How to Choose the Right Best Waterproof Backpack?

What can be more efficient than a waterproof backpack when you need to keep your things dry and damp proof for a long time? I’m pretty much sure that nothing can do this job better than a best waterproof backpack.

A waterproof backpack is the best solution to make sure that the valuable kit dries whatever the circumstance is. But picking the right and reliable one is not that easy if you aren’t an expert.

Many people fail to choose the right backpack and complain about these issue letters. Considering this fact I have written a complete guide that will help you to pick the best waterproof backpack for you.

What Do We Need a Waterproof Backpack?

There are many advantages of a waterproof backpack and a real user understands that very well. This will keep your essential staffs dry whatever the circumstances are.

If this is a rainy season or there is a river or lake across your trip you must have one of this. Some stuff like clothes, foods, fuels always need to be kept away from water all the time.

On the other hand damp weather or water can affect electronic gears like the torches camera, phones, compass, GPS etc.

If you use your backpack for storing gadgets of hunting purposes you can’t ignore this. Because the ammo needs to be dry all the time. Also, your gun and other staff that are made of iron must be kept away from water to have a great performance from them.

Most of all if you want to do hiking, canyoneering or caving, one of these will be your perfect assistance to keep things dry.

An Insight on Types of Waterproof Backpacks

Waterproof backpacks can be classified from various points of views. Some of them are listed below-

According to Carriage-

• Minimalist:

  Minimalist backpacks are the ultra-light ones. When you need to carry fewer staffs you can go for these. But here you won’t get some of the features like the sleeping bag and the water reserves.

• Traditional:

  These are the 90% of the backpacks. They contain a normal amount of gears. You can pick up the up the one from these as the volume you need to carry.

According to frame types-

• Internals:

  If you want to carry bigger and heavier loads about 15 pounds then this internal frame packs will be the right choice for you. The internal frame can be made of aluminum stays, plastic frame sheets, curved Delrin rods or from a combination of them. This type of frame clinches the load close to your spine. The main purpose of using this type of frame is to transfer the weight to the hip area.

• Externals:

  External Frame Backpacks are the best for carrying heavy loads. But these packs are the most suitable for walking on trails, skiing, climbing or bushwhacking. Because the backpack is hung off a simple exterior, it positions the load further away from your back.

As this frame pack has a higher center of gravity so that it gives you excellent weight transfer to the hips as well as offer a lot of airflow between the pack and your back. Therefore it’s excellent for the area where the temperature is high. Using these types of backpacks is very much comfortable for the user.

According to the Length of the Trip

1. Weekend- (1-3 nights; 20-35 liters)
2. Multiday – (3-5 nights; 35-55 liters)
3. Extended- (5+ nights; 55-75 liters or larger)

Top Features to Look for in a Best Waterproof Backpack

• Construction and Materials

  To be a best waterproof backpack heavy duty construction material and master construction process is a must. The waterproof capability largely depends on these two factors. Other criteria that make a backpack good are as bellow-

  Backpacks have to be tall in comparison to the width. This gives the user greater stability, freedom and motion. Making the pack deeper is only the way to increase the volume keeping the bag narrow there is only one way.

  Pack fabrics is another important thing that you should be aware of. This has a great impact on the ability of the backpacks to prevent water. Also, this gives the pack durability and strength.

  Generally, nylon and polyesters are the best to make backpacks. The perimeter that defines the quality of these fabrics is the denier. The higher the denier the stronger the fabrics are. This also has an impact on Waterproof Capability of the backpack. So have a closer look before you pick one.

• Waterproof and Submerging Capability

  This quality depends on two matters. The materials used and the construction technique. The materials obviously have to be 100% waterproof. The pores of the construction will have to be smaller than the size of the water molecule. As a result, they won’t pass the pores.

  Up next it comes to the construction process. This is as important as the materials. Master construction makes the pack waterproof. The zippers have to be well enough to prevent water from going inside.

  The stitching process is another important thing that plays a great role in making a backpack waterproof. The different parts have to be combined with each other well that there are no pores among them. A well combination of different parts makes sure there are no pores among them.

  If all these conditions are fully satisfied the pack will be fully waterproof.

• Insider Compartments of The Pack

  Various types of backpack offer you a wide verity of storage compartments, pockets, and sleeves. Some people likes simple, streamline pack while others prefer multiple places for different categories.

  The main compartment of a waterproof backpack have to be wide enough in order to store the most important staffs like the fuels, ammo, stove, phone, foods etc. most of the backpack allows access from the top. The smaller daypacks have panel loaders that provide access from the front of the pack.

  Most of the backpacks have a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the backpack. On the other hand, some have this compartment that’s separated from the main space.

