Crisp Air, Wet Trails: Fall Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
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The first rains of October always bring a shift in the Northwest. The dust settles from summer, rivers swell with new energy, and the maples flash red before the gray sets in. The air sharpens. You can smell cedar and wet earth in every breath. Crowds thin out, campgrounds quiet down, and the trails feel like they’re yours again.
This is one of the best times to be outside...if you’re willing to embrace the wet.
Why Fall is Worth the Effort
While some folks stash their boats and bikes for the season, those who keep going know the secret: fall has its own kind of magic. Salmon push upriver, and with them come bald eagles and herons. Lakes and bays, once crowded with summer paddlers, turn glassy and still. Hiking in cooler air feels easier, and every bend in the trail carries that mix of damp moss and falling leaves.
The weather keeps you honest, though. One minute you’re under blue skies, the next you’re in sideways rain. That unpredictability is part of the fun—if you’re prepared for it.
The Problem with Wet Gear
There’s nothing worse than reaching for your fleece mid-paddle and finding it soaked. Or rolling into camp, untying your pack, and realizing your sleeping bag smells like a swamp. Once the wet seeps in, comfort goes out the window—and often, so does the will to keep going.
That’s why a good dry bag isn’t optional in fall. It’s the difference between ending your day warm and dry, or shivering your way through dinner.
Meet the H2Zero Omni Dry Bag
This season, the bag that’s been pulling the most weight in my kit is Seattle Sports’ H2Zero Omni Dry. It’s the kind of bag you stop thinking about—because it just works.
The welded seams and roll-top closure keep rain, spray, and mud out. I’ve lashed it to a kayak deck on Lake Union, strapped it across handlebars on a gravel ride in the Cascades, and tossed it down in the mud at a riverside camp. The gear inside always comes out bone-dry.
What I like most is its versatility. One bag, all seasons, all modes of travel. The 20L size swallows an extra jacket, gloves, and food for a day trip. The 40L is big enough for an overnight camp setup. And the material feels tough—built to scrape against rocks or bounce around in the back of a truck without a second thought.
Fall Adventures Where It Shines
- Kayak Day Trips: Fog on Puget Sound is no joke. A dry change of clothes in the Omni Dry can turn a cold crossing into a warm paddle home.
- Bikepacking & Gravel Rides: Strap it to a rear rack. The road spray hits it all day, but your dry socks and sleeping bag stay untouched.
- Weekend Hikes & Camps: Even if your pack soaks through, the Omni Dry inside guarantees your stove, tarp, and sleeping gear are ready when you stop.
- Fishing the Rivers: Standing waist-deep in rain-swollen water, the last thing you want is a soggy lunch. The bag makes sure it’s waiting, dry and intact.
A Few Field Tips
Roll the top three full turns before buckling for a watertight seal.
Double-bag phones, wallets, or cameras in a small pouch inside.
If you’re lashing it outside your pack or boat, cinch the straps tight—the smooth surface sheds rain but also likes to slide.
At home, rinse the mud off and hang it dry. The material lasts longer when it’s cared for.
Keep Exploring, Even When It’s Wet
Fall in the Northwest is too good to pass up. The rivers run, the forests glow, and the crowds stay home. With the right gear, the drizzle and mud aren’t obstacles—they’re just part of the season’s character.
The H2Zero Omni Dry Bag is built for exactly this time of year. Pack it, lash it, drag it through the muck. Your gear will stay dry, your spirits will stay high, and you’ll get to enjoy one of the Pacific Northwest’s most underrated seasons.