Ever find yourself on an outdoor adventure when suddenly it starts to rain, and you find yourself unprepared? If you remembered to pack a rain cover, then you’re safe, but what if you forgot? Or what if you accidentally packed the cover deep in your backpack? Now, you’re stuck unpacking, only to get the gear that you’re trying to protect get wet. If you’re one to spend loads of time enjoying water activities, it might be time to consider a waterproof duffel, like the YETI Panga 75 – an almost indestructible waterproof dry bag that can withstand a beating.
In this YETI Panga 75 review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the YETI Panga Duffel Bag and see if it’s worthy of being a part of your arsenal.
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With the YETI Panga 75L Waterproof Duffel you no longer need to worry about your gear getting wet. The duffel is 100% dry, thanks to its Hydrolok zipper and U-dock system creating an airtight seal. The high-density nylon shell is puncture resistant, ensuring your items stay safe and secure.
The Panga is constructed to withstand even the harshest conditions, with its DryHaul straps and MetalLock hardware. Plus, it's completely submersible, meaning you can take it on any water-based adventure without worry.
- Waterproof
- Durable & Versatile
- Sturdy Build
- Comfortable Straps
- Large Opening
- Limited Storage Pockets
- Bit Heavy
Is the YETI Panga 75 Durable and Leak Proof?
YETI was founded by Roy and Ryan Seiders, who pride themselves on designing and manufacturing long-lasting, quality products. They have a passion for the outdoors, which has led to the creation of products that we can all count on. Expensive? Yes, but YETI products have proven to be durable, reliable, and almost impenetrable.
We are proud owners of several YETI items, with the YETI Panga 75 litre duffle bag being one of them. After several years of using the YETI 75 as a weekender bag, on weekly fishing trips, beach days, and camping, we’ve had no issues with leaks or tears.
The YETI duffel bag has been thrown into cars, sat out in a boat during heavy rains and not once has our gear ever been wet. It truly has been a waterproof dry bag that withstand anything thrown at it.
Discover if waterproof duffel bags are worth the cost and if they really do protect your gear.
Material
So, what makes YETI duffel bags so durable? YETI uses what’s called a ‘high-density nylon’, which is puncture-resistant for their ThickSkin shell duffel bag. This material is both flexible and waterproof, which makes it a godsend on outdoor adventures.
The bottom of the duffel is EVA molded. Wait, what is EVA, and what does it stand for? Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is a soft and flexible material that offers many benefits, including low-temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, hot-melt adhesive properties and resistance to UV radiation.
It’s this material that make your outdoor activities worry-free! From canoeing, hiking, white water rafting or fishing, you can be rest assured that the YETI Panga duffel bag will keep your gear dry and safe. I know ours has!
We took our YETI Panga 75 duffel bag on a hiking trip to get to a beautiful lake. The trails were the gnarly type, overgrown with brush. Our Panga 75 litre duffel was being constantly poked and scraped by branches – and yes, my heart was ache and hoping that this very expensive bag makes it through. Thankfully the Panga 75 came out unscathed – no punctures, no tears!!! After a trip like that, we can definitely vouch that the material YETI uses is super strong and everlasting.
How Does the 75 Liter Duffel Bag Stay Leak Proof?
Not that YETI wants you to submerge your YETI dry bag, but if you do, the Panga 75 will keep your gear dry for 30 minutes at a depth of one meter! Before we delve into how it does this, let’s address the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Many people think it means the same thing, but it doesn’t.
Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof: What’s the Difference?
Water-resistant items can withstand water penetration to some extent, while waterproof items are thoroughly sealed off from moisture, which is why the Panga duffel is considered a waterproof bag.
Submersion & Flotation of the YETI Panga Duffel Bag
The Panga duffel is submersible with an IPX7 rating. What does IPX7 stand for?
IP – Ingress/International Protection
X – Dust Resistance
7 – Water Resistance
For a rating of 7, the item is submerged fully in one meter of water for 30 minutes.
This waterproof duffel bag features Hydrolok Zippers – the same kind found on survival suits and HazMat protective gear. The YETI Panga zipper glides easily, but takes a bit of muscle to get it into the U-Dock terminal.
Once the zipper has settled into the terminal, it guarantees an airtight, waterproof and leak-proof seal. This allows you to take on a heavy downpour or a raging river, without the worry of your gear getting soaked.
Does the YETI Waterproof Duffel Float?
There is a story of a gentleman whose boat had sunk. Floating beside him was his YETI Panga duffel, so he figured he would try to use it as a PFD (personal flotation device). Thankfully, he did, as the submersible duffel bag had kept him floating for an entire hour until rescue finally arrived.
** If zipped properly, the Hydrolok zipper seals in the air, which creates a PFD.
Our son enjoyed the story and decided to test it’s validity. Let’s just say he had the thrill of a lifetime trying to sink our favourite YETI duffle bag.
Read our Introduction to Canoeing: A Guide for the New Canoeist post.
Portability and Versatility of the Panga 75 Duffel
The YETI 75 weight is 6.1 lbs, empty. Unlike traditional duffels, the YETI Panga 75 features two very comfortable DryHaul shoulder straps, making it effortless to go hands-free and enjoy outdoor activities without aches and pains, even when carrying heavy awkward gear.
The YETI Panga straps are made with MetalLock hardware and reinforced to give you peace of mind when carrying a load. You can quickly adjust for comfort by using the six QuickGrab lash points for ultimate freedom to load and haul your gear exactly how you like. These external lash points offer versatile carrying strategies, making this one of my favourite features!
You could even use a carabiner to attach your YETI Rambler to one of the lash points. It’s nice to have the ability to change it up, especially after a long day of adventure.
Read our YETI Drinkware review to see if YETI mugs and ramblers are really worth it.
