7 Best Waterproof Daypacks For Rainy Hikes That Thrive in Wet Conditions

The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue when you left the trailhead, but now, miles from your car, a dark wall of clouds is rolling over the ridge. You hear the first drops hiss on the forest floor, and a familiar question hits: is your gear really safe? A soggy map, a dead phone, or a soaked down jacket can turn a beautiful day hike into a miserable, and potentially dangerous, ordeal.

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Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Cover: A First Defense

If you already have a daypack you love, a rain cover is your simplest and most affordable line of defense. Think of it as a poncho for your pack. It’s a brilliant solution for those unexpected afternoon thunderstorms in the Rockies or a misty day on the Appalachian Trail.

A good cover, like the Ultra-Sil, packs down to the size of a tennis ball and weighs next to nothing. You can toss it in your pack and forget about it until you need it. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. A cover protects the top and sides, but your back panel is still exposed to rain running down your jacket. In a sustained downpour or if you set your pack down in a puddle, water will find a way in. It’s a fantastic first step, but not a truly waterproof system on its own.

Ortlieb Atrack 25: Fully Submersible Protection

Imagine you’re hiking through a narrow canyon that requires wading through chest-deep water, or you’re on a multi-day paddle trip in the Pacific Northwest where relentless rain is a given. This is where a fully submersible pack isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential. The Ortlieb Atrack is less of a backpack and more of a wearable dry bag with a sophisticated suspension system.

Its defining feature is the TIZIP zipper, which runs down the back panel and creates a 100% waterproof and airtight seal. You could throw this pack in a river, and the contents would stay bone dry. The trade-off for this level of protection is weight and a bit of stiffness in the zipper. But for anyone whose adventures involve guaranteed, prolonged exposure to water, that peace of mind is worth every ounce.

Hyperlite Daybreak 17: Ultralight Dyneema Champ

When your goal is to move fast and light over long distances, every gram counts. The Hyperlite Daybreak is built for the minimalist who values weight savings above all else. It’s crafted from Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), a material that looks like crinkled plastic but is stronger than steel by weight and inherently waterproof.

This is the pack for a fast-and-light ascent of a peak or for a thru-hiker carrying just the essentials into town on a resupply day. The fabric itself won’t absorb water, keeping the pack’s weight consistent even in a downpour. The catch? The seams and zippers are points of water ingress, so while highly weather-resistant, it’s not submersible. Furthermore, DCF comes with a hefty price tag and is less resistant to abrasion than traditional pack fabrics.

Sea to Summit Flow 35: A Rugged Dry Bag Hybrid

What if your hike involves more than just rain? For trips that blend hiking with packrafting or canyoneering, you need a pack that’s both waterproof and incredibly tough. The Flow 35 is a workhorse built from a heavy-duty, TPU-laminated nylon that can handle being scraped against rocks and dragged through brush.

Think of it as a classic dry bag fused with a comfortable, ventilated harness you wouldn’t mind wearing for a 10-mile day. The roll-top closure is a simple, effective, and field-repairable way to create a waterproof seal. This pack isn’t trying to be the lightest, but it’s aiming to be the most reliable in rugged, wet environments where durability is the top priority. It’s a fantastic choice for expedition-style adventures where gear failure is not an option.

Patagonia Guidewater 29L: Built for Deep Water

Some adventures don’t just happen in the rain; they happen in the water. The Guidewater is designed from the ground up for fly fishing, kayaking, and boating, where a dropped pack means full submersion. It boasts an IPX-7 rating, which means it can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes without leaking.

This level of protection is achieved through burly, TPU-coated fabrics, welded seams, and a massive, watertight zipper. The internal organization is often tailored for specific gear like fly boxes and tackle. For a general day hiker, this pack might be overkill, with features and a price point that don’t align with trail needs. But for the dedicated water-dweller, it’s an indispensable piece of equipment that protects thousands of dollars worth of cameras, electronics, and gear.

Arc’teryx Alpha FL 30: Alpine-Ready Minimalism

When you’re climbing an alpine route or moving quickly on a technical ridge, simplicity is safety. The Arc’teryx Alpha FL 30 is a masterclass in minimalist design, stripped of everything that could snag or add unnecessary weight. There are no side pockets, no complex lid—just a single, streamlined compartment designed to hold your essentials.

Its weather protection comes from a highly water-resistant fabric and a roll-top closure system that seals out snow, spindrift, and rain effectively. It’s not designed to be submerged, but it will keep your gear dry through the worst mountain weather. The harness is thin but supportive enough for carrying climbing gear. This is a specialist’s tool; for a casual hiker, the lack of organization and spartan comfort would be a drawback, but for an alpinist, it’s perfection.

Matador Freerain22: The Packable Storm Shelter

Sometimes the best waterproof pack is the one you have with you. The Matador Freerain22 is an engineering marvel that stuffs into its own tiny pouch, making it the ultimate travel or emergency daypack. Toss it in your luggage for unexpected side trips, or carry it in your multi-day pack for summit pushes from basecamp.

It achieves its waterproofing through a silicone-coated nylon fabric, sealed seams, and a roll-top closure. While it’s surprisingly capable for its weight, it’s important to manage expectations. The shoulder straps are minimalist, and it’s not designed to carry heavy, dense loads comfortably. Think of it as a full-featured storm shell for your gear—there when you need it, gone when you don’t.

Osprey Transporter WP 25: All-Day Hiking Comfort

For years, hikers faced a tough choice: get a truly waterproof pack that carried like a stiff dry bag, or a comfortable pack that needed a rain cover. The Osprey Transporter WP 25 aims to solve that problem. It combines Osprey’s legendary harness and back panel design with a fully waterproof, IPX6-rated main compartment.

This is the pack for the dedicated day hiker in notoriously wet places like the UK’s Lake District or the coast of Washington. The IPX6 rating means it can withstand powerful jets of water but isn’t rated for full submersion. For 99% of hiking scenarios, that’s more than enough protection. You get the stay-dry confidence of a dry bag with the all-day carrying comfort that lets you focus on the miles ahead, not your sore shoulders.

Ultimately, the perfect waterproof pack doesn’t exist—only the right pack for your next adventure. Don’t let the fear of a little rain or the search for the "perfect" gear keep you indoors. Start with what you have, whether it’s a simple rain cover or a few sturdy dry bags inside your current pack, and get out there. The trail is waiting.