We've well and truly entered a season where rain is hard to avoid. You wouldn't set off hiking in a downpour, but a light or heavy shower can still catch you off guard — especially on a multi-day trip or a weekend out. Protecting your pack is essential if you don't want to find your gear soaking wet at the end of the day. Here are some practical tips to keep your load and your belongings effectively dry!
Why keep your backpack dry in the rain?
There's nothing worse than having to pull on a change of clothes that are completely soaked — that's not what they're for, and it's genuinely bad for a tired body even if they're only slightly damp. You're also very likely carrying food. Not everything may still be in sealed packaging as when you first bought it, and discovering a freeze-dried meal that's no longer sealed and has spilled all over your pack is really not ideal. I'll spare you further examples of food that can spoil in the damp: bread, fruit… and so on.
You're probably also carrying a phone, a GPS, a tablet for unwinding at the gîte in the evening, or a camera. Needless to say, all these electronic devices rarely take kindly to rain and moisture.
It's easy to overlook, but your stove, lighter or matches aren't fans of water either. The same goes for anything on paper: topographic maps, identity documents… and so on.
In short, keeping your pack dry is vital if you want to travel comfortably without stacking up one problem after another.
Backpacks are generally waterproof, but only to a degree. Seams are typically not waterproof, and zips rarely are either. Pack fabrics hold up reasonably well against moderate rain, but when a real downpour hits, moisture will inevitably get in. Waterproof does not mean fully sealed.
Protecting the outside of your backpack
This is often the most classic approach, as some backpacks come with an integrated rain cover, or you can add a poncho on top. It's straightforward — simply pull the cover or poncho over the pack to protect it, and the whole bag is covered.
But it has its drawbacks too. With a rain cover, you can never be fully confident in its waterproofness, and the main risk is water pooling at the bottom of the cover — and when that happens, the damage can be significant. I know this from experience, having had it happen on a weekend in the Chartreuse, where my mat and sleeping bag ended up completely soaked. With a poncho, I personally find walking in that large cape quite awkward. Some people get on with it easily and appreciate how lightweight it is. I find it's not always easy to put on, and it restricts my view of my feet — which doesn't feel very safe while walking.
Finally, it's rarely considered, but in the event of full immersion (a fall into water, for example), these methods don't offer sufficient protection.
That's why I always prefer the following method.
Protecting the inside of your backpack
The principle is very simple: place everything you absolutely need to protect in waterproof or dry bags. My thinking is that, no matter what, fully protecting everything is impossible and water will eventually get into your pack — so it's better to focus the effort on the things that really need protection: the ones we looked at above.
To do this, you can use pack liner bags inside, or better still (and what I personally use), compartmentalise your gear — this reduces the risk — and use small waterproof dry bags, with or without air removed. Good zip-lock freezer bags work well if vacuum-packing for space saving isn't a priority.
Using bin bags is fine as a quick fix or for a day out, but these products are too fragile to handle several days of use and tear far too easily.
This option is often lighter — dry bags generally weigh less than a rain cover. There's also less chance of the bag or bags getting damaged compared to a poncho or cover that can snag on the outside. Reliability is the real strength of this approach. That said, be mindful of what you put inside to avoid punctures (stove, keys, etc.).
You can also combine both approaches for maximum protection, especially if you're certain you'll be hiking through heavy cloud. Being able to enjoy your hike properly is priceless — and so is walking without a care, not having to worry about everything sitting in a pool of water at the back of your pack. You're now equipped with practical, straightforward solutions to keep your backpack dry on all your future hikes!
