Need to keep your gear dry and accessible on your next hiking, kayaking or backpacking trip? No problem! Paddy Pallin carries a huge range of storage options for your camping gear, clothing, toiletries and food. From weight-saving ultralight stuff sacks to waterproof dry bags, plus food storage containers, map cases and packing cells, you’ll find it all at Paddy Pallin. We stock trusted brands including Sea To Summit, Fidlock, Osprey, Mont, Nalgene, Black + Blum, Klean Kanteen and Human Gear.

FAQs

Does Paddy Pallin stock storage bags for clothing and hiking gear?

We sure do! We carry a wide range of stuff sacks, compression bags, gear organisers, packing cubes, dry bags and pack liners for all your outdoor adventures from brands such as Osprey, Mont and Sea To Summit.

How do I keep my gear dry when hiking and doing water sports?

Dry bags are made from waterproof material which have sealed seams and roll tops that help keep your gear dry. However, unless the dry bag material is really thick, moisture can still seep through. Most dry bags should not be submerged for long periods of time. Use the right dry bag for your outdoor activities, such as one made from thick waterproof fabric with lash points for kayaking. Add a rain cover or pack liner to your backpack if you're hiking in the rain for a long time. You can find a wide range of dry storage bags at Paddy Pallin from brands like Osprey and Sea To Summit.

How do I use a dry bag?

Dry bags have a stiff material at the top that is rolled down and clipped closed. Check the instructions for your dry bag, but most need to be rolled down at least three times. Once clipped closed, this keeps the dry bag sealed and watertight. Don’t pack the dry bag over three-quarters full, so there is room to roll down the top and create a tight seal. Before you roll, squeeze out as much air as you can. This will make the packed size as small as possible, saving valuable space in your luggage. 

What else can I use a dry bag for when travelling and hiking?

• Pack with soft clothing and use as a pillow
• Store wet gear
• Carry dirty laundry and shoes
• Use as a washing bucket by rolling the top back
• Fill with dirty clothes, water and soap and do your laundry
• Carry water from a river

How can I make my sleeping bag take up less room in my backpack?

A compression sack is essential for squeezing as much air out of your sleeping bag as possible. This is a stuff sack with webbing straps that squashes the contents and takes up less room inside your luggage. Down sleeping bags are highly compressible. You can usually reduce a down sleeping bag to half the size of its normal stuff sack when you use a compression bag. A synthetic sleeping bag won’t usually compress as easily as down, but you can still save a lot of space when you use a compression sack. At Paddy Pallin, we stock compression bags from Sea To Summit and Mont.

How do I keep my sleeping bag dry while hiking in wet weather?

You can use a dry compression bag for your sleeping bag. These have a waterproof roll top and sealed seams like a normal dry bag. They also have a breathable fabric on the bottom to help squeeze out air during compression. A dry compression sack keeps your sleeping bag super-dry while still taking up as little room as possible. Paddy Pallin carries dry compression bags from Sea To Summit.

Why should I use a rain cover for my backpack?

Dry bags keep your gear dry inside your backpack, but what about the backpack itself? By using a rain cover, you help the bag stay as dry as possible. This prevents water from seeping through the material and getting any of your precious gear wet. It also means you don’t drag a soaking wet backpack into your tent or shelter at night. Of course, there are parts of your bag that will still get wet, like the harness and hipbelt. That’s why your backpack rain cover works as part of a system with dry bags or a pack liner.

Should I use a pack liner or individual storage bags?

It’s up to you! It can be more convenient to protect everything inside one big pack liner. It’s also lighter. Make sure the pack liner is big enough to completely fill your bag so you don’t lose precious storage litres. Choose a pack liner that is tough enough to handle pulling gear in and out multiple times. Use the roll top to keep everything inside dry. Storage bags and packing cells might add some weight, but they allow you to separate your gear, making it easier to find and individually compress. This can make packing easier. You’re also less reliant on keeping your luggage completely dry. You can use different types of bags depending on your gear, e.g. lightweight compression bags for clothing and rain gear, dry compression bags for sleeping bags, and dry bags and stuff sacks for food and easy-grab items. A dry bag can also be attached to the outside of your luggage to carry dirty or wet gear. Find a wide range of storage bags and packing cubes at Paddy Pallin.

How do I keep my gear organised inside my luggage?

Use packing cubes and stuff sacks to separate your gear inside your suitcase or backpack. Not only does this make things easier to find, but it’s easier to pack. You also don’t have to worry about items falling out when you open your luggage. If you have similar storage bags or packing cells, use different colours to help you separate your gear by type. Some packing cubes and storage sacks come with mesh panels and see-through panels. These let you see what’s inside and help keep air flowing through gear that doesn’t need to stay protected from rain. Paddy Pallin carries packing cells, storage bags and stuff sacks from brands like Sea To Summit, Mont and Osprey.

How do I protect my gear from dirty items like shoes and laundry?

Use a shoe bag! Either one specially designed for carrying shoes or just a sturdy dry bag. You can also use different stuff sacks and packing cubes to separate dirty laundry from clean clothing.

Why should I store my sleeping bag or tent in a separate sack?

When not in use, keep your tent and sleeping bag in large, breathable storage sacks. This helps the materials rest and keeps insulation (like down and synthetic fills) light and fluffy. It also helps prevent moisture accumulation and mould growth, which can cause damage to your camping gear. Poor storage can cause your tent fly material to become sticky and stop your sleeping bag from performing at its best. You can buy tent and sleeping bag storage sacks from Paddy Pallin. Find out more about caring for your tent and sleeping bag on our Caring for Your Equipment page.

Can I buy waterproof phone and map cases at Paddy Pallin?

Yes, we stock waterproof pouches from Fidlock and Sea To Summit for storing your phone, keys, maps and other items that need to stay dry. Not all waterproof cases are designed to be submerged for long periods of time. Read the instructions for use carefully. Pop your items inside a press-seal bag or another dry bag for extra protection to keep your gear completely dry during water sports or swimming. Waterproof pouches also help protect your gear from sand and dust.

What is the best way to carry my food when hiking and travelling?

Paddy Pallin has everything you need for carrying your food safely and securely. Nalgene makes a range of storage bottles and containers for all food types. Nalgene’s tiny storage bottles are excellent for carrying herbs and spices to make your camping food into a gourmet feast. Larger storage containers are tough and leakproof for carrying butter, spreads, oats, flour, nuts and more. They also double as a bowl to eat from. Completely leakproof, trust Nalgene storage bottles and containers to carry liquids like oil, washing liquid, shampoo and sunscreen. Squeeze tubes and soft bottles from Human Gear and Coghlan’s are great for packing soft foods and spreads like peanut butter, jam, hummus and Vegemite. Waterproof cases and pouches, like those made by Fidlock and Sea To Summit, are handy for saving weight and space when carrying dry foods, such as vegetables, oats, nuts and fruit. For wet food, work lunches or food that needs more protection, use a hard storage container. Paddy Pallin stocks leakproof food storage containers from Black + Blum and Klean Kanteen that are tough and durable.