Best way to make bag waterproof/water-resistant?

[tbessie]

I bought a Synik 30 Guide's Edition when it was available awhile back. I thought, since this is targeted to outdoor activity, it would have some level of water resistence.

Unfortunately, it seems that the zippers are the only part of the bag that is water resistent. The fabric doesn't seem to have any waterproof coating on the inside (unlike some of the other bags).

I've been using this for foraging trips in the woods, often while it's very wet or raining. This has resulting in lots of stuff in the bag getting soaked.

Can anyone recommend strategies to keep stuff in my backpack from getting wet? I guess a rain cover (anyone know a good one for this size of a pack?). Possibly Scotch-Guard?

Anything else I can do to keep the rain from permiating this backpack?

Also, anyone know of any well-made backpacks with a greater degree of water resistence?

- Tim

[G42]

If I'm going to be out in rain for any length of time, I put a rain cover over my packs. I have one from REI and an older one from Sea to Summit. They're usually rated in Liters and are adjustable to fit a range of sizes.

I'm not sure if there's any objective measure of water resistance vs bags sold as dry bags/waterproof.

My understanding is that all the bag fabrics have some water treatment, but it's definitely resistance not proofing.
As it wears you can look at using Nik Wax or similar to renew.

And what are you foraging? Mushrooms or?

[tbessie]

I always wondered why Tom Bihn never made any (or many) relatively waterproof bags. They wouldn't have to be truly waterproof (like Ortlieb bags/panniers), but at least more water-resistent.

Anyway, I'll check for a rain cover, I guess.

And yes, mushrooms. Since they like wetness, I tend to be bushwhacking my way through wet trees and brush, so things get damp. :-)

- Tim

[Chicagoan]

TBH, I approach this subject from a backpacker's mind - there's not a great way to completely waterproof every exterior surface of a bag.

Pack covers don't protect the shoulder straps, and with enough time and exposure most things will soak out, and one soaked surface will seep onto and into the next.

Most importantly, TB bags have a urethane coating on the back side of the fabric to help keep moisture from entering through the surface of the bag, but all the seams are sewn, and all those little needle holes are where the water gets in - ideally you would need to seal them to make the seams watertight.

Pack covers only do so much.

Try a pack liner. Inside the bag. It's as simple as storing an extra Ziploc freezer bag, turkey roasting bag, trash compactor bag, or whatever you have access to, even if it's as simple and thin as a plastic recyclable store bag - because it will offer more protection than none at all.

If ever you are about to head into or get caught inside really bad weather, dump all the contents into your sealable bags, and even if the bag itself gets soaked, the items inside will stay dry.

[tbessie]

TBH, I approach this subject from a backpacker's mind - there's not a great way to completely waterproof every exterior surface of a bag.

Well, I don't see a urethane coating on the inside of the Synik 30 Guide's Edition that I have, which is why I brought up this topic (mostly). I said so above.

I don't want to use a liner, because one of the points of having this pack is all the pockets and organization inside it, which can't be made waterproof by using a liner, unfortunately. I can certainly put certain items in Ziplocs, but it'd be wonderful to be able to use all the internal organization without fear of anything in it getting wet.

I have an Arcteryx Bora 80, which is supposedly entirely waterproof (as best as can be hoped for anyway) - https://www.rei.com/product/747131/a...x-bora-80-pack

- Tim

[Chicagoan]

Well, I don't see a urethane coating on the inside of the Synik 30 Guide's Edition that I have, which is why I brought up this topic (mostly). I said so above.

I don't want to use a liner, because one of the points of having this pack is all the pockets and organization inside it, which can't be made waterproof by using a liner, unfortunately. I can certainly put certain items in Ziplocs, but it'd be wonderful to be able to use all the internal organization without fear of anything in it getting wet.

I have an Arcteryx Bora 80, which is supposedly entirely waterproof (as best as can be hoped for anyway) - https://www.rei.com/product/747131/a...x-bora-80-pack

- Tim

Unfortunately, fully waterproof bags are a highly specialized and niche product.

Full waterproofing means the fabric, seams, and zippers have to seal shut and prevent water from seeping inside. Lots of bags use coated fabric, some use water resistant zippers, and some even seal or weld the seams, but very few have locking zippers that make the bag submersible (i.e., truly waterproof). Garage Grown Gear used to sell a duffel and fanny pack that were submersible, but I'm not sure if they do anymore.

Most of that stuff is geared toward the paddling community and made to be tossed on a boat - not carried on one's back. All that coating and sealing and specialized hardware gets heavy.

I just picked up an SN22 GE that was from the most recent production batch. Most the compartments are lined, but the outward facing panel on the bottom most "chin" pocket is not backed with a liner and you can see the coating on the backside.

Ironically, the TB label is stitched right through that same panel, and that will undermine its water resistance.

Best advice to enjoy the pack you have is a rain cover on the outside and a liner bag or waterproof bags inside. Use both those things in conjunction and that should get you through most storms you'd face on a regular commuting day.

TBH I've taken a Synapse 19 out for a hike all afternoon in the rain and even though the outside was soaked, everything inside (including an expensive Nikon camera) was dry!

[tbessie]

Unfortunately, fully waterproof bags are a highly specialized and niche product..

