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The weather can be extremely unpredictable, and no hiker wants all their gear soaking through in the event of a downpour. Luckily, waterproof backpacks were invented to help keep all your gear dry no matter what the weather.
If you’re on the hunt for a comfortable hiking backpack that is suitable for all weather conditions, keep on reading as we’re going to delve into 11 of the best waterproof backpacks for hiking so you can keep all your gear dry and remain comfortable while doing so!
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To find the right waterproof backpack, you need to consider a few different factors, such as the size of the bag, how comfortable it is to wear, and the materials it’s made from.
Firstly, you’ll need to think about the bag’s capacity and how much gear you wish to take on your hiking trip. A bag that is too small won’t be able to hold all of your belongings, whereas a bag too big will be uncomfortable and interfere with your movements.
Comfort is an extremely important factor when it comes to hiking backpacks. As you’ll be wearing your backpack for long periods of time, you want it to be as comfortable as possible on your shoulders and back.
Look for a backpack with adequate shoulder strap padding and back support. Some backpacks also come with a waist strap that helps to transfer the pack's weight from your shoulders to your hips. For those extra long hikes, this support makes all the difference.
When you’re searching for a waterproof backpack, you, of course, want it to be waterproof. That’s where the materials come in.
Backpacks can fall under one of two categories, water resistant and waterproof. Water resistant materials such as nylon or polyester keep out most water, but not all. For a completely waterproof bag, you want to look at dry bags made from vinyl.
Vinyl backpacks will keep out all water, so your belongings remain dry no matter what the weather. Some bags will even float when placed in water - that’s how waterproof they are!
Thanks to its durable waterproof materials, versatile design, and large storage capacity, the Piscifun 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack made it onto your top budget pick.
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The Waterproof Roll Top Backpack by GILI has ergonomic shoulder straps, D-rings to clip on additional gear, and a roll-top closure to keep all water out.
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YETI’s Airtight Waterproof Backpack is submersible as well as being puncture and abrasion-resistant. The included removable waist and chest straps add extra support when you need it most, and the interior pockets keep your belongings organized and easy to access.
Check Latest PriceGILI’s 28L Waterproof Backpack is made from 500D PVC tarpaulin that keeps your gear dry when you go hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, or camping.
The roll-top closure on the backpack is easy to unbuckle and gives you access to the bag’s 28L storage capacity.
GILI even added a front zippered pocket and mesh side pockets to separate your smaller items so they don’t get lost in the main compartment. The large compartment also has a laptop sleeve and small interior pockets to help organize your belongings and keep everything separated.
GILI created their backpack in a 28L, 35L, and a 55L capacity to hold large amounts of gear with added D-rings on the shoulder straps for further storage and security.
When wearing the backpack, the ergonomic shoulder straps will distribute the pack's weight, while the sternum strap provides crucial back support. This back support will make all the difference when hiking over long distances, especially with heavy items on your back.
The Yeti Panga Airtight Waterproof Backpack made it onto our premium top pick for a few different reasons.
Firstly, the design of the backpack is sleek and smart. The heavy-duty wide zip gives it an almost robust feel, while the black accents add texture and dimension to the plain gray surface.
YETI designed their Panga Backpack to be airtight and waterproof. So waterproof, in fact, that the bag can be submerged in water and still remain dry inside. The hydrolok zipper, no matter how torrential the weather gets, will lock out all water keeping your gear bone dry and safe while hiking.
Not only is the high-density nylon and thick TPU lamination shell waterproof, but it is also puncture and abrasion-resistant, meaning this bag can take a beating and won’t fall apart in the process.
For comfort, YETI included ergonomic dry haul shoulder straps, removable chest straps, and a removable waist belt so you can adjust the backpack and make it as comfortable as possible on long journeys.
Inside you’ll find a sleeve and stowaway mesh pocket for organization purposes and to keep your gear in place while walking. The loops on the front of the bag also give you space to clip on additional small accessories that are easy to access.
The Sea to Summit Hydraulic 65L Backpack is designed to fit many items, making it the perfect bag for long hiking journeys where you require extra gear.
