Gearlab Deck Pod - Kayak Deck Bag, Paddling Magazine Award (Holds Paddle Float, Bilge Pump)

I've used a number of popular deck bags over the years and I recently switched to this great deck bag from a much larger and bulkier one. It may look small, but the inside is larger than it looks and holds everything I need for the day - rain hat, spare gloves, small first aid kit, snacks, headlamp, spare batteries, sunscreen, toilet paper, insect repellant, etc. The mesh top pocket will hold a GPS unit, small camera, or VHF radio securely and the side lashing straps work well for bilge pump, paddle float, rolled maps, and/or water bottle. The attachments to the perimeter lines is easy to install and use and it was pure genius to separate the two so the deck bag could be removed while leaving the attachment straps in place. The interior is NOT waterproof, so store anything delicate in a plastic bag. The bag is sturdily made and should give many years of service. The low profile means it doesn't add much wind resistance like some of the big bags. Mine got soaked on an open-water crossing this past week and after being emptied it dried out overnight, ready to be reloaded the next morning. I do wish it came in additional colors. The dark gray has a tendency to heat up in the Florida sun and the light blue gets dirty very quickly. A nice medium blue or red would be appreciated. But a change in color might be the only reason I will ever replace this bag - it's that good.

Hooked this up to my Tsunami 125 on its maiden voyage. Love this thing. A bit pricey for what you get but it is well made. Held my NRS bilge pump on one side, sunscreen, and my Big Zip water bladder (i have a 2L but will now buy a 3L). I even strapped my water proof JBL Charge 3 to the other side to rock out while hittin' the wakes! It even has a bit more room for more storage. Everything is in its right place, and it works. Its not water proof but it dries fast. When loading the kayak, just unhook and take away. Love it. Even though its pricey, i would recommend.

PROS: It’s a good design, the right size to hold essentials and anchors perfectly and dependably to deck lines. It’s a big improvement for anyone who has tried to pack a backpack water bladder in or on a kayak.CONS: It seems over-priced for something the size and weight of a child’s backpack. It will hold very little else if you pack a large full bladder bag. The manufacturer is very clear that it’s not designed to be waterproof so after paddling in lake or salt water you may have to wash-off everything you store inside.

This deck pod has been a purchase I've been looking at for awhile and I'm glad I chose it. The pod is larger than it appears and has a semi insulated interior. There's a small section with mesh to let water drain out and a pocket for hydration bladder hoses. Could also hold other items but the interior is not water proof. Easy access items that you don't mind getting wet are a good choice.Clips and buckles are very secure and are easy to attach to deck rigging. Very good look to the product.

The kayak deck bag works great for storing things when kayaking and allows for easy access. It sits low on the deck and you don't hit it while paddling. I can put my 22oz or 32oz water bottle inside and still have room for my pocket camera, headlamp, compass, and some snacks. It is nice that I can secure my bilge pump and paddle float and leave them on so when I go paddling the next time they are there. The deck bag seems to be durable and should last a long time, the handle on the top of the bag makes it convenient for carrying. It only takes about a minute to attach it to the deck. Overall I'm happy with my new kayak deck bag and look forward to using it all summer.

This thing goes everywhere I go whenever I go paddling. It's really light weight, holds a ton of stuff to easily grab and is very versatile and functional. It clips open/off very easy and holds tight in place. It has a nice nylon handle to carry it to and fro. It is not waterproof though, so make sure you use dry bags for items inside. It seems to insulate well if you put a water bladder in it.

I bought this for a 53 mile trip down the CT River in October, and am extremely pleased with it. It fit my water bladder easily, and keeps it within reach while not being in the way of my strokes. The small pocket is useful for a few small snacks. It was also useful having my pump within easy reach, especially after I took a wave during launch. Moving into the cold weather it's great being able to quickly mount all of my gear with a snap. I should have bought this sooner!

Just received my GearLab kayak deck bag today. I love the design. I prefer equipment that is rugged, simple to use, and well thought out without a lot of bells and whistles. It holds my 64 oz. Sawyer Platypus style water container, a pair of gloves, snacks and my 24 oz. GSI Microlite insulated coffee/water bottle with room to spare. I don't trust having all my water in one container (in case of leaks) so I like the idea of having the GSI bottle in addition to the 64 oz. Sawyer container plus it's insulated so I can have something cold to drink too. Thank for putting some thought into a very nice deck bag.

This is the best deck bag that I have found. It's big enough to hold the essentials, but small enough not to get in the way of the blades, when paddling with a Greenland stick. I particularly like the secure storage for float & pump.

Note Hydration Bladder NOT Included making it really expensive for a bag, the straps and clips are pretty cheap also.