Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack Review: A Waterproof, Submersible Hip Pack for Fly Fishing

Made by Simms: See the Dry Creek Z Hip Pack on simmsfishing.com

The Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is a waterproof, submersible hip pack for anglers who want fly boxes, tippet and tools to stay dry in a swamped raft or a dunked wade. It trades extra pockets for a sealed main compartment and a TRU Zip closure. FFIP score: 8.0/10.

The FFIP Scorecard

How Is the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack Built? The Engineering Behind It

A waterproof pack is a small system with three jobs: a fabric that does not leak, seams and openings that do not leak, and a carry system that keeps the pack where you want it. Here is how the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack handles each one, using the specs Simms publishes.

The Shell: 420D Nylon Double Ripstop With a TPU Coating

Denier is the weight, in grams, of 9,000 meters of yarn, so a 420D yarn is a stout, tough thread. Simms weaves the main shell from 420D nylon double ripstop, which means thicker reinforcing threads run through the cloth in a grid. If a sharp stick or rock tooth starts a tear, it tends to stop at the next reinforcement instead of unzipping across the pack.

Woven nylon on its own is not waterproof; the gaps between yarns let water through. The fix is a TPU coating. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a flexible plastic that fills those gaps and forms a continuous barrier on the fabric. Inside, Simms uses a 200D polyester liner, which keeps the barrier from rubbing directly against your fly boxes and gear.

The TRU Zip Closure

The zipper is where most waterproof bags fail, because an ordinary zipper is a row of teeth with gaps between them. A waterproof zipper replaces open teeth with sealing lips that press together and block the gap. Simms names its version the TRU Zip, a waterproof self-healing zipper that it rates as waterproof-submersible. Simms does not break down the zipper internals on the product page, so I will not guess at them.

Physics gives you a practical rule, though. Water pressure rises with depth, so a closure that is fine in a splash is tested harder in a deep dunk. A sealed pack also traps air, which gives it buoyancy; do not be surprised if it floats when it goes in the river. Keep the closure clean, because a single grain of sand or tippet end across the sealing lips can create a path for water.

Carry System: Cushioned Belt, Removable Straps and Lash Points

The waist belt is fully cushioned with breathable, water-resistant foam. Water-resistant foam resists soaking, so the belt does not turn into a wet sponge, and breathable construction lets heat and moisture leave the contact point. Both the shoulder strap and the waist strap are removable, and the shoulder strap includes a D-ring for net attachment. That ties directly into the net in the hero photo: a net hanging off a D-ring rides away from your hips and out of the casting lane.

The exterior carries Hypalon lash points for a rod tube or a piece of outerwear. Hypalon is a synthetic rubber that resists abrasion and sun, which makes it a sensible choice for anchor points that take pulling loads.

Interior and Exterior Organization

Inside are stretch mesh storage pockets, outside are built-in easy-access tool storage and a removable fly patch. The design logic is to keep the sealed compartment for what must stay dry and to put the things you grab all day, like nippers and a drying fly, outside the seal. If you are building a system, our podcast piece on how to organize for your next trip is a good companion read.

On the Water with the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack

I have carried the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack for two full seasons. The picture that sums it up was taken at a dirt pullout beside the truck at dusk, in late summer, in a remote backcountry area in Wyoming. The pack is sitting on the grass by the front tire of the 4Runner, with a hazy sky and trees behind it.

The evening was calm and cooling, with that soft light you get right before dark. Laid out next to the pack are a Rising Lunker net, a Scott 4wt and a Sage 4wt nymphing rod with a black and red reel. No fish in this photo, but the fishing had been great, and it was good to be back at camp and ready for the next outing.

After coming back to camp for dinner, I lined up my gear against the tire to get ready for the water. The pack was already loaded with fly boxes and tippet, so all I had to do was clip it on and walk. With the stream right there, I was set for quick evening sessions in the pools right next to camp.

How Does the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack Perform, Criterion by Criterion?

Organization/access (Score: 8/10)

The Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack gives you a sealed main compartment, interior stretch mesh pockets, a removable fly patch and built-in tool storage. That is a deliberately short list. A waterproof zipper is a sealing system, not a speed system, so every opening you add is another place water can try to get in. The trade is simple: fewer doors, drier contents.

What you will notice is that the pack rewards a routine. Fly boxes go in the main compartment, tools and nippers ride on the exterior docking, and the patch holds the fly you are using right now. If you are used to a vest with a dozen pockets, expect a short adjustment period.

In my use, everything I need is in one spot and the zip opens easily. It is not huge, so I carry less, which is fine. There is a small pouch inside for leaders, and outside I keep a few indicators and my weight in the pocket. The hip belt pouches work, but they are a bit small for me; I would rather have something a little larger so my drying agents could go in them without being at risk of popping out.