  The top lid of a waterproof has to be well made because this keeps the inners part dry from the rain. Most of the packs have large front pockets and zippers enclose them. Others offer shovel pocket, which can accommodate any bulky staff.

  Combining with the side compression straps the side sleeves and pockets can hold tent poles. If this is a larger then it will be able to hold water bottles. The hip belt pockets are your best friends to keep smaller things that you need access frequently.

• Rain cover

  You must need a rain cover if you expect rain on your travel. Waterproof coating makes the interior part fully waterproof. But water can still seep through as the exterior of the fabric absorbs some water weight. Bundling gear internally in waterproof “dry” stuff sacks can also be an alternative to it. The best option in windy condition can low weigh dry sacks.

• Torso Length

  Backpacks are available in different shapes and sizes to fit a range of torso lengths. Sizes can be of extra small to large. The ranges vary for different kinds of manufacturer and gender. The packs may have an adjustable suspension which you can modify to fit in your torso and that’s so much helpful if you are in-between sizes. Maintaining the torso length is very important because the tarsal bones of your hip will bear the most of the load.

Other Important Features of a Waterproof Backpack

After that, you have done the preliminary stages now it’s time to apply some advanced filter to choose the best waterproof backpack:

• Ventilation

  If you are backpacking in a warm weather then this can be very important for you. The ventilation system helps you to combat the sweaty back syndrome you tend to get with internal frame packs. Ventilation chimneys which are built into the back panels promote airflow which also can solve the problem. You have to assure that the materials used that include mesh foam don’t affect the overall performance of the pack. It can greatly increase your comfort.

• Hip Belt

  When you are carrying a heavy load, your hip carries the majority of the load. Therefore this has to be padded well so that your hips feel no stress. To carry the weight the belt has to be centered over the hip bone and needs to be much sung. When the belt is tightened there must have a gap of 3 to 6 inches between the padded portions of the belts.

• Shoulder Straps

  The best shoulder straps must coincide with the body shapes of the carrier. It doesn’t require being very thick because the majority of the load will be carried by the hip belt. The load lifter straps keep the load near or far from your body. When looking sideway it should form an angle of 45 degrees with the top of the pack. You can find the sternum straps just over your sternum. They just keep the shoulder straps closed and packed together so that the pack becomes steady enough to carry easily.

• Hydration Compatibility

  The most advanced backpacks have an interior sleeve that holds a water bladder. There is a flexible rubber tube gives you access to the water easily without removing the backpack. This is necessary to keep your body hydrated on the go.

• Compression Straps

  This is one of the most important components that must be sprinkled over the backpack in order to keep the backpack compact. Another great importance of this is this makes your backpack steady. Therefore it makes the pack easy to carry.

• Attachment Points

  The attaching points give you access to attach the necessary things like ropes, chains, ice axes, extra clothes. But the only problem with this is this point might be catch if you are scrambling through bushes or obstacles.

• Spindrift Collar

  This is an extension that lets you carry some extra staff and gears. This portion is generally attached on the top of the backpack. You can use packs with a spindrift to stuff beyond their stated volume.

• Ski/Board Compatibility

  If a pack contains side compression straps, you can use this to carry skis. There are some boards that can carry snowboards.

• Length of the Trip

  The longer your trip the more food and fuel you will need. If it’s rainy season or there are lakes or rivers across your way you may get wet. Therefore you will need some extra clothes. On the other hand, you will need more staff for the campaign. As a result, you should have a pack that is large enough to carry this huge amount of staffs.

• Access to Staffs

  Generally, you need to access two type of staffs. Those you need to access frequently and those you need after the day comes to end.

  For the first one you need panel access and those are on the outermost part of your pack. You can access the second one by opening the top-loading. So make sure that all these two are situated in the right place.

• Padding

  It really matters when you are carrying a heavily loaded backpack. The hip belt and the lumber must be padded with thick pads. These will have to be soft enough because they transfer the load to your hip.

• Additional Pockets

  Some additional external pockets are necessary because they will hold the necessary staffs those

A Final Checklist to Check Before You Buy

In order to find out the best waterproof backpack, I have made the following checklist. Using this anyone will be able to find the top ones.

• Master construction and heavy duty material.
• The fabric denier is higher than the ordinary ones.
• Different compartments for various categories of things.
• The torso length coincides with your body.
• Padding is thick enough comparing to the load.
• Narrow yet long and deep in size.
• Attachments as well as additional pockets available.
• Compression straps at necessary points.
• Customizable as the need of the user.

Final Words

We have come to the bottom of this guide. I’m pretty sure that, by this time you know much more about the characteristics of the best waterproof backpack than most of the other people. Therefore, your next job is to apply your knowledge and these filters that I have mentioned above to figure out the right backpack for you.