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It only took about a minute into testing for this article before I started asking myself why everyone doesn’t own a waterproof backpack. I have several bags of my own; backpacks, duffels, range bags, gym bags, carry-on luggage — you name it. You probably have an assortment, too. So why is it that they all turn into sponges as soon as the weather turns wet?
Backpackers will tell you that one of the most important pieces of gear they own is a rain cover for their pack. Once gear gets wet, it can be extremely difficult to dry it out and you can suffer serious health consequences as a result. Even if all you’re doing is commuting or going for a day hike, a soggy backpack can ruin the experience. That’s where the best waterproof backpacks come in.
To chase down the best products and deals out there, I scoured retailers, forums, and online communities to see what customers like and don’t like about waterproof backpacks. Then, I rounded up a selection to put through the wringer first-hand. Some are built for hiking, some are designed for use around town, and some are made to endure hours of hostile weather on the deck of a boat — no matter the intent or design, I had no mercy on these bags. To test real-world waterproof capability, they all got packed to the gills, sprayed with water, left in the rain for an hour, then thrown into a puddle. I also loaded each one with appropriate cargo and lugged it around to see just how good it was at being a normal backpack.
After testing some of the best waterproof backpacks on the market, I’d say opting for all-weather capability from the jump is the way to go. Here’s how all of our testing shook out — and which waterproof backpack is probably best for your needs.
- Best Overall: Sea to Summit Flow 35L Dry Pack
- Best Value: Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff
- Editor’s Choice: SealLine Skylake
- Best Roll-Top: Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack
- Best for Hiking: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 25
- Best Airtight: Yeti Panga 28
- Best for Travelling: Matador Freerain 28
- Best Everyday Carry: Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26
Best Overall
Sea to Summit Flow 35L Dry Pack
Pros
- Ripstop fabric handles everything up to and including sharp skis
- Pouches and straps for exterior storage
- Padded shoulder straps and hip belt
- Built-in compartment for a hydration system
Cons
- Most expensive backpack on this list
- A little big for single-day use
- Might make your other backpacks obsolete
Product Specs
Capacity:
35 liters
Weight:
2.7 pounds
Closure:
Roll-top
Color options:
Black, royal blue, yellow
Intended use:
Climbing, skiing, hiking
Best Value
Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff
Pros
- Fits into built-in stuff sack when not in use
- Great backup to keep in the car
- Totally reliable in the rain
- Big enough for a change of clothes
Cons
- Little to no support
- Durability is inherently reduced to achieve lightness
- Repacking it into the stuff sack is a challenge
Product Specs
Capacity:
20 liters
Weight:
0.4 pounds
Closure:
Roll-top
Color options:
Venturi blue, shadow grey, tropic teal, electric lime, poppy orange
Intended use:
Day hiking, everyday carry
Editor’s Choice
SealLine Skylake
Pros
- Practical balance of lightness and capacity
- Exterior pouch comes in handy when the weather cooperates
- Won’t weigh you down at less than one pound
- The price is right
Cons
- Good at everything but not excellent at any one thing
- Doesn’t offer much support
- Treated fabric is very noisy
Product Specs
Capacity:
18 liters
Weight:
0.8 pounds
Closure:
Roll-top
Color options:
Heather blue, heather green, heather gray
Intended use:
Water sports, adventure travel
Best Roll-Top
Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack
Pros
- Built to an incredibly tough standard
- Can be stripped down to a slick seabag in seconds
- Quality components inspire confidence in this bag’s longevity
- High-wear components can be replaced in the field
Cons
- Not the most ergonomic bag
- Main compartment is all you get
- High price for such a focused piece of gear
Product Specs
Capacity:
35 liters
Weight:
2.3 pounds
Closure:
Roll-top
Color options:
Black, yellow, blue
Intended use:
Water sports, adventure travel
Best for Hiking
Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 25
Pros
- Excellent features and design
- Carries like a traditional hiking pack
- Removable top pouch for small items
- Rugged fabric is ready for the trails
Cons
- May be too shallow for larger items like sleeping bags
- Could use a more robust hip belt
- Top pouch retaining buckle wants to slip off
Product Specs
Capacity:
25 liters
Weight:
1.9 pounds
Closure:
Top pouch
Color options:
Black, black multi, white
Intended use:
Day hiking, climbing
Best Airtight
Yeti Panga 28
Pros
- It’s not just waterproof, it’s airtight
- Heavy-duty zipper is very secure
- Care instructions and maintenance materials included
