You're mid-trip on a Grand Canyon run when your boat wraps on a rock in Lava Falls. Everything goes sideways. When you finally pull the raft off and flip it back over, the first thing you check isn't the cooler — it's the dry box.
That moment is why experienced river runners obsess over dry storage. Your food, your cook kit, your camera gear, your partner's prescription meds — it all lives in that box. And not all dry boxes are created equal.
This guide breaks down the best dry boxes for rafting, from traditional aluminum to the newer rotomolded options, and helps you figure out what matters when your boat goes over.
Quick Comparison: Best Dry Boxes for Rafting
| Dry Box | Price | Capacity | Material | Waterproof Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deso 70L Weatherproof | $229 | 70L | Rotomolded | IP65 | Best value for most rafters |
| Deso 50L Weatherproof | $199 | 50L | Rotomolded | IP65 | Personal gear, smaller frames |
| Deso 150L Wheeled | $489 | 150L | Rotomolded | IP65 | Expedition kitchen, group gear |
| Cambridge Welding Aluminum | $500-700 | Custom | Aluminum | Splash-resistant* | Traditional setup, frame-specific sizing |
| Recretec Aluminum | $590+ | Custom | Aluminum | Splash-resistant* | Custom frames, latch-in systems |
| ROAM Rugged Case 95L | $449 | 95L | Rotomolded | Dust/weatherproof | Overlanding crossover |
| NRS Canyon Dry Box | $165-190 | Various | Polyethylene | Splash only** | Budget, day trips |
*Traditional aluminum "shoebox" lids are known to leak in flip scenarios
**NRS explicitly states "not intended for submersion"
The Dry Box Problem: Why Most "Dry" Boxes Aren't
Here's what nobody tells you when you're buying your first raft setup: most dry boxes aren't dry when it matters.
Traditional aluminum dry boxes — the ones you see on every commercial trip — use what's called a "shoebox" lid design. A metal lid that overlaps the box, held down by compression latches and sealed with a foam gasket. In normal conditions, they work fine. Rain, splash, the occasional wave over the bow — no problem.
But flip your boat in a Class III rapid? Different story.
Talk to any experienced boatman and they'll tell you: aluminum shoebox lids leak when held underwater. The gasket compresses unevenly. Water finds gaps. Pressure forces its way through. One Mountain Buzz thread put it bluntly: "I've seen exactly zero 'dry boxes' be dry in a flip and get worked scenario."
This isn't a knock on aluminum boxes — they're proven, durable, and fit traditional frame setups perfectly. But if you're running serious whitewater and need gear to survive a swim, you need to understand the limitations.
Aluminum vs. Rotomolded: What Matters
Aluminum Dry Boxes
The traditional choice. Cambridge, Recretec, Salamander, Mad Cow — these are the names you'll see on every permit trip and commercial operation. Aluminum boxes are custom-sized to fit specific frame dimensions, built with welded construction, and designed to last decades.
Advantages:
- Custom sizing for exact frame fit
- Frame hanger tabs for clean rigging
- You can walk on them, sit on them, stand on them
- 30+ year lifespan with proper care
- Industry standard — replacement parts available everywhere
Limitations:
- $500-1000+ for a quality box
- Shoebox lids leak in sustained submersion
- Dents and dings affect seal over time
- Heavy (14-24 lbs empty)
- Often 4-8 week lead times for custom orders
Rotomolded Dry Boxes
The newer option. Rotomolded boxes use a one-piece plastic construction with no seams — the same manufacturing process that makes YETI coolers nearly indestructible. Until recently, ROAM was the only company making rotomolded dry boxes, and they focused on the overlanding market, not rafting.
Advantages:
- One-piece construction — no seams to fail
- IP-rated weatherproofing (when available)
- Significantly cheaper than premium aluminum
- Impact resistant — handles drops and abuse
- Lighter than comparable aluminum
Limitations:
- Fixed sizes — not custom to your frame
- Newer technology — less track record
- Some brands lack tie-down features for rafting use
The Best Dry Boxes for Rafting in 2026
1. Deso 70L Weatherproof Dry Box — Best Overall Value
Price: $229 | Capacity: 70L | Rating: IP65
The Deso 70L hits the sweet spot for most rafters — enough capacity for a kitchen box or personal gear on multi-day trips, at a price point that makes aluminum look expensive.
