SCA--yup they will float..i use Duluth packs with heavy plastic bag liners and inside a sleeping mat and two stuff sacks with the sleeping bag and clothes also inside plastic bags..the food and cook gear bag is the same deal.my small day bag with the lunch,water filter,first aid kit,camera in a WP box and so on should float.i know you guys Up North run alot of rivers..Coppermine,Back,Nelson,but in Minnesota and Quetico in Canada it's lots of smaller lakes so the danger level is nill.