View Full Version : backpack waterproofing
colonel r
11-17-2011, 17:31
I use a series of dry bags in my pack to keep things dry that need to be dry.
However, hiking in the rain last week, it revealed that the backpack soaked up lots of water and became heavy.
Has anyone ever used the spray waterproofing (or any other means) to keep their packs from absorbing so much water. I have a pack cover but find it cumbersome.
I am not trying to waterproof the pack just keep it from absorbing so much water. I use an Osprey Exos 46 pack.
ColR
One of my fellow hikers used to use it. In his words it's performance was OK but very much depends on the type of Backpack you are using. Practically a good percentage of water leak into the backpack is from Zippers and Sewing holes which the spray cant do anything about it.
How do you find the pack cover cumbersome? I never had any problems with mine and never heard anyone who disliked it. They work great, I also have the Exos 46 and I used a granite gear pack cover that worked perfectly.
daddytwosticks
11-18-2011, 08:20
I have the same concerns/problem as the OP. I use pack covers (when not carrying a poncho), but it's love/hate. They can blow off if not secured, they block access to the water bottle pockets, they can pool water at the bottom, etc., etc. However, they do minimize the pack fabric from absorbing water weight. :)
I've use a pack cover and spray both the cover and the pack. Being the belt and suspender type I also carry a large trash bag that's used to line the inside of the pack when it looks like rain.
Kerosene
11-18-2011, 10:53
I use the Cuben fiber pack cover from zPacks (http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/pack_cover.shtml), which seems to work fairly well, although it lacks a drain hole. On an older, silnyl pack cover I rigged two lightweight cords across the back of the pack with mini-biners. I would have thought that I would have felt the cords on my back, but I never did and it held the cover on quite securely. The zPack cover is elasticized all around the edge, which seems to keep it more secure but I don't recall having tested it in high winds yet. The zPacks design makes it easier to get into the pack than the min-biner kluge, but I've moved to a bite valve & tube to drink from an inverted water bottle in my side pocket.
hikerboy57
11-18-2011, 11:32
I have a sea to summit pack cover ,works great with my atmos65, light enough to be worth the extra weight.i tried the inner trash bag , but after a few days of rain, found my pack was picking up some water weight.the cover keeps my kit dry.
I just bought a Z-packs cuben fiber pack cover. It has a clip on the top of the cover to attach under the load lifters. That should take care of the problem with not properly fitting. Also saved 2.8 ounces.
Rain Man
11-18-2011, 19:07
Has anyone ever used the spray waterproofing (or any other means) to keep their packs from absorbing so much water.
I no longer use a pack cover, unless it's hunting season, then my blaze orange one goes on for sure. As far as waterproofing my pack itself, I mix up silicone caulk and mineral spirits (1-to-4 ratio) and paint it on, wiping off the excess. I do two coats. Works well enough for me.
My actual water-protection is always a trash compactor bag, with waterproof stuff sacks inside that for down sleeping bag and clothing.
I don't really care if my pack gets wet. To me the weight gain is ridiculously small, not to mention more than off-set by many "water proofing" systems. If weight gained from wet stuff worried me all that much, I'd have to start hiking naked and without shoes or socks, I suppose.
Of course, I am the Rain:sunMan.
.
colonel r
11-18-2011, 20:40
I am already naked, barefooted and broke. The silicone recipe is good. With a blaze orange pack cover, I would look like an orange with legs! Look for me on the trail. The Cumberland is next.
BigHodag
11-19-2011, 11:17
Don't know if it available for consumers yet, but check out NeverWet. Think ScotchGuard on steroids.
Their video of NeverWet is amazing!
http://neverwet.com
(http://neverwet.com)
I am already naked, barefooted and broke. The silicone recipe is good. ......
Why not do what most thru's do? Use a trash compactor bag. A box of 5 costs something like four bucks and will last your entire hike. Throw the extras in your bounce box.
No sense fighting your packs natural tendency to absorb water- it's a losing battle.
Why not do what most thru's do? Use a trash compactor bag. A box of 5 costs something like four bucks and will last your entire hike. Throw the extras in your bounce box.
No sense fighting your packs natural tendency to absorb water- it's a losing battle.
It'd be nice if the pack stayed dry. Mine always comes in my shelter with me and I occasionally use mine as a pillow. A dry pack should mean less condensation and a dry surface to put my head on.
