Sun, salt water and wind. Things are rough on board a sailing ship. Sail bags are the ideal choice for protecting your equipment from the elements.
Finding the right sail bag:
To help you find the right one in the sea of sailing bags, we have compiled all the features you need to look out for in our buying guide. In our review, we present the most popular canvas bags 2024 to help you make the right purchase decision.
Contents:
- Top picks: The best canvas bags 2024 reviewed.
- Checklist: These features are important.
- Bestsellers: The most popular sail bags at a glance.
- Guide: How to make the right decision.
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about sail bags.
The best canvas bags 2024 reviewed
1. best canvas bag with a chic design
The Duffel Bag from Helly Hansen has a volume of 90 liters and is made of soft yet robust material. This makes the bag completely waterproof and gives it a long service life. The bag has an empty weight of 1.5 kg.
- Capacity
- Longevity
- Watertightness
- Wearing comfort
- Price
Why we like it: This duffel bag can be used as a rucksack thanks to its practical carrying straps, making it easy to transport. The high capacity allows the duffel bag to be used in a variety of ways.
Recommended for: The bag is ideal as a spacious sailing or travel bag and can be used as a backpack.
2. best canvas bag in different sizes
The canvas bag is available in three sizes of 30, 60 and 90 liters. The high-quality PVC tarpaulin makes the bag 100% waterproof and it can be used as a backpack, shoulder bag, handbag or large travel bag.
- Capacity
- Watertightness
- Longevity
- Price
- Wearing comfort
Why we like it: The Friendly Swede brand’s large bag is versatile thanks to the range of sizes. However, with an empty weight of 1.4 kg and unpadded shoulder straps, it is not so practical as a rucksack.
Recommended for: This waterproof duffel bag is ideal as a sailing bag due to its water resistance.
3. best canvas bag made from recycled canvas
The large canvas bag has a capacity of 90 liters and is made from recycled canvas. This makes the bag particularly durable, tear-resistant and waterproof. It can be used as a sailing bag, sports bag, shoulder bag, weekender or travel bag.
- Capacity
- Longevity
- Material quality
- Weight
- Price
Why we like it: This bag impresses with its high-quality material, which keeps the contents of the canvas bag dry at all times. With a weight of 800 g and the padded carrying straps, this sailing bag is very comfortable to carry.
Recommended for: This canvas bag is suitable if you are looking for a sustainably produced and high-quality bag.
4. best waterproof canvas bag
This canvas bag is a backpack made from durable PVC tarpaulin. It is available in three different sizes of 35, 55 and 85 liters. In addition to the backpack, a practical 6.5 inch (approx. 17 cm) cell phone case with IPX8 water resistance is also included.
- Capacity
- Longevity
- Price
- Upholstery
Why we like it: This backpack has a large main compartment and small pockets for valuables. The roll-top closure and YKK zippers make it completely waterproof. The shoulder straps are well padded, but the back is less so.
Recommended for: This backpack is suitable if you prefer a practical and waterproof backpack to the classic canvas bag.
5. best canvas bag with multiple compartments
The canvas bag is made of high-quality, waterproof material and can be worn as a backpack or carried in the hand. The mesh dividers in the main compartment, two side pockets and an inner mesh pocket make the bag particularly practical. It can be folded up and stowed away compactly.
- Capacity
- Longevity
- Watertightness
- Pack size
- Price
Why we like it: The bag from Eagle Creek is available in 4 different colors and is suitable for men and women. It is very light and offers many storage options despite its compact design.
Recommended for: This bag is ideal as a sailing bag, sports bag or travel bag and can be used as a backpack.
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Sail bag Checklist: These features are important
- Waterproof: To protect the contents of the canvas bag, the bag must be absolutely waterproof. It’s not enough to just buy a waterproof bag, as these are only waterproof when splashed with water.
- Size and capacity: Sail bags are available in standard sizes from 10 L to over 100 L. It all depends on what you need the sail bag for and how much storage space is available on board. Many sailors have a large sail bag for multi-day trips and a rucksack/drybag for short trips.
- Material and robustness: As the canvas bag is exposed to the elements, the bag must be robust and durable. These materials are most commonly used for sail bags:
- Dacron
- Carbon fiber
- Kevlar
- Nylon
- PVC
- Pockets: Each canvas bag can also be equipped with compartments or inside and outside pockets. These are generally useful because they make it easier to organize the contents and keep important items within easy reach.
- Type: From large to small, there are countless different sail bags. It is important that your sail bag meets the above requirements and fulfills its purpose. The most widely used sail bags include:
- Drybag
- Backpack
- Duffel bag
- Sailing trolley
Also interesting: The most popular waterproof backpacks 2024.
Bestsellers: The most popular sail bags
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy sail bags:
How to make the right decision
How waterproof is the canvas bag?
Waterproofness is probably the most important characteristic of a good sail bag – after all, water and boats simply belong together. This is no surprise, as the deck of a ship rarely remains completely dry.
