Advice requested: I'm searching for a waterproof backpack.

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Skel3tor1 · #1 Post by **Skel3tor1** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:42 am

Anyone here that can recommend a waterproof backpack? I'll need it to at least be able to fit a 3-4 books and a 1-2 binders at a time. I'm wanting waterproof for obvious reasons as I don't need wet textbooks or papers.

Thanks!

Sev · #2 Post by **Sev** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:44 am

Because you act as a windshield while on the bike it doesn't really need to be waterproof. I've gone through rain so heavy that it's flooded out the streets (read, it hit my boots... while they were on the pegs) and it barely got my backpack wet.

tex1230 · #3 Post by **tex1230** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:49 am

Get a good skiing/snowboarding backpack. I use a Burton AK backpack that's about 5 years old - think it cost about $90 new - waterproof and durable. other companies making similar products include DaKine and North Face - but the North Face ones will be much more expensive.

jonnythan · #4 Post by **jonnythan** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:55 am

Just use a regular backpack and add a rain cover to it:
http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_deta ... 5055894636

You can also just get a drybag that would typically be used for canoeing/rafting/kayaking:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1632

codex5 · #5 Post by **codex5** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:02 am

u could always wrapp it in saran wrap

GrandGT · #6 Post by **GrandGT** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:05 am

if youre going to wear it riding dont put too much ish in it, backpacks throw off your center of gravity on the bike

Posthumane · #7 Post by **Posthumane** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:16 am

As sev mentioned, your backpack doesn't get completely soaked in the rain, so you don't need it to be completely water proof, just water resistant. The suggestion for a rain cover or dry bag with a regular backpack is a good one i think. I just use a MEC toploader backpack with a big green garbage bag inside to keep everything dry. Alternatively, you can buy a silicone spray at most camping stores that is used to waterproof cloth, and just spray that on a regular backpack.

jonnythan · #8 Post by **jonnythan** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:04 am

The cloth on many decent packs is already waterproof thanks to a urethane coating... the problem is the seams and zippers leak like mad.

CYLax · #9 Post by **CYLax** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:19 am

Get a good skiing/snowboarding backpack.

+1

I use a Dakine Vertex pack as a brief case for commuting to and from work. It's kept my laptop dry is some decent rain storms. I use the same pack for 2 day backcountry trips in the winter...

ninja79 · #10 Post by **ninja79** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:22 am

I bought this tailbag. It comes with a rain cover. It zips off from its base and turns into a backpack. *Much* more convenient than a regular backpack. The only downside is that it has only one large compartment (+ small side pockets).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXL-99-M ... QQtcZphoto