Small Waterproof Hip Packs?

DerekWhipple

DerekWhipple

Steelhead
I like to go minimal when I hit up local waters, but a few spots require a walk in. I can usually go pretty minimal, just having a tip wallet, tippet, and a box of flies in my waders, but I always wish I had a water bottle and another box of flies or a jacket stuffed in there since I can be away from the car for a bit. I'm looking at waterproof hip packs on the smaller side. So far, I am trying to decide between the small fishpond wp lumbar pack or the OPST pack. Fishpond generally has good reviews, the new wp zipper just seems funky to me. I like the roll top of the OPST, and it's half the price.

Anyone have experience with either of these?
 
I have the OPST roll top. I wish it had some built in pockets instead of the foam divider insert. Stuff stays dry. I also have a small waist pack that I've used for salt water. It only holds a few things, like you mention, tip wallet, tippet material spools, and a fly box. No jacket or water bottle.
 
Following along because I would like something similar. I kind of lust after this, but can't justify $245:

sagebrushdry.com

Sure-Dry Hip Pack

Fully submersible waterproof hip pack, hand made in Southeast Alaska. This is the best waterproof bag on the market, guaranteed to keep your gear safe in any outdoor environment. Great for fly fishing!
sagebrushdry.com sagebrushdry.com
 
I was gifted the old, sorta basic patagucci version many years ago and it has held up quite well under major abuse including river snorkeling with it. The new version looks nicer than mine and is in the same price range as the FP Thunderhead. I really like having zipper access and think a roll-top would, for me, get annoying on days when I'm wanting into the pack more frequently. I've used those smooth style zippers like FP appears to be using on a borrowed Simms waterproof sling pack and they work fine but I don't know how they hold up to years of use and abuse.
 
I bought the small Simms 'Dry Creek' hip pack a couple years ago. Bog simple, no organization compartments, and overpriced. But, I've worn it on just about every fly fishing trip since then. I strap it to the frame of my pontoon when I'm floating. It's never failed, zipper is perfect, buckles hold tight and it's waterproof to this day; all I've done is rinse it off when it gets dirty. Probably not gonna buy a lot of Simms stuff in the future but recommend this, particularly if you can find a used one.
 
I seem to be heading towards the small fishpond one.

I'm surprised that no one on this board has found a more "direct manufacturer from China/SE Asia" analog. I'm going to try and find one.
 
www.yeti.com

YETI® SideKick Dry 3 Liter Waterproof Gear Case

Our SideKick Dry 3 Liter gear bag is designed to keep important things accessible, secure, and 100% dry. This waterproof gear bag attaches to our HitchPoint Grid.
www.yeti.com www.yeti.com

Not sure if you’d like a “satchel” style, but these waterproof bags from Yeti work well. They offer a 6L and 3L. I have a 3 and it works great for how I use it. I think you could refrigerate it as a waist pack if you wanted. I picked mine up at the Yeti store at Washington Square. Got to try it one and explore it a bit. Reasonably priced
 
the_grube said:
I bought the small Simms 'Dry Creek' hip pack a couple years ago. Bog simple, no organization compartments, and overpriced. But, I've worn it on just about every fly fishing trip since then. I strap it to the frame of my pontoon when I'm floating. It's never failed, zipper is perfect, buckles hold tight and it's waterproof to this day; all I've done is rinse it off when it gets dirty. Probably not gonna buy a lot of Simms stuff in the future but recommend this, particularly if you can find a used one.
Click to expand...
Ditto...I only fish the salt and my ancient Simms Dry Creek hip pack is as good as the day I bought it.
 
Chromers-

I’ve had the small Simms and now have the larger Fishpond. I use it primarily for a day outing on flats around HNL, loved it but only issue was not enough space to carry a liter of water, with fly boxes, etc.
 
I'm a back/bag whore. I'll avoid talking about most. But the small chest packs and hip bags are my thing. God I have so many it's crazy. OPST, Simms, and Sage mostly.

Funny thing i used to use them all. Some more than others. I'll have to get most of them out to show them off on here. I do love one of my Simms that's the chest pack with backpack. I want to be doing my small runs to fish. I can load up the small backpack to have my odds and ends and the front pack with my fishing stuff.
 
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