Drewfus wrote on May 10^th, 2012 at 8:02pm:

and everything else I'd need such as bug dope, sundope, chapstick, camera goes in the day bag which is waterproof.

This piqued my interest. My daypack is what we use to call a bookbag. It's not waterproof, heck, mine's a sponge but the stuff inside is important enough I'd bag it anyway. Yet I wouldn't mind a waterproof daypack.

What works for people these days?

most of the claimed waterproof daypacks are of the vynil roll down top variety - I have one (cheap) I bought from Sierra Trading Post - bought it thinking I'd be using it on local day trips and overnighters, but I haven't really used it.
One issue wtih that type is typically no hipbelt, so not the most comfortable carry if heavily packed.

hate to give up the utilty of the "bookbag" with multiple pockets - so I just stick with the one I have and use a trash bag liner - nothing in there that water would really hurt anyways.

to me, for Quetico trips, a "daypack" is too small - I prefer the smaller back pack style (ultralight day and a half type)which has a comfortable hipbelt, a top flap pocket for stuff I want handy, and outside mesh pocket where I can restuff the raincoat if it stops raining - features not to be found in the typical waterproof daypack.  for solo trips, it is my food pack as well.

at 2500 to 3000 cu in size, this isn't just for odds and ends but is one of two main "packs"(the other is a duffle bag) when I solo, or we bring two plus one big pack if my brother comes along.

waterproof - not,  so I just use trash bag liners or waterproof pack liners (the pack and liner weighs less than vynil daypack and holds more) and everything is packed in multiple layers of plastic bags anyways

even with a waterproof roll down top vynil dry bag, I always use at least trash bag liner as a backup in case the pack got holed - and the roll top can/will tend to suck in some water if left sitting in a puddle anyways.  for just rain protection, spraying some waterproofing on the bookbag will work for a while

i found some "boat bags" on sale at gander a few years ago. basically a duffel bag that has a pretty rigid bottom and its plasticoated/vynal so they are waterproof. we actually replace our roll top food bag with one of these and the tents fit in the other. the shoulder strap has clips so it can strap to a crossbar in the canoe and they are much easier to carry than the standard roll top bag being that they have a shoulder strap, 2 large handles and two smaller side handles. weve found them to be very useful.

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somethin like this Hurley pack might fit your needs - at least it has some outside pockets, but I'm not sure of the lifespan of waterproof zippers  pricey at $170 for a daypack

I thought that maybe there would be something good designed for canyoneering, where you often have to swim slot canyons pushing your floating pack ahead of you - but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary - still seem to need the roll down vynil type of pack

A number of years ago I picked up a waterproof back pack that was made of vinyl with a supposedly waterproof zipper.  It has no pockets. I would guess I have had it (and used it alot) for about 10 years.  I doubt the zipper is totally waterproof, but it does keep stuff dry even in a heavy rain.  I am amazed waterproof backpacks (with zippers) are not more common.  They make so much sense.

Outdoor Research makes some good ones.
SeaLine too.

I have a Granite Gear thwart bag that's waterproof and helps keep things organised and out of the bilge.  Clipped on a shoulder strap and it's my day-bag.

We know the saying.......champagne taste on a beer budget. Well that's me. I'm no rich guy but I enjoy using finely crafted and well engineered gear. I understand the satisfaction of getting value for money but there is also the pleasure of using articles that are perfectly suited for their duties. They are not only a means to an end but are a pleasure to use in and of themselves.

I have found the watershed line of duffels to be of that stature. A bit pricey to be sure but I became sick and tired of digging through cylindrical dry bags. These bags are watertight to 10 meters and easy to open and close. I really like the whole duffel concept where everything is laid open and bare before me. Easy, no hassle. Plus if sealed properly they are odor free. Another layer of bruin protection. The Ococee makes a perfect size for stashing under the seat......use the D rings to biner it to the outside of your pack on portages or if you have compression straps you can strap it to the top of a pack. 

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I have one of   (You need to Login or Register.  Tackle box, sunscreen, depth finder, towel, etc... all get thrown in after a day of fishing and tucked under the canoe at night.

Hi,

Up in Canada the MEC brand dry bags are good, durable and cheap - I have the 5, 10 and 20 L bags are awesome for day tripping bags. They are the roll down ones. A clear one enable me to know I have have actually put in the darn bag. :) 

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Hi,

Up in Canada the MEC brand dry bags are good, durable and cheap - I have the 5, 10 and 20 L bags are awesome for day tripping. They are the roll down ones. A clear one enable me to know I have have actually put in the darn bag. :) 

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We always just use a couple small dry bags, (roll down top), We have one for a first aid kit and fire starting ect., One slightly larger one for camera gear bug dope tp sunscreen, lunch, and one for the chew and flask. We simply leave them all clipped into the canoe when we portage, things are organized so you dont have to dig through a big bag to find stuff and its waterproof and easy to carry. Just clip them to the thwarts.

My waterproof bag. It has two pillows inside, the front of the pack is clear vinyl so you see the white pillowcases through that.  A ruler is in front for size perspective.  Easy access via a zippered opening, but I do not know how well it would keep out water if the pack was capsized into a lake.  In the rain, it has kept stuff dry.

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A close-up of the zipper.

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I bet you could use Azalea's bag as a pfd.  Those look like the same zippers found on a drysuit.

I'm looking for a daypack that will hold 2 sets of raingear, lunch, skeeter spray, sunscreen, water bottles, etc. Probably about 3000 cu ". Should have pockets to allow easy access. Doesn't have to be waterproof, but that would be nice. Any suggestions?

Today my new Gossamer gear Gorilla pack arrived.  It is mostly a one big pocket type of pack.  I plan on using it as a second pack more than a day pack.  For me the one big pocket is not a problem.  You may want separate pockets to keep gear sorted.   It is light and carries a 30+ LB load very well.  I will be able to ware it while carrying the canoe. Check them out   (You need to Login or Register

Maybe this will fit the bill db Outdoor Research Dry Peak Bagger Back Sack $42.99 - Campmor

Sierra Trading Post has a Columbia Dry Bag Backpack   (You need to Login or Register
  (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register $74.95

zski wrote on Sep 15^th, 2012 at 12:18pm:

Sierra Trading Post has a Columbia Dry Bag Backpack   (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register $74.95

If you go with this one, go to retailmenot.com and pick up a 20% off coupon.  That puts the price just below $60.00.  (If you buy other items, you could possibly use a deeper discount coupon, since the current price is right at a break point.) 

I do have a smaller version of this bag which I used as a kitchen pack for this season (e.g., pots, pans, utensils, stove, fuel, reflector oven and other odds and ends).  It has a zip top closure which you can then roll down and buckle if you don't overfill.  I didn't have a chance to dunk it, but did fine with a couple of hard rains and wind.

dd

Was surfing for another tent and came across this water proof bag   (You need to Login or Register  holds 27 liters

I swear by Sealine packs.  I've had my personal pack, about a mid-sized pack, over 15 years.  It gets used multiple times every year for a week or two at a time, and is still going strong and is still reliably waterproof.  They make a couple smaller models.