Custom Waterproof Dry Bags Built to Your Brand

Custom waterproof dry bags are roll-top (or zip-sealed) waterproof sacks engineered to keep gear completely dry in kayaking, boating, rafting, beach and outdoor use — and branded to your specification. As a specialist waterproof bag factory, we build custom dry bags in volumes from 500 pieces to 50,000, in sizes from 1L phone pouches to 50L expedition sacks, sealed to IPX7 and IPX8. This page is our deepest guide to ordering custom waterproof dry bags: materials, sizes, closures, decoration, pricing and lead times, backed by our 200,000-pieces-per-month SGS-verified output.

What makes a dry bag truly waterproof

A dry bag works on a simple principle: a welded plastic shell plus a roll-top closure. The fabric itself is coated or laminated to be non-porous, the seams are welded rather than sewn (so there are no needle holes to leak), and the opening is sealed by rolling the flexible collar down three to four times and clipping a buckle. Because there is no zipper to fail, the weld line becomes the waterproof barrier. We rate our dry bags to IEC 60529: IPX7 for 30 minutes at one metre of submersion, and IPX8 for continuous submersion. A roll-top welded dry bag is the most reliable waterproof product we make, which is why it is our highest-demand custom line.

Sizes and capacities we custom-build

Size is the first decision a buyer makes. We build the full range, and each size fits a different use case. The table below maps capacity to what it carries and who buys it most often.

Materials: PVC vs TPU-laminated nylon

The two dominant dry-bag materials suit different price points and feels. PVC-mesh is the budget workhorse: glossy, stiff, inexpensive, ideal for promotional 5L–10L bags. TPU-laminated nylon is lighter, suppler and matte, which is why premium outdoor brands choose it for 20L–50L hiking and expedition bags. Film thickness runs 0.5 mm (light promo) to 1.0–1.2 mm (heavy expedition). We also offer RPET recycled TPU for eco-led lines, certified under the Textile Exchange GRS.

Closure and accessory options

The default closure is roll-top with a side-release buckle. Upgrades include: an additional shoulder strap (padded or plain), a sternum strap, D-rings for attaching to a kayak, a clear viewing window, a front zippered pocket, a compression strap, and a lash loop. For phone pouches we use a TPU touch-window and a detachable lanyard. We can also build a hybrid: roll-top main body with a zip-access front pocket. Tell us how your customer uses the bag and we will spec the accessories that actually get used.

Branding your dry bags

This is a printed and branded product line. Decoration options include one- or two-colour screen print (cheapest at volume), full-colour heat-transfer/DTF, UV direct print, and sewn woven or leather patches for a premium feel. Most dry bag buyers choose a chest or lower-corner print of their logo in 1–2 Pantone colours. For a deeper dive on decorating bags, see private label and logo options and how we custom-print.

MOQ, sampling and lead time

MOQ is 500 pieces per size / colourway. Samples take 6–10 working days and the first revision is free. Bulk production runs 35–50 days depending on quantity and decoration, then DDP shipping to 100+ countries. At 5,000+ pieces unit cost drops to the bottom of the range. See the MOQ guide for quantity tiers.

Why buy dry bags from a specialist factory

General bag factories treat dry bags as one SKU among hundreds. We specialise in sealed waterproof soft goods. Our welders weld TPU/PVC every day, our QC checklist is written for seam integrity, and our sample room keeps roll-top tooling ready. That focus shows up two ways: a consistent IPX8 seam across every unit, and a shorter lead time because we are not switching production lines between unrelated products. Our output is SGS-verified at 200,000 pieces a month under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system, with social audit under amfori BSCI.

How to choose the right dry bag size for your brand

One of the most common reasons a dry bag reorder changes size is that the first size was chosen on instinct rather than packing list. Before you quote, decide what your customer actually carries. A phone, wallet and keys fit a 1–2L pouch. A phone, towel, water bottle and light rain shell fit a 5L bag. A full change of clothes plus lunch fits a 10L. A day's hiking or boating kit — layers, food, jacket, camera — fits a 20L. An overnight camping load fits a 30L. A multi-day rafting or expedition load fits 40–50L. If your line targets a mixed audience, a 10L and a 20L pair covers most beach and day-trip buyers; we recommend listing both rather than guessing one size.

Volume also affects the roll-top. A 5L bag needs only a few rolls to seal; a 30L bag needs a tight three-to-four-roll closure with a correctly sized buckle. We tune the collar height and buckle position to the volume so the bag seals properly when full, not just when half-empty.

