subject: Bags For Rainy Pastimes [print this page] Global warming has not yet done what it had promised to do...turn the UK into a warm, dry, and potential exotic holiday destination of choice. No, the rain is still here, and so are the outdoor pursuits. In the UK, outdoor sports are increasing in popularity and with that increase comes a range of essential kit to deal with the year-round monsoon-esque weather. Probably, the most important item to purchase though, are waterproof bags, they are literally flying off the shelf as the UK gears up for outdoor play.
There are many different materials used in the manufacturing of waterproof kit bags. A popular composite is tarpaulin-PVC; these are great for keeping out water as they generally stick together in an airtight seal. Perfect for keeping clothing dry, but not so good if transporting wet clothing as the bags will need thorough drying if any moisture gets in. These then, are ideal for camping trips, for keeping things dry that will not get wet once in use, like clothes.
For those individuals who love a bit of canoeing, or other water sports, a dry tube bag is perfect. These, as the name implies, have inner tubes filled with air, which allows them to float. They are attachable to canoes, boats, or dinghies, acting much as a pannier does on a bike, without encumbering the canoeist or taking up valuable space. Moreover, because these bags are watertight, they do not allow other debris to enter (unless the bag is open, of course), so they are perfect to bring to the beach as no sand can get in either.
Waterproof bags are fantastic for individuals who practice water sports, such as surfing, sailing, and diving. Wet equipment in the bag, will not slosh out onto other surfaces, so they are ideal for taking wet kit home in a car, as they will not leak water everywhere. Additionally, if you need to leave your wetsuit in your car, or another enclosed space, for any period of time condensation will not occur and as anyone who has ever left a wetsuit in a car overnight can testify, this is something that you will want to avoid at all costs, the damp infiltrates everywhere.
Bikers also do well from purchasing waterproof bags. The UK weather does bikers no favours. Riding down the motorway at 70mph (cough, cough), in the pouring rain is no fun. Without a waterproof bag, then anything carried in a standard rucksack will get wet. There are some fantastic waterproof backpacks on the market, which are perfectly suited to bikers. And for those that use their bikes to commute between home and work, there are even waterproof laptop bags available.
