Matador FlatPak Dry Bag Review

The Matador FlatPak Dry Bag V2 is a lightweight, minimalist dry bag that keeps your gear protected from the elements without adding bulk to your kit. We’re curious if there are noticeable improvements from the first iteration, or if Matador kept things the same. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The pouch is made of 70D ripstop nylon with PFAS-free construction, and right out of the gate, it feels incredibly light in hand. You can see the ripstop texture throughout, which we dig—it adds a bit of visual interest while reinforcing the material.

Despite how thin it feels, durability has been solid in our testing. That said, it does feel like something sharp could puncture it if you applied enough pressure. That hasn’t happened to us, but we’d still avoid tossing anything pointy inside just to be safe.

It comes in two colorways—Black and Garnet. We’re especially into the Garnet option, which has a kind of earthy, clay-like tone that stands out without being too loud.

The hardware here is simple but effective. The buckles are from YKK—more commonly known for zippers—but they’ve done a solid job here. They’re small, snappy, and easy to use, with a reassuring click when secured. One side also features a plastic D-ring, providing an extra attachment point for clipping the bag to something or for attaching additional gear.

At the top, a Hypalon-like material reinforces the rolltop closure. This adds structure, making it easier to roll the bag down properly while also boosting durability in a high-wear area. There’s no zipper here—you simply roll the top at least three times (as recommended by Matador) and clip the buckles together. It’s a straightforward system that works well once you get the hang of it.

On the front, there’s another Hypalon-style strip that forms two loops—one large and one small. These can be used to carry or attach the bag to another pack. We didn’t find them especially useful in practice, but they look nice and add a bit of versatility. It is also where you’ll find the Matador branding and capacity labeling.

There’s a small, clear TPU window on the front, too. It lets you peek inside to identify what’s stored, though it’s not large enough to give you a full picture of the contents. Still, it’s a helpful touch when you’ve got multiple bags packed.

The bottom features a gusset, which expands to add depth when needed. It doesn’t allow the bag to stand on its own, but it helps keep it upright when it’s leaning against something. More importantly, it makes packing bulkier items easier without forcing the bag into an awkward shape.

Inside The Pouch

Inside, things are about as simple as they get—there’s no internal organization whatsoever, just one big open space. That’s largely due to the fully welded construction, which is necessary to maintain its waterproofing. Adding internal pockets would mean introducing seams, which could compromise that protection.

The interior lining has a shiny finish that highlights its waterproofing. The bag is rated IPX7, which means it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 3 minutes—as long as you’ve rolled the top properly. In our testing, it’s held up well, though we’d still double-check your closure before trusting it in more extreme situations.

There’s also a small data sheet printed on the bottom with material and manufacturing info. It’s not particularly useful day to day, but we like that it’s there.

Thanks to the gusseted bottom, you can store items with some depth inside. If you’re packing flatter gear, the bag compresses nicely and stays slim without needing to expand that gusset, which keeps things tidy.

This bag comes in two sizes—2L and 8L—and they function quite differently.

The 2L version feels much more like a traditional pouch. The real selling point here is the waterproofing. You can use it for small tech, camera accessories, or everyday carry items like your wallet, keys, or passport—basically anything you’d normally toss in a pouch but want to keep dry. It’s especially handy for travel, rainy environments, or camping trips where moisture is a concern. We primarily used it as a tech pouch.

The 8L version, on the other hand, leans more toward packing cube territory. The extra space is useful, but it can feel a bit bulky, depending on your setup. It works well for storing clothing—either keeping dry clothing protected or isolating wet gear from the rest of your bag. It’s also a solid option for beach days, river trips, and other water-based outdoor adventures. We primarily used it as a packing cube.

You can store food inside, though it feels a bit unconventional. We’re not entirely sure about food safety, but it’s not that different from stuffing your rain jacket into your backpack when there’s already food in your pack, which many of us do on a daily basis.

In many ways, these two sizes feel like different versions of the same concept—kind of like zip-top bags. The design is identical, but how you use them depends on the size. Some people will get more use out of the smaller one, others the larger, and some might not find either essential.

Overall, the Matador FlatPak Dry Bag V2 is a simple, well-executed piece of gear. It doesn’t try to do too much, but what it does do—keeping your gear dry—it does well.