Review: YETI Panga 75L Airtight Waterproof Duffel

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.

In this YETI Panga 75 review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the YETI Panga Duffel Bags and see if it should be part of your arsenal.

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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 and reliable. 

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 as a weekender bag, on weekly fishing trips, beach days, and camping, we’ve had no issues.

It’s been thrown into cars, sat out in a boat during heavy rains and not once has our gear ever been wet.

Material

So, what makes YETI duffels so durable? YETI uses what’s called a ‘high-density nylon’, which is puncture-resistant for their ThickSkin shell duffel bag.

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 it a brilliant choice for outdoor activities! Whether you’re canoeing, hiking, white water rafting or fishing, you can be rest assured that the YETI Panga will keep your gear safe.

We took our waterproof duffle 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 poked and scraped by branches, thankfully there were no punctures or tears. We can definitely vouch that the material YETI uses is super strong and durable.

How Does the YETI Panga 75 Duffel Stay Leak Proof?

Not that YETI wants you to submerge your Panga YETI duffel, but if you do, the YETI Panga 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 75 is considered a waterproof bag.

Submersion & Flotation of the Panga Duffel

The YETI 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 wet.

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 Panga duffle 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 a YETI duffle bag.

Portability and Versatility of the YETI Panga 75

I love the versatility of the YETI waterproof duffel 75. Unlike traditional duffels, it features two very comfortable DryHaul shoulder straps, making it effortless to go hands-free and enjoy outdoor activities without aches and pains.

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.

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.

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. This time around, the Panga duffel and backpack’s limited edition colour is orange/black.

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.

Drawbacks of the YETI Panga 75

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. 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.

For this issue, you can 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 the YETI Panga 75 dry duffel. 

Organization: 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.

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.

I think these are absolutely brilliant, especially since the YETI Panga 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.

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 Duffels

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 Frequently Asked Questions

How To Use the U-Dock?

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.

How to Tell if the YETI Panga Waterproof Duffel is Perfectly Sealed?

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.

How To Properly Care for Your Panga Waterproof Duffel?

Proper cleaning and storage are the keys to keeping your water-resistant YETI Panga in top condition. Use a mixture of water and dish soap to clean the duffel when it gets muddy or grimy, and thoroughly rinse with fresh water. Then use a cloth or paper towel to dry the inside. Remember to leave the HydroLok™ Zipper open for several days so all the moisture can evaporate.

The duffel must be completely dry before packing it away for long-term storage. Do not put the Panga in the wash machine, nor should you ever dry the duffel in the oven. And yes, you read that right – it came straight from YETI. If you’re supposed to avoid the wash machine and a heat source such as the oven, it is safe to say skip the dryer as well and opt for air drying.

What is the Warranty on the YETI Panga Waterproof Duffel?

YETI offers a 3 year warranty against manufacture defects.

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 review! Have you tried the YETI Panga 75 Waterproof Duffle yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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