Waterproof Backpack

Product Description

Don't let a little water stop you from exploring the great outdoors - with the waterproof backpack you can easily carry your gear around and rest easy ... [Read more]

Features

• DryZone 200 Capacity: Large 35mm or digital pro SLR; 4 5 lenses (up to a 300mm f/2.8, with hood reversed)
• 100% Water-tight protection
• Fully customizable interior for any system.
• When properly closed, the DryZone 200 will float, even when fully loaded.
• SlipLock attachment slots allow you to attach additional Lowepro accessories and pouches to the DryZone 200.
• Padded camera compartment with adjustable divider system

Top Reviews

Don't trust it!! Failed after 3 months, and gear got soaked. Lowepro made good on it.
by D. Gould (1 out of 5 stars)
November 25, 2014

First off, some background - I'm an expedition guide and specialize in the polar regions, working from an expedition ship in the Arctic and Antarctica. My gear is subject to extreme wet conditions. The temperatures I work in are typically around freezing or just above. It's not unusual for me to be standing knee deep in freezing salt water. My camera bag is usually sitting on the floor of a boat, right next to me. In the past, I have put a regular camera backpack inside a fully water tight bag, the kind with a roll up top. While this did keep my gear dry, it was inconvenient to get my stuff out in a hurry.

When I saw this Lowepro DryZone, I though my prayers had been answered. I checked them out at a camera store, and though, ok, this is a big bag, but it will do what I want. I also hesitated because getting into it required a few extra zippers and buckles, but again, I forgave that drawback for the sake of having just one bag. On the plus side, it is a very sturdy camera bag inside, with plenty of padding and the usual velcro dividers so you can customize it as you see fit. I was able to carry a Canon 5D and 7D body, plus a 24-105 f4, a 300mm f4prime, and a 70-200 f2.8 zoom, along with gadgets and such. The back pack straps are great and it was comfortable to carry.

The issue: The glue that holds the watertight zipper to the waterproof material of the dry bag failed, and let plenty of water in. The failure happened at the "hinge point" where the waterproof bag flap folds back when you access the contents. ( I have photos, but there is no way to post them for this product.)

I didn't realized this failure had happened until I opened the bag one day and found my lenses all wet. The bottom interior of the bag was soaked, and an inch of water was inside!! Yikes! Thank god the camera bodies where higher up, and those Canon lenses are pretty darn water proof, so everything dried out and was ok.

Based on this failure, I have to give this bag a huge FAIL, and only one star. I have written to Lowepro, and I have sent this bag to them for evaluation. I'll update what they say when they do but for now, I would urge you to be very wary of using this bag in really wet conditions.

UPDATE DEC 2014: I sent the bag to Lowepro, and asked for something other than a direct replacement of this bag, as I will never trust this style of bag again. Within hours of their receiving the DryZone 200 for evaluation, they offered me a huge discount on anything from their web site store.

DryZone 200 Bag? 1 Star

Lowepro Customer Service? 5 Stars!!!
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Simply the best for its purpose despite its high cost and needed care
by GPSanino,Top Contributor: Photography (5 out of 5 stars)
November 29, 2011

I know many people has issues with the hard zipper and so on. I have known these backpacks for some years and used them in my job in Patagonia (Chile). Accessing glaciers, sailing at 50 kt in the coast, kayaking and rafting. And I can tell, there is NOTHING that compares to this backpack. You can swim with it, fall and expose it to the strong winds of helicopters day after day and it keeps going.

Sure, it is not a backpack for shooting weddings... It takes longer to access your devices inside but its purpose is protection without being a hard shell case.

Also I have noticed with our guides that not always they know that Lowepro designs products, like the Dryzone, that you close the external zipper only during extreme conditions. Therefore, for normal or more easy access to your products, you leave the TZIP opened, using only the internal zipper.

My only issue is that there is not a Dryzone 300 model. I need a bigger model!!! The 200 looks big, but is it is not extreme and it feels very comfortable on the back. Just a little bit bigger than my Targus backpack for the office. I have used a Petrol backpack WAY BIGGER, where I fit all my devices with plenty of space but failing to provide all the needed protection; and not comfortable enough for walking, a short climb or kayaking.

