If you have ever been caught in a downpour when out backpacking or hiking, you will know that even the most waterproof backpacks will still let in the rain.
Whether it is through the seams or the zippers, water will seep into your gear, leaving everything soaked and ruining your trip.
The answer is to invest in a good waterproof backpack cover.
Designed to protect your stuff from the worst weather, backpack rain covers also help keep mud from splashing your bag, ensuring that everything is clean and dry when you arrive to set up camp.
In this guide, you’ll find the top five waterproof backpack covers, with a look at their main features and why I recommend them for your next outdoor adventure.
Before we start, let’s take a quick look at the things to look for when buying a backpack rain cover.
If you want to have to find the best rain cover for backpacks fast, you can take a look at the quick overview below.
Quick Overview
If you wish to start shopping fast, below you’ll find a quick overview featuring the best backpack covers that you can order online on Amazon.
BEST BACKPACK RAIN COVERS
- Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover – Perfect for heavy rain
- Evotopf Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover – Ideal for sun AND rain protection
- Salzmann 3M Reflective Backpack Cover – Ideal for camping and hiking
- Osprey Ultralight Raincover – Perfect for all conditions even nighttime
- Kelty Rain Cover – Ideal for rain AND wind
What To Look For When Buying A Rain Cover For A Backpack
Below you’ll find things to look for when buying a backpack rain cover.
Keep the following in mind when choosing your backpack cover.
Adequate Protection Against The Weather
This, of course, is a priority. Look for a tightly woven cover with a good waterproof rating – ripstop nylon and polyester are both ideal and more than a match for heavy downpours.
Some covers may even offer UV protection too. Ideally, rain covers will be made with one piece of material to avoid the need for seams, which tend to be more vulnerable to water seepage.
But this isn’t always possible with larger packs, so ensure that any seams are well-sealed.
A Good Fit
You need to be sure that your backpack cover will stay in place throughout your hike. When the weather is bad, you won’t just be contending with rain but will need to think about wind too!
No matter how waterproof your cover is, it will be useless if it doesn’t keep all parts of your pack well covered. Look for a rain cover that attaches as tightly as possible.
Some will come with a simple drawstring to cinch them in, whereas others may feature elasticated rims that work rather like a shower cap, pulling in tightly against the pack.
Straps with buckles are ideal for holding a cover securely in place – just remember to check that they are comfortably positioned so that they won’t dig in when you are walking.
Durability
Waterproof backpack covers should be built to last, so make sure you choose one with a fabric that can withstand rough terrain, tree branches, etc, without tearing easily.
Easy To Store
You won’t be using your rain cover all of the time (hopefully!) so look for one that is lightweight and that folds to a compact size. Some of the best backpack rain covers come with their own storage pouches.
Some are actually attached to the cover and you just stuff them back inside – others are separate.
A real bonus is if the pouch comes with its own carabiner clip because you can then attach it easily to the outside of your backpack.
Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
The most important thing when using a cover on your backpack is ensuring that it stays in place.
This Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover more than meets that requirement, with a strong and sturdy buckle strap that holds it firmly in position.
The backpack cover’s reinforced rim is elasticated to guarantee a snug fit around your pack.
Available in five different sizes suitable for backpacks from 15 to 90 liters, this cover is made from three different types of fabric.
The inner lining, first-tex membrane, and outer fabric with its water vapor repellent coating all work together to keep your stuff dry.
Supporting 8000 mm water pressure, this material offers significant protection against heavy rainfall.
It keeps out more than just rainwater, though, and is also effective against fog, which can often creep into your gear and leave it feeling damp without you even realizing it.
Despite the triple layers of protection, this cover remains ultra-thin and incredibly lightweight. It is also very durable, with the rip-resistant outer layer effectively guarding your bag against sand, dirt, and scratches.
The cover comes in 11 different colors so it is easy to find one to suit your style and also comes with a compact storage pouch, so you can stow it away when not in use.
Evotopf Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
These Evotopf backpack rain covers have a ton of great features that make them useful in all sorts of weather conditions.
You have six different sizes to choose from, starting from 15 to 25 liters and going all the way up to 70 to 80 liters.
So whether you are out walking for the day or need to protect a full load of gear on a camping trip, you will be able to find a cover suitable for your needs.
Offering superior protection, each cover is made from 190T polyester fabric lined with a heavy-duty silver coating.
Strong, durable, and tear-resistant, this fabric doesn’t just keep out the rain but blocks UV rays too, protecting your gear from the sun.
It won’t slip as you are walking, with an elasticated rim to hold it in position along with convenient buckle straps at the top to tighten it.
What’s more, the well-thought out positionning of the buckle stops it from touching your back, so it won’t dig in and you will feel comfortable all day.
One of the things that makes this the best backpack cover for hiking is the storage pouch because it comes with a carabiner clip that allows you to attach it to the outside of your backpack, saving on precious space within!
Salzmann 3M Reflective Backpack Cover
The best waterproof backpack cover for camping, walking, or hiking at night or in low light conditions, this Salzmann 3M Reflective Backpack Cover has a highly reflective surface made with 3M Scotchlite material.
This fabric works so well that the cover can be seen from up to 200m away when the light is low. This makes the cover extremely versatile and it’s ideal for use when cycling at night.
There are three different design options, two of which are in bright colors with reflective panels and feature a handy mesh pocket for storing keys, sunglasses, or other small items.
You also have a choice of two sizes – standard (up to 36 liters) and extra-large (ideal for 40 to 50 liters).
This cover is designed to be completely waterproof and weatherproof, with a very impressive waterproof rating of 15,000 mm that can keep out the very worst conditions!
Along with a snugly-fitting elasticated edge, the cover has two straps to hold it in place, ideally situated so that you can still access the contents of your bag without removing it.
Osprey Ultralight Raincover
From a name you can trust when it comes to outdoor accessories, Osprey Ultralight Raincover is the best rain cover for backpacks when you have a significant amount of gear, with three different sizes accommodating bags all the way from 30 to 110 liters.
It is made from rip-stop nylon, a durable material that offers your bag excellent protection from the elements.
With a cinch strap that gives you a snug fit all the way from your neck to your waist, it features an additional strap across the middle so you can draw it in at the sides too.
This cover certainly lives up to its name – it is so light in weight that you really don’t notice you’re carrying it.
The graphics are reflective, which is a useful safety feature if you are hiking at night or in dim conditions, and the seams are well sealed to protect your belongings from whatever the weather has to throw at you.
A storage bag is included with this cover and it is conveniently attached at the bottom, so you won’t need to worry about it getting lost.
Kelty Rain Cover
The best backpack cover for serious hiking and camping, this rain cover from Kelty is available in two sizes – large (for backpacks between 49 and 100 liters) and regular (49 liters and smaller).
It packs to a compact size into the storage sack that comes with it, which is stitched into the inside of the cover.
Lightweight and easy to carry, it is made from durable 190T polyester taffeta ripstop, which offers protection against the wind and rain.
Easy to use in a hurry when you are caught in a sudden downpour, this cover features a drawstring at the bottom for the snug and secure fit you need.
It also features internal webbing loops which you can attach to your shoulder straps for even more security on windy days.
One of the features that I particularly like about this cover is its versatility – it easily adjusts to backpacks of different sizes, so you can use it for everything from shorter walks to extended camping trips.
Final Thoughts On The Best Backpack Covers
I hope this guide to the best waterproof backpack covers has helped you find the perfect one for your next adventure.
It’s good to know that your gear is well protected, whatever the weather, and that your stuff will always be perfectly dry when needed.
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