The $65 Dry Bag System vs. the $12 Bag That Does the Same Thing
“I bought a 40L dry bag for beach trips where I carry keys, a wallet, and a shirt. That's like renting a U-Haul to move a lamp. The Freegrace set gives you three sizes for $12 so you can pick the right bag for the actual stuff you're carrying.”
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag (40L) with Phone Case
27,654 reviews
Pros
- +40L — could fit a small child
- +Comes with waterproof phone case
- +D-ring attachment points for clipping
- +Heavy-duty 500D PVC material
Cons
- -40L is absurdly large for beach trips
- -$65 for a bag that keeps water out
- -I fill maybe 10% of it — the rest is just air I'm carrying
Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag Set (5L/10L/20L)
15,432 reviews
Pros
- +Three bags in different sizes — pick the right one for the trip
- +5L is perfect for keys, wallet, phone
- +10L for a change of clothes
- +20L for longer trips
- +$12 for all three. Twelve dollars. Three bags.
Cons
- -Thinner material than the Earth Pak
- -No phone case included (just use the JOTO pouch for $8)
- -Won't survive being dragged behind a boat
The Story
I needed a dry bag for kiteboarding. Specifically, I needed to keep my car keys and wallet dry while I was on the water. That's it. Keys. Wallet. Maybe a shirt.
So naturally, I bought a 40-liter dry bag. For context, 40 liters is enough to pack for a weekend camping trip. I needed to keep a key fob dry.
The Earth Pak is a great bag. Truly. It's well-made, it's waterproof, it has D-rings and a shoulder strap and a phone case. It's also ENORMOUS. I looked like I was evacuating my apartment every time I went to the beach. People probably thought I was moving.
I'd stuff my keys and wallet in this 40L cave, roll the top down, and clip it shut. The bag was 95% air and 5% key fob. I was essentially carrying an inflated balloon to the beach.
Then I discovered the Freegrace set: a 5L, a 10L, and a 20L bag for $12. The 5L is literally perfect for keys, wallet, and phone. It's the size of a large water bottle. I clip it to my harness, go kite, and forget about it.
I still have the 40L Earth Pak. I use it when I go kayaking with my daughter and need to pack snacks, diapers, toys, and backup outfits. It's great for that. But for the 90% of the time when I just need to keep my keys dry? The $12 set is the answer.
The Lesson
Size your gear to the actual task. A 5L bag for keys and wallet. A 40L bag for when you're actually hauling stuff. Don't bring a suitcase to carry a keychain.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest comparison of products I've actually used. Product details, prices, ratings, and review counts are approximate and may be outdated. This page was created with AI assistance. Not professional product advice — just one guy's experience.
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Glen's Musings — AI, investing, and building things. Occasional. Free.
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