After three hours I got a distribution scheme to fit my essentials inside the dryzone 200, including a Nikon D5100 with 18-55, 55-300, macro and wide lenses, a camcorder SONY HDR-FX7, a 20Wd2 light, batteries, WB cards, chargers, wires, rain skins for both cameras, tapes, a hydrophone, a M-Audio sound recorder, a GoPro U/W camera and cleaning tools. Externally a professional tripod. I added some Lowepro Sliplock devices outside (bottle pouch, apex 5AW, rezo 60 and phone case 20 for small devices like first aid kits, radios, a leatherman and a SPOT satellite messenger). It sounds a lot but it all fit, a tighter than desired and using each little space. I would not mind to have a bigger backpack of these with more space. But I can do my job with the Dryzone 200 and it is the only one that survives this extreme environment. This is the third we add to our team.

The TZipper needs to be greased with the supplied gel properly. If the zipper opens in a wrong section, it can be set back to its position and it does not means is damaged. Always the problems I have found with the TZIP is just lack of being properly cleaned and greased. On the zipper I use the same product as on our drysuit for diving. Just cleaning the tzip very well after greasing to prevent it from collecting sand or dirt, usually when working with the helicopters. One of ours backpack remained during the off season in a wet storage and got some mold on it. Nothing that "Lysol" could not fix and kept going next season.

Just a personal experience. I recommend this product, despite its very high cost to people that need extreme protection, for extreme environment where a hard shell case is not practical and need fast access to their gear.

UPDATE: I read some of the issues other customers have had. Having used four of these backpacks, I can tell the item is great but as with any product, there are individual cases that may present issues. Lowepro has a good manufacturing process that limits the chance of receiving a defective product but as with any item, checking your product as soon as received is necessary. Taking care of it is another important part. This is not different to any diving drysuit, requiring the owner to understand and apply the needed care to the product. Lubrication of the T-Zip is key, as well as to not over stress the waterproof material when opening the backpack. If it is stretched to its max or bent consistently in the same point, the waterproof material will last lesser. I open it just to access the inner space trying to not create excessive stress on the material and the items have lasted the most rough conditions you can imagine for now several years.

There are other waterproof camera backpacks that would provide similar or even higher waterproof standards but at its own costs. My alternative item is the HPA Photodry 25. It is a great drybag made into a camera backpack with all its benefits of it, at half of the price of the Lowepro, it dries way faster and it is lighter, but it is way smaller, does not have the external protective shell of the Lowepro (e.g. branches or stones), the inside zippers heads are not protected or covered (exposing metal to your lenses) and accessing your gear requires to remove the inside section each time compared to the Lowepro that has a convenient waterproof zipper. In my experience, the Dryzone 200 is still top despite its high price and needed care, but for short trips with specific gear where a smaller backpack is enough and you will have to swim or kayak, the HPA Photodry 25 may be your best choice. A completely different option is to use a hardcase (ca Pelican) mounted into a harness like the NRS Paragon system (if you can find it). Perhaps the most sturdy and reliable way for remote areas, but with the slowest access to your gear and do not forget to re-enforce the seams of the shoulder straps close to the neck since if you do not do it, they WILL fail you after some time (all our paragon systems had that problem after a month of harsh use).
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Overall, pretty good
by Jim (4 out of 5 stars)
September 4, 2012

I've had this for a few years now and it's held up quite well. I've taken it camping, hiking, canoeing and on trips to Africa and Asia. It is rather heavy and even moreso when laden with gear, but seems to provide a commensurate amount of protection. Nothing inside has ever been damaged.

The dry bag zipper seal does require lube periodically to make sure it functions properly. I recommend you carry a spare tube with you. That seal is the key to keeping things inside dry during a downpour or an overturned canoe.

The outer compartment with a traditional zipper would have benefitted from some additional fasteners, maybe also at 10 and 2 o'clock, rather than the single strap at 12 o'clock. When you put anything of consequence in the outer compartment it really sags and doesn't stay in position very well. It periodically generates bad words from me.

The shoulder and waist straps are padded and it is comfortable when worn on your back. I often carry it by the hand grip on top and find it very strong and up to the task. There's nothing worse than grabbing a laden travel bag by the handle and having it come off in your hand. I don't see that happening with the DZ200.

