain falling at an angle of inclination greater than 60°
- IP 4: protection against splashing water
- IP 5: protection against jets of water from the garden hose
- IP 6: protection against short-term accidental falls into water
- IP 7: protection against temporary immersion (up to 1 m submersion)
- IP 8: protection against prolonged immersion
The most waterproof bags are bags with a protection index of 8. They resist total and permanent immersion, and are therefore perfectly suited for diving.
Feelfree protection factor
At Feelfree, we have 3 waterproof ratings:
- Level 1 (IP 4) Rain Proof, corresponds to a waterproof bag which will protect you against light rain.
- Level 2 (IP 5) Weather Proof, will be a “water resistant” bag, which will guarantee you protection against all bad weather.
- Level 3 (IP 7) Water Proof, 100% waterproof level will protect you against brief immersions.
These three levels of waterproofing have been designed to simplify the more technical characteristics of the international “IP” standard so that you can more easily select the bag that suits you best.
On all of our products, you will find these labels throughout your customer experience. All you have to do is choose yours!
Choose your waterproof bag according to its capacity
Finally, the last criterion to take into account and not the least is that of the capacity of your waterproof bag. It is indeed essential that you pay particular attention to the size of your waterproof bag. Depending on your needs and the use you plan to make of it, it should not be too big so as not to take up space, but enough to allow you to store all the things you need.
Most waterproof bags have a capacity between 10 and 40 L, which is enough to carry all your belongings for a day at the beach. Waterproof bags with a capacity greater than 40 L will be recommended if you need to take more things with you during your stay at the seaside.
