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[SkunkCabbage]

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[Ndstevens]

I think as long as all your stuff fits and its dry, that's all that matters. Beyond that it's all preference. Not really a right or wrong. If you dont mind the lack of organization then it will suit you well I assume. I personally prefer to keep like items together to avoid yard sailing my gear just to find one thing or digging forever untill I found what I'm looking for.

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[SkunkCabbage]

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[Ndstevens]

Yes systematically packing definitely makes life easier. That's a good idea.... Run your sleep system in a bigger dry bag and the rest in their own pullouts. If your really interested in the dry bag liner. I say get it, try it both ways and see what works best for you. Others may have a different opinion to input.

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[SkunkCabbage]

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[Read1t48]

For many years, I have ran either 2 mediums or 1 large dry bag with pullouts for organizers. Works well. 1 dry bag cuts down on weight. I run a Kifaru, but the interior dry bag of the Exo seems well thought out.

 

[*zap*]

Separate bags that have basic labels for contents or a few larger dry bags with items separated in zip locks in them.

 

[MattB]

I've done both and much prefer a few smaller dry bags (bag/outer layers/inner layers). If your pack is only a top loader it isn't as big a deal, but if you have a side or center zip it is a waste. You also can't drop part of your stuff at camp and take part and keep both in 1 dry bag.

 

[EmperorMA]

I prefer a few smaller bags with big stuff like tent and sleeping bag stuffed in on their own. It’s easy to move two or three well-organized dry bags to get the tent, sleeping bag and MSR WindBurner Duo out to set up camp. Then I don’t have to repack other stuff to head out to fish, scout, hunt or whatever. Just put the 2-3 dry bags back in the pack, cinch it down and go.

 

[Dave0317]

I've done both. Both work. Depending on your style of hunting, one big bag may not be that much of a disadvantage. How much do you see yourself needing to get different items out? I keep my hunting necessities outside the pack mostly, warm layers and food at top of pack, sleep, hygiene, shelter can all be at the least accessible part of the pack.
I find I mostly use hunting items and food during the day, and at night, almost the whole pack gets emptied to set up shelter and eat anyway. So one big bag is not a big detriment.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

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[Desk Jockey]

In the army we ran our rucks with a contractor trash bag or two used as a liner and inside that we placed the issue dry bag rubber side with the nylon on the inside to protect against puncture from items in the pack.

It works. It basically turned the pack into a large waterproof container which would float as we crossed creeks and swamps. Iran or snow weren’t an issue and things in the pack were well protected.

Only downside was damp or wet gear stayed damp or wet and gets everything else damp or wet if you put it in the main bag. Also, the contractor bag eventually wore and had to be replaced.

 

[Rockymtn-Marc]

Either way would work, I personally prefer to have the ability to organize my gear in separate bags.
In addition I chose my pack because of the multiple access points to the main compartment. Having one big dry bag would render that useless.

I have also come across situations were I have had to stash away a dry bag in a bush so seperate bags were useful in that case.

 

[BCSojourner]

Another consideration - if you are in caught in a driving rain or snow storm, do you want to be emptying out a big dry bag to get at rain gear, dry clothes,puffy etc, or do you want to be pulling out a small dry bag quickly that is likely color-coded.? weather can change very quickly in the high country - you don't want to be fumbling through a pack for gear. Not a big fan of the loose-in-the-pack setup. Gear can get pulled out inadvertently when you pull out a puffy, rain jacket, etc. Like Rockymtn-Marc already posted, one big bag defeats the purpose of pack access.

 

[Phaseolus]

How about buying a pack that’s bag is waterproof?

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I favor organization and not carrying extra weight, so I generally keep my rain gear in the back or spotting scope pocket so it is easily accessible, and my pack cover in one of the side water bottle pockets.

Sleeping bag, tent, food, and other camp stuff get carried in one large dry bag all together. When I set up camp my stuff is then protected by the tent and the dry bag becomes my bear bag for food.

I have a hard time imagining a situation where a puffy jacket inside a pack with a rain cover on it would get wet enough to become an issue, but I guess it’s possible if you hunt out of a boat or have large river crossings.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

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[SkunkCabbage]

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[SkunkCabbage]

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[Gatorgrizz27]

Down 100% has to be in a dry bag where I hunt. Pack cover is mainly there to try and minimize the fabric absorbing a ton of water and adding weight. Not to mention to keep things dry inside but don't expect it to be the best solution for that.

If it’s that wet most of the time you might be better off with a synthetic puffy like the Kenai or Uncompaghre