Do you need a rain cover for a backpack?

Not only do we want to keep our bodies dry when hiking, we also want to keep our gear dry. A rain cover for your backpack is one of the most effective ways to do so, but do you really need one?

A rain cover is recommended because it keeps your backpack and all its contents (inside and outside of your pack) from getting wet when hiking in the rain. Combining a rain cover with a waterproof pack liner and dry bags is the best method for ensuring your gear stays dry during heavy downpours.

Quick Rain Cover Recommendations

Name	Weight	Price
Zpacks Ultralight Pack Cover	M – 1.4oz; L – 1.7oz	$50 – 55
REI Duck’s Back Rain Cover	XS – 3oz; S – 4 oz; M – 5oz; L – 6oz; XL – 7oz	$25 – 40
Osprey Ultralight Pack Cover	M – 2.8oz; L – 3oz; XL – 3.4oz	$34 – 40
Granite Gear Cloud Cover Rain Cover	XS – 3oz; S – 3oz; M – 3.9oz	$35 – 45

5 Good Reasons you should use a Rain Cover

Here are five good reasons why using a rain cover with your hiking backpack is a good idea.

1. Keeps your backpack’s contents dry

The most obvious reason to use a rain cover is to keep your backpack and everything inside of it dry. Food, electronics, clothes, a jacket, and a sleeping bag need to be kept dry in order to maintain their quality or functionality.

2. Keeps what’s on the outside of your backpack dry

I recommend using a pack liner, but they don’t keep your gear attached to the outside of your backpack dry since they are not stored in the main compartment. Also, you may have gear stored in external pockets of your backpack in which pack liners are useless.

A rain cover will serve to keep anything attached to the outside of your backpack or inside external pockets dry.

3. Protects your backpack from abrasions

Some backpacks are made from weaker fabrics, so an accidental brush-up against a jagged rock, pointy stick, or briar can penetrate it. A rain cover will serve as a layer of protection, keeping your backpack safe from tears and abrasions.

4. Makes you more visible

Another reason to use a rain cover is because it can make you more visible if using one that is bright in color. This is important during hunting season to ensure you are not mistaken for prey.

Being more visible can also aid others in finding you in case of an accident, as a rain cover color that stands out will be easier to spot during a search and rescue.

For these reasons, manufacturers make some of their rain covers in bright and reflective materials.

5. They are lightweight

Rain covers don’t weigh that much. The Zpacks Ultralight Rain Cover weighs less than 2 ounces! Unless you are counting every ounce, the benefits of a rain cover are worth the extra weight.

Disadvantages of Rain Covers

Rain covers do have a few drawbacks, but nothing that should automatically disqualify them from making it into your backpack.

1. They don’t cover the back panel forward

The back panel of your backpack (what presses against your back) is not protected by a rain cover, or at least not entirely. This does create a vulnerable spot to potentially allow water into your backpack, but with a few extra precautions (like a waterproof pack liner) your items should stay dry.

However, your shoulder straps and hip belt are completely exposed, so if you are storing items in shoulder or hip belt pockets, be sure they are protected by keeping them in seal-able storage bags.

2. Seams will eventually need resealing

Some rain covers have seams that run along the main body. These seams are sealed from the factory, but the sealant will eventually wear. When this happens, water can leak through into your backpack. However, you can re-seal the seams yourself or invest in a new pack cover.

3. Extra weight

While a couple of extra ounces isn’t a big deal for a lot of us, you may be someone looking to cut every ounce you can to achieve a desired base weight. In this case, the extra weight is a downside.

How to choose a rain cover for your backpack

While not as difficult as choosing a hiking backpack itself, there are still a few things you should consider when it comes to picking a rain cover.

Size

The size of your backpack will determine what size rain cover you need. Most are sold in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. However, it is best to look at the liter capacity. If you have a 50L backpack, then you should go with a rain cover designated to fit for a pack of that size.

Weight

If you are trying to keep your base weight as low as possible, then pay attention to how much a rain cover weighs. Most range from three to eight ounces, but there are lighter and heavier options available. Generally, a heavier rain cover is stronger while lighter ones are easier to tear.

Material

Rain covers are made from various materials, most commonly nylon or polyester. Both are lightweight and durable synthetic fabrics. Their strength is measured in denier, such as 30D or 70D. The higher the number, the stronger the fabric.

If you want the lightest material option, look for a DCF (dyneema composite fabric) rain cover, like the Zpacks UL Pack Cover. However, expect to spend more on any gear made from DCF.

Color

The color of a rain cover isn’t just for style. As mentioned earlier, a bright color will make it easier for other people to spot you, whether it be hunters, search and rescue, or your hiking pals. While unlikely to be the most critical factor in your choice of rain cover, at least think twice about it.

Features

What features can a rain cover have? After all, it’s just a rain cover, right?

While there isn’t a wide assortment of features, there are still rain covers that offer reflective graphics, hip belt attachments, a carrying case, and safety light attachments. The Osprey Ultralight Pack Rain Cover offers all of these features.

Price

Finally, consider the price. A rain cover isn’t terribly expensive, usually ranging from $10 to $70, but you can get a quality, lightweight one starting around $25, like the REI Duck’s Back Rain Cover.

How to fit a rain cover to your backpack

Fitting a rain cover to your hiking backpack is easy! While there may be some variation depending on the brand of rain cover, you can generally follow these easy steps:

1. Ensure you have the right size rain cover

2. Place bottom of backpack in the bottom of rain cover and cinch

3. Pull top of rain cover over the top of backpack and cinch

4. Fasten any additional attachments

5. Make any necessary adjustments to straighten rain cover over pack

Other methods to protect your backpack and gear from rain

A rain cover is the best option for keeping your gear dry, but here are a few additional methods to ensure everything is protected from wet weather.

Pack liner

A pack liner is always recommended, with or without a rain cover. It is a waterproof bag large enough to fill the inside of a backpack. Not only does it protect your gear from getting wet, a pack liner also helps the interior of your backpack stay clean and odor-free. You can use a dedicated pack liner or, as a cheaper option, a trash compacter bag (these are very popular among backpackers).

Dry Bags

With use of a rain cover and pack liner, dry bags may be a little excessive. However, having extra security for your most important items (i.e., food, electronics, dry clothes to sleep in) is a good idea. Store sensitive items in dry bags inside your pack liner to guarantee everything remains dry.

Backpacker’s Poncho

A backpacker’s poncho is designed to fit over its user and their backpack. If you are to forego a rain cover, then this is great option. In fact, a backpacker’s poncho might be the best all-in-one method for keeping your gear and yourself dry.

Waterproof Backpacks

While I would not rely on a waterproof (or water resistant) backpack alone to ensure my gear stays dry, one does serve as an extra layer of security. Combine this with a pack liner and dry bags and all the gear inside your backpack should be safe from the rain.

Re-seal Seams

Waterproof backpacks work well but they rely on an adequate job of seam sealing. The seams are vulnerable to defects and eventual wear, so knowing how to re-seal the seams is useful. Don’t wait until your gear gets wet to re-seal. Do some preventative maintenance and reapply seam sealer or seam sealing tape periodically.

Conclusion

So, do you really need a rain cover for your backpack? It’s a good idea and this post demonstrates that. If you want to avoid the extra weight, then hopefully you at least learned some additional methods for keeping your gear dry. And if you are looking for more tips for hiking in the rain, be sure to check out my complete guide to staying dry.