Rainy Weather Backpacks

[JJJetel]

I guess I'm the king of conversations that are beat to death.

However, I couldn't find sufficient information in the older threads.
I'm going to Ireland with another photog in early April.

IE - It's going to be ridiculously rainy and I need better gear to travel with.
I'm going to end up buying some sort of nylon rain cover for the backpacks.

What I'm really looking for are suggestions for backpacks to suit both photog's needs.

I'm going to be bringing a Toyo 45A, 10-20 Holders (plastic), Harrison Changing Tent, 150mm Schneider, 305mm Caltar.

The other guy is bringing the much more valuable and weather susceptible Canon 1ds Mark iii, Canon 5d Mark ii, 14mm, 24ts, 16-35, 24-70, 50 1.2, 85 1.2, 180 Macro, 