What stands out:
- IP65 rated — dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction
- One-piece LLDPE rotomolded shell with no seams
- Internal hinges — nothing external to snag on straps or frames
- Molded catches integrated into shell — no bolt-on hardware to loosen
- Integrated tie-down slots for raft frames, truck beds, UTVs
- Heavy-duty latches with lockable design
- Stackable for organized storage
- Lifetime manufacturing warranty
The tradeoff: Fixed sizing won't fit every custom frame setup. If you need a box that drops into specific frame hangers, aluminum is still the answer. But for most setups where you're strapping the box to the frame, the 70L dimensions work well.
Best for: Rafters who want serious weatherproofing without the $600+ aluminum price tag. Great for kitchen gear, camera equipment, or anything you need protected from spray and splash.
2. Deso 50L Weatherproof Dry Box — Best for Personal Gear
Price: $199 | Capacity: 50L | Rating: IP65
Same construction as the 70L in a more compact package. The 50L is sized for personal gear — camera equipment, electronics, dry clothes, valuables — without taking up kitchen box real estate.
What stands out:
- IP65 weatherproof seal
- Compact footprint fits smaller frames and side-mount positions
- Same heavy-duty latches and tie-down slots
- Under $200 for IP-rated protection
Best for: Personal valuables box, captain's box position, smaller rafts and catarafts where space is tight.
3. Deso 150L Wheeled Weatherproof Dry Box — Best for Expeditions
Price: $489 | Capacity: 150L | Rating: IP65
When you're running 18 days on the Grand or two weeks through Deso-Gray, you need serious storage capacity. The 150L handles expedition kitchen setups, group gear, or the mountain of stuff that accumulates on long trips.
What stands out:
- Massive 150L capacity for extended trips
- Wheels for easier handling at the ramp
- Same IP65 protection and rotomolded construction
- Still cheaper than comparable aluminum expedition boxes
The tradeoff: Big box means big footprint. Make sure your frame setup can accommodate the dimensions before ordering.
Best for: Expedition outfitters, group kitchen storage, extended wilderness trips where capacity matters.
4. Cambridge Welding Aluminum — The Traditional Standard
Price: $500-700+ | Capacity: Custom | Rating: Splash-resistant
Cambridge has been building aluminum dry boxes in Idaho for decades. These are the boxes you see on every commercial operation, every permit trip, every serious boatman's rig. The quality is proven.
What stands out:
- .080" aluminum with heavy-duty Heli-arc welded ends
- Custom sizes to fit any frame dimension
- Frame hanger tabs welded on — drop in and go
- Shoebox lid with continuous steel hinge
- Powder coating available
The tradeoffs:
- $500-700 for a standard box, more for custom work
- 4-8 week lead times common
- Shoebox lid design leaks in flip scenarios — this is widely acknowledged
Best for: Rafters with traditional frame setups who need exact custom sizing and frame hanger compatibility. If your frame has specific bay dimensions and you want drop-in fit, Cambridge delivers.
5. Recretec Aluminum — Premium Custom Option
Price: $590+ | Capacity: Custom | Rating: Splash-resistant
Recretec builds boxes designed to work with their own frame systems, featuring quick-release latch-in handles that make rigging and de-rigging faster. Known for extremely tight seals — forum users report boxes that create suction when sealed at altitude.
What stands out:
- Latch-in handles for quick mounting
- Exceptionally tight gasket seals
- Custom sizing available
- Bear-safe certified
The tradeoffs:
- Premium pricing
- Best paired with Recretec frames
- Same shoebox lid limitations in flip scenarios
Best for: Rafters running Recretec frame systems or anyone who values the latch-in convenience and wants the tightest possible seal in an aluminum box.
6. ROAM Rugged Case — Overlanding Crossover
Price: $399-449 (95L) | Capacity: 55L-160L | Rating: Dust/weatherproof (no IP rating)
ROAM pioneered rotomolded dry boxes for the overlanding market. Their Rugged Cases are built tough and designed to stack, lock, and mount on roof racks and truck beds. Solid product — just built for a different use case.
