ProView – Advanced Elements Blast22 Rolltop Pack

While I’ve been playing in whitewater for over 10 years, finding the right dry bag feels a bit like Cinderella trying on glass slippers. I’m looking for the perfect bag for overnight raft trips and casual SUP sessions and I think the Advanced Elements Blast 22 pack will be my perfect fit! 

Trusting a new dry bag takes a few days. I decided to take this rolltop bag out for a few chill days before really putting it to the test on a multi-day raft trip. First, I took the bag out on my standup paddleboard for a relaxing day on flat water. My friend and her two boys came out to cool off in the water and play around with kayaking. I strapped the Blast pack into the bungee cord on my SUP and off we went. The pack was a great way to make sure we all had snacks, sunscreen, and of course, a camera, all easily accessible. The front zipper pocket was clutch! I stashed sunscreen, lip balm, and hand sanitizer (a necessity these days). I actually managed to apply sunscreen as often as recommended because it was so low-fuss to grab it from the bag. Everything I stashed in the main pocket stayed dry as a bone. Once the kids (okay, and the adults) were thoroughly worn out, we packed up and headed home. Having the backpack straps was nice to free up my hands as we loaded up gear. 

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Now that the bag had passed Test #1, that is, splashes from children, it was time to take it up a notch. I decided that I hadn’t challenged myself on the paddleboard lately, so I headed out for Sunday Funday on a class II section of river. Deckers, a section on the North Fork of the South Platte, is a classic mellow run for beginner kayakers. That is, the perfect run for a somewhat challenging day on the SUP! I didn’t really trust myself not to go for a swim, plus a paddle boarder gets much wetter than a kayaker, so having a good dry pack was crucial. I packed the bag with extra layers, first aid kit, lunch, and snacks. There was TONS of room and I didn’t feel like I had to squish everything in order to close the bag. At the same time, it didn’t feel large, bulky, or in the way. Once again, I used the Blast’s front pocket to stash sunscreen, lip balm, and keys. I managed to avoid a swim (kneeling is key!) but the bag still got plenty wet. Everything in the main pocket stayed dry. There was a little bit of moisture in the easy-access front pocket, but that was expected and fine for things like sunscreen. 

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Okay, whitewater- check! Now it was time to load it up and take it out for a 3-day, 2-night trip on an 18 mile stretch of the Upper C (the Colorado river near Kremmling, Colorado). For multi-day trips, I really like to have a “river purse” handy for daytime access. On multi-days, you are often on the raft for long periods of time and you don’t want to dig into big bags and boxes every time you need something. In the Blast, I stored a first aid kit, mess kit, toiletry kit, extra layers, medication, snacks, headlamp, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, and hand sanitizer. There was still extra room, so I added a textbook to tackle some reading for my Wilderness First Responder course. All that fit easily and there was ample space to roll down the top of the bag to ensure a good closure. It seriously felt like a black hole, but the bag is shaped in such a way that everything still felt easy to pack and easy to find. I rowed my first rapids (I’ve done plenty of paddling, but I’m still getting comfortable on oars), including a class III with huge waves. The water was crashing over the bow of the boat all weekend long, and still, the Blast stayed dry inside. After we reached camp, the pack was nice for hiking around. The straps are cushy and the sternum strap kept it from flopping around too much. There is no waist belt, so I wouldn’t pack heavy loads, but for short hikes up to pretty views, it did great. The foam padding the back was comfortable and kept me from getting too sweaty. My friend pointed out that this pack would be perfect for canoe trips with long portages. 

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Fit/Comfort

Wearing the pack on my back felt comfortable and well-padded. This would make a good bike commuter bag for people in wet climates.

Look/Style

The pack was sleek and I liked the black color. With the foam padding, the pack didn’t turn into a round overstuffed ball like many dry bags. 

Weight/Packability

The pack felt like a good balance of weight and durability. It wasn’t too heavy, but also didn’t feel so thin and light that I’d worry about leaks.

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Function/Performance

The Blast fit everything I could ask for and then some! It stayed dry and was easy to throw on your back when unloading gear or hiking around camp. 

Durability/Construction

The Blast seems super durable and like it will hold up well over time. The material is thick and the welded seams seem like they will hold up well for a long time. Multi-day trips are hard on gear, but the Blast met the challenge with ease. My big dog even decided to use it as a step stool a couple of times with no harm done to the pack. 

I found the pack really well-made for both casual SUP days and more intense multi-day trips. I didn’t worry at all about the contents getting wet. I found that I didn’t really need the straps very often, but they were convenient at times and gave me a nice side hike option. There isn’t a way to stash the straps away, though, so be careful how you tie the bag down in more serious whitewater to avoid foot entrapment. 

Friendliness to the Earth

The durability of this bag is a big plus when considering sustainability. I prefer to invest in high-quality gear that stands the test of time, and the Blast seems like it will serve me well long-term. 

Room For Improvement

The gear attachment points were secure, but would be more handy if they were at the top in order to attach the bag to boats with a carabiner without turning the bag upside down. Adding a way to stash the straps somehow would be a big improvement. Large loops can be a hazard in serious whitewater and it would be nice to have the option to stow them.

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The Final Word

The Blast pack is super durable and kept all my gear dry and secure with no issues, even through class III rapids. The backpack straps were a nice addition to a well-made dry bag. The straps allowed for ease in loading and unloading boats as well as on side hikes around camp.  The front pocket is such a nice feature that I don’t think I can go back to a bag without it. I think this will be my day bag for an upcoming Grand Canyon trip! 

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