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Where fashion meets function.
Unlike many camera bags (and specifically unlike the Stealth Pro we reviewed in February) the DryZone is endowed with both rugged good looks and the bright black-and-yellow color scheme popular in the marine industry that screams, "Come on, dunk me in water. See if I care." (It also gives the bag a sort of bumblebee charm.)
The Rover is the smallest in the lineup of waterproof bags from the company. It is designed with two storage areas, a lower sealed drysack and an upper (not-waterproof) section in a single backpack. The bottom half of the bag is sealed against water entry with a thick "Tizip" brand zipper-gasket opening that, in theory, prevents water from entering the compartment. (More on our water testing below).
As an extra bonus, the DryZone rover comes with an integrated hydration system from Hydrapak, a bladder-based water pouch that nestles securely inside the bag, allowing the photographer to drink from an externally mounted tube thanks to its drip-proof bite valve. Used for the better part of a decade by mountain bikers, soldiers and the occasional SWAT team, this flexible super-canteen can be a life saver, providing up to 1.5 liters of fluids simply by sucking on a straw.
DOUBLE LIFE
Unlike the larger of the two DryZone models, the Rover has both a waterproof and a non-waterproof section, something that's important to keep in mind when packing the bag. The lower drysack is roomy enough for cameras such as the Canon 50 or Nikon D200, and can just barely accommodate a larger body in the padded divider section. LowePro also includes a small zippered pouch that fits into the padded dividers, perfect for holding media cards and other accessories.
There's enough room inside for a few other lenses as well, though those shooting with long-tele lenses would need to look at...