The pocket sewn on the outside front torso of the neoprene skirt is handy for storing sunglasses, snacks, etc. I'm careful not to use excessive force on these parts, to prevent tearing. I'm deliberate about rinsing my sprayskirts and all paddling gear for that matter - in fresh water, and storing them out of the sun to prevent deterioration. Sue Handel has worked in the paddling industry since high school, in retail, rental, instruction, and guiding-and now is an integral part of Wavelength. In my experience, few kayak hatch designs are completely waterproof, so waterproofing your gear is important.
Dry bags are the answer.
To stand up to the continuous abuses associated with packing a mound of gear into a tiny space, a drybag must be durable and highly abrasion resistant. I have had success with heavily coated nylon and cordurra sacs over other materials. The vinyl varieties are adequate for less intensive use or when protected from abrasion by a nylon stuff sack. Generally I choose dry bags to fit the particular items I pack regularly and the specific dimensions of my paddling craft. The more smaller items the better.