8 Best Waterproof Pack Covers and Dry Bags for Wet-Weather Hiking

The sky turns lead-gray, the wind rises, and suddenly a steady autumn downpour begins miles from the trailhead. In the backcountry, wet gear isn’t just an inconvenience; it is a fast track to hypothermia and a ruined trip. Choosing the right combination of pack covers, liners, and dry bags ensures that your dry clothing and sleeping bag remain bone-dry no matter what the weather throws at your pack.

Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!

Why Keeping Your Backpacking Gear Dry Is a Safety Priority

Wet gear in the backcountry is more than a heavy nuisance; it is a genuine safety hazard. When down sleeping bags or insulating mid-layers get soaked, they lose their loft and their ability to trap body heat, leaving hikers vulnerable to hypothermia even in moderate temperatures. A cold, wet night in the woods can quickly turn a planned weekend getaway into an emergency situation.

Furthermore, water adds significant weight to a backpack. A rain-soaked pack fabric, saturated spare socks, and a damp tent can easily add five to ten pounds of dead weight to your load. This extra burden drains energy faster, increases joint fatigue—particularly for hikers over 40—and elevates the risk of slips or falls on slick trails.

Protecting your gear also preserves expensive investments. Electronics like GPS units, headlamps, and phones will fail when exposed to prolonged moisture, cutting off navigation and communication tools when they are needed most. Preventing water ingress is the simplest way to maintain safety, comfort, and peace of mind on multi-day treks.

Pack Cover – Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover

An external pack cover serves as the first line of defense against driving rain, deflecting water before it can saturate the nylon shell of a backpack. By shielding the entire pack body, it prevents the fabric from absorbing water weight and keeps moisture from seeping through zippers and seams. It is a lightweight, easily accessible barrier that deploys in seconds when a sudden shower hits.

The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover excels because of its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Made from siliconized Cordura nylon, it resists tears from trailside brush while remaining incredibly compact. It features a secure drawcord closure and a mid-back keeper strap that snaps behind the harness, preventing the wind from blowing the cover off like a sail on exposed ridges.

Keep in mind that pack covers do not offer 100 percent immersion protection. Water can still migrate down the back harness panel where the cover cannot reach, meaning items inside still require internal organization. Additionally, users must match the cover size carefully to their pack volume to prevent pooling at the bottom.

This cover is ideal for hikers who want a featherweight, packable solution for light-to-moderate rain on defined trails. It is not recommended for off-trail bushwhacking, where sharp branches can catch on the loose fabric, or for water sports like kayaking where full submersion is possible.

• Sizes: XXS (10-15L) to XL (70-95L)
• Material: 30D Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon
• Best Use: Day hiking and lightweight backpacking

Pack Cover – Osprey Ultralight Raincover

A pack cover acts as an umbrella for your gear, keeping the exterior dry and ensuring you do not carry pounds of absorbed rainwater. It also keeps mud and grit off the pack body when setting it down on wet ground during trail breaks.

The Osprey Ultralight Raincover stands out for its wrap-around design and secure attachment system. It utilizes a full-wrap cinch attachment and secure hipbelt and harness straps to keep the cover snug against the pack body even in high-velocity winds. The fabric is treated with a double ripstop nylon weave that handles the scuffs of recreational hiking with ease.

While highly effective, users should note that accessing gear inside the main compartment requires pulling the cover aside, which can expose the pack interior to falling rain during quick trail stops. Additionally, it must be dried thoroughly after use to prevent mold and fabric degradation.

This is the perfect choice for backpackers who already own Osprey packs or similar high-volume multi-day packs and want a tailored, flap-free fit. It is less suitable for minimalist fastpackers who prefer internal lining systems and want to avoid any external attachments.

• Sizes: Small (30-50L) to Extra Large (75-110L)
• Material: 40D Nylon Ripstop
• Best Use: Multi-day backpacking in windy, rainy environments

Pack Liner – Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner

While external covers protect the outside, an internal pack liner acts as a failsafe vault for everything inside the main compartment. By lining the interior of your backpack with a waterproof barrier, you guarantee that even if water penetrates the pack shell or slips past a pack cover, your core gear remains dry.

The Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner utilizes a rectangular shape that conforms perfectly to the interior contours of standard backpacks, maximizing usable space without leaving dead air in the corners. Constructed from siliconized ripstop nylon, it features a reliable roll-top closure that seals out water completely. The bright interior color makes finding small items at the bottom of the pack remarkably easy in low-light tent conditions.

When using a pack liner, remember that items stored in exterior pockets—like water filters, snacks, or rain jackets—remain outside this waterproof barrier. Users must also be careful not to pack sharp objects, like stove components or tent stakes, directly against the liner walls to avoid punctures.

