I wanted to get some input on what some opinions are on the size of dry packs you have. 70L or 115L? How much can you pack into them?

I have the SealLine Black Canyon Boundary dry pack I got as a present. It's not terrible, but I wouldn't recommend it over a traditional pack. It will fit sleeping bags, inflatable Exped mats, and clothes for me, my wife and daughter IF we don't pack a lot of clothes. It's very tight to fit all that and takes some careful packing. I haven't really gotten it wet, so I'm not sure how waterproof it is, but it doesn't really seem to seal air tight. I still use a liner since it holds our clothes and sleeping bags. The closure is tricky and doesn't roll up as tight and easy as I would like. Also, it's not a very comfortable pack. However, it seems fairly well constructed.

Have a 70 litre. Can fit 2 uncompressed big Agnes bags and pads, 2 hammocks with rainflys, clothes for 2, and a little room left over. The stuff doesn't get wet in the bottom slosh of the canoe or in rain. I really like it. Also use a 35 liter for all our other cooking stuff and misc gear, along with a food pack for 2 people, for a week. They're nice if you don't need lots of pockets on a pack and don't need a hip belt.

I had two of the 115L Sealine bags and could pack a ton of stuff in them for my wife and I. Tent, two sleeping bags, two BA IAC pads, Food all the other gear and clothes. The only problem I had with them as they are a pain in the butt to get gear in and out of if it's down at the bottom. This is due to the part that you roll down getting in the way. So I switched over to Kondos portage packs and have them lined with a heavy duty contractor garbage bag and have had no problems with getting gear in and out or it getting wet. Another problem with the Sealline bags is you need to watch for holes that can develop in them. I had to patch two bags that got holes in them from wear or from getting poked with a root or stick. They aren't totally fragile but you do need to be careful.

Welcome to the forums CanoeIowa, Where are you located? I'm over in the Quad Cities.

quote cycle003: "I have the SealLine Black Canyon Boundary dry pack I got as a present. It's not terrible, but I wouldn't recommend it over a traditional pack. It will fit sleeping bags, inflatable Exped mats, and clothes for me, my wife and daughter IF we don't pack a lot of clothes. It's very tight to fit all that and takes some careful packing. I haven't really gotten it wet, so I'm not sure how waterproof it is, but it doesn't really seem to seal air tight. I still use a liner since it holds our clothes and sleeping bags. The closure is tricky and doesn't roll up as tight and easy as I would like. Also, it's not a very comfortable pack. However, it seems fairly well constructed. "

My friend has one of those blue bags and I hate it when he takes it on our trips. I call it the big blue marble because it turns into a sphere when packed (at least his does). It does not mate well with my CCS packs. Also, the rubber material tends to be sticky so the pack wants to stay in the canoe when jammed against the thwarts. When unloading the canoe at portages the big blue marble has rolled its way under the thwarts and is a PITA to pull out whereas my CCS packs simply slip out with little resistance.

Although the blue pack is waterproof, it also keeps the water inside when de-camping and packing up wet gear. It is not designed to be able to stuff wet gear on top and dry gear inside like traditional packs.

He also hates portaging the marble because it is uncomfortable to lug around a heavy rubber sphere on his back.

I think these packs are better for river or kayak trips.