KayakGearReviews.org

REVIEW BY MIKE WILKIE

Edited by Ken Bigelow

 

Test is currently - Complete

MANUFACTURER:	Exped AG
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE:	2008
MANUFACTURER WEBSITE:	http://www.exped.com
MSRP:	N/A

5L shown in Yellow

 

 

Last updated on October 24, 2009

 

Product Information 

 Manufacturer Details 

  

Color, volume, size and weight of all available Shrink Bags:

Size	Color	cm / length x width	Volume up to(Liter)	Weight in g
2	orange	40 x 20	2	75
5	yellow	50 x 20	5	105
15	red	65 x 35	15	150
25	blue	80 x 40	25	195
50	green	100 x 50	50	270

Manufacturer details taken from exped.com

 

Measured Details

  

Size	Color	Inches / length x width	centimeters/ length x width	Volume up to (cu in)	Volume up to(Liter)	Weight in oz	Weight in g
5	yellow	20 x 10	50 x 20	305	5	3.75	106

 

About the Product

The 5-Liter Shrink Bag is a highly compressible dry bag that offers a quick compression valve and several attachment points.  A sealed lip provides a water resistant seal and requires at least three folds before closure.  Once the neck is rolled and secured closed with the clip buckle, two D-rings are available for attachment.  The valve can then be opened to release compressed air for a more packable bag.

The bag has welded seams for a water resistance and all the stitching appears to be tightly knit.  At the two bottom corners there are more attachment points.  I assume the round holes would be for carabineers or possibly for rope and the longer slits may be for straps.

Thus far, I have to say I am impressed with the construction of the bag.  I feel it has tight stitching and is made of durable materials.  I like the laminated nylon for water resistance.  The valve truly helps to released compressed air that is trapped as I can sit or kneel on the bag for compression. As shown in the images below, air was easily released from the bag offering a highly compressed seal. 

Other features that are a positive for me are the several attachment points.  These added features allow this bag to be more versatile compared to other dry bags on the market.  However, I do feel that with these added features and the heavy-duty materials, there is added weight compared to other dry bags of similar size and class.

There is one thing that confused me a bit with statements made on the packaging.  I counted four advertized “100% Waterproof” statements on the packaging, but I then found one statement at the end of the product description stating “Not submersible”.  I feel that these statements are contradictory.

 

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Field and Testing Locations

For field evaluation and testing, the EXPED Shrink bag was used in various locations under various conditions.  As a canoeist, I used the bag mostly in quiet flat-water but it did however; see use in quicker water on a two night/three day canoe camping trip.

This canoe camping trip was done during a high water period on a fast moving river.  Conditions were a bit overcast but overall dry; however, I did receive a quick shower on day one.  Put in elevations started out at about 1770 ft (539 m), camp one was at around 1325 ft (404 m), camp two was at about 1200 ft (366 m) and the take out location elevation was at 1150 ft (351 m).  Along this route, there were two short portages around two steep drops; one was probably manageable with a class III, but the other contained an excessive amount of big rocks.

Other trips taken to evaluate the Shrink Bag were all day trips on mostly flat water.  Most of my trips were at a local pond, were the only other occupants were a family of beaver; sort of like a secret spot.  Another trip was down a segment of the Susquehanna River, with quick water but relatively flat which lead into the Goodyear Lake.

My last trip taken was on a segment of the East Branch of the Delaware River, located in the western most part of the Catskill Region.  Here the water was slow moving, flat and the views were unbeatable.  Elevations here were around 1150 ft (351 m).

Field Evaluations and Assessments

Thus far the Shrink Bag performed as expected, providing durability, fast and efficient compression and water-resistance.  The condition of the bag still appears to be in new-like condition, besides a few mud stains that were picked up in the field.

The construction of the bag is holding up well with all seams intact and with no signs of wear and tear.  Protection from moisture was always provided for various gear, such as my electronics like camera and GPS; and occasionally a dry shirt.

At all times the Shrink bag was easy to operate, with a few quick rolls, a click of the ladder lock and a seal of the compression valve.  The D-rings and various attachment points were found useful on many occasions, providing an easy stash, hang or attachment of the bag.  For most of these times, I used a small carabiner for such tasks.

