Waterproof Backpacks

Reader Asks About Waterproof BackPacks

What type and brand of backpack do you recommend? Where would you shop for a good, not too big, waterproof back pack to carry the sort of items Steve recommends? There are a lot of different ones out there. Some are $70; others $250. Where do I start?

Here is a backpack from REI for $79. What does Steve think about this type?

 http://www.rei.com/product/714376

-Bill M.

Steven Knopp Responds:

Yes there are many to choose from. First I will assume you're asking in terms of the 72 hour, or in-your-car type of survival backpack. If not, then the answer will be very different.   There are many places to choose from: REI, Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's, military surplus, catalogs. And don't forget all the second hand stores. I always find good deals on name brand things of this nature there.

The one you mention from REI is a pretty good pack for the money, but it's not that large. Well packed with a few things strapped on the outside (like a small machete, etc) and it can get the job done. However, you will find none of these packs are truly waterproof. They are water resistant - two different animals entirely!  But, you can make them waterproof with an additional lightweight cover, or pack everything inside in a good plastic trash bag, (which is good to have a few of anyway).  Only the rubberized military surplus packs are actually waterproof without a cover. Trust me on this. I lived in the Olympic rainforest for 12 years.

P.S.  There is no need to spend $200 plus on a good backpack. Even the really nice ones with the water reservoir and drinking tube are less than that. 

Louise comments:  I did a quick internet search on waterproof backpacks and found the following link. http://store.thewaterproofstore.com/backpacks.html

 What's useful is they have a ranking system for the degree of waterproof, from 1 to 5, so you can make an informed decision based on how waterproof you want, even submergible to several feet, floaters, etc. So you''re certain to get a "real waterproof" pack, and not just a water-resistant one. I personally will stick with the simple waterproof cover and trash bag method. That suits me just fine.

Here's the link to the original question and answer posting about Emergency Backpacks

http://www.mastersconnection.com/blog/2007/11/whats_in_your_emergency_backpa.html