Yeti Panga 50L Dry Review

Bottom Line

The Yeti Panga Dry Duffel is waterproof to the max, making it the ideal bag for SUPing, fishing, and monsoon season travel. It’s fully waterproof – yes, even if it gets submerged underwater for a short time – which means whether you’re traveling by boat or expect your bag to sit in the back of a truck in inclement weather, all your stuff will stay protected. During testing, we left it out in the rain for an hour and not a drop of water made it inside.

However, We found it a pain to pack, especially when trying to cram in larger or bulky items. The opening is just a narrow slit at the very top. What’s more, stiff sides mean it’s a bit unwieldy to manipulate. That’s likely a small trade-off for those more concerned with protecting their gear than having quick access to contents.

While the Yeti Panga Dry Duffel may be overkill for most (it’s the most expensive duffel on this list), for those on the hunt for a durable bag that guarantees gear and clothing will stay safe from the elements, it’s likely a godsend. Bonus: They come in several colors and sizes (50L, 75L, 100L).

Carry Comfort

The Yeti Panga Dry Duffel has two carry options. One and a half, really, as the straps on top are really a two-in-one solution: it’s outfitted with backpack straps for easy pack carry, but those straps double as grab handles thanks to a narrow section toward the bottom. Basically, you can tighten or loosen the straps to your liking and grab them together at their narrowest point. There’s no grip wrap, though, so the straps will separate as soon as you let go.

There are also grab handles on every side: one on each long end, two that run vertically on each long side that double as lash points, and one on each end of the top. Meaning there are plenty of places to grab and drag the bag out of an overhead bin, an underbed berth, or the back of a truck. Unfortunately, none of the straps are terribly comfortable. Likely due to the fact that they’re designed to be functional in wet conditions. They’re not padded, so they felt stiff and rigid on our shoulders. They are completely removable, though, so if you want them out of the way and prefer to use the grab handles alone, that’s an option.

Compressibility & Packability

We found the Panga Dry Duffel to be the toughest bag to pack of all the duffels we tested. The sides are stiff and not pliable or flexible, and the zipper opening is small. So instead of having a large, wide-mouth opening like other easy-to-pack duffels, there’s just a single slit on the top of the bag that doesn’t extend to the very ends of the bag. This made it tricky to dig into the rounded corners of the bag.

The zipper, too, by virtue of being quite chunky but also entirely waterproof, is sticky and hard to pull. There’s even a tag on new bags that instructs you to pull hard. The bag does come with zipper lubricant to help keep it gliding smoothly over time. There is also one very small G-hook and webbing loop just inside the zipper on the very middle of the top of the bag to help cinch it shut to make zipping easier when you pack it to the brim, but we found it difficult to use.

Durability

As fans of other Yeti products like coolers may expect, the Panga Dry Duffel is remarkably durable. The material is impressively robust and even after we dragged it through dirt, grass, and over thorny plant life, it was barely scratched or scuffed. It got a little dirty but was incredibly easy to clean. It can, after all, just be hosed down if it gets too encrusted with mud or desert sand. It’s also puncture resistant.

The hardware is also seriously solid. Metal clips make the backpack straps not only easy to remove but in no way at risk of breaking off or coming loose. It’s certainly a bag that can handle rough adventures.

Weather Resistance

The main selling feature of this duffel lies entirely in its waterproof functionality. During testing, when we left the bag in the rain for an hour, everything inside was completely dry. But that’s the whole point of this bag. In fact, it’s IPX7 waterproof rated, which means it can even be dropped into the water and will still protect everything inside down to about one meter for up to 30 minutes. So if you have to wade through water with your bag, fear not; your gear will stay dry.

Organization

Unfortunately, the organization in this bag is absent. There are only two small interior mesh zipper pockets big enough for a headlamp or two. There are no exterior pockets, likely in an attempt to simplify the design and keep it as watertight as possible. So almost everything in the bag must be crammed into the main compartment. 

Because of the bag’s somewhat cylindrical shape, some packing cubes don’t nestle as neatly inside. If you want to use packing cubes, you’ll have to consider more soft-side options or Yeti’s brand packing cubes.

Should You Buy the Yeti Panga?

The Yeti Panga Dry Duffel is quite an investment, so you may find it more important to consider critically whether it’s a worthwhile purchase for your needs. For most travelers, the bag will likely be overkill and not worth the difficulty involved in packing, the lack of organization, and the tough zipper. Those folks, together with outdoor lovers who like a more quick-grab packing situation and anyone looking for a more multi-functional duffel, may want to consider alternatives.

Those who regularly travel to or work around water, require a burly bag for adventure travel, or need gear to remain protected from water at all times will be hard-pressed to find a better option.

What Other [Category] Should You Consider?

If you’re not sure the Yeti Panga Dry Duffel is right for you in any of the available sizes, you may want to consider one of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested.

Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel Review: For a similarly sleek profile, check out the Gregory Alpaca Wide Mouth Duffel. It isn’t quite as waterproof, but does a decent job of protecting gear from the elements and is easier to pack.

Patagonia Black Hole Review: For a more traditional duffel that’s still impressively water resistant, consider the classic Patagonia Black Hole. The large single opening, limited pockets, and several carry options make it a solid choice for many travelers.

Osprey Transporter Duffel Review: While it may not be entirely as waterproof, this duffel is much easier to pack and unpack and more comfortable to carry for long periods.