I use this and it works perfectly!
http://www.rei.com/product/778477/rei-ducks-back-rain-cover-80-liters
Get the size that's right for your pack. It has a bottom drain hole. Fits my REI Flash 65 very well. Use care when putting it on to cover the bottom and sides of your pack. Getting to my water bottle is quite easy. It's rain "bomb proof."
Personally, I shy away from introducing chemicals to my backpack's fabric. Not saying it's bad or doesn't work, just not for me.
Kerosene
11-20-2011, 15:43
I use this and it works perfectly!
http://www.rei.com/product/778477/rei-ducks-back-rain-cover-80-litersYou seriously lug a 7.6 ounce item to try to keep your pack from getting wet??? This is how pack weights start to soar. Save 6+ ounces and go with a Cuben cover (http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/pack_cover.shtml) for not much more.
I use this and it works perfectly!
http://www.rei.com/product/778477/rei-ducks-back-rain-cover-80-liters
Get the size that's right for your pack. It has a bottom drain hole. Fits my REI Flash 65 very well. Use care when putting it on to cover the bottom and sides of your pack. Getting to my water bottle is quite easy. It's rain "bomb proof."
Personally, I shy away from introducing chemicals to my backpack's fabric. Not saying it's bad or doesn't work, just not for me.
If it works perfectly, it shouldn't need a bottom drain hole.
If it works perfectly, it shouldn't need a bottom drain hole.Condensation
Condensation
The pack isn't getting wet from the rain if it's working perfectly, so there shouldn't be condensation. Sweat from you back isn't going to magically move to the other side of the pack where it could cause condensation.
colonel r
11-20-2011, 17:49
this thread has listed to port. I am not interested in pack covers; I have one and it works OK. I am interested in being able to waterproof my pack so I don't have to use the cover. Now, any ideas?
You seriously lug a 7.6 ounce item to try to keep your pack from getting wet??? This is how pack weights start to soar. Save 6+ ounces and go with a Cuben cover (http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/pack_cover.shtml) for not much more.To be honest, when I bought my pack at REI, after deciding on the one I wanted, I said, "Oh, I guess I need a pack cover for my new pack." He suggested this one and said customers were very happy with it, so I went with it. I consider myself a "lite" backpacker but have no desire to enter that "ultra-lite" world of gram counting and sacrifice comfort, pleasure, and everything else for the sake of weight! I suppose if you ran into someone on a hike who's pack cover was half the weight of yours it would ruin your trip!
Wise Old Owl
11-26-2011, 18:03
Never used a pack cover - never needed one...
I use a clear 20 gallon kitchen bag from time to time and Granite Gear waterproof compression sack on down bag and hammock hanger. Let the pack get wet.
bamboo bob
11-26-2011, 18:12
This year I'll try the Packa. It's basically a pack cover poncho combination and replaces both a pack cover and a rainjacket I hope I dont get soaked and I'm a bit worried about losing the warmth of a rain jacket when its cold. But i am looking forward to staying dry and cooler in the heat. Anyone tried it?
This year I'll try the Packa. It's basically a pack cover poncho combination and replaces both a pack cover and a rainjacket I hope I dont get soaked and I'm a bit worried about losing the warmth of a rain jacket when its cold. But i am looking forward to staying dry and cooler in the heat. Anyone tried it?Two words: Wind / Frustration
Wise Old Owl
11-26-2011, 19:19
This year I'll try the Packa. It's basically a pack cover poncho combination and replaces both a pack cover and a rainjacket I hope I dont get soaked and I'm a bit worried about losing the warmth of a rain jacket when its cold. But i am looking forward to staying dry and cooler in the heat. Anyone tried it?
Yea Sgt Rock says he owns one... PM him
bamboo bob
11-26-2011, 20:15
Two words: Wind / Frustration
Its not really a pomcho, check it out. http://www.thepacka.com/
Its not really a pomcho, check it out. http://www.thepacka.com/OK, looks good! I prefer my eVent jacket and a good fitting pack cover.
I don't see how it could hurt to spray your pack with some waterproofing product like nikwax for cloth or something. It's not going to replace the need for a compactor bag liner or dry bags but it would likely keep it from absorbing so much water. The one thing I would avoid is those heavy silicone sprays, some of them have some pretty obnoxious fumes afterwards.