Ultralight Dry Bags: Hyperlite vs Hilltop Packs, Per Liter
How we did this: we took every size’s weight and price from the makers’ own product pages, checked on 29 Sep 2026, and divided by volume. We have not field-tested these bags.
An ultralight dry bag is a small part of your weight, so the useful question is what each gram costs. At 15 L, Hyperlite’s Dyneema Roll-Top Stuff Sack weighs 36 g for $68 and Hilltop Packs’ PU-coated nylon SmartPack 46 g for $22. Neither maker sells them for submersion; both keep rain and pack moisture off your gear.
Ultralight dry bags compared, per liter
| Bag | Size | Weight | Price | Grams per liter | Dollars per liter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 3 L | 23 g | $53 | 7.7 g | $17.67 |
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 5 L | 25 g | $58 | 5.0 g | $11.60 |
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 10 L | 34 g | $63 | 3.4 g | $6.30 |
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 15 L | 36 g | $68 | 2.4 g | $4.53 |
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 25 L | 45 g | $73 | 1.8 g | $2.92 |
| Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sack | 43 L | 57 g | $83 | 1.3 g | $1.93 |
| Hyperlite Pod | 9 L | 34 g | $60 | 3.8 g | $6.67 |
| Hyperlite Pod | 11 L | 37 g | $65 | 3.4 g | $5.91 |
| Hyperlite Pod | 13 L | 37 g | $65 | 2.8 g | $5.00 |
| Hyperlite Pod | 16 L | 40 g | $70 | 2.5 g | $4.38 |
| Hilltop Packs SmartPack | 3.5 L | 23.5 g | $12 | 6.7 g | $3.43 |
| Hilltop Packs SmartPack | 7.5 L | 35 g | $16 | 4.7 g | $2.13 |
| Hilltop Packs SmartPack | 15 L | 46 g | $22 | 3.1 g | $1.47 |
Sources: Hyperlite Roll-Top Stuff Sacks, Hyperlite Pods, Hilltop Packs SmartPack dry bags, checked 29 Sep 2026. Per-liter figures are our calculation.
Dyneema vs nylon: what 10 grams costs
At the one size both makers offer, 15 L, the Dyneema bag saves 10 g (0.35 oz) and costs $46 more: about $4.60 per gram. Bigger sacks spread the fabric better. Hyperlite’s 43 L sack, big enough to line a pack, is 1.3 g per liter; its 3 L sack is 7.7 g per liter. Buying one large liner and a few small nylon sacks is usually cheaper than Dyneema throughout.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll-Top Stuff Sacks
- Lightest per liter in the large sizes
- Taped seams
- Six sizes up to a 43 L liner
- $53 to $83 each
- Not for submersion
Hyperlite is upfront about what they are:
Check price →“While not traditional dry bags, their roll-top design gets you maximum water resistance without the extra weight.”
Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Roll-Top Stuff Sacks page
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods
- Clamshell opening shows everything inside
- Sized to stack in Hyperlite packs
- Water-resistant zipper
- Heavier per liter than the roll-tops at similar sizes
- $60 to $70 each
Hyperlite designs the Pods to stack inside its own packs, with a clamshell zipper for access. At 16 L the Pod is 40 g against 36 g for the 15 L roll-top sack.
Check price →Hilltop Packs SmartPack dry bags
- $12 to $22 each; $44 for the set
- PFAS-free coating
- Only 10 g heavier than Dyneema at 15 L
- Seams not taped
- Three sizes only
- Not for submersion
Hilltop Packs says the SmartPack line uses “more affordable fabrics and materials” to keep the price low, and that its seams are double folded and stitched because the fabric cannot be seam taped.
Check price →Which should you buy?
- Best value: Hilltop Packs SmartPack, $12 to $22.
- Lightest pack liner: Hyperlite 43 L Roll-Top, 57 g.
- Organized Hyperlite pack: Hyperlite Pods.
- Paddling or river crossings: none of these; buy a submersible dry bag.
FAQ
What is the lightest ultralight dry bag per liter?
Are these real dry bags?
What are Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods?
What are Hilltop Packs SmartPack dry bags made of?
Is Dyneema worth it for stuff sacks?
The bottom line
For ultralight dry bags, Dyneema saves only about 10 g at 15 L and costs about $4.60 per gram saved. Hilltop Packs’ SmartPack bags are the value pick; Hyperlite’s 43 L roll-top is the lightest liner; Hyperlite’s Pods organize its own packs.
Related guides
Keep building your system with these closely related guides.
- How to Pack a Backpack: A Practical System That Works
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shelters
- Ultralight Backpacks: The Complete Guide to Overnight Packs
- PCT Gear List: An Ultralight Kit Under 10 Pounds
- Nitecore NU25 vs NU20 and the Best Backpacking Power Bank
- Ultralight First Aid Kit: Which Size for Your Trip
- Ultralight Camp Chair: Helinox Zero vs Nemo Moonlite Elite
- Dog Backpacking Gear: Dog Sleeping Pad and Ruffwear Approach
