Review – Urth Atacama Dry Bags

We used to sail a lot – a couple of times in the Caribbean, French Polynesia, the Greek Islands & Turkey and countless times on home territory here in Australia. On numerous occasions, we anchored the yacht. We ferried ashore by dinghy, which was always a challenge when you carried camera gear, especially the large Fuji G617 panoramic camera that we used to lug with us everywhere. So, we invested in a couple of waterproof, albeit bulky, Dry Bags. They worked like a charm, and although we never really tested them with a dunking in the ocean, they gave us peace of mind every time we stepped off the rolling yacht into the rolling dinghy.

So, we were delighted when Urth recently released their Atacama Dry Bag range, designed for the adventure photographer, or anybody, for that matter, who wants to protect their valuables in less than desirable environments.

URTH was kind enough to send us the Atacama Dry Bag – 25L for this review.  Although we received the Dry Bag free of charge, this review is unbiased. Please read our disclaimer at the bottom of this post.

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The Atacama Dry Bag is a fully welded, roll-top dry bag engineered to protect sensitive equipment from extreme conditions. Crafted from heavy-duty recycled PET ripstop, the exterior balances lightweight with resistance to tears, abrasions, and punctures. High-frequency welded seams eliminate exposed stitching, creating a tight barrier against heavy rain and mud. The material is much thinner and much lighter (only 300g for the 25L) than our old Dry Bags. 

Even with the second-largest dry bag available, it is far more compact than our old dry bags and considerably easier to pack in a suitcase.

The entrance to the interior is sealed magnetically with a roll-top closure and Duraflex® side-release buckles. Once the top is rolled and the clips connected, there’s very little chance of water getting inside, even with full water immersion. Like most roll-top bags, once the buckles are connected, it creates a handle, which makes carrying a breeze.

The Atacama Dry Bag was designed specifically with outdoor creators in mind, although it can obviously be utilised by anybody regardless of what you are carrying. However, Urth purposely designed the Atacama to pair with camera inserts. The interior comfortably accommodates padded camera inserts, allowing photographers to carry bodies, lenses, and accessories securely without compromising organisation. The roll-top closure system features secure hardware, letting you adjust total volume based on load size while maintaining a reliable, airtight seal.

Even though the interior will accommodate camera inserts, the dry bag may hold your entire main camera bag, depending on its size. We currently use 10L sling bags for travel photography, and they easily fit into the 25L dry bag and would probably fit just as well in the 15L version. For larger backpacks, the 25L & 40L are the only options.

The Dry Bag uses a magnetic closure rather than a zipper. To make it fully waterproof, you must roll the excess material at the top—the magnets alone only semi-seal the opening.

About halfway down in the interior is a small YKK-zippered pocket. This pocket is just wide enough to fit small valuables or a mobile phone, keys, etc.

The interior expands at the bottom, creating a flat base that fits a camera insert or, as mentioned above, a full camera backpack. We have an Urth Norite Camera Insert with a 11.3L capacity, which is their largest, and this fits well into the 25L dry bag. This camera insert would also fit into the 15L dry bag, but there would be less room to roll down the entrance to the bag.

• Welded Construction: High-frequency sound-welded seams seal out moisture and debris completely.

• Recycled PET Ripstop: Weatherproof body fabric made from recycled materials for structural durability.

• Roll-Top Closure: Flexible volume adjustment with an airtight fold-and-buckle design.

• Insert Compatibility: Sized to fit specialized camera pods and gear organizers seamlessly.

Several established brands dominate the outdoor and carry market for dry bags and waterproof protection. Sea to Summit and Seal Line are widely regarded as industry leaders for traditional roll-top dry bags, offering versatile designs ranging from ultralight nylon liners to heavy-duty TPU options. Meanwhile, adventure travel and photography-focused brands like WANDRD, Shimoda, and Osprey integrate weather-resistant architecture and protective dry bags directly into specialised carry systems and camera gear setups. Most of these are dedicated dry backpack bags. 

Although some well-established brands are offering more rugged products, we feel that Urth is not trying to compete in this market, but simply trying to offer a simple, lightweight, and portable waterproof solution for those who get caught in a sudden downpour or, as mentioned in our introduction, simply want to safeguard their valuable equipment when transiting on or near water.

There’s not much to complain about with the Urth Atacama Dry Bag. Considering what it’s been designed for, it certainly delivers. At the end of the day, though, it really is just a waterproof bag with an internal pocket. So, as long as it fits what you need and keeps the contents dry, then it has done its job.

The Urth Atacama Dry Bag series manages to bridge the gap between rugged outdoor utility and clean, camera-ready organisation. By combining a fully welded, stitch-free construction with recycled PET ripstop fabric, Urth delivers a reliable, waterproof shell that doesn’t feel overly industrial or excessively bulky. While the semi-sealed magnetic opening speeds up access, properly rolling down the top remains essential for true waterproof protection—a fair trade-off for those needing peace of mind near water or in heavy downpours. What sets the Atacama lineup apart from standard utility dry bags is its intentional design for creators. The intentional sizing to fit camera inserts (like Urth’s Arkose and Norite lines) alongside an internal welded pocket for smaller accessories transforms what would otherwise be a basic stuff sack into a versatile, modular carry system. Combined with solid Duraflex hardware and Urth’s eco-conscious manufacturing standards, it stands out as a refined, highly practical investment for photographers and adventure travellers who need dependable weather protection without sacrificing slick organisation.

RATED: RECOMMENDED

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Disclaimer:  This review is totally unbiased. As Professional Photographers we would never recommend the use of any product unless we have used the product ourselves. We always strive to give you our honest opinion in order to help you make the best choice. We did receive the product with compliments of URTH but were not paid for this review. We may also receive commissions on other links in this post.