Waterproof and large travel backpack is essential equipment for any outdoor sports enthusiast. However, waterproof backpacks are expensive, which is why many novice hikers, campers and kayakers are reluctant to buy them.
If you don’t want to buy a waterproof backpack, but you need to waterproof your backpack, all you have to do is learn how to waterproof your backpack. Learning how to waterproof your backpack is a small skill that every outdoor enthusiast should know.
When you are in the wilderness, the weather may be unpredictable, it may be sunny for a while, and it may become a cold and humid cloudy day. Only if your backpack is waterproof, you can calmly face the rapidly changing weather. Here are five tips for making backpacks waterproof:
1. Spray waterproof agent on the backpack and apply sealant on the seams
Waterproof sprays and seam sealants are essential items in many campers' equipment. Although 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. Waterproof sprays are used on backpacks and hard shell jackets to improve their waterproof ability and repair their worn coatings.
This is one of the best ways to make your backpack waterproof. Even if you have other waterproof methods, this precaution should be tried. Before using waterproof spray on your backpack, please wash the backpack first, and then wait for the backpack to dry completely. Because the dust and dirt particles on the backpack will prevent the waterproof spray from being applied to the backpack.
In most cases, a layer of spray can make the backpack waterproof. If you feel it is not enough, you can also spray a second layer. Generally speaking, in the high wear area of the backpack, it is necessary to spray the second layer, such as the back area and the place where the shoulder strap rubs. After spraying the waterproof spray on the backpack, apply sealant to the zipper and seam areas of the backpack.
One thing that many people worry about is whether the waterproof spray will damage the backpack or make the color of the backpack fade. This is also possible, which is why you should use high-quality waterproof sprays from well-known brands. Otherwise, you may find that your backpack will be damaged both on its performance or design.
If you are not sure of the quality of the waterproof spray you are using, you can also spray a small amount of spray on an inconspicuous area of the backpack, and then check whether there is any undesirable phenomenon in this area, and then conduct a test. The last thing to remember is that waterproof sprays will not make the backpack 100% waterproof. Because water will still seep through the opening and zipper of the backpack. Waterproof spray can only protect the items in the backpack from rain. If your backpack falls into the water, then the backpack will definitely get wet.
2. Put the gear into a separate plastic bag
After applying waterproof spray and seam sealant on the backpack, you also need to protect the contents of the backpack. Not everyone needs to do this step. If you are only on a short hike and there is no rain on the day of the hike, then this step can be ignored.
If it rains on the day you go outdoors, or the local water is very humid, then this step can provide more moisture protection for the items in your backpack. For example, if you bring expensive electronic equipment such as a camera on the trip, you must pay more attention. It is a good idea to put them in a plastic bag.
Even if the waterproofing agent on the surface of the carry on backpack cannot protect the backpack, this plastic bag also provides extra protection for your belongings. When using plastic bags to pack electronic devices, just make sure that the opening of the plastic bag is completely sealed to ensure that no water enters.
For small items such as mobile phones and solar chargers, sealed bags can be used. These sealed bags come in various sizes, and they have excellent waterproof zippers. You can put some important items in sealed bags, such as wallets, cash, lighters, lights, etc. If the sealed bag is large enough, you can also put the first aid kit inside. After all, wet bandages and drugs will become useless in any outdoor activities.
3. Lining with plastic bags or backpacks
When it comes to protecting the contents of a backpack from water, the most common method used by many people is to use plastic bags or backpack linings. Backpack linings are sold in outdoor equipment stores, and the price is not high.
The backpack lining is a large sealed bag. Before putting things in the backpack, load the items into the inner lining, and then load the inner lining into the backpack. Backpack lining is specially designed to prevent water ingress. Even if your backpack gets wet, they can protect the contents from getting wet.
If you don’t want to buy linings, you can use large plastic bags instead. However, it should be noted that the plastic bag should be sealed when sealing, so as to protect the stuffs from moisture.
4. Use backpack rain cover
After completing the above steps, you may still need to use a backpack rain cover. Put the rain cover on your backpack to make it have a certain waterproof performance, which is enough to keep the contents in the backpack dry when it rains.
However, the only problem with the backpack rain cover is that it cannot protect every item in the backpack from 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 falls from your back, the area on the back of the backpack will get wet.
In addition, the rain cover of the backpack is made of lightweight materials, so it is easy to get stuck on branches or rocks and may be damaged.
5. Put the backpack in the dry bag
The last method is to put the backpack in a dry bag. The dry bag is a waterproof bag with the top rolled up. With this design, even if it rains, the water will roll down from the top of the bag instead of entering the backpack.
Many campers and backpackers like to use dry bags to keep their backpacks dry. However, dry bags cannot replace your backpack. Dry bags have only one main compartment, which means they cannot be used as a main backpack. Dry bags have an advantage, if there is almost no air inside, they will float on the water. This is very helpful for kayaking and boating lovers.
There are many reasons why you need a waterproof backpack when you are outdoors. However, if you think that waterproof backpacks are too expensive, you can also use these methods to keep the gear inside the tsa backpack dry. Sometimes, one of the above-mentioned backpack waterproofing methods is sufficient, but if several methods are used, it will be safer.
But what needs to be remembered is that the method of waterproofing the backpack cannot replace the real waterproof backpack, nor can it replace the real waterproof and keep the gear dry funtion.