YETI Panga Colours and Sizes
The entire YETI Panga line comes in two colours: tan and storm grey. On occasion, YETI will release a limited edition colour. The new YETI duffel colour for this year is firefly yellow, and I must say, it’s a gorgeous yellow! On occasion, the Panga 50 and 100 is released in a wetlands camo colour.
As to size, maybe the YETI Panga 75 is too big or not big enough for your needs. Either way, YETI has three other size options to choose from. Here’s a little comparison chart of the YETI Panga 50 vs 75 vs 100.
| Feature | YETI Panga 50 | YETI Panga 75 | YETI Panga 100 |
| Volume (L) | 50L | 75L | 100L |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs | 6.1 lbs | 6.8 lbs |
| Measurement | 23.5″ W x 14″ D x 10″ H | 28″ W x 15.5″ D x 11″ H | 32.5″ W x 17″ D x 12″ H |
| Price Range | $300-$400 | $350-$450 | $400-$530 |
| Best For | Weekend Trips | Extended Travel | Month Long Travel |
Drawbacks of the YETI Panga 75L
The YETI Panga 75 weight of 6.1 lbs is the only drawback. Even the smaller Panga 50L has an empty weight of 5.2 lbs, slightly heavier than some alternatives. However, when you throw in your gear, that weight adds up pretty quickly, which makes it difficult to hike with.
Thankfully, the YETI has various carrying methods to help offset the extra load. Using the DryHaul straps as a backpack will help distribute the weight and leave your hands free to enjoy your activity. Your back will also thank you for using this option. Alternatively, you can carry the duffle over one shoulder or use it as a grab bag.
The only other drawback, I wish one of the two interior stowaway mesh pockets were larger. It’s great for personal belongings, but if you want quick access to smaller items like a medical antibiotic kit, it’s a bit small.
No biggie, you can easily resolve this with coloured mesh bags, stuff sacks or packing cubes. Besides these little annoyances, we are beyond satisfied with the rugged design and gear protection of our YETI Panga 75 dry duffel.
Organization: YETI Packing Cubes for Duffel Bags
YETI has a line of Crossroads Packing Cubes. I find these packing cubes make for fantastic kits or organizing your gear for quick and easy access when inside a large waterproof duffel bag.
These cubes come in three sizes: small, medium and large, and are only available in grey. Hopefully, YETI can design these in other colours. It would make it easier to find the cube quickly amongst your gear, especially if one is used as a medical kit.
Update: There is a limited release of the large Crossroads Packing Cube in firefly yellow.
I think these are absolutely brilliant, especially since the YETI Panga 75 does not offer much in terms of organization. These packing cubes are not waterproof, but a great alternative to try is the waterproof YETI SideKick Gear Case, which comes in many colours.
The cool factor of the SideKick bag is its functionality. You can mount it to the outside of any travel bag, use it as a waterproof gear bag or carry it as a crossbody bag, leaving behind your heavier Panga 75 in the boat, car or campsite. It’s like having a small convenient backpack for your personal essentials.
YETI Panga 75 Price Comparison
The YETI Panga line ranges from $400 to $530 CAD ($300 to 400 US) in price. The Panga 75 costs $450 CAD ($350 US), which is pricier when compared to the Mustang Greenwater 65L Submersible Deck Bag. You can score the Mustang for $320 US.
YETI Panga 75 vs. Other Submersible Duffel Bags
Here’s the thing – we own the smaller 35L Greenwater Deck Bag, and compared to the YETI, I find the opening a pain. Whether removing gear or inserting, since the zipper is on an angle, the opening is not large enough to pull your things out.
On top of this, the waterproof zipper rubs your hands. Besides the opening and the fact that it doesn’t have backpack-style straps, it’s a decent bag. Being smaller, it’s great for water-based activities like canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. So, to put things into perspective, the extra $50 is worth it, considering the larger opening, the multitude of carrying options, being puncture-resistant and submersible.
YETI Panga Waterproof Duffle F.A.Qs
To secure a perfect seal with the U-Dock (the terminal end of the HydroLok Zipper), ensure you pull the YETI Panga zipper slider until it is fully engaged. This seal will keep your gear and contents dry and secure even on extreme excursions.
Secure your gear with the U-Dock by sliding the zipper completely in and applying pressure. If you hear any air leaking, unzip, and close the zipper firmly. Test again to ensure there are no air leaks.
The YETI Panga is pretty easy to clean and maintain – clean it with a mixture of water and dish soap, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Do not put your Panga in the washing machine or dryer!
YETI provides a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects for the Panga 75.
It can be used for any activity or travel where you need to protect your gear from the elements. Love hunting, use it as a hunting duffel bag, or a mountaineering duffel bag if you prefer climbing. The versatility is endless.
Yes, inside the duffel there are two interior stowaway mesh pockets. For added organization, consider using something like the YETI Packing Cubes.
The main benefits to the YETI Panga 75 are its waterproofing, durability, comfortable straps, and a large opening for easy access to your gear.
Yes, the YETI Panga 75 is 100% waterproof thanks to the Hydrolok zipper and U-dock system. You can rest easy knowing your gear will stay safe and dry.
Is the YETI Panga 75 Worth It?
After several years of hard use, the YETI Panga 75 Waterproof Duffel has not disappointed. If you’re looking to protect your gear from the elements, this duffel bag is the way to go. Not only is the YETI bag puncture resistant, comfortable, and submersible it’s also super stylish! While it’s a bit heavy and can be difficult to unzip, it’s completely reliable for long or short outdoor water activities.
👉 Thanks for reading my YETI Panga review! What are your first impressions of the YETI Panga 75 Waterproof Duffle? Let me know in the comments below!
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