- Great size and comfort for everyday use
Cons
- Like its coolers, this Yeti bag is very expensive
- Half-U zipper limits access to gear
- Only available in gray
Product Specs
Capacity:
28 liters
Weight:
3.9 pounds
Closure:
Zipper
Color options:
Storm gray
Intended use:
Everyday carry
Best for Traveling
Matador Freerain 28
Pros
- Folds down to the size of a softball
- Shockingly light for its size
- Offers more support than expected at this weight
- Exterior loops for trekking poles or other gear
Cons
- You’ll feel everything you pack through this fabric
- Not cut out for strenuous hiking with gear
- Only available in one color
Product Specs
Capacity:
28 liters
Weight:
0.8 pounds
Closure:
Zipper, roll-top
Color options:
Black
Intended use:
Day hiking, travel
Best Everyday Carry
Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26
Pros
- Simple, understated design looks great dressed up or dressed down
- Excellent waterproofing built to withstand nordic storms
- Elastic side pouches and an interior compartment for small valuables
- Great size for an everyday carry bag
Cons
- Somewhat limited utility outside city limits
- Dark interior makes it hard to find things
- Roll-top isn’t the most convenient for everyday use
Product Specs
Capacity:
26 liters
Weight:
1.0 pound
Closure:
Roll-top
Color options:
Shark grey, dark grey, navy, black
Intended use:
Day hiking, everyday carry
Why you should trust us
We’ve tested all kinds of backpacks, including packs designed for hiking and range bags built for the firing line. It’s safe to say we know what kinds of materials and designs work in the real world. We took all that knowledge and sniffed out some of the best waterproof backpacks on the market. Then we got our hands on each one and put it to the test to see for ourselves if it was as good as advertised. In addition to real-world use, we tested the packs on this list for waterproofing, durability, and comfort with tests designed to expose failure points. Any piece of gear we recommend has earned a stamp of approval. Even if a certain waterproof backpack isn’t right for everyone, we made sure to explain exactly who it’s for and who should keep looking.
Types of waterproof backpacks
Waterproof backpacks come in all shapes and sizes. We’re lucky to have a wide selection of packs built for different uses, so you don’t have to choose between something that’s waterproof and something that does everything else you need it to do.
Day packs
We consider most bags in the 20- to 30-liter ballpark to be a day pack. These are great for using as an everyday carry option, get home bag, or hiking pack for short day trips. Waterproof day packs come with a zipper or roll-top design. Both are fine, although roll-tops tend to be more reliable when it comes to heavy rain.
Day packs might be the most varied type of waterproof backpack. We found some options that are meant to be fashionable around town, and others that are built to take a beating on the trail. Pay attention to how each pack is built to make sure you get the organization and comfort features you need.
Hiking packs
Hiking and camping packs often come with a removable rain cover, but some packs are waterproof on their own. We found solid options from brands like Mountain Hardwear and Matador that can carry more than 30 liters of gear in all kinds of weather.
Compared to other types of waterproof backpacks, these are much better at carrying extra weight. Ample padding and advanced suspension systems allow these hiking packs to distribute loads efficiently and comfortably. If you live in or regularly visit an area that gets a lot of rainfall, a waterproof hiking pack can be a lot more convenient than relying on a removable rain cover to keep your clothes and gear dry.
Stuff sacks
Sometimes you just need someplace dry to store your gear, and that’s where waterproof stuff sacks come into play. These bags come in a wide range of sizes and are usually extremely durable. Look for features like thick, rubberized fabric, welded seams, and roll-top closure like the Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Bag.
Because these bags prioritize waterproofing above accessibility, don’t expect much in the way of external pockets and features. Shoulder straps tend to be very basic and bags usually only have one compartment–like a seabag. This design isn’t great for organizing gear or hauling it long distances, but it can hold quite a bit and achieve a much better degree of water resistance than other waterproof backpacks.
Key features of waterproof backpacks
Waterproofing
Every backpack on this list is waterproof, but there’s more than one way to achieve that goal. Keeping water out starts with the fabric. Some manufacturers use heavy-duty fabric like the 600-denier material on the Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack paired with thermoplastic polyurethane laminating. Others, like the Matador Freerain28, prioritize lightness with 50-denier nylon protected by a polyurethane coating.