When buying, make sure that the canvas bag is waterproof and not just water-resistant. Waterproof bags only protect against splashing water and are therefore the wrong choice.
Ideally, the seams of the canvas bag are welded together so that no water can get inside. A waterproof zipper or other closure option is also essential.
Size and capacity of the canvas bag?
Sail bags are available in all possible sizes, from 10 L drybags to 120 L sail trolleys. When choosing a sail bag, it is particularly important to consider how much space the equipment needs and how much storage space is available on board.
It does not make sense to take a large sail bag if you are hardly taking any luggage with you or if there is not enough storage space available on the boat. Many sailors therefore have at least two sail bags, a small one for short trips and a large one for sailing trips lasting several days.
Which material is robust enough?
On board, the sail bag is at the mercy of the elements. Sun, salt water and rough surfaces put a strain on the material over time. A good sail bag is made of robust material and will be a good companion for several years without any problems.
Sail bags are available in all kinds of materials, but it is important that the fabric used is robust and waterproof. The most commonly used materials include
- Dacron
- Carbon fiber
- Kevlar
- Nylon
- PVC
- Further materials
Dacron
- Durable and robust
- Also used for sails
This material is not only used for sail bags, it is also used to make sails. Dacron is durable, robust and waterproof, so the fabric combines all the important qualities for a sail bag.
Carbon fiber
- Lightweight and stable
In bags made from this material, carbon fibers are wrapped in two layers of plastic. The material is waterproof, stable and particularly light.
Nylon
- Used for many water sports
- Soft
- Easy to clean
- Tear resistant
Nylon is a versatile material. They are used to make kite kites or sail bags. The material is soft, tear-resistant and easy to clean thanks to its smooth surface.
PVC
- Inexpensive
- Robust
Another popular material is PVC, which is inexpensive, stable and robust.
Further materials
Of course, sail bags can be made of any material as long as they meet the above requirements (waterproofness, robustness and durability).
If you would like to sew your own canvas bag, there are virtually no limits to your creativity. The following video shows how it works. However, a canvas bag made of denim lets water through and is therefore not a good idea.
How many bags are there?
All sail bags have a large main compartment. Additional inner and outer pockets are useful for better organizing the contents. This means that every piece of equipment has a fixed place and can be found quickly if necessary.
How many additional pockets there should be depends on personal preference and the sail bag itself. Most drybags, for example, have no additional pockets or only have a small outer pocket.
What type of canvas bag?
From classic duffel bags to dry bags and sailing trolleys – sailing bags are a dime a dozen. Basically, all sail bags fulfill the same purpose, namely the storage of sailing clothing and equipment.
Which type you choose depends on your personal preferences and the scope of your equipment.
Every sail bag must have these three characteristics, regardless of the type:
- Watertightness
- Robustness
- Sufficient volume
Larger bags are ideal for multi-day sailing trips, a small drybag for valuables and a rucksack for short trips and day trips from the boat. Carrying handles and straps are always useful and an absolute must for large bags.
What types of sail bags are there?
Drybags
- Ideal for small items
- Requires little storage space
- Available with or without shoulder strap
With a drybag, your valuables and electronic items stay dry and ready to hand. The waterproof bags take up hardly any space and are easy to transport. The bag can be slung over the shoulder with a shoulder strap, but a strap is not a must.
Sailing backpack
- Ideal for short sailing trips
- Can also be used in everyday life
- High wearing comfort
A sailing backpack basically works like a normal rucksack and is just as comfortable to carry on your back. It offers enough space for short sailing trips and can also be worn in everyday life.
Duffel bag/sail bag
- Classic canvas bag
- Ideal for sailing trips
- Plenty of storage space
- Often with inside and outside pockets
- Pay attention to the shoulder strap
The classic sailing bag, also known as a duffel bag, is the perfect companion for long sailing trips. It offers more than enough storage space for equipment, which can be divided up sensibly in the inner and outer pockets.
Such canvas bags are usually equipped with a carrying and shoulder strap. You should not do without a strap on your sailing bag, especially when the bag is fully loaded, it is much easier to carry on the strap.
Sailing trolley
- Ideal for long sailing trips
- Stable
- Suitable for air travel
- Plenty of storage space
- Rollers
There are sailing trolleys for really long sailing trips. Their castors make them very easy to transport. Sailing suitcases are also ideal for air travel as they have plenty of storage space and external pockets in which to organize your luggage.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
How to sew your own canvas bag?
By the way: An old canvas can also be wonderfully transformed into a DIY canvas bag.
How big should a sail bag be?
How much does a sail bag cost?
Where can I buy sail bags?
Which is the best sailing bag?
Which manufacturers of sail bags are there?
- Ortlieb
- Marinepool
- AWN
- Musto
- Gill
- Navyline
Many customers have done the test and are convinced by these manufacturers.
What goes in the sail bag?
Which sports are sailing bags suitable for?
Are there sailing bags for men and women?
What alternatives are there to canvas bags?
Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on sail bags?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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