Editor’s note: As we ask today’s gear to do more, last longer, and come in at a price that makes sense for a quality gear investment, it can be difficult for consumers in search of specialty items in the fly-fishing space to find the right piece of equipment for the right set of circumstances. Such is the case for waterproof backpacks. We’re launching a multi-part series on these items that are asked to do much more than just “keep stuff dry.” Following is the first review in the series.
Over the years, as my fishing travel has slowly evolved from an hour-long ride into the Idaho sticks, or perhaps a two-hour sojourn to the wilds of southwest Montana, into a globe-trotting affair involving airplanes, ferry boats, and 4x4 trucks traversing gnarly backcountry roads on different continents, my packing process has necessarily changed. Where I once could get by with my old and trusty Simms rod vault stuffed under the table in the camper and maybe a fishing vest or even sling pack or hip pack, I now must consolidate all the necessary fishing gear into an efficient carrying system that offers both convenience and volume. These days, my carry-on luggage is also my waterproof fishing backpack, which is also my on-the-boat gear and camera holder, which is also my daypack for any backcountry fishing.
On the plane, it carries my laptop, a tablet, charging blocks, camera batteries, drone batteries, and just about everything else I’ll need to get to while I’m on the road. Once at my destination, all the above-mentioned items are dumped out (save for the batteries), and it gets loaded with everything from spare reels and spools, flies, tools, tippets, spare leaders, fly floatant, hemostats (or stainless pliers on the flats or the pike lake),a good, sheathed knife, cameras, and a drone.
Over the last five or six years, I’ve been through a few of these wonderfully designed and innovative packs that serve as my “daily driver” when I travel. Others might have more targeted uses for waterproof packs, the intent of which is in the name — waterproof. They keep stuff dry. But for me, they’re also shouldered through airports, stuffed into overhead compartments or under the seat in front of me on a plane. In a perfect design, they’ll have a convenient laptop pocket, deep storage to arrange weight as thoughtfully and ergonomically as possible and sport some internal and/or external storage for smaller items, ranging from fly boxes and tippet spools on the water, to earbuds, charging cords and maybe a tablet on the go. Alas, I want it all in one package, mostly because carrying two backpacks on a trip to Patagonia, the Amazon, or the Yukon is simply impractical.
Am I asking too much of these packs? I don’t think so. Yes, I desperately want waterproof performance on the river, the flats or the lake. But I also want to be able to dump all my fishing stuff into my rolling duffle and reload the pack with the travel essentials when it’s time to hit the road. Perhaps I’m too demanding as a consumer, but I’m betting I’m not alone. My guess is that most well-traveled anglers considering a waterproof backpack have more than just the waterproof features in mind as they look for the best option. With that in mind, consider the following packs, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Starting this week, and continuing on, we’ll take a detailed look at a number of waterproof backpacks on the market today.
Simms Dry Creek Z Waterproof Backpack
This is Simms’ latest iteration of the Dry Creek Z, and it’s the second version I’ve tried. I loved the company’s first waterproof pack offering that I tried about five years back, and found its design to be worthy of the traveling angler who might find themselves on a plane one day, and on a flats boat the next. But, as is the case with all waterproof backpacks, in time, they will fail. And, it’s safe to say that the first thing to go will be the waterproof zipper. Of the offerings I’ve tried in the past, to a pack, the zipper is the first thing to go. And once it’s gone, the pack’s functionality is gone, too.
Simms’ newest offering, however, might be its best. It does still use its own TRU-zip “self-healing” waterproof zipper — think of it as a very durable Ziplock that truly does keep the water at bay. On my first trip with this pack, I was on a short hop from Nassau to Great Harbour Cay, and the plane wasn’t pressurized. I got a quick lesson on just how airtight the TRU-zip zipper was — the pack ballooned up under the seat in front of me, and I had to pull the zipper open just so I could remove the pack. I have the utmost confidence in Simms when it says the Dry Creek Z is fully submersible. That said, the zipper will come undone. True to its name, the user should be able to just back the zipper up and rezip it when the seams are separated. That is, unless the zipper attachment comes completely separated from one side of the zipper. Then, it’s very difficult to correct. Be mindful when using this zipper. No need to baby it, but it does require some conscious thought.
The Dry Creek Z holds 25 liters of gear, and it does include a laptop sleeve and a zippered compartment for everything from passports and phones to charge cords and small tablets. On the water, the laptop pocket is a solid container for a sizable fly box, and the zippered compartment is ideal for fishing accouterments ranging from tippet spools, pliers, nippers, leader packets, smaller fly boxes and the like. The hefty inside storage is great for tightly wrapped waders, a stuffed-in rain jacket, and anything else anglers might need to get at with reasonable convenience, like bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and the like. On the outside, pack sports two water bottle compartments, a pair of fabric loops (one on each side), a net carrier, padded shoulder straps (including one with a Velcro fly-dryer), padded hip straps and a handy exterior pocket that’s ideal for small items, like car keys, sunglasses, a rolled-up headnet or even a phone or wallet.
Interior storage
Excellent. Most will find that 25 liters is ample, both on the water and in the airport. The two interior pockets are ideal for on-the-go items, and the deep storage well is big enough for a full-sized camera and a second lens, or just a spare sweatshirt for the plane. On the trail, a pair of tightly folded waders would fit nicely, as would a rain jacket and just about any fishing gear an angler might need.
Waterproof material
The Dry Creek Z’s main shell is 420-denier nylon double ripstop with a TPU coating. The liner is 200-denier polyester. I can attest. It is, indeed, waterproof.
Exterior storage and features
Good. The water bottle holders are a nice touch, as is the net holster and the D-rings. The hip straps help with heavier loads. But the best feature? The handy little zippered pocket (this zipper is not waterproof). For on-the-go anglers, it’s a great place for a charge cable or a pair of nippers or hemos, or even a quick place to stow earbuds between flights or phone chargers
Zipper
The TRU-zip zipper on the Dry Creek Z backpack is innovative, and Simms seems to grasp the notion that this will be the first feature on this pack that will, in time, give up the ghost. To that end, the company purposely includes a handy lubricant wipe that will help keep the zipper from drying and cracking and, hopefully, from failing altogether. It remains, however, the weak link in this otherwise great product. Again, take care not to pull the actual pull tab or the slider body from either side of the seal — this is remarkably difficult to fix (and, on the road, that’s likely true with all zippers, honestly).
Durability
Simms’ Dry Creek line of products has always been durable, and the body and construction of this pack is no different. It may not be bombproof, but after wearing it a bit, I think it might be close to indestructible.
Comfort
Backpacks can be onerous, particularly for traveling anglers. The cushioned shoulder straps on the Dry Creek work great, adjust easily and offer as much comfort as one might reasonably expect while carrying 25 liters worth of gear. The hip straps are an excellent addition, and definitely add to the comfort, particularly when the pack is fully loaded.
Final word
I like the Simms Dry Creek Z, even though I remain wary of the TRU-zip system. The stout construction, interior and exterior storage, and all the thoughtful little features (like the fly-drying patch on the shoulder strap) contribute the overall positive impression I have of the pack. Additionally, for plane travel, the interior storage is, in my mind, best in class.
Comments