Aquapac still the choice for waterproof(ish) TX bags? Or any alternatives?

[Jim Feeley]

I have a couple Aquapacs, but they're aging so I'm looking to get a couple/few new waterproof bags for transmitters. Frankly, I mainly need splash and rainproof, but waterproof is totally fine.

 

So are Aquapacs still the best choice, or are there alternatives that are better?

 

TIA!

[inspire]

I use for a mobile phone and they are completely waterproof. For example, if I go to the river with a kayak.

I would be interested in the same thing for the recorder?

[ProSound]

Latex glove antenna up the index finger tie a knot at bottom cheap and easy 

[Jim Feeley]

On 1/8/2026 at 9:55 AM, inspire said:

I use for a mobile phone and they are completely waterproof. For example, if I go to the river with a kayak.

I would be interested in the same thing for the recorder?

 

I think the opening clasp for the lav cable is what compromises the waterproofness of their TX bags (but not their phone bags since no wires leave the bag). Aquapac says "Waterproofness Warning!: This case features our 'TC' Aquaclip which makes the case waterproof to IPX6 (a quick dunking should be fine, but not prolonged immersion)." https://aquapac.net/collections/waterproof-radio-microphone-cases/products/small-wire-through-case-548

 

The clamp is pretty cool, though...and effective IME. 18-second demo by Aquapac:

 

On 1/8/2026 at 11:22 AM, ProSound said:

Latex glove antenna up the index finger tie a knot at bottom cheap and easy 

 

Whitney, thanks. I'm hip to using gloves and condoms. I still use both, even after my vasectomy. But for things like long days with the TX on a farmer working in the rain and watering crops (the upcoming long doc shoot), IME those covers sometimes get torn. So that's the thing I want to avoid. 

[edward chick]

Aquapacs work great. I have used them several times . The clips are a pain in the ass to seat properly however. 

[inspire]

For protecting the recorder (Sound Devices MixPre-6 II) in a warm and moderately humid sauna environment, my plan is to keep it inside an Orca OR-270 bag, which already provides a good barrier against direct moisture and steam.

In addition, I may loosely place a thin cotton or microfiber cloth around or over the bag (not airtight), mainly to slow down sudden temperature and humidity changes, not to fully seal it. I will also keep silica gel inside the bag.

The recorder will be placed as far away from the heater as possible, potentially under a platform/bench, where the temperature and humidity are usually more stable. Final placement will be decided on site, based on the safest and coolest spot available.

The main goal is to avoid condensation, rather than to completely isolate the recorder.

[Olle Sjostrom]

Is there a reason for the recorder to actually be in the sauna at all? I mean some saunas aren’t fully sealed, so you can put a cable under the door for example..

[inspire]

Yes, but people walking through the door and they can stumble in cables, stumble, etc.

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

49 minutes ago, inspire said:

Yes, but people walking through the door and they can stumble in cables, stumble, etc.

That's what paper tape is for.

Also, we're way off topic here.

I think the answer to the original question is:  Aquapaks work decently well, and nobody has suggested anything better.  I own six, I've had transmitters dunked in ocean water in Aquapacs and they survived.  So did the mic itself after a week-long bath in distilled water.

Also, if it is just splashes and rain you're worried about, the latex glove / unlubed condom may be a better way to go ... they are faster and much better at keeping the size profile down.  Aquapacs are bulky at the best of times, and they also slow things down with the care needed to make sure they are sealed and rigged correctly.  Or, you might consider keeping a couple of Lectro's waterproof Tx in your kit, or even a Zaxcom ZMT-X has enough rubber on it to be water-resistant.  Depends how risky the scene is I guess.

[inspire]

Short field experience with MixPre-6 II and heat

During a recent sauna aroma ritual recording, I had my Sound Devices MixPre-6 II powered on (not recording) about 15–20 minutes before the start. The recorder was placed under a wooden platform, where the ambient temperature was likely around 40–50 °C.

A few minutes before the session, I tried to start recording via the Wingman app, but the recorder was unresponsive and appeared to have powered itself down. After power-cycling the unit manually, it booted normally and worked flawlessly for the entire recording.

I’m not sure whether this was a thermal protection shutdown or a standby-related behavior under elevated temperature, but it’s worth noting. Interestingly, I’ve used the same recorder at around –7 °C without any issues, where I initially expected cold to be the bigger risk.

Just sharing this as a real-world data point for others working in warm environments.