Sea to Summit designed their dry bag from waterproof TPU laminated 600D nylon, which is incredibly durable and abrasion-resistant.
To improve the bag’s waterproof abilities, the seams were welded together to permanently seal them and keep water out. Many dry bags like the Hydraulic 65L have roll-top closures that prevent water from entering the bag.To close them, you simply roll the top down and clip it in place with the buckle.
One of the coolest features of the bag is that the straps, including the shoulder straps, are entirely removable, meaning you can transform the bag into a hiking backpack or a simple dry bag for water activities. To fasten the straps in place, you hook the strap fasteners onto the heavy-duty lash loops, and away you go!
The harness is a combination of mesh and foam to improve airflow and also provide comfort to your back, shoulders, and waist.
Although we specifically mentioned the 65L Hydraulic waterproof travel backpack, they also have a 35L, 90L, and 120L for those who want more or less storage space while hiking.
If plain “boring” backpacks aren’t your thing, then look no further. The Skog Å Kust Waterproof Floating Backpack comes in eleven colors, with some having solid bold colors and others having funky patterns and designs.
Skog Å Kust designed their roll-top waterproof backpack with 500D PVC and welded seams to seal out the elements and keep your belongings safe and dry no matter what outdoor activities you participate in.
The roll-top can be rolled down three times and clipped together with the buckle to create a top handle, or you can clip the roll-top into the side clips and adjust the straps to compress the 25L compartment.
The bag features pockets in both the interior and exterior, which are zippered and spacious, providing you with enough room for your electronics, valuables, and easy to lose smaller items. D-rings on the side also make the perfect space for items such as water bottles or wet gear.
Skog Å Kust didn’t skimp on comfort; they added a padded back panel, and shoulder supports as well as a sternum clip to relieve pressure on your muscles. If the 25L backpack is too small for you, they also have a 35L version.
The Earth Pak 35L Waterproof Backpack is another roll-top waterproof backpack created specifically for outdoor activities when rain or water contact is likely.
As with other roll tops, you can fasten the top to create a handle or buckle down the straps to the side to compress the contents and secure them in place. The 500D PVC bag has an exterior zippered pocket that is large enough to hold phones or similar-sized items and an interior pocket with an attached key ring for more important essentials.
D-rings on both shoulder straps act as anchor points that you can use to either attach items to or so you can clip your backpack onto a bike, boat, or paddle board.
Earth Pak added a padded back panel, reinforced contoured shoulder straps, a heavy-duty waist belt, and a low-profile sternum strap for ultimate comfort and weight distribution.
The Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack also comes in a 55L option, and you can choose from five solid color options.
A completely different type of bag to the ones we’ve looked at before is the Diamond Candy Waterproof Backpack. Although it says waterproof, the backpack itself is actually water resistant, and the included waterproof rain cover is what makes the bag waterproof.
The water resistant backpack is excellent for outdoor activities and has multiple compartments to separate different gear. Diamond Candy even included a hydration system with a drinking hole, bladder hook, and clamp.
The bag has a 40L capacity, but this space is split between four zippered compartments. An extra compartment can hold a 16-inch laptop, and small hip and side pockets are the perfect storage solutions for small items, water bottles, and snacks.
Diamond Candy also included a whistle, compression straps, and trekking pole loop attachments to keep all your gear organized and securely fastened in place.
When wearing the backpack, you won’t need to worry about comfort as the padded back mesh material increases airflow, and the padded shoulder, sternum, and waist straps distribute the water resistant backpacks total weight.
FE Active released their own 30L waterproof hiking backpack that is made from marine grade 5mm eco-friendly vinyl and is welded together with high-frequency stitching. The dry bag backpack is so waterproof that it can even be used as a scuba diving bag.
The bag has padded mesh-lined shoulder straps that increase airflow and work as a support system for your back and shoulders. Other features of the bag are built-in pouches for small essentials, mesh side pockets for water bottles, and a roll-top closure to compress the bag and keep it watertight.
The company also added front bungee cords to hold supplies such as outdoor survival kits, camping gear, and fishing supplies. FE Active has also said you can use the bag as a cooler; just throw in some ice packs, and you’d be good to go.
