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[twall13]

I typically use a contractor bag for most of my stuff but do have an Exo dry bag liner for really wet hunts (I use an Exo 5500). I like that system but I still keep electronics in another small dry bag either at the top of the main bag or in the lid. I like to keep my tarp accessable at the bottom of a side pocket so I can set that up without digging in my pack when it's really wet. The hammock and quilts go together at the bottom of the contractor/dry bag with spare socks, etc. I've found if I only put the stuff in the dry bag that really needs to stay dry I can still access the other items (food, stove, optics, etc.) through the side access panel/top or outer pockets as needed. It works well for me but I'm also not typically in really wet areas.

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[SkunkCabbage]

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[Phaseolus]

I own an Arc'teryx Naos 70 and a Arrakis 40 and honestly if I could get that pack on a proper frame to carry meat I would. They are 100% like a dry bag.
I'm quite happy at this point with my Kuiu pack system.

Its a matter of me buying a few different dry bags and seeing how I like things. I think I may try a larger dry bag soley for my sleep system.

One of the reasons I like my Seek Outside pack so much is the exo waterproof material and roll top. Seam seal it and it is essentially like a dry bag.

 

[sneaky]

I have the Exo dry bag for my 5500 and, frankly, I hate it. Makes the side zip pretty much useless, and anything you need seems to always be the last thing you find when you're digging around in it. Still doesn't address the issue of the pack absorbing water and getting heavier if it rains either. Only thing that goes in a dry bag in my pack is down gear. Other than that it is much more efficient use of space to loose pack everything. Even small dry bags leave a lot of dead space around them.

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[Rokwiia]

All of my backpacks before the Seek Outside Fortress 6,300 had zippers everywhere and access galore. When I was considering the Fortress, I decided to retool. I live in an area where it is wet so keeping the contents dry is paramount.

I took the leap of faith and got the Fortress. To it I've added a top lid, and two belt pouches to accompany the Talon which it came with. Now, there is plenty of access to include all the things I use to without ever having to access the main bag. I'm thrilled because no other backpack had X-Pac and could offer the waterproof environment that I've sought.

I think I calculated about 130 liters of space with a pack that weighs less than 4.5 lbs. It's crazy huge and allows me to with winter backpack with plenty of room to bring all the things I need or want. irony is that the main bag rolls down into nothing which allows me to use it as a day pack as well.

I would never go back to a pack that had nooks and crannies, zippers, and built-in storage. For me, it's not functional and I would to use the accessories I bought which accomplish the same thing without ever compromising the contents of the main bag.

Kudos to Seek Outside.