Looking for the best backpack rain cover? In this review, we’ll show you 5 of the best backpack rain covers to help you pick the best one for your next hiking and camping adventure.
Rain is an inevitable part of being in the great outdoors. If you are caught in the rain with your rucksack on and you are not keeping it covered, it will get heavier pretty quickly. There is nothing fun about carrying around a wet rucksack.
Many outdoor adventurers resort to using garbage bags on the inside of their backpacks. While this is always a good idea, even if you do have a rain cover, it will not protect against the actual backpack from getting wet. It will also not protect against dust and mud.
Having a backpack rain cover can be indispensable if you’re going to be outdoors when there is a chance of rain. It is also great if you want to protect against dirt when you are in the desert.
We have compiled a list of the best backpack rain covers that we know of. Most of these are general rain covers that you can fit onto any backpack. We have selected the top 5 that we feel would be useful to you.
Before we list these 5 rain covers, we would like to dig deeper into what makes a good rain cover. The following are some considerations to look out for.
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Best Backpack Rain Cover Buyer’s Guide
Size and fit:
Good backpack rain covers come in various size options. This is because manufacturers understand that rucksacks vary greatly in the amount of gear that they can hold. Having a rain cover that covers the entirety of your backpack is important. It is better to have a rain cover that is slightly bigger than your backpack than to have one that is slightly too small.
Durability:
Most good backpack rain covers are made with nylon. Nylon tends to be a thicker material than most plastic covers, which means that it is going to be more durable. Some even have double the material at the bottom so that when you set your backpack down, it will not tear as easily on rough terrain.
Level of rain protection:
When it comes to rain protection, not all rain covers are created equal. When a rain cover is deemed to be ‘water-resistant’, it only provides a basic level of rain protection. It will protect against light rain, but not heavy rain. All of the rain covers featured on this page are ‘waterproof’. This means that even in heavy rain, they will maintain their integrity and not allow any wetness through.
Some still use a backup:
While it is wonderful to have a waterproof rain cover, backup protection is also desirable for many people. For extra protection, insert a large garbage bag into your backpack. Some also like to divide their gear into sections and put them into Ziploc bags. For example, you could put your toiletry into one bag and your clothing in another.
Top 5 Best Backpack Rain Cover
These backpack rain cover reviews are for those seeking a general purpose rain cover without the cost of a brand-name product. The following rain covers vary in price, some having more features than others. Please see out list of features for more information.
Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Rain Cover
- Material: 70D nylon
- Rain protection level: Waterproof
- Price: $$$
Advantages:
- No seams for extra waterproofing
- Comes with a small siliconized nylon stuff sack
- Fits around your backpack with a drawstring closure
- Has a strap in the middle to secure the cover across the pack
Sizes:
- XS: 15 – 30 L
- S: 30 – 50 L
- M: 50 – 70 L
- L: 70 – 95 L
Sea-to-Summit Ultralight Rain Cover Review
The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover is a simple gadget that does its job beautifully. When folded up, the Ultra-Sil Pack Cover fits nicely into an included sack small enough to fit your hand around. Most users have recommended fitting the Ultra-Sil Pack Cover into a side compartment in your backpack.
The Ultra-Sil Pack Cover is made of durable 30D Diamond Ripstop Sil Cordura. This fabric is lined with specially prepared silicone, ensuring that no water can pass through it. The material also remarkably light, weighing about a third of traditional coated nylon. Diamond Ripstop Sil Cordura lasts a long time, meaning that this product will be with you for quite a while. Despite this, the Ultra-Sil Pack Cover still needs to be dried properly after rain. Otherwise, growths like mildew may appear which will damage the fabric.
One thing potential customers should know about is that the Ultra-Sil Pack Cover isn’t symmetrical. Fitting it perfectly over your backpack will require a bit of work. You’ll also need to decide which size to get the Ultra-Sil Pack Cover in. But once you figure it out, you won’t want to leave without your Ultra-Sil Pack Cover, just in case it rains.
Mountainsmith Backpack Rain Cover
- Material: 190T taffeta nylon
- Rain protection level: Waterproof
- Price: $$
Advantages:
- Has a full circumference drawcord
- Has taped seams for extra waterproofing
- Its storage pouch comes connected to the cover
- The extra small size would be suitable for a school backpack
Sizes:
- XS: 15 – 30 L
- S: 30 – 40 L
- M: 40 – 60 L
- L: 60 – 100 L
Mountainsmith Backpack Rain Cover Review
Founded by hikers for hikers, Mountainsmith products are made to be durable and reliable. The Mountainsmith Rain Cover is no different in hat regard. This product is an aftermarket model that fits many popular brands of backpacks. It comes in a variety of sizes, ensuring a perfect match for whatever size of bag you have. The Mountainsmith Rain Cover comes with a hook and loop enclosure, an integrated stuff sack, an angled cord attachment point, and a full circumference draw cord.
The pack itself is made of 190t Taffeta Nylon body fabric, a hardy waterproof material. It comes in 4 sizes: XS, S, M, and L. The smallest version of the Mountainsmith Rain Cover fits a pack size of 15-30 liters. The largest size can cover packs of 60-100 liters.
