If you look at the review distribution here, you'll find one of two values: 5 star, or 1 star. No in-between.

Look at what the reviewers say, and it does legitimately make sense.

These are called "dry bags." But when you look at the five-star review, they are praised for being a good stuff sack, with "keeping things dry a bonus." And the one star reviews are such because they aren't waterproof. I agree with BOTH.

First, yeah... for stuff sacks, they are absolutely great. They're built with quality that lets you really put some stress on the seams and buckles, and I've never had a problem. But as for being "dry bags/sacks" as the are often advertised...they ain't. In my outdoor world of backpacking and kayaking and scuba diving, "dry bag" implies a fully waterproof container into which to put your possessions, even at depth (or at least maintained underwater at a particular depth for a particular duration--my rubberized shearwater bag has literally spent days underwater without issues).

These will NOT keep your stuff dry if they have to be submerged. And that's mainly due to the fabric. It doesn't matter if the "seal roll-over" is good; given contact pressure and time, the fabric WILL leak.

So what does that mean practically? If you need water-resistant stuff sacks, these will absolutely fit the bill, and do so at a reduced cost and weight penalty.

But if your activities mean that there will be any submerged time (even if you encounter it as a fording or portaging or beach approach... skip these. There WILL be water penetration. No question about it. And that really, really sucks. Because these really are a lot lighter and of sufficient quality for other approaches.

So if you and your activities can get behind those limitations... go for it!

I use these bags to compress fluffy insulation garments such as a belay jacket to fit into a small climbing or skiing pack. They are perfect for this application. They keep garments dry while stored as a bonus

This product is horrible. Packaging states it is waterproof. It most certainly is not waterproof. Used it while hiking and it rained on use. Thankfully we did not have to go far because everything in the sack got wet. Do not waste your money on this garbage.

These are not waterproof. The blue one was around my neck to keep my phone/wallet/keys dry while tubing on a river. By the end I had to pour out water that had seeped into the blue bag. These are not waterproof at all.