Brief Synopsis

I will conclude this segment of the test series for the EXPED Shrink Bag with nothing but positive remarks.  The Shrink Bag provided the protection, use and function as advertised and performed as a high quality product with durability and ease of use.  I found the bag to be highly compressible for easy packing and versatile with its various attachment points.

 

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 Final Field Testing and Locations

During this final testing leg for the Exped Shrink Bag, field-testing locations consisted of mostly quiet flat-water.  Occasionally I ventured out on some quicker moving water but was still relatively flat.  Temperatures have greatly dropped during this testing period and on one trip, I even paddled through a short snow squall.

Again I paddled my canoe on some local ponds and lakes, which consisted of still or very slow moving water.  Three of these half-day trips where on a local beaver pond that is about the size of a small lake and the other I paddled around Goodyear Lake. 

On my trip around Goodyear, I was caught in a rainstorm with a heavy downpour for about five to ten minutes.  The Shrink Bag at this time did its job providing a protection for my various necessities and I was glad to have it stashed nearby for when the rain started.

Another trip was down a segment of the Susquehanna River, where I paddled through a short snow squall causing a brief, almost whiteout condition.  The storm was both fun and scary, but was quickly over blanketing the wilderness in a beautiful white layer.  The temperature was just below freezing and conditions were overcast for the entire day.  Swift flat-water was the water type for the entire trip and there was only one portage around a town dam.  I paddled for a full day with an averaging elevation of 1100 ft (335 m).

For the first time I paddled down a segment of the Charlotte Creek which runs through my hometown.  On this day trip, I covered about eight miles (12.88 km) through slow quiet-water.  The weather conditions were cool, clear and sunny with a temperature around 45 F (7.22 C).  Elevations averaged around 1200 ft (366 m).

This leg of the test series I continued to use the Exped compression bag through various terrain and conditions.  I have logged four half-day trips and two full days trip for this portion of the review.  In total for the entire test series, the Exped Shrink Bag was used for at least 12 days while paddling canoe.  

Final Field Evaluations and Assessments

Once again, the Shrink Bag performed as expected and continued to provide protection for my various necessities from the weather and surrounding elements.  Such necessities consisted of a GPS unit, compact digital camera, maps, compact binocular and/or small dry hand towel.

The Shrink Bag consistently provided durability, water-resistance, and a fast efficient compression.  There are now some signs of wear, but only minor scuff marks of dirt and mud.  All stitching is tight and in the same condition as it was when new.  The construction has proven to be strong as the bag remains in fine condition. 

The various attachment points have still proven to be a worthy feature offing an easy attachment virtually anywhere.  Most times, I use a carabiner for a fast attachment.

I really have no new major negative or positive findings to report on from my final field observations.  However, I would have liked to use the bag for hiking or backpacking, but I found it a bit too heavy for these treks.  Although not relevant to the water sport genre, it would have been nice to add the Shrink Bag to my backpack.

With that said, the durability and the durable material used to make up the Shrink Bag far out weigh (no pun intended) the heavy weight of this high quality compression bag.  Sure, it will not be carried in my backpack, but it will remain as a main component of my boat.

Summary

In conclusion, the Exped Shrink Bag consistently provided protection from the elements of my various gear with water-resistance, durability and a strong construction.  The bag proved to be versatile with its quick compression and various attachment points.  Although too heavy for backpacking or hiking use, the Shrink Bag makes for an excellent addition to my canoeing gear list.

Pros

Durable construction and materials
Compression valve
Several attachment points

Cons

A bit on the heavy side, but is very durable

 

Author’s Information 

 

NAME:	MIKE WILKIE
EMAIL:	foreverwild76 at yahoo dot com
LOCATION:	Catskill Region of New York State
AGE:	33
GENDER:	Male
WEIGHT:	150 lbs (68 kg)
HEIGHT:	5′8″ (1.73 m)

My paddle experiences consist of canoe camping, river canoeing and quiet, flat-water paddling.  River paddling and canoe camping are my main outdoor sports next to backpacking.  However, I do enjoy the occasional paddle with the dog on calm flat water. I have been paddling canoe since I was a young boy while earning my canoeing merit badge with the Scouts.  As a diehard canoeist, I occasionally enjoy paddling kayaks for a change of pace and I plan to own one at some point in the future.  In recent years, I have been learning and practicing safe lightweight techniques for traveling in the backcountry via boat or by foot.

 

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Read more posts by spicedoubt.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 and is filed under Dry Bags.