This liner is best for backpackers heading into prolonged wet climates, such as the Pacific Northwest, who need absolute certainty that their sleeping bag and dry clothes will remain dry. It is not necessary for short, fair-weather day hikes where a simple external cover suffices.

• Sizes: Small (30-50L) to Large (70-110L)
• Material: 40D Ripstop Nylon
• Best Use: Wet-weather backpacking and extended wilderness trips

Dry Bag – Sea to Summit eVac Compression Dry Sack

Compression dry bags solve two problems at once: they keep vital gear dry while shrinking bulky items like sleeping bags and insulated jackets to a fraction of their original size. This dual function frees up valuable interior pack space and keeps the load compact and balanced close to your spine.

The Sea to Summit eVac Compression Dry Sack is a standout because it utilizes a unique waterproof, breathable eVENT fabric base. Instead of struggling with a purge valve, air is pushed out through the bottom fabric as you roll the top down and tighten the compression straps, creating a rock-hard, water-tight package. The upper body is made of lightweight, durable nylon that slides easily into a packed backpack.

Users should avoid over-tightening the four compression straps to prevent putting undue stress on the stitching and seam tape over time. It is also important to remember that compressed down sleeping bags should not be stored in this compressed state long-term when back home.

This dry bag is a must-have for hikers using down-filled sleeping bags and bulky cold-weather gear who need to maximize space inside a medium-sized pack. It is overkill for synthetic gear that does not compress well or for hikers who already have spacious, high-volume packs.

• Sizes: 8L, 13L, 20L, 35L
• Material: 70D Nylon body, eVent fabric base
• Best Use: Compressing sleeping bags and clothing inside a backpack

Dry Bag – Exped Fold Drybag UL Four-Pack

Organizing gear inside a backpack using multiple small dry bags is a highly efficient way to separate wet items from dry ones while ensuring complete waterproof protection. Instead of relying on one massive liner, modular dry bags allow hikers to categorize gear, making it simple to locate specific items without exposing the rest of the pack contents to the elements.

The Exped Fold Drybag UL Four-Pack offers an ultralight, color-coded system that makes organization intuitive. Constructed from high-strength, siliconized ripstop nylon with a polyurethane coating, these bags are incredibly light yet highly waterproof. The roll-top closures feature a stiffening bar that ensures a tight, reliable seal every time, while the different colors allow you to know instantly which bag holds your first aid kit versus your dry socks.

Because these are ultralight bags, the fabric is thin and can suffer damage if dragged across rough granite or packed next to sharp gear. They are designed for internal pack organization rather than external rigging on boat decks or pack exteriors.

This set is perfect for detail-oriented hikers who want a systematic, lightweight approach to organizing electronics, clothing, and camp kitchen gear. It is not suitable for those looking for rugged, heavy-duty dry bags for paddle sports or external pack attachment.

• Included Sizes: XS (3L), S (5L), M (8L), L (13L)
• Material: 15D Ripstop Nylon with PU coating
• Best Use: Internal pack organization and color-coded gear storage

Heavy Duty Dry Bag – Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag

When conditions turn truly rugged—such as river crossings, heavy downpours on open boats, or external rigging on backpacks—standard lightweight dry bags can easily rip. A heavy-duty dry bag provides the extreme abrasion resistance and absolute waterproof barrier needed to survive rough handling and harsh environments.

The Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is built from tough 420D nylon fabric that can withstand scraping against rocks, gravel, and branches without puncturing. It features heavy-duty lash loops (hypalon grab handles) on the sides, allowing it to be securely strapped to the outside of a backpack, a kayak deck, or a pack raft. The interior is coated with a bright white laminate to improve visibility when searching for gear inside.

This level of durability comes with a weight penalty; these bags are significantly heavier than ultralight nylon sacks. Additionally, the thick fabric requires a firm hand to roll down tightly and achieve a reliable waterproof seal.

This is the go-to bag for wilderness travelers engaging in mixed hiking and paddling trips, or those who need to strap gear to the exterior of their packs. It is unnecessary for standard trail hikers who keep all their gear inside a protected backpack compartment.

• Sizes: 5L to 65L
• Material: 420D waterproof TPU-laminated nylon
• Best Use: River crossings, paddle sports, and external gear lashing

Waterproof Pack – Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack

For trips where the trail frequently meets water—such as deep canyon hiking, coastal trekking, or wet boat transfers—a standard backpack with a rain cover is simply not enough. A fully waterproof dry pack combines the carrying comfort of a traditional backpack harness with the impenetrable seal of a heavy-duty dry bag, keeping gear safe even during short submersions.

The Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack features a removable, fully adjustable harness system made of open-mesh and foam to carry heavy loads comfortably over rough terrain. The body is constructed from massive 600D TPU-laminated fabric, RF-welded to create seamless, watertight joints. Non-wicking roll-top closures and heavy-duty lash points ensure that water stays out and the pack stays securely anchored in any environment.