I've hiked and travelled with a friend that has the Nat Geo pack. It's a nice bag and easier for him to access his stuff, particularly if the drybag zipper on the DZ200 is closed. BUT, the DZ200 seems to afford better protection against severe hazards, IMO. For good weather trips or trips w/o exposure to likely potential damage, the DZ200 might be a bit of overkill, but I'm happy I got it.
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difficult to use
by Alan G. Britten (1 out of 5 stars)
October 2, 2018

Waterproof zippers are very difficult to open, especially when I am in a hurry to access the bag. The waterproof capability seems to be very good, and this bag is certainly rainproof. Overall ease of use is not easy. Would not buy again!
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waterproof but VERY difficult to open
by A. Daley (3 out of 5 stars)
May 13, 2011

I bought the Lowepro DryZone 200 for a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. On the plus side, the bag is very well designed for camera and lens storage. There are lots of interior pockets for extra batteries and other gear. And the bag when properly zipped up is quite waterproof. However, I needed to stow my camera during the larger rapids and then retrieve it for the stunning landscape that was passing by. I found the waterproof zipper to be very difficult to work. I followed the directions and used the grease/goop that was provided: first upon receiving the bag and then twice during the 8 day trip. It didn't seem to help much. The zipper was extremely difficult to move. Overall, I am disappointed and would not recommend this bag for anyone who needs to get access to the camera/lenses more than once a day.
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Solid, well built and keeps equipment dry!
by Amazon Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
February 20, 2018

This kickback is solid and well built. I purchased it in order to take a few large lenses and cameras out on my center console boat while fishing the coast/offshore islands of Southern California. The material and zipper are solid and have kept everything inside dry on trips 65 miles offshore. Lots of padding and the metal frame off well thought out protection for photo equipment. It's big, rugged and so far standing up to the offshore challenge (my boat is quite wet with little dry storage in which to transport camera gear).

I own 2 other specialty LowenPro backpacks and feel all are great products at a really great cost point.
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Highly recommended
by Michael Fletoridis (5 out of 5 stars)
September 23, 2013

I bought the Lowepro Dryzone 200 prior to a recent fishing trip to Malaysia. The pack was able to easily carry a Canon 7D digital SLR, 24-70mm & 100-400mm lenses, 580EZ flash, two GoPro cameras, compact camera, a variety of accessories. I also carried an iPad and bluetooth keyboard and other bits and pieces in its outer zippered section. While it was fairly heavy fully loaded the pack was manageable, comfortable and provided good back support. I also had no problems taking it on to the plane as carry on luggage.

I'd bought this pack more for its waterproof aspect than anything and this is where it really shines. The pack features an inner zippered section with loads of different padded compartments. The inner sits inside a tuff outer shell that features a large durable waterproof zip. After applying the supplied sealant the zipper worked more freely and I never had an issue with its use. I used the pack on a boat for 3 days straight and for easy access I usually left the inner zip open and just accessed gear via the main waterproof zippered section.

This is an extremely well made pack for outdoor use in any weather and in my opinion is well worth its reasonably high price tag.
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Very well constructed
by Jeffrey Dodge (5 out of 5 stars)
June 24, 2019

I was impressed with the construction. While I do not plan on testing its ability to float, I am confident it will protect my equipment in very inclement situations.
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Great Quality, Looks Nice and Thoughtful Design
by Lisa Black (5 out of 5 stars)
August 30, 2015

This is a great great waterproof backpack. It is larger then I originally expected, but as it turns of I need that much space for all my gear. I took it to ALASKA fishing. I took my GoPro Black 5 with all the accessories and my Sony camera with long lens. It has waterproof pockets for cords etc. The front pockets are great for extra stuff. I took it on the plane with me. Of course it does not fit under the seat and I had to stow it in the overhead compartment. The straps are comfortable and did not fatigue my shoulders or back. Its very durable and I just love the color. I did get many compliments. I am taking it on an Alaskan rafting trip next year!
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Great back pack
by fishphotoenthusiast (4 out of 5 stars)
November 17, 2014

Great back pack! I trust it with all my gear: Canon 5d mark iii, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 50mm f1.2 and it still has a ton of extra room for a flash, outex sleeve, extra batteries, a go pro, etc.

My one complaint would be that the design doesn't allow for quicker access to your equipment. I started realizing I was taking less situational/opportunistic photo ops, because I didn't wanna go through the hassle of opening the two zippers that separate me from my camera. Just my opinion.

On the other hand, the water tightness is superb, I took several plunges in the water crossing rivers with this thing, and it was dry as a desert inside.

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