Yeti Panga 75 Review – Waterproof Duffel and Backpack in One

In Colorado, where I live, there is a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” The weather can turn on a dime at any time, and it is possible to experience all four seasons in one day. For this reason, among others, I like to store my essential gear in a rugged, waterproof dry bag such as the Yeti Panga 75 whenever I’m in the outdoors.

My go-to storage bag for boating and camping is the Yeti Panga 75 because it is waterproof, durable, large enough to hold lots of items, and easy to carry. Whenever I pack my gear in the Panga duffel, I know my stuff will be protected from unexpected thunderstorms at camp, sudden snowfalls in the mountains, and even abrupt kayak wipeouts on the water.

Waterproof, Leakproof, and Airtight

If you leave an ordinary bag of gear outside during a rainstorm, chances are the bag and its contents will get drenched. The Panga 75 is no ordinary bag – everything inside it will remain dry. It is waterproof, airtight, and completely submersible. As long as the Hydrolok Zipper is fully closed (zipped all the way up to the very end), no water, mud, or liquid of any kind can get inside. Even when it is fully submerged underwater, the Panga will keep your belongings 100 percent dry. Before each use, I test the seal by zipping it closed and applying a bit of pressure on the bag. If the zipper is closed correctly, there should be no evidence of air leaking through and you know it’s sealed.

Ultra-Durable Construction

Like all of Yeti’s products, the Panga 75 is built for the wild and can withstand a beating. It’s laminated, high-density nylon exterior and bottom landing pad are strong yet flexible and puncture-resistant. You can drag the bag across camp and toss it in the back of a pick-up truck without worry because the Panga 75 is virtually indestructible. It’s the most durable (inside and out) duffel bag I own and I expect it to last a long time. The bag is easy to clean too – just wipe it down with some warm water and soap, and it’s good to go.

Its Large Size Holds a Lot of Gear

I can fit a serious amount of gear inside the Panga 75. When I go boating for the day with my family of three, I pack it up with multiple towels, fresh clothes, extra jackets, shoes, sunscreen, and more. There is plenty of room inside the bag for everything we need and it all stays safe and dry. The two mesh pockets inside are perfect for holding smaller valuables, such as cell phones, car keys, and chapstick. It is always nice to have dry towels and clothes at hand after a day of swimming at the lake.

The Panga 75 is a great size to use for week-long trips when you are solo too. You can easily fit a weeks’ worth of clothes and supplies in it, including bulky gear like waders and boots. Keep in mind though the Panga dry bag is not insulated like a cooler and should not be used to store food and drinks.

If you find yourself needing a smaller or larger sized dry bag for gear, Yeti has you covered. In addition to the Panga 75, they offer four other sizes of waterproof bags: Panga Backback 28 (small convenient backpack), Panga 50 Duffel (can be used as a carry-on for most airlines), and Panga 100 Duffel (the largest size currently available).

Versatile Carry Options

There are multiple ways to carry the Panga 75. For quick trips, I simply grab one of the six external lash points on the sides of the bag and go. The lashings are built strong and can also be used to attach extra gear to the outside of the bag or secure the bag to an off-road vehicle or boat.

For longer trips or heavier hauls, use the straps to comfortably carry it as a backpack or duffel. The Panga 75 features two removable Dryhaul straps with easy-to-use carabiner-style MetalLock Hardware. It’s easy to adjust the straps so they sit comfortably on your shoulders when carrying the Panga as a backpack.

Best Way to Pack a Panga Duffel

1. Unzip the bag and set it on a flat surface, zippered side up. Separate the two sides of the opening for easy access and loading.
2. Pack heavy, bulky, and less-essential gear first. Put items, such as boots and extra clothes that you won’t need right away, into the bottom of the bag. Avoid stacking fragile items on the bottom.
3. Roll clothing and towels to save space and reduce wrinkling. To roll a clothing item or towel, lay it down on a flat surface. Use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles. Then, fold in the sides of the item and roll up from the bottom.
4. Pack smart. Arrange gear in the bag as though you are playing a game of Tetris. Stuff small items, like socks and gloves, into shoes. Pack similar items together so they are easier to find when you need them. Use packing cubes for toiletries or small electronics.
5. Avoid overpacking by only taking what you need. There is a lot of room in the Panga, so it's easy to get carried away when you are packing. Only pack the essentials to prevent an unnecessarily heavy duffel.
6. Once you have finished packing all of your gear inside the Panga Duffel, zip it up until it is completely closed.
7. Test the seal when it is zipped closed by applying a bit of pressure on the bag. If the zipper is closed correctly, there will be no evidence of air leaking through.
8. Adjust the DryHaul straps on the duffel so it is comfortable to carry by hand or on your back as a backpack. Test it out and readjust if needed.
9. That's it! Now you are ready to take your loaded Panga on an adventure.

Yeti Panga 75 Specs and Features:

• Outside dimensions: 28” x 15.5” x 11”
• Empty weight: 6.1 lbs
• Gear capacity: 75 liters (or 4,600 cubic inches)
• EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) molded base is flexible and waterproof
• Hydrolok Zipper keeps water out
• Shell: Laminated, high-density nylon is nearly impenetrable
• Two easy-to-access mesh pockets inside
• Six total lash points for versatile carrying strategies
• Two DryHaul straps are comfortable and durable
• MSRP: 299.99; yeti.com

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