Waterproof or water-resistant: how Musto bags are built

All the Musto bags in this range use a waterproof main fabric. What separates them is how the panels are joined and how the opening is closed.

On welded bags, the panels are fused under heat, so there are no needle holes for water to track through. A stitched seam and a zip, however well made, are the paths water takes once a bag sits in a flooded cockpit locker or the bilge. Musto publishes no IP rating and makes no submersion claim for any of its bags. Treat the welded range as protection against heavy spray, green water and a soaked deck, not as a bag to swim with.

Musto dry bags: Dry Tube 2.0

The Dry Tube 2.0 comes in 2L, 10L and 20L, in 600D polyester with a TPU coating, welded seams and a roll-top buckle closure. A roll-top only seals once it is folded properly: flatten out the air, fold the top evenly at least three times, then buckle. Use the 2L for a phone, keys and a handheld VHF, the 10L for a spare layer and electronics, and the 20L for a full change of clothes.

40L Waterproof Backpack

Roll-top closure with top compression strap, welded seams, padded airmesh shoulder straps and a padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 250mm wide. External daisy chain and Duraflex buckles. It measures 47 × 30 × 24cm.

65L Duffel or 65L Waterproof Carryall?

Both are 65 litres and 70 × 35 × 30cm. The Duffel has a U-shaped zipped opening, a separate end compartment for wet kit or boots, and packable backpack straps. The Carryall replaces the zip with a roll-top and the stitching with welded seams. Of the two 65L Musto bags, choose the Duffel for travel and marina use, and the Carryall for kit that travels in a RIB or lives on deck.

Musto duffel bags and soft luggage aboard

Charter companies and skippers generally ask for soft luggage because a rigid case cannot be stowed in a locker or quarter berth. The 30L, 50L and 65L Musto duffel bags (sometimes spelled "duffle") fold flat once unpacked. Each has packable backpack straps with 3D mesh padding and a 2-way YKK zip. The 30L measures 54 × 28 × 23cm. Cabin allowances vary by airline, so check yours before flying.

About Musto

Musto was founded in 1964 by Keith Musto, a British engineer and dinghy sailor who won Olympic silver in the Flying Dutchman class that year. Helly Hansen acquired the company in 2017. Both brands have been owned by Kontoor Brands since June 2025.

Musto FAQ block

Are Musto bags waterproof? 

It depends on the bag. The Dry Tube 2.0, 40L Waterproof Backpack and 65L Waterproof Carryall have welded seams and roll-top closures and are sold as waterproof. The 20L Backpack and the 30L, 50L and 65L Duffels use the same kind of waterproof main fabric, but with stitched seams and zips, and Musto rates them water-resistant: good against spray and light rain, not against standing water.

What is the difference between a waterproof and a water-resistant bag? 

The fabric is rarely the difference. The seams and the opening are. A water-resistant bag uses stitched seams and a zip, and both let water in under pressure or immersion. A waterproof bag has welded or taped seams and a closure that forms a seal, typically a roll-top. That is why a bag can have fully waterproof fabric and still be rated only water-resistant.

Can a dry bag go underwater? 

A roll-top dry bag keeps out rain, spray and brief splashes. Whether it survives immersion depends on its tested rating: IPX7 covers temporary immersion, IPX8 continuous immersion to a stated depth. Musto does not publish an IP rating for the Dry Tube 2.0 or its waterproof bags, so do not rely on them for submersion. For a handheld VHF or phone that must survive going over the side, use a dedicated rated case.

How many times should you roll a dry bag? 

At least three full folds. Push out as much air as you can, keep the top edge straight and the stiffened strip flat, fold it over evenly three times or more, then close the buckle. Fewer folds, or a skewed roll that leaves a gap at one end, is the most common reason a dry bag lets in water. Overfilling so that the top cannot be rolled properly has the same effect.

What size dry bag do I need? 

Size it to the contents, then add room for the roll. As a guide: 2L for a phone, keys, wallet and a handheld VHF; 10L for a spare layer, a power bank and a first-aid kit; 20L for a full change of clothes and a towel; 40–65L for a week's kit or a set of foul-weather gear. A bag packed too full cannot take three folds at the top and will not seal.

Is the Musto 30L duffel bag a cabin bag? 

It measures 54 × 28 × 23cm, and as a soft bag it compresses when not fully packed. It is within many airlines' cabin allowances but exceeds the 20cm depth limit some carriers apply. Check your airline's current dimensions before travelling rather than relying on any "cabin size" description.

Should I choose the Musto 65L Duffel or the 65L Waterproof Carryall? 

Choose by where the bag will spend its time. The Duffel has a zipped U-shaped opening that is quicker to pack, a separate end compartment for wet kit or boots, and packable backpack straps, which makes it the better travel bag. The Carryall has welded seams and a roll-top, so it is the one for a RIB transfer, a wet dock or kit carried on deck. Both measure 70 × 35 × 30cm.

What luggage should I take on a sailing holiday? 

Soft bags. Rigid suitcases cannot be stowed in a yacht's lockers or berths, and most charter companies ask guests to bring soft luggage for that reason. A duffel that folds flat once unpacked is the usual choice. Add a small roll-top dry bag for electronics and documents for the dinghy ride ashore.

TPU or PVC: which is better for a dry bag? 

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) stays flexible at low temperatures, resists abrasion and cracking at the folds, and is lighter for the same protection. PVC-coated fabric is cheaper and very robust but stiffer, especially in the cold, and relies on plasticisers. The Musto Dry Tube 2.0 uses TPU-coated polyester.

How should I care for a Musto bag? 

Rinse off salt with fresh water after use, particularly around zips and buckles, and let the bag dry naturally, open, out of direct sun. Musto's care instructions specify natural drying and no soaking for the water-resistant range. Store dry bags unrolled so the fold line does not crease permanently.

Is it "duffel" or "duffle"? 

Both spellings are in common use for the same cylindrical soft bag, named after the Belgian town of Duffel, where the heavy cloth originally came from. Musto uses "duffel".

Is Musto owned by Helly Hansen? 

Yes. Helly Hansen acquired Musto in 2017, and since June 2025 both brands have been owned by Kontoor Brands. They remain separate brands with separate product ranges.

Is Musto a British brand? 

Yes. Musto was founded in 1964 by Keith Musto, a British Olympic silver medallist in the Flying Dutchman class, and its head office is in London.