Seam construction: why welding beats stitching

A sewn bag will leak. Every needle hole is a potential water path, and seam tape eventually peels under UV, salt and flex. Our dry bags use no needle penetration across the water barrier: panels are fused by high-frequency (RF) welding, which heats the PVC/TPU molecules internally and joins two layers into one monolithic seam. For TPU-laminated nylon we may use hot-air wedge welding. Both methods produce a seam strong enough to survive the bag's own loaded weight underwater. Where webbing is anchored — shoulder strap, D-rings — we reinforce with a load-spreading patch and over-tape every stitch line so the structural stitching never crosses the waterproof barrier. We pressure-test a sample seam every two hours on the line.

Testing and quality control on dry bags

Every sealed line is tested before it leaves the floor. The standard submergence test loads a sample bag, submerges it to one metre for 30 minutes (IPX7) or continuously (IPX8), and inspects for seepage along seams and closure. We also run a roll-over pressure test that simulates a bag tumbling in a boat. Incoming fabric rolls are checked for width, weight, film thickness and D65 colour. Finished cartons are sampled to AQL 2.5. For buyers who want independent verification we arrange third-party inspection through SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek. Our return rate across 2024–2025 shipments is below 1.8%.

Custom decoration on dry bags

A dry bag becomes a branded product the moment decoration is applied. Screen printing works well for one- to four-spot-colour logos on flat PVC/TPU and is the lowest-cost option at 5,000+ pieces. Full-colour DTF heat-transfer lets you print gradients, photos and complex artwork — the default for promotional campaigns. UV direct print handles textured surfaces without film setup. Sewn woven or leather patches give the premium, hand-finished look that outdoor brands use for flagship SKUs. We recommend the decoration based on your logo complexity, fabric and order volume. Compare methods on custom printing and private label.

Dry bags by sport and use case

What drives your unit cost

Four levers move the price. Film thickness: 0.5 mm PVC is the budget floor; 1.0 mm TPU nylon is premium. Decoration: one-colour screen print is cheapest; full-colour DTF and sewn patches cost more. Quantity: 500 pcs carries a setup penalty; 5,000+ pcs unlocks the bottom of the range. Hardware: generic buckles are cheap; acetal/ITW-grade hardware adds cost but lasts. We show the trade-offs in the tech pack so you can hit your target retail margin. For EU buyers we supply REACH-tested fabrics and for US buyers address Prop 65.

How we ship and export dry bags

We ship DDP to 100+ countries. You pay one landed price; we handle export declaration, ocean or air freight, destination duties and customs clearance, and deliver to your warehouse. Dry bags pack flat, so freight cost per unit is low — they are one of the most economical waterproof categories to container-load. HS codes are prepared under the WCO HS Nomenclature. Sea freight to the US West Coast runs 25–35 days door-to-door; express samples arrive in 3–7 days.

Dry bags vs waterproof duffels: which to stock

Buyers often ask whether to list a roll-top dry bag or a waterproof duffel. They are different products. A dry bag is a flexible, lightweight sack that seals by rolling; it compresses small and is ideal for keeping gear dry inside a kayak or boat. A waterproof duffel is a structured bag with carry handles and a zip or roll-down opening, built to be the outer bag you carry. If your customer is paddling and needs to protect gear inside another boat, a dry bag. If they want a single bag to carry and protect clothes on a trip, a duffel. We build both; many brands list a 20L dry bag and a 40L duffel as a pair. See our tote & backpack range for structured options.

Care, aftercare and warranty window

Dry bags need minimal care but a few habits extend life. Rinse saltwater off the weld line after use, especially after saltwater or sand. Dry fully before long-term storage to prevent mould inside. Avoid prolonged UV exposure, which eventually ages PVC. Do not over-stuff beyond rated capacity, which strains the seam. We specify the build to match your warranty window: a promotional 0.5 mm PVC bag suits a 6–12 month warranty, while a 1.0 mm TPU nylon expedition bag suits a multi-year warranty. Telling us your warranty length at quoting lets us spec the right grade rather than over- or under-building.

Sustainable and recycled dry bags

Outdoor retail buyers increasingly ask for recycled content. We offer RPET fabric made from post-consumer plastic bottles, which can be certified under the Textile Exchange GRS. Recycled TPU performs comparably to virgin TPU in weld strength and waterproof rating, with a smaller carbon footprint. We can also scope ISO 14001-aligned documentation against ISO 14001 for ESG-led retailers. A recycled-content dry bag is a strong marketing story for eco-conscious outdoor brands.

