this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2026
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Waterproof backpacks? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by scutiger@lemmy.world to c/buyitforlife@slrpnk.net
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Back in 2008 I bought an Overboard waterproof backpack. That thing took a beating for almost 15 years before the straps started giving up. It's been through months-long trips and Canadian winters and saw near-daily use for the entire time. One thing that I loved is that I could take it on a plane, and it just fit as a carry-on, and it could comfortably squeeze underneath the seats on a plane. At the time, I heartily recommended it to everyone.

Unfortunately after 15 years, the original model was long discontinued, and they didn't offer repairs, so I decided to buy one of their newer models. The material is thinner and flimsier, and it only took about 6 months before it started cracking where the new design forces it to flex. It's also limited to either sealing it by clipping it where it rolls up or holding the roll with a weak piece of velcro, whereas my old one had clips at the bottom of the bag which allowed it to seal and pack much better. Anyway, the poor quality of my second purchase means I don't recommend their stuff anymore.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for a good waterproof backpack? I don't necessarily need a dry bag as I don't expect to ever submerge it, but I would like to keep stuff dry under monsoon rains for example. I need something durable and packable, and ideally something carry-on size, about 30L.

I appreciate any help

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[–] maltfield@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

There is no such thing as a BIFL waterproof backpack.

Buy a BIFL pack with a good aluminum internal frame, and then also add to your cart:

  1. A waterproof cover for your pack
  2. A pack of very thick (construction-grade) garbage bags

The garbage bag is your pack liner. Leave it inside the pack at all times. It keeps everything inside your bag dry.

To keep the pack itself fairly dry in light rain, you can put the waterproof pack cover on the outside. This will just make your pack quicker to dry when you get to your destination.