man on paddleboard with dry bag. he is taking a picture of a woman on a different paddlebaoard
man on paddleboard with dry bag. he is taking a picture of a woman on a different paddlebaoard

What To Take In Your Paddleboard Dry Bag

Written by Lydia Burdett /

Any SUP enthusiast will tell you that one of their most crucial pieces of equipment is a top quality paddleboard dry bag. They allow us to keep all of our kit organised and protected from the elements, which is especially helpful when you’re engaging in a water-based activity like stand up paddleboarding. Whether you’re a keen photographer or enjoy a SUP trip that sees you indulge in a picnic on the way, the ability to take a range of belongings with you can really enhance stand up paddleboarding. A paddleboard dry bag allows you to achieve exactly that, so it’s important that you invest in a good one and pack the right things. 

Here at Red, we work tirelessly to ensure that our awesome selection of waterproof bags includes an adventure companion for everyone. We have created a range of unique paddleboard dry bags that are ideal for stowing your important belongings on a SUP trip. Let’s take a closer look at your options and the things you’ll want to take with you.

Essential Paddleboard Dry Bag Packing List

With your paddleboard dry bag selected, it’s time to consider the contents. When packing your essential gear, it should go without saying that you’ll need to plan for the size of the bag you’ve chosen and the weather conditions you are facing. However, we recommend that you keep the following essentials close to hand in your paddleboard dry bag.

Your Phone

Having your phone on hand when hitting the water is always a wise idea. It’s not just a way to take some great photos, it’s also a key navigation and safety device. There are all kinds of helpful apps that you can download onto your mobile device that will help to improve your SUP experience, and it’s important to have it available to contact a friend back on shore or the emergency services in case of a crisis. Storing small items like your phone is where a small dry bag like the Waterproof Dry Pouch comes into its own.

Drinks Bottle

Having a drinks bottle like the Red Insulated Water Bottle is important for keeping up your hydration levels when you’re engaging in a physical activity like paddleboarding. If you’re making use of our Deck Bag you’ll have a pair of drink bottle pockets, allowing you to easily stow your beverage of choice on the paddleboard.

Sun Protection

Don’t forget your first line of defence against sunburn and UV rays, particularly if you’re paddleboarding in summer! Naturally, your paddleboarding trip might involve exposing yourself to the sun for a prolonged period so you’ll need to be careful and think about how you can keep your skin protected. Make the most of the space in your paddleboard dry bag and pack a suncream with minimum 30 SPF, as well as a cap and/or sunglasses to keep your eyes protected if the space in your paddleboard dry bag allows. 

Microfibre Towel

If space allows, pop a small towel into your paddleboard dry bag. Not only good for drying off if you fancy a quick dip at a point of interest along the way, a towel can also come in handy if you need to clean up any of your SUP gear or dry your hands before using your phone to snap the sights from your board. We suggest choosing a microfibre towel - it’ll be so light you’ll hardly even notice its there and will dry off exceptionally quickly so that you can avoid getting everything else in the dry bag wet when you roll it up and tuck it away after use. 

Keys

There’s no getting around the fact that you’ll have a set of keys with you when you go paddleboarding, but you might still feel apprehensive about risking taking them in the water with you. Rather than leaving your keys on the shore and out of sight, you can keep them safely stowed in a paddleboard dry bag. This way, you’ll know where they are at all times and be able to get back home or into the car fuss-free when it’s time to call it a day on the water.

Related articles