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Hi - after a few rides where the content of my Camelbak (including spare gloves and jacket) have ended up very wet, I am now wondering whether anyone has come across a proper waterproof backpack. I've seen a few Leatt motorbike backpacks, but was wondering if there is anything MTB specific. If not, why not!
I've been looking to replace my old school Camelbak rogue and was planning to replace it with a Evoc with a build in back protector.
Is there a moon on a tick option that's waterproof and has a back protector?
Cheers
I think the answer is to use a drybag inside your current backback. Much cheaper and probably works better.
Alpkit Gourdon or Hump Roll top drybag rucsacks will be the most waterproof but lowest on "features". My evoc comes with a waterproof cover altgough I've not tested it.
+1 on using a plastic bag or dry bag liner for your rucsac. It is much cheaper, lasts longer (less muck and abrasion), likely better harness/more comfy, and is easily replaced.
I found gourdons just about the least comfortable rucksack I have used.
I could do, but then I'd still have a wet back pack.
It feels like sealskin solved the wet shoe problem with waterproof socks until companies started making good waterproof shoes.
Surely there is a market for a waterproof MTB specific backpack.
My Osprey has a rain cover, which is pretty effective. It also has the trampoline back so is kept away from your body so any rain coming over the top is less likely to make it's way into the pack. Or a dry bag inside.
Waterproof, light, durable.
Pick any two. That’s the problem for rucksacks.
As others have said, use a drybag +/- a cover.
+1 on the rain cover option - I've got a Vaude & an Osprey back pack with rain covers that stash into a little pocket underneath.
They keep the bag pretty dry - wet straps I suppose, and for me, this seems like the best compromise.
It can make getting into the bag a bit of a faff if you need to access it regularly.
Rain cover and important stuff inside a placcy bag. Rain covers mean you don’t have to clean muck and filth from the zips and nooks in the bag.
https://www.biketart.com/products/evoc-raincover-sleeve-for-back-pack?variant=42199152001203
The smallest Gourdon with the mesh side pockets is fine and was dirt cheap (not looked recently as they last forever). Dry quickly and just jetwash when filthy. Got one for commuting and had 2 for MTB for the last 12 ish years.
+1 for Alpkit Gourdon 20, I've had one for over 10 years and it is just starting to delaminate at the opening (which I could fix with Aquaseal or similar if it mattered for my current usage). Not the most comfy when overloaded but fine with a light load.
I believe Ortlieb make a waterproof rucksack?
It’ll be heavy though.
I believe Ortlieb make a waterproof rucksack?
Yeah they do, it's not very, erm, ergonomically-shaped, kind of a waterproof rectangle. It works - according to my missus who has one - but it's not very comfortable. She ended up using an Osprey with a rain cover for the commute instead.
Mountain Hardwear make - or at least used to, I don't know if they still do - waterproof Scrambler-series day packs with sealed seams, which is why most packs aren't waterproof, even though the fabrics generally are, but I'm not sure how bike friendly they'd be.
If you want a posher, slightly nicer version of a dry-bag with straps, which is what the Alpkit Gourdon basically is, Exped Typhoon 15 or 25 do the same thing but with slightly more sophisticated back system:
https://www.expeduk.com/products/typhoon-15