Customer reviews have indicated that the Mountainsmith Rain Cover doesn’t cover the entire backpack. Feedback shows that it can only really cover the top of a pack up until the shoulder harnesses. This is due to being an aftermarket product. Mountainsmith aims to cover as many backpacks possible without catering to a specific brand. For a general use, affordable rain cover, the Mountainsmith performs well enough.
OUTAD Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
- Material: Rip resistant polyester Oxford fabric
- Rain protection level: Waterproof
- Price: $
Advantages:
- The fabric is highly durable
- The bottom of the cover is double-sided to prevent tears
- Comes with a separate drawstring bag for storage
- The extra small size would be suitable for a school backpack
Sizes:
- S: 15 – 35 L
- M: 35 – 55 L
- L: 55 – 88 L
OUTAD Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover Review
The OUTAD Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover stands out for its reflective strip. This feature isn’t just for show – it’s meant to aid visibility in fog and darkness. Made of reliable 300D Oxford fabric, this backpack easily lives up to its claim of being waterproof. Oxford fabric is also resistant to tearing and puncturing, so this rain cover will last a long time. For extra safety and protection, the product’s bottom is double sided to protects against ground soaking and ripping. The OUTAD is a snug fit for most backpacks, and will completely cover them. The package comes with an included drawstring bag for easy storage and trasport. It also comes in a variety of sizes to match any kind of backpack.
OUTAD hasn’t overlooked any possible scenarios. Not only is the rain cover durable yet pliable, but it also includes a drainage hole for water, just in case. The rain cover also has an elastic strap that encircles your backpack and fits in with a snap, ensuring that your backpack won’t fall off.
Potential customers should note that the OUTAD Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover is pretty heavy. This is due to its material. However, it’s also very affordable, making it a great deal for hikers on a budget.
Kelty Rain Cover
- Material: 190T nylon taffeta ripstop
- Rain protection level: Waterproof
- Price: $$$
Advantages:
- Comes with its own pouch
- Very lightweight
- Comes with an interior slip pocket
Sizes:
- M: 49 L
- L: 49 – 98 L
Kelty Rain Cover Review
The Kelty Rain Cover is a simple yet effective solution to backpacking problems. Made of 100% 190t nylon taffeta ripstop fabric, the Kelty Rain Cover is a waterproof and rip-resistant piece of kit. Thanks to its material, this rain cover is very light without compromising protection nor durability. The Kelty Rain Cover comes in medium and large sizes. Medium rain covers can fit packs of up to 49 liters. Large rain covers are recommended for packs between 49 liters to 110 liters.
The Kelty Rain Cover isn’t only very light, it’s also very easy to deploy. The cover itself only weighs 4.8 ounces. The Kelty Rain Cover cinches around backpacks via a draw string for easy deployment. Extra straps make for fuss-free securing. Just like any rain cover, be sure to dry out Kelty Rain Cover after use. This will prevent mildew growth and damage to the cover and keep it working perfectly.
Many customers have cited the Kelty Rain Cover’s adjustability and ease of setup as among its best features. On the other hand, this rain cover is best used with Kelty backpacks. The Kelty Rain Cover will work fine even with older Kelty models, up to a certain extent.
Osprey UltraLight Rain Cover
- Material: 40D nylon ripstop
- Rain protection level: Waterproof
- Price: $$$
Advantages:
- Full wrap-around cinch
- Comes with a hip belt and harness attachment for keeping the rain cover stable
- Comes with its own velcro closure bag
Sizes:
- L: 50 – 75 L
Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover Review
The Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover lives up to its name of “ultralight”. Clocking in at just 0.2 pounds, this is among the lightest rain covers you’ll find on the market. Made of tough 40D nylon ripstop fabric, this rain cover is still sturdy enough to waterproof your things. The Osprey logo and brand name is reflective, making it easy to spot it in fog and rain.
The Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover comes in 3 sizes, each tailored for different weight limits. With a range of 30 liters for the medium covers to 110 liters for the largest, it shouldn’t be difficult to find an Osprey rain cover for your backpack. Osprey Ultralight Rain Covers work best when paired with Osprey’s backpacks.
Unfortunately, its light design makes the Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover rather thin. While the 40D nylon ripstop fabric is resistant to cuts, it doesn’t fare as well against punctures. The bottom part isn’t double reinforced like other rain covers, so it’ll tear much easier. It’s also a bit of a hassle to set up, which defeats the purpose of having a rain cover in the first place. While it’s cheaper than other options, do take the time to check if this rain cover will suffice for your activities.
Final considerations
A rain cover does not just protect a backpack against the rain. It is also great for protecting against flying dust. Furthermore, if you are going to be storing your backpack inside of a tent, you can place it on top of the rain cover. This will help protect it against any pools of water that accumulate inside the tent at night.
While some people purchase rain covers that are especially made for their brand of backpack, others do not mind a general-purpose one. This way, they have more control over which one they actually purchase and the features that are included. General purpose rain covers like the ones above are less expensive, but are still of the same quality as the brand-name ones.
As mentioned previously, don’t forget to line your backpack with a garbage bag. For extra protection, use Ziploc bags to separate your items.
Having a rain cover will give you the peace of mind that you need to be trekking in the wild. If you have anything to add to our list of the best backpack rain covers, please leave your comment below.
Another necessary camping accessory you should get: Travel Toiletry Bag
