A waterproof backpack is an essential piece of equipment for any outdoor enthusiast. If your outdoor activities are camping in the winter, boating in the rapids, and hiking in the rain, a reliable waterproof backpack is one of the pieces of gear you need to protect your belongings from moisture and keep you dry. However, waterproof backpacks are expensive, which is why many novice hikers, campers and kayakers are reluctant to buy them. But if you don't want to buy a waterproof backpack, but need to waterproof your backpack, all you have to do is learn how to waterproof your backpack. Learning how to waterproof your own backpack is a little skill every outdoor enthusiast should know. When you're out in the wilderness, the weather can be unpredictable, one day it can be sunny, the next it can be cold and wet and cloudy. Only your backpack is waterproof, so you can face the fast-changing weather calmly. Here are five tips for making your backpack waterproof:
Spray water repellent on the pack and apply sealant to the seams Water repellent spray and seam sealant are a must in many camper gear. While most sprays and sealants sold in outdoor stores are designed for waterproofing camping tents. But certain sprays and sealants can also be used on jackets and backpacks. Waterproofing sprays are used on backpacks and hardshell jackets to improve their water resistance and to repair worn coatings. This is one of the best ways to make a backpack waterproof, even if you have other methods of waterproofing your backpack, this precaution should be tried. Before using water repellent on a backpack, be sure to wash the backpack and allow it to dry thoroughly. Because dust and dirt particles on the backpack can prevent the waterproof spray from being applied to the backpack. So before using waterproof spray, be sure to wash the dirt on the backpack. After the backpack has been washed and thoroughly dried, spray it with a waterproofing spray. In most cases, a general spray coat will make the backpack waterproof. If you feel unsafe, you can also spray a second layer. In general, a second coat should always be applied in high wear areas of the pack, such as the back area and where the shoulder straps rub. After spraying the waterproof spray on the backpack, apply sealant to the zipper, seam areas of the backpack. There are no requirements for sealants, and sealants used in general outdoor equipment can be used. One of the things that a lot of people worry about is whether the water repellant will damage the pack or discolour the pack. This is also possible, which is why you should use a high-quality water repellent from a well-known brand. Otherwise, you may find that your pack will be damaged in both performance and design. If you're not sure about the quality of the waterproofing spray you're using, you can also test it by spraying a small amount of it on an inconspicuous area of the pack and checking the area for any problems. One last thing to keep in mind is that waterproof sprays do not make the pack 100% waterproof. Because water will still seep through the openings and zippers of the pack. Waterproof spray only protects the contents of the pack from rain. But if your backpack falls into the water, water will definitely get in the backpack.
2. Put the gear in the backpack in a separate plastic bag After applying the waterproof spray and seam sealant to the backpack, you also need to protect the items in the backpack. Not everyone needs to do this step. If you're just hiking a short distance and it's not raining on the day of the hike, then this step can be ignored. If it's raining on the day you go outdoors, or if the local water is plentiful and humid, this step will provide more moisture protection for the items in your pack. For example, if you are traveling with expensive electronic equipment such as cameras, you need to pay more attention. It's a good idea to put them in a plastic bag. This plastic bag provides extra protection for your belongings, even if the water repellent on the surface of the pack doesn't protect the pack. When packing electronics in plastic bags, just be sure to seal the opening of the plastic bag completely so that no water can get in. For smaller items such as cell phones, solar chargers, etc., a sealed bag can be used. These airtight bags come in a variety of sizes, and they also have excellent waterproof zippers. You can put some important items in the airtight bag, such as wallet, cash, lighters, lights, etc. If the airtight bag is large enough, you can also put a first aid kit in it. After all, wet bandages and medications are useless in any outdoor activity.
3: Use a Plastic Bag or Backpack Liner When it comes to protecting the contents of a backpack from water, the most common method for many people is to use a plastic bag or backpack liner for protection. Backpack liners are available in outdoor gear stores, and the prices are not high. The backpack lining is a large, airtight bag. Load items into the inner liner before loading things into the backpack, and then load the inner liner into the backpack. Backpack lining is specially designed to prevent water ingress. They keep the items inside dry even if your pack gets wet. If you don't want to buy a lining either, you can use a large plastic bag instead. However, it should be noted that the plastic bag should be sealed when sealing, so that the contents inside can be well protected from moisture.
4: Use the backpack rain cover After completing the above steps, you may still need to use the backpack rain cover. Put a rain cover on your pack to make it water resistant enough to keep the contents of the pack dry when it rains.
The only problem with the backpack rain cover, though, is that it doesn't protect everything in the pack from the rain. The backpack rain cover is wrapped around the outside of the backpack, but your shoulders and back are not protected. This means that if rain runs off your back, the area on the back of the pack will get wet. In addition, the rain cover of the backpack is made of lightweight material, so it can easily get stuck on branches or rocks and can be damaged as a result.
5: Put the backpack in a dry bag The final method is to put the backpack in a dry bag. A dry bag is a waterproof bag that rolls up at the top. With this design, even if it rains, water will roll off the rolled top of the bag without entering the interior of the pack. Many campers and backpackers like to use dry bags to keep their packs dry. However, a dry bag is not a replacement for your backpack. Dry bags only have one main compartment, which means they can't be used as a main backpack. Dry bags have the advantage that if there is little air inside, they will float on the water. This is helpful for kayakers and boating enthusiasts.
