HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag 20L Review

The HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag 20L’s design isn’t anything new, but we’re always excited to test anything that claims to be waterproof. Is this a capable river companion, or just another mass-produced dry bag that we were drop-shipped? Let’s find out!

External Components

The primary pack material on the dry bag is PVC. We wish they were more specific with their materials; however, the exterior feels durable and waterproof. It’s semi-clear, so you can see the contents inside. This might be a perk for you if you’re constantly worried you forgot something, but it might not be very flattering if you’re packing extra undies.

There are a ton of colorways available at the time of writing. They’re all semi-transparent, so you can’t get around that. However, specific colors are less see-through than others, so check out the options if you prefer to conceal your gear better.

The pack comes in five sizes, which is a trend for cheap dry bags on Amazon. The 5- and 10-liter options are slings, and the 20-, 30-, and 40-liter bags are backpacks. The 40 liter has more padding, which makes sense for a pack of its stature. We have the 20 liter on hand and dig that it isn’t too huge but can still hold a good amount of gear.

The hardware is unbranded, but we were expecting that. For the price, we didn’t think we’d get a name brand like Woojin or Duraflex. However, it has proven to work well so far.

There is little going on when it comes to the features of this dry bag. After all, it isn’t a daypack or travel backpack. It’s supposed to keep your gear dry above all else. Anything added on that needs to be stitched or has a seam is a place for water to sneak in, which defeats the point. Who wants wet gear?

That said, this pack does have a handle on the side, which other cheap dry bags we’ve tested didn’t. It’s an excellent addition because it makes the bag easier to use if you remove the shoulder straps, which we’ll get to shortly.

The top of the bag has a diagram of how to use it. In addition to English, the instructions are also in German and Spanish. It says to roll the top at least three times and close the buckle. Easy peasy!

The top area of the bag is thicker than the rest and has a strap that makes it easier to roll the bag closed. It is a common feature on others we’ve tested; however, it’s worth noting that it’s there and functions appropriately.

In addition to the dry bag, you get a waterproof phone pouch with your purchase, at least at the time of writing. It feels cheap but works. The lanyard feels especially budget-friendly; however, we’ve had no issues with it breaking. Since this is a dry bag review, not a phone case review, we’ll leave it at that.

Fit Notes

When it comes to a harness system… Well, there isn’t one. There’s no back panel, so there’s no padding, aeration, or anything to make the pack more comfortable. Whatever you stow inside the bag becomes the back panel, so be wise with what you pack in the backside of the dry bag.

The shoulder straps don’t arrive attached—they’re added later with plastic clips. When we said this thing doesn’t have a harness system, we meant it. However, the straps are easy to attach and take off.

There’s no padding or aeration on the shoulder straps, which can be uncomfortable. It isn’t a huge deal for a short trip from the car to the boat, but this pack isn’t designed to go hiking or even on a moderate walk when loaded up with gear. Most daily bags are around 20 liters, so imagine all the weight from your pack on your shoulders with no padding at all. It digs in and gets warm quickly.

Because the straps are removable, you can attach the pack to things. Whether that’s to the boat’s interior in case it flips, to the table at lunch, or on top of your car because you’ve packed it to the gills with pretty rocks from the beach, it’s a nice feature.

Without the straps, the pack works as a standard dry bag. It’s waterproof, even if you submerge it. The more you roll the top, the more watertight it is. In our testing, no water made it into the main compartment. However, we didn’t submerge it for more than a few moments. Your gear will be safe on a walk across the city or trail in a downpour.

Inside The Dry Bag

Similar to the external components, there isn’t much happening inside this dry bag. When we say there isn’t much, we mean that there isn’t anything going on inside here. There’s no organization; essentially, it’s a big chute for you to fill with gear. Twenty liters is a good size to fit a lot of equipment but not be overwhelmed by the fact that there isn’t any segmentation.

Because of the lack of pockets and compartments, we find packing cubes, tech pouches, and other organizers essential. Instead of fiddling around for a cable or that underwear we mentioned earlier, you can find a larger pouch with that specific thing inside of it. This wastes some space, but it dramatically cuts down on the time you’ll spend searching for your gear.

For the price, it’s hard to beat this pack for budget-friendly trips or for travelers who may only need to use it once or twice a year. All the bags in the line (up to 40 liters) come in at under $30, which is a steal. It might not be the most comfortable, but it’ll keep your gear dry, and that’s what matters!