I’ve used the humble trash compactor bag as a pack liner for many years. They’re inexpensive, light, readily available, and work well.
But they also eventually develop holes, and stuffing everything into one large bag does not always make for the most organized or compact system.
Enter the Hilltop Packs Custom Printed Dry Bags.
Hilltop Packs makes these roll-top bags from Challenge D50T fabric and seam tapes them for additional weather resistance. We use the Jumbo, which holds 11 liters, measures 12.25″ x 22.25″, and weighs a listed 1.45 oz(41 g). Hilltop recommends this size for winter clothing or lightweight quilts in roughly the 20F to 50F range.
In actual use, I find the Jumbo size just about right for my needs.
I use two Jumbo bags, one for my quilt and another for clothing and toiletries. Two bags weigh just under 3 oz (80g), or roughly the same as a typical large trash compactor bag. I get better organization, a more compact kit, and considerably more durability for essentially the same weight.
And unlike the typical lightweight stuff sack, the roll-top closure and seam-taped D50T fabric provide good water resistance.
I still don’t consider them a substitute for a pack liner when I really need to keep my gear dry. On a packrafting trip, for example, I’ll put these bags inside a heavier trash compactor bag. The combination gives me another layer of protection while keeping my quilt and clothing organized separately.
For regular backpacking, though, I like the balance.
Joan came to a similar conclusion:
“The material is durable but still lightweight. I used to just use trash compactor bags, but since we frequently use them, they develop holes and end up in the trash more often than I like. These are a nice balance of light and durable.”
That’s probably the biggest practical selling point for us. A trash compactor bag does the job and costs very little, but it is ultimately disposable. These bags weigh very little themselves, are considerably more durable, and are something we expect to use repeatedly.
Joan also likes the Jumbo sizing:
“A good size. Big enough for a sleeping bag and sleep clothes.”
And then there’s the completely non-essential feature that arguably makes these bags so much fun: the photos.
Hilltop lets you upload your own image and prints the same design on both sides of the bag. We chose photos from our trips, so instead of another anonymous piece of outdoor gear, we have bags covered with images from places we’ve actually been.
Joan probably summed up that part better than I could:
“I’m really happy with the print. I love having a sweet photo memory. It makes me wish more things were available with fun photos on them.”
No one needs a dry bag with a favorite backpacking photo printed on it. A plain bag holds gear just as well.
But gear doesn’t always have to be completely utilitarian, either.
The photos add a bit of whimsy, make the bags instantly recognizable, and turn an otherwise mundane piece of backpacking equipment into something personal. After years of looking at essentially interchangeable stuff sacks and plastic pack liners, I admit these make me smile when I pull them out of my pack.
I took the accompanying photo of one of the bags across from where I took the photos for this review. How cool is that??
At about $30 each, these bags aren’t inexpensive compared to a trash compactor bag. But if you backpack frequently, the durability, organization, and low weight may make the cost worthwhile over years of use. If you only get out occasionally or want a simple budget option, a trash compactor bag still works just fine.
Overall, the Hilltop Packs Jumbo dry bags hit a nice sweet spot for us. At 1.45 ounces(41 grams) each, they add very little weight, organize and compress our gear well, offer useful water resistance, and should prove more durable than the disposable plastic bags we’ve traditionally used.
In situations where getting wet has serious consequences, I’ll still use a heavier pack liner as an extra layer of waterproofing.
For everything else?
These work well, and having some favorite memories printed on them makes a surprisingly mundane piece of gear a lot more enjoyable to use.
Disclosure – Hill Top Packs provided the stuff sacks for our review