Scuba divers love a good drybag. They keep our non-waterproof boat essentials safe and dry on long dive days. So, for the past year, PADI has been working with GROUNDTRUTH to develop the best scuba diving drybags (in our humble opinion). After months of development, the bags are set to launch in February 2025.
The collection, known as UNDA, ticks all the right boxes in terms of functionality, style and sustainability – what PADI scuba divers want to see in this dive-day essential item.
With the input of real PADI divers, these made-for-purpose, eco-friendly bags have been tailored to the needs of every scuba diver, whether you’re a PADI Pro or about to take your first breath underwater.
Let’s take a closer look at the GROUNDTRUTH X PADI UNDA Collection.
The UNDA Waterproof Bag Collection
The UNDA waterproof bag collection includes three dive-day-ready packs. Each drybag offers a different carrying capacity, design and range of handy features. They are also available in either ocean green or deep black colors.
The 25L Roll Top Dry Backpack | UNDA
Featuring a convenient 20L Day Tote insert and with its 25-liter capacity and two-way closure system, the UNDA Roll-Top Backpack takes the title of the ultimate scuba diving backpack. Each element of this feature-filled backpack has user convenience and the protection of your belongings at the forefront — with a dose of style thrown in, too.
An IPX6 rating ensures the bag offers protection from directed water streams, while a fully waterproof front pocket provides additional security for valuables, like your wallet, phone, or logbook. The bag’s interior tote is ideal for carrying tech items, including a laptop, and is also removable for use as a day tote. Two bottle pockets on either side ensure hydration is never far away, while the bungee cord front cage lets you easily attach larger, bulkier items, like fins, helmets or jackets.
In addition, a cushioned back panel and adjustable shoulder straps provides all-day comfort.
The 10L Cross Body Dry Bag | UNDA
This could be the best drybag for scuba divers. The 10-liter bag sports a cross-body design that’s ideal for the pick-up-put-down rhythm of a diving day. It features a removable and adjustable strap, if you want to transform it from a cross-body bag into a tote-style drybag. On the front of the bag, there’s a quick-access pocket with a zipper, which is ideal for storing your essentials you want within easy reach. On the side of the bag, you’ll also find a molle-style system for attaching additional items.
Furthermore, the drybag boasts an IPX6 rating, meaning it protects your belongings from water up to and including high-pressure streams.
The 1L Cross Body Dry Sling | UNDA
The UNDA Cross-Body Pouch boasts an airtight TRU® zipped opening and an IP67 rating, meaning it’s waterproof when submerged in up to one meter (three feet) of water for a minimum of 30 minutes. Whether you want to wear it across your body or around your waist, the adjustable strap and central buckle system ensure it’s always comfortable and secure. The bag’s one-liter capacity is ideal for storing your small dive-day valuables and items that must stay dry.
What Makes the UNDA Collection the Best Drybags for Scuba Divers?
During in-person testing, Samantha Pearson, Global PR Manager at PADI, saw first-hand how these bags stand out from the crowd. She told us, “The GROUNDTRUTH backpacks proved to be able to withstand all of the elements you can potentially face during a scuba diving trip. They fit all your dive adventure essentials perfectly – from the fins on the exterior of the bag to your phone and keys in the waterproof attachment within.”
But there’s more to the UNDA Collection waterproof bags than their made-for-diver functionality. Here are some other reasons why these bags made by GROUNDTRUTH and PADI are the best drybags for scuba divers.
They’re Fully Made From Recycled Materials
PADI divers care about their environmental impact — and GROUNDTRUTH understands this. “Ghost fishing nets account for over 50% of all plastic waste in our oceans, causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems,” said Georgia Scott, Co-founder and CEO of GROUNDTRUTH. In answer to this problem, GROUNDTRUTH has chosen to pair functionality with sustainability by making their products from 100% recycled materials (including recycled fishing nets, post-consumer nylon and plastic bottle waste).
There’s a Place for a Reusable Water Bottle
A water bottle pocket may seem like a small thing, but it proves GROUNDTRUTH’s commitment to creating a product for their customers. It’s worth repeating — these bags are designed for (and by) scuba divers. The addition of reusable water bottle pockets was a final stage addition, and one that came specifically from PADI diver feedback. As one reviewer noted, “The consistent feedback for elevating the design was to add a place for a reusable water bottle, which GROUNDTRUTH has taken onboard for the final stages of their design.”
This commitment to listening to the needs of the customer shows the UNDA Collection was made with you in mind. Some real-world proof came in the form of a recent promotion. During the event, “PADI Pros throughout the dive resort were constantly asking where they could get one of these bags for themselves.”
Where Can You Buy an UNDA Drybag?
During our in-person tests in the Maldives, PADI Pros throughout the dive resort were constantly asking where they could get one of the UNDA Collection bags for themselves. Those were just prototypes. The real bags are even better. So where can you buy a GROUNDTRUTH X PADI UNDA Collection drybag?
All three bags are available for pre-order on GROUNDTRUTH’s website. Grab yours now to ensure you don’t miss out on owning the next generation of scuba diving drybags — bags designed and made with PADI scuba divers in mind!
