How Many Dry Sacks Do I Need for Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

When it comes to backpacking, many people often overlook the importance of dry sacks. Dry sacks are used for water-resistant storage of gear and supplies, making them essential for any backpacking trip. The number of dry sacks you need for backpacking will depend on the length of your trip, the type of supplies you’ll be carrying, and how much gear you plan to bring with you.

The size and weight of your dry sack will depend on what type of supplies you are carrying. If you are planning a multi-day trip, it is best to have multiple smaller dry sacks so that each sack can be tailored to its contents. For example, if you plan on carrying food items such as snacks or freeze-dried meals, it is best to have a separate dry sack for these items.

This way, if one sack gets wet or damaged, your other food items will remain safe and dry.

It is also important to keep in mind that heavier items should be placed in larger dry sacks while lightweight items should be placed in smaller ones. This allows for better weight distribution and helps ensure that your pack does not become too heavy from a single item. Additionally, having multiple sizes of dry sacks helps make organizing your gear easier as each sack can hold different types of supplies.

In terms of exact numbers, it is hard to give an exact answer as everyone’s needs will vary depending on their specific trip. However, as a general rule of thumb, most people find that two or three small-to-medium sized dry sacks are sufficient for short trips lasting no more than two days. For longer trips or trips involving more gear, more dry sacks may be necessary.

Conclusion:

When planning a backpacking trip it is important to consider how many dry sacks you need in order to properly store and protect all your gear and supplies. The number of bags needed will vary depending on the length of the trip and the type and amount of gear being carried but typically two or three small-to-medium sized bags should suffice for shorter trips while longer trips may require more bags.