Sea to Summit UltraSil Dry Sacks

[whitefang]

I was out on a very rainy day hike today using one of these dry sacks as a pack liner. Ironically, all my stuff in the dry sack was quite wet when I finished the walk and went to put on some clothes that were supposed to remain dry.

When I got home I filled the sack with water and it leaks a lot from both the seams and through the fabric. The hydrostatic head rating is listed as 2000mm, but the fabric seems only barely water resistant. The website says "Fully seam sealed for water resistance" but water flows right through.

What are everyone else's experiences with these dry sacks?

I'm not too fussed this time, because it's usually just my food bag and I'm in the process of making and testing my own dry bags. Had i originally bought it for something that needed a little more water resistance I might be a little more annoyed though.

[stepbystep]

I use a dead dog bag as a pack liner. I then drybag all my other bits inside that using a variety of types of bags. All inside a canvas pack. I can get saturated for days on end and the essentials remain dry. I'm also careful where certain things sit within the pack and check the structural integrity of the dead dog bag each day. Ultra-sil pack liners are utterly pointless and a massive waste of money.

[whitefang]

This one is just my food bag for overnight walks. I tend to use it as a liner on day hikes because it fitted well. It works well enough to keep my sweat out of the dry sack, but today was the first time it had been used in the rain.

On overnight hikes I had been using a kathmandu pack liner which worked well, it was just overkill in size and weight for me even when it was cut down. This weekend I used a MYOG sil-nylon pack liner I made from some off cuts I had from another project which worked well. Though, it was only sustained rain for about an hour.

[GPSGuided]

Take it back to S2S and see what they say. It's obviously faulty.

[Suz]

Whitefang,

I've had several of these bags until they wear out - but I've never had that problem. Agree with GPSG that it's clearly faulty. I actually bought a faulty one once (different prob) and it was immediately replaced by the company I bought it from.

[GBW]

I've noticed the s2s ultrasil bags deteriorate over time...the silicone peels/wears away...but I also use a s2s pack liner which is tougher and works well. They do say they're water "resistant" and not "waterproof" so any prolonged water will penetrate eventually. One hour in the rain is probably too much.

[rurik]

I have never had a dry sack that did not deteriorate. The best value and the longest lasting ones I brought from Aldi. They have not done them in a few years.


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[LachlanB]

I always hear good things about dead dog bags as pack liners. Never having owned a dog, what exactly is a good dead dog back for a pack liner like?
Knowing my luck, if I turned up to a random vet after a dead dog bag, I'd end up with something that leaked like a sieve.

[jimmeyer176]

Never had leakage through fabric but the seam tape usually lasts less then 3 years of moderate use. If it's older then 5 years I would just replace it, also check the seam tape.

[Suz]

LachlanB,

The body bags are like very heavy duty garbage bags. They are thus very unlikely to tear - even with plenty of usage. Gramme counters may not be happy with the weight / bulk of them but they are very strong.

There are varying sizes. Small (i.e. Cat size) will do about a 30 ltr pack or so. Medium will do a pack about 60-maybe even to 80ltr. Large will line massive packs of about 80-100ltr or so (I haven't actually tested the sizing out - this is just a rough guide).

If you are lucky the vet may give you one free, otherwise they may charge you cost price at say $3-5 or so or they may charge you a retailing fee at say $10. It's an unusual item to request at a vet and so the reception staff may be a bit taken aback when you ask for one. Expect funny looks and a slight wait while they 'ask a colleague' about this.

Also be mindful when making your request about the emotional state of any clients in the waiting area - asking fairly quietly may be a good idea.