What stands out:
- LLDPE rotomolded shell
- Gas strut lid lifts — great for overhead rooftop access
- Lockable steel latches
- Interlocking stackable design
- Multiple size options
- Tie-down channels around perimeter
The tradeoffs:
- No IP rating — "dust/water resistant" without standardized testing
- External hinges and bolt-on steel hardware — more snag points when rigging
- Gas struts add complexity (great for rooftop access, less relevant strapped to a raft frame)
- $449 for 95L vs $229 for Deso 70L
Construction difference worth noting: ROAM uses external hinges and bolt-on steel latches, while Deso uses internal hinges and molded catches integrated into the shell. For overlanding where you're accessing the box from above on a roof rack, ROAM's gas struts make sense. For rafting where boxes get strapped down, bumped around, and rigged tight to frames, the cleaner low-profile construction matters more.
Best for: Overlanders who occasionally raft, or anyone who wants one box system for both truck and boat and values the gas strut lid lift.
7. NRS Canyon Dry Box — Budget Option
Price: $165-190 | Capacity: Various | Rating: Splash only
The NRS Canyon is the entry-level option you'll find at every gear shop. Polyethylene construction, compression strap closure, and an honest assessment from NRS themselves: "not intended for submersion."
What stands out:
- Cheapest option on the market
- Lightweight
- Multiple tie-down points
- Available everywhere
The tradeoffs:
- NRS explicitly states it's not submersible
- Foam gasket and strap closure won't hold up to serious water
- Thin material can warp over time
Best for: Day trips, Class II floats, backup storage for non-critical gear, or rafters on a tight budget who understand the limitations.
Understanding IP Ratings for Dry Boxes
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings tell you exactly how well a product resists dust and water. Here's what the ratings mean for rafting:
IP65 (Deso dry boxes): Dust-tight + protected against water jets from any direction. Handles rain, spray, waves, hose-downs. Not rated for full submersion.
IPX7: Protected against temporary immersion (30 minutes at 1 meter depth).
IPX8: Protected against continuous submersion (depth specified by manufacturer).
Most aluminum dry boxes and budget plastic options don't carry IP ratings at all — they just say "waterproof" or "weatherproof" without standardized testing.
For rafting, IP65 handles everything except a sustained flip where your box is held underwater. For that scenario, pair your dry box with submersible duffel bags inside for critical items.
How to Choose the Right Dry Box for Your Setup
Running a traditional frame with specific bay dimensions?
Aluminum from Cambridge, Recretec, or similar — you need custom sizing and frame hangers.
Want weather protection at a reasonable price?
Rotomolded with IP rating (Deso) — better seal than budget plastic, fraction of aluminum cost.
Expedition trips with big capacity needs?
150L+ rotomolded or large aluminum kitchen box. Consider what you're storing — food and cookware can handle a little moisture better than electronics.
Budget under $200?
NRS Canyon for day trips, or Deso 50L if you can stretch slightly and want real weatherproofing.
Critical electronics, camera gear, or medications?
Put them in a submersible duffel bag inside your dry box. Belt and suspenders.
The Complete River Storage System
Most experienced rafters run a layered system:
Dry boxes for structured storage — kitchen gear, food, cookware, items that need organization and protection from crushing. IP65 rotomolded or traditional aluminum.
Submersible duffels for soft goods — clothing, sleeping bags, camp layers. IPX8-rated bags that survive being underwater.
Coolers for cold storage — food that needs to stay cold. Some rafters use coolers as dry storage too, though they're not designed for it.
The dry box handles everyday protection — rain, splash, spray. The submersible duffels are your insurance policy when things go wrong.
Shop Deso Submersible Duffels →
Final Word
There's a reason boatmen obsess over dry storage. When you're five days from the takeout and your boat goes over, the gear in that box is what lets you keep going — or turns your trip into a survival situation.
Aluminum boxes have been the standard for decades, and for traditional frame setups with custom sizing needs, they still make sense. But the technology has caught up. Rotomolded construction with actual IP ratings delivers better weatherproofing at lower prices than ever before.
The Deso dry box lineup was built for this. IP65 rated, one-piece LLDPE rotomolded shell, integrated tie-downs, and prices that leave you money for the permit fees.
See the full Deso dry box lineup →
Questions about sizing or rigging? Contact us — we've run the miles and can help you dial in the right setup for your boat.