You’ll notice that in addition to differences in fabric, waterproof backpacks use two methods of staying closed. Zippers can be made waterproof with tight tolerances and taped seams. Another design is the roll-top. You close these bags by tightly rolling the excess material at the top and buckling the ends either to each other or to the sides of the pack. This is often more secure because water has a much more difficult path to reach the interior of the bag.
Size
Waterproof backpacks span the gamut from day bags to backcountry adventure packs. Maybe you want to keep your lunch dry during the morning commute, or maybe you need to protect equipment from the elements during a float trip miles from cell phone reception. That’s why we tested waterproof backpacks ranging from 20 to 35 liters. Beyond that, you’re probably better off with a traditional hiking pack paired with a waterproof cover.
Pack size is measured by volume. Manufacturers that cater to hiking and camping usually use liters, while manufacturers who serve the hunting and tactical communities tend to prefer cubic inches. One liter is equal to 61 cubic inches.
Intended use
All waterproof backpacks offer protection against the elements, but that’s typically where the similarities end. Some people want a waterproof backpack for a whitewater rafting adventure. Others need to keep their sleeping bag dry when they hike into the backcountry with a pair of skis strapped to their pack. Just about everyone can appreciate a morning commute that doesn’t leave their EDC smelling like a wet gym bag.
The packs on this list serve a range of intended uses so you can find something that feels like it was built just for you. Regardless of whether a pack was built to be a backup travel bag or an expedition-ready gear repository, we tested it to make sure it could remain waterproof and haul a realistic load comfortably.
Pricing considerations for waterproof backpacks
Budget
You can score some great deals for less than $100 if you know where to look. One of our favorites is the super-affordable (and unbelievably light) Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff, which you can land for just $60. It keeps up to 20 liters of gear dry and weighs less than half a pound. A few of our other picks aren’t far off, either. Catch them on sale to get either one for less than $100.
If you see a deal that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of no-name brands that make big claims about bags that cost a fraction of what the competition is charging. Soaking all your gear is a pretty painful lesson in getting what you pay for.
Mid-range
Many of our picks fall between $100 and $250. This is the price range where you’ll find awesome waterproof backpacks from Mountain Hardwear, Matador, SealLine, Sea to Summit, and Fjallraven. Here’s where you’ll start to see more versatile packs that can carry more gear over greater distances.
There’s a lot of diversity of purpose in this price range, to shop around to find what’s right for you. Some packs are designed for rugged alpine adventures and others are better suited to the daily grind. No matter which of our picks you choose, you’ll end up with dry gear and a damn good backpack.
Premium
Sometimes you just want to pull out all the stops and get the best gear out there. Maybe you have a big adventure coming up and you want to be prepared for anything. Maybe you have some of that sweet, sweet reenlistment cash burning a hole in your pocket. Luckily for you, there are some awesome waterproof backpacks roosting at the top of the food chain.
Packs like the Sea to Summit Flow 35L Dry Pack and Yeti Panga 28 offer unmatched build quality and performance once the weather turns sour. They serve different purposes, but each does a great job in its own way. Sure, they cost a fair bit more than most of the waterproof backpacks here, but who are we to say no to something this good?
How we chose our top picks
Every single piece of gear we recommend needs to perform as promised and represent a good use of your hard-earned money. If something sucks, we’ll tell you. To get our hands on the best waterproof backpacks, we hit up trusted brands like Sea to Summit, Yeti, and Mountain Hardwear. To avoid blind spots, we also brought in lesser-known manufacturers like Matador and fashion-forward brands like Fjallraven. Since there are many different reasons to buy a waterproof backpack, we targeted bags designed for everything from everyday wear to wilderness adventures. We included roll-top and zip-closure bags for those of you who have a preference. In other words, we chose gear we personally want to use.
FAQs on waterproof backpacks
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q. How much does a good waterproof backpack cost?
A: Our most affordable pick starts right around $60 and prices go as high as $320. Spending more will generally get you more durable construction and superior waterproofing, but most of our favorites cost about $100 and are a solid choice for most uses.
Q. Can you make a backpack waterproof?
A: Waterproof treatments are available and are popular for adding water-resistance to boots. You can use them on a backpack, but the treatment isn’t on par with what you see here and will wear off relatively quickly. Keep in mind that waterproof treatments can’t seal your pack’s zippers.