Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, Sterling Review (2026)

What 25 liters actually holds

Simms sells the Dry Creek Boat Bag in more than one size, and the large reviewed here holds 25 liters, enough capacity for a rain jacket, an extra reel, a couple of fly boxes, lunch and a water bottle without everything competing for space. That makes it sized more for a full day on a drift boat or a long hike-in trip than for someone carrying a single fly box and a water bottle. Anglers who already know they overpack, or who fish with a guide and want one bag that holds everything needed for the day rather than several smaller bags, get the most benefit from the larger capacity. If your kit is genuinely minimal, the small 20 liter version in the same Dry Creek line covers less bulk without paying for space you will not use.

Waterproofing and how it is built

The bag is constructed from abrasion-resistant 420D double ripstop nylon with a double-sided TPU coating on the body, which is what gives it its water-resistant character rather than a simple water-repellent finish that wears off. The lid uses a compression-molded and coated TPU panel that overhangs the body, so rain and spray run off rather than pooling at the seam, and this overhang keeps working even when the main zipper is left open for quick access. The bottom of the bag gets the same compression-molded, textured TPU treatment, which matters most since a bag set down repeatedly on a wet boat floor or riverbank takes the most direct water exposure at the base. This is a water-resistant bag built for spray and rain rather than a fully submersible dry bag, a distinction worth understanding before you rely on it near open water.

The magnetized buckle and daily usability

One of the more practical features is a magnetized catch and release buckle that keeps the lid closed and secure even when the zipper underneath is left open for faster access during the day. This means you are not constantly zipping and unzipping a bag every time you need a fly box, since the magnetic closure handles the lid while the zipper stays available as a secondary seal for when the bag needs to be fully sealed against weather. Inside, customizable dividers let you organize gear rather than tossing everything into one open cavity, useful for keeping fragile items like polarized glasses separated from heavier gear like a reel case. A removable, adjustable shoulder strap makes it possible to carry the bag hands-free between the truck and the water, which matters more on longer walks to a put-in.

Durability and where the size becomes a downside

Simms builds this bag from the same family of rugged materials the brand uses across its boat and travel bags, and the reinforced base and coated ripstop nylon are meant to survive years of being tossed in and out of boats, trucks and drift boat floors where lesser bags wear through quickly. That durability and capacity come with real bulk, and a 25 liter bag takes up meaningful floor space in a smaller drift boat, raft or kayak where every square foot matters. Anglers fishing from tight cockpits or packing light for a single afternoon on the water may find the large size more bag than they need, and the higher price relative to non-waterproof soft-sided bags is easier to justify when you are actually using the full capacity regularly.

Who should buy the large Dry Creek boat bag

This bag makes the most sense for drift boat anglers, guides, or anyone doing a full day trip where gear needs to stay dry through rain, spray off the oars, or a wet boat floor, and where the extra capacity gets used rather than sitting half empty. It also suits anglers who want one bag to consolidate several smaller bags into, simplifying what gets carried to and from the truck. If you fish mostly from the bank with a vest or sling pack, or your trips are short enough that a smaller dry bag or backpack covers your gear, the large Dry Creek is more capacity and cost than you need. For the intended user, our score of 8.9 out of 10 reflects a well-built, genuinely useful boat bag rather than a universal fit for every angler.

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