Comfort/carry (Score: 8/10)

Simms builds the Dry Creek Z Hip Pack around a fully cushioned waist belt with breathable, water-resistant foam. Foam that sheds water matters more than it sounds; a belt that soaks up a river weighs more and rubs more by the end of the day. The shoulder strap and waist strap both detach, so you can run it as a pure hip pack, add the strap for load control, or clip a net to the D-ring.

A hip pack carries weight low and close to your center of gravity, which is easier on your back than a chest or backpack load when you are wading uneven bottom. On my hip it rides without bouncing around, and I can spin it to the front to get at things. I normally wear it with the over-the-shoulder sling, but I ditch the sling in certain circumstances, like when I am wearing an additional pack.

Weather protection (Score: 9/10)

This is the reason the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack exists. Simms calls it waterproof and submersible, with a TRU Zip waterproof self-healing zipper and a TPU-coated 420D nylon shell. Rain, spray, a wave over the gunwale or a slip on a ledge are exactly the events it was designed for.

One honest caveat from the maker page: Simms does not publish a depth or time rating for the submersible claim. Read it as "survives a dunk with the zipper fully closed," not as a dive rating. A pack only stays dry if the zipper is closed, and that is a habit rather than a spec. For me, this is the reason to buy it: it is waterproof, so it did not matter when I waded extra deep or when it rained.

Durability (Score: 8.5/10)

The shell is 420D nylon double ripstop with a TPU coating, lined with 200D polyester. The ripstop grid limits how far a snag can run, the TPU coating protects the water barrier from abrasion, and Hypalon lash points sit where straps and tubes load the fabric hardest. Simms backs its gear with the Simms Lifetime Guarantee, which it describes as a repair, replace or otherwise make-it-right commitment after inspection.

Long-term durability of any waterproof zipper depends on care. Rinse sand and grit from the tracks and let the pack dry open. After two seasons, the material is bulletproof tough, and I have not seen any wear after hauling it around on the tailgate and through brush.

Value (Score: 6/10)

At $270 (per the maker site at time of writing), the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is a premium purchase. The value case is not storage volume; it is the cost of a ruined phone, a soaked fly box set or a drowned camera. If you wade deep or run boats, the price is an insurance premium. If you wade ankle-deep on small streams, a $130 water-resistant pack such as the Simms Tributary Hip Pack covers more of your needs. I paid for the dry bag aspects, but I wish it had a little more to it for that price.

Who Should Buy the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack (and Who Should Skip It)?

The Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is a good fit if you wade deep, fish from rafts or drift boats, hike in rain, or carry electronics and fly boxes you cannot replace. It also suits guides and anglers who like a lean setup and a clean silhouette.

Skip the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack if you want maximum capacity, a dozen quick-access pockets, or a budget price. In that case, a vest, a chest pack or a lower-priced water-resistant hip pack will serve you better. For help sorting out what you actually need, start with our guide on what gear you need to start fly fishing.

How Does the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack Compare?

Within Simms' own line, the closest comparison is the Tributary Hip Pack. All figures below come from the Simms product pages at time of writing.

The takeaway: the Tributary is the value pick for dry-weather wading, and the Dry Creek Z is the pick when a soaked pack costs you more than the price gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack really waterproof?

Simms describes the Dry Creek Z Hip Pack as waterproof and submersible. It uses a TRU Zip waterproof self-healing zipper and a TPU-coated 420D nylon shell. Simms does not publish a depth or time rating, so treat it as built to survive a dunk with the zipper fully closed.

Can I attach a net to the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack?

Yes. Simms includes a D-ring on the removable shoulder strap for net attachment. The pack also has Hypalon lash points for a rod tube or outerwear, and the waist strap and shoulder strap can both be removed.

What is the difference between the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack and the Tributary Hip Pack?

The Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is waterproof and submersible with a TRU Zip zipper and lists at $270. The Tributary Hip Pack is water resistant with a 5 L capacity and lists at $130, per the Simms product pages at time of writing.

Does the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack come with a warranty?

Simms backs its products with the Simms Lifetime Guarantee. If a product fails because of a defect in materials or workmanship, Simms will inspect it and decide whether to repair it, replace it or find another fair solution.

Final Verdict

If your fly boxes live near water all day, this pack earns its price. If you want lots of pockets or a lower price, look elsewhere.

Christian's Pro Tip: Keep the zipper track clean. A quick rinse and a wipe after sandy days keeps it sealing like new.

Tight lines, everyone!