The IDRYBAG 20L Waterproof Backpack was created from 500D vinyl coated woven polyester and heavy-duty welding to create a waterproof, tear-resistant, and abrasion-resistant backpack.
The roll-top seal is easily secured in place with the plug buckles, and the stretched strap which runs over the top will compress the contents while also keeping them dry. Although the backpack is waterproof, the front pocket is only splash-resistant, so it's important to only store items that are able to get wet.
For items that can’t get wet, you can store them in the deep inside zippered pocket. Water bottles can slot into the foldable side pouch, and there are a further two interior pouches to section off your important gear and essentials.
IDRYBAG decided on two removable straps that clip onto the top and bottom of the bag. These straps can comfortably sit on your shoulders to form a backpack, or they can be removed so you can use the bag as a dry bag.
The Oak Creek Canyon 30L Waterproof Backpack is a great waterproof backpack budget option that doesn’t skimp on any of the features of a more premium bag.
Oak Creek Canyon designed its waterproof hiking backpack with heavy gauge PVC to keep all your belongings dry no matter the weather. The roll-top bucket has a reinforced strap that not only keeps water out from the bag but also acts as a carry handle for easier transportation.
For comfort, the company padded out their shoulder straps and included back padding and a waist strap to help even out the weight of the bag once it’s placed on your back. Oak Creek Canyon added a front zippered pocket to give the wearer easy access to essentials, a side mesh pocket for water bottles, and a bungee cord exterior for additional items.
The Acrodo Floating Waterproof Backpack is on the smaller side at 15L, but this could be a huge benefit if you only travel light when hiking.
Acrodo used the roll-down top design to ensure the contents of the backpack will remain dry during downpours or when the bag comes in contact with any type of water. If you leave a small amount of air in the bag, it’ll even float on the surface of the water, making it a fantastic waterproof backpack that is versatile and can be used for a wide range of activities.
A unique feature of the bag is side buckles that you can attach additional Acrodo Floating Backpacks to. This feature doesn’t exactly come in handy when hiking, but if you were to also use your bag in the water, you can attach them all together so they remain in one place.
The overall bag design is fairly simple. Acrodo included two removable straps that you can use to transform this bag into a dry bag or a backpack. The straps, however, aren’t padded, so they may not be the most comfortable on long hikes, especially if you have heavy gear inside.
The Piscifun 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack made it onto our best budget pick because of its low price point, sleek design, and high-quality materials.
Piscifun created their versatile 500D PVC waterproof backpack to be able to withstand the elements and repetitive abuse while out in the wilderness. They fully welded the seams to improve the waterproof construction and included a solid roll-top closure that makes an ideal water-tight seal.
The backpack has adjustable straps with padding that can be removed and altered for different style fits. Whether you want to use it as a carry bag, a backpack, or a cross-body bag, the straps allow you to do this while also remaining comfortable across your back and shoulders.
For additional storage, Piscifun included an outer mesh pocket and bungees to attach and secure items that don’t need to be kept dry.
The backpack comes in nine different colors, and you can also purchase it in a 5L, 10L, 30L, or 40L version.
The best waterproof backpack for hiking will come down to your personal opinion. Some people travel light and will only need a small bag, and some people carry a large amount of gear, ultimately requiring a larger bag. As it’s difficult to determine the “best” waterproof backpack, we compiled a list of 11 that’ll be sure to suit everyone’s taste, needs, and budget.
The easiest way to keep your belongings dry while hiking is to purchase and use a waterproof backpack.
Just like any other backpack, you can store a large number of items inside and carry them comfortably on your back, keeping your hands free and your belongings with you at all times.
Waterproof backpacks come in many shapes and sizes and are usually made from waterproof polyester or vinyl.
The size of your backpack ultimately comes down to how much gear you have and the amount of weight you can comfortably carry on your back. Some people only require a water bottle, snacks, and a few other accessories while hiking, so for them, a small backpack would be sufficient.
However, if you’re hiking as a family or have more gear than average, you would need a larger backpack to fit it all in. With that being said, having a backpack too large and too heavy will slow you down while hiking and cause discomfort from the added weight.
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