Retail packaging and merchandising

If your dry bags sell on a shelf or Amazon, packaging matters. We supply custom hangtags with care and IP instructions, barcode and FNSKU labels, header cards for peg hanging, and mailer boxes for DTC orders. Amazon sellers get polybagged units with suffocation warnings and FNSKU labels. Boutique outdoor stores get a clean paper hangtag. Because the bag packs flat, freight per unit is low, which makes dry bags one of the most economical waterproof categories to stock. Tell us your channel and we will build the merchandising into the unit cost.

Why buyers choose us over other factories

We specialise in sealed waterproof soft goods rather than making a dry bag as a side SKU. That means our welders are experts in TPU/PVC, our QC is written for seam integrity, and our lead times hold at 35–50 days because we are not switching lines. We control decoration in-house, so the logo matches the approved sample across the whole run. We ship DDP with one landed price. Our 200,000-pieces-a-month SGS-verified capacity means even a 20,000-piece reorder fits without displacing production. If you compare quotes, ask each supplier for their SGS capacity verification and a pressure-tested sample — the comparison usually brings buyers back.

Dry bag FAQ

How to read a dry bag specification

When comparing quotes, read the spec line by line. "0.5 mm PVC" tells you the weight and budget band. "RF-welded seams" tells you it is genuinely sealed; "stitched with tape" means it is splash-resistant, not submersible. "IPX8" means continuous submersion; "waterproof" without an IP code is a marketing claim. "DDP" means one landed price; "FOB" means you arrange freight and duties. A quote that omits film thickness, weld method and IP rating is not a complete quote. Our tech packs state all three explicitly so you can compare apples to apples.

Industries that order custom dry bags from us

Our dry bag order book spans several channels. Outdoor and adventure brands take 10L–30L TPU dry bags for retail. Beach and coastal retailers take 5L–10L printed PVC bags. Kayak and paddle clubs order branded sets for members and rentals. Promotional and event agencies order 1–5L pouches with event branding. Fishing and marine brands take saltwater-rated 10L–20L bags. Resorts and hotels order welcome-kit phone pouches. Contract and industrial buyers order custom welded dry storage for field equipment. We tailor the film thickness, rating and decoration to each channel — a promotional beach bag does not need expedition-grade film, and an expedition bag should not be downgraded to promo PVC. Tell us your channel and we will recommend the spec that sells through.

Order your custom waterproof dry bags

Send us your reference, a competitor link, or your own design. We will turn it into a tech pack and a physical sample in 6–10 working days. Browse the wider custom waterproof bags category, see the production process, or request a quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What IP rating do you test custom dry bags to?

Every dry bag is rated to IEC 60529 and labelled only at the level it passes. IPX6 resists powerful spray and suits event and promo pouches. IPX7 survives 30 minutes at one metre of submersion, the standard for beach and day-use bags. IPX8 covers continuous submersion and is what we build for roll-top expedition and kayak bags. Testing is done in-house on the production floor, and we can arrange third-party verification through SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek on request.

Q2. Which dry bag capacities can you customise?

We build 1L to 50L on the same roll-top platform. The most ordered sizes are 5L for festivals and gift sets, 10L for kayaking and snorkelling, 20L for hiking and day trips, and 30L for camping and motorcycle travel. Above 40L we reinforce the base and upgrade the shoulder strap. Width and height are cut to your own pattern rather than scaled from a stock shape, so awkward dimensions such as a tall narrow 15L for paddleboards are straightforward to tool.

Q3. How does the roll-top closure actually keep water out?

The collar is rolled down three to four times and clipped, which folds the flexible fabric onto itself and creates a compressed labyrinth seal. Because there is no zipper or tooth to fail, the seal holds even when the bag is dropped in the water. Rolled correctly, it survives IPX8 continuous submersion. We instruct users to roll at least three full turns, expel trapped air before clipping, and never roll over a strap, since a webbing tail inside the roll creates a capillary path.

Q4. Should I choose PVC or TPU for my custom dry bag?

It depends on the price point and use. PVC mesh runs 0.5–0.9 mm, glossy and stiff, and is the budget workhorse for promotional 5L–10L bags. TPU-laminated nylon runs 0.7–1.2 mm, is lighter and matte, and handles cold-weather flex without cracking, so premium hiking and expedition brands use it. RPET recycled TPU offers the same weld strength with a recycled story. We recommend a grade once you tell us retail price and intended warranty window.

Q5. What are the MOQ, sampling and bulk lead times for custom dry bags?

MOQ is 500 pieces per style. Sampling takes 6–10 working days from an approved tech pack, and the first revision round is free. Once you approve the sample, bulk production runs 35–50 days, with in-line seam checks every two hours and final inspection to AQL 2.5 before loading. Payment is T/T 30% deposit and 70% before shipment, quoted FOB Xiamen or DDP to 100+ countries. Email service@junyuanbags.com for a quote.