Of course; my needs aren't for the thing to be submersible, though, just be able to walk through a driving rain and not have water (or at least not much) enter the bag. Most of the backpacks that are listed as "waterproof" are ones like the Ortlieb ones I mentioned above, that are in the form of a heavily-coasted single compartment with no external pockets or zippers, etc. I know that's to assure waterproofness, but I also know there's a mid-way point where everything can be made as water-resistant as possible, but still have external zippers (waterproof-ish ones) so that you can have something like the "best of both worlds" while sacrificing "absolute waterproofness". Something like that Bora 80 backpack I mention.

I'd like to find a day pack that had construction like the Bora 80, but I haven't been able to find anything like that (tho' I'm sure I'd find SOMETHING if I searched longer; it's just not a common item).

- Tim

[ayazgood]

Tim - Seems like you are describing virtually any daypack made from xpak or the latest and greatest ultra/ecopak, most of which come already seam taped (and/or can easily be seam sealed with brush on seam sealer). So many choices, including the new xpak TB adderall, just to name a few:

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/restock/products/addax-26?variant=42355517128893

https://www.ula-equipment.com/product/ultra-dragonfly/

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/burn-38l/

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/daybreak-ultralight-daypack?variant=40458122952749

https://www.boundarysupply.com/products/rennen-x-pac-daypack

[Chicagoan]

Tim - Seems like you are describing virtually any daypack made from xpak or the latest and greatest ultra/ecopak, most of which come already seam taped (and/or can easily be seam sealed with brush on seam sealer). So many choices, including the new xpak TB adderall, just to name a few:
https://www.tombihn.com/collections/...42355517128893

https://www.ula-equipment.com/product/ultra-dragonfly/

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/burn-38l/

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.co...40458122952749
https://www.boundarysupply.com/produ...-x-pac-daypack

This describes most ultralight hiking backpacks - basically taking a seam-taped (or sealed) dry bag, and adding a couple shoulder straps and stretch mesh pockets on the outside of it (with minimal internal organization).

ayazgood is totally right - these types of bags are made to be taken out into the rain, snow, and every other situation that would make you leave the pedestrian EDC bag at home.

BUT a lot of these bags aren't seam-taped or seam-sealed, and you would need to apply a silicone seam sealed yourself by turning the bag inside-out and coating over all the seams. But, that would get the job done.

Trouble with those bags is they're generally a giant main volume with no organization - literally a dry bag. So you'd need something like a Freudian Slip and some organizer products to make a it a little more convenient to use.

But the dry bag-style design is deliberate, because once the seams are sealed, that is a waterproof bag. Any bag with zippers is going to be problematic, and truly waterproof zippers aren't something I've yet seen on an everyday style backpack. You'll see water-resistant zippers, and garages to cover where the zipper path terminates, but that opening at the very end is only solved by a zipper style that clicks into place to seal the gap. Nite-Ize makes small accessory bags to waterproof items to this degree, but again, those aren't features I've seen on a full-size bag.

[ayazgood]

True, but there are at least some xpac bags with more pocketing, such as the already linked adderall, boundary supply pack and ula dragonfly. A google search on xpac daypack turns up all kinds of options. I forgot to mention any of the Aer xpac daypacks like the City Pack Pro, though those are more city oriented (but if you want zippered pockets, they have them!). Sticking the large brands, I think Topo Designs and Mystery Ranch also have options.

And by the way - an xpac synik 30 is also in production.

[Chicagoan]

True, but there are at least some xpac bags with more pocketing, such as the already linked adderall, boundary supply pack and ula dragonfly. A google search on xpac daypack turns up all kinds of options. I forgot to mention any of the Aer xpac daypacks like the City Pack Pro, though those are more city oriented (but if you want zippered pockets, they have them!). Sticking the large brands, I think Topo Designs and Mystery Ranch also have options.

And by the way - an xpac synik 30 is also in production.

Do any of those companies tape, seal, or weld their seams?

[ayazgood]

Hey, I'm not going to do all Tim's research for him!! I know MLD seam tapes - they mention it in their descriptions. FYI, I own the MLD Burn pack and its shoulder straps are the most comfortable I've ever had. It's too bad I don't really have a need for it anymore, but it works remarkably well as a carryon.

[Chicagoan]

Hey, I'm not going to do all Tim's research for him!! I know MLD seam tapes - they mention it in their descriptions. FYI, I own the MLD Burn pack and its shoulder straps are the most comfortable I've ever had. It's too bad I don't really have a need for it anymore, but it works remarkably well as a carryon.

Ha! Fair enough.

I know Zpacks tapes theirs.

Waymark Gear Co does not.

Nor does Chicken Tramper UL Gear.

Those are the brands of backpacks I have previously owned or currently own (outside of Tom Bihn) and can speak to having used personally.

[cdgerston]

I’m a Seattlite, and my rainy commute to work is a 45 minute walk with a Synik 30…which it only took one or two days to learn is NOT waterproof. Seattle weather tested. But, easy fix: got this cover from REI: https://www.rei.com/product/168209/r...in-cover-small
Works fine for the contents of the bag, though of course your shoulder straps and part of the back panel still get wet.
ETA: I linked to the size SMALL…there is an Extra Small size which is probably a better fit.

[tbessie]

Thanks for all your suggestions, folks! I will look at all the links provided (tho' I suspect that they are mostly single-large-compartment style bags, which isn't what I'm looking for).
In the end, I'm guessing a rain cover will be what I'll have to use.

- Tim