While highly functional, this pack does not feature the multiple external zippered pockets or water bottle sleeves found on standard hiking packs. Adjusting the harness system also takes some initial patience to match your torso length perfectly before heading out.

This pack is ideal for adventurers tackling canyon country, wet boat excursions, or multi-day coastal hikes where deep wading is required. It is not designed for traditional, dry-trail backpacking where ventilation and quick-access pockets are prioritized over total waterproofing.

• Sizes: 35L, 65L, 90L, 120L
• Material: 600D TPU-laminated heavy-duty fabric
• Best Use: Wet-climate expeditions, canyoning, and boat-assisted hiking

Lightweight Dry Bag – Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

For everyday hiking and backpacking, keeping gear dry shouldn’t mean adding unnecessary ounces to your load. A lightweight dry sack offers a simple, highly effective way to isolate wet items—like a damp rainfly—or protect dry essentials within your pack without bulk.

The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack is a classic choice, constructed from lightweight, siliconized Cordura nylon fabric. Its slippery finish makes it easy to slide into tight spaces inside your backpack, while the fully taped seams and hypalon roll-top closure keep moisture completely contained. It is flexible, translucent enough to see contents from the outside, and folds down to almost nothing when empty.

Users must realize that these bags are designed for use inside a backpack and are not intended for submersion or external rigging. Sharp trail tools, stoves, or tent pegs should not be stored inside without protective wrapping to prevent micro-tears.

This is the perfect utility dry bag for hikers wanting to protect sensitive electronics, clothing layers, or toiletries within their pack. It is not suitable for water sports, external lashing, or carrying heavy, abrasive gear.

• Sizes: 1L to 35L
• Material: 30D Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon
• Best Use: Internal pack organization and lightweight weather protection

How to Choose Between Pack Covers and Internal Dry Bags

Deciding whether to protect your gear from the outside or the inside comes down to your hiking style, environment, and gear choices. External pack covers are incredibly convenient because they prevent the backpack itself from absorbing water and getting heavy. However, in high winds, covers can act like kites, flutter loudly, or slip off, and they do not protect against water seeping in through the back harness panel.

Internal dry bags and liners, on the other hand, provide foolproof security for your most critical items. Even if your pack fabric becomes completely saturated, your sleeping bag, dry clothing, and electronics remain dry. The trade-off is that the backpack itself will absorb water, becoming heavy and requiring careful drying at the end of the day.

The most effective strategy for most recreational hikers is a hybrid approach. Use a lightweight pack cover to keep the main pack shell dry during passing showers, and pack your sleeping bag and dry camp clothing inside a dedicated internal dry bag. This dual-layer defense keeps your pack light and ensures that you always have a dry sleep system waiting at camp.

Sizing Your Waterproof Gear for a Perfect Pack Fit

A poorly fitting waterproof system can lead to gear damage or water ingress on the trail. When choosing an external pack cover, match the cover’s volume rating to the capacity of your backpack. If your cover is too small, it will leave the top or bottom of your pack exposed; if it is too large, it will flap in the wind, catch on branches, and pool water at the bottom.

For internal dry bags and liners, it is better to use multiple smaller bags rather than one massive sack. A single large liner can create unused “dead space” in the corners of your pack, whereas several small, flexible dry bags can be nested tightly together like puzzle pieces, maximizing space and maintaining a balanced center of gravity.

Always leave enough room at the top of roll-top dry bags to get at least three complete folds before snapping the buckle. Rolling the top less than three times compromises the waterproof seal, allowing water to wick through the closure under pressure or in heavy rain.

Maintaining Your Waterproof Gear for Long-Term Durability

Waterproof gear requires basic maintenance to preserve its protective coatings and seam tape over years of use. After every trip, turn your dry bags and pack covers inside out and hang them in a well-ventilated area to dry completely. Storing waterproof gear while even slightly damp will lead to mildew, fabric degradation, and a sticky peeling of the polyurethane coating.

Clean dirty gear using a sponge, lukewarm water, and a mild, non-detergent soap designed specifically for outdoor fabrics. Never wash dry bags or pack covers in a washing machine, as the agitation can delaminate the waterproof backing and ruin the seam tape. Avoid using harsh chemical solvents, which will dissolve the silicone or polyurethane treatments.

Over time, high-wear areas may lose their water-repellent properties or suffer tiny pinhole punctures from trail grit. You can easily restore water repellency with a spray-on DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, and seal minor punctures using a specialized flexible urethane adhesive like Gear Aid Seam Grip. Taking these simple steps ensures your wet-weather gear remains dependable for many seasons of adventure.

With the right waterproof strategy in place, a sudden shift in the weather becomes a scenic backdrop rather than a backcountry crisis. Investing in quality pack covers, liners, or dry bags ensures you can hike with confidence, knowing a dry, warm haven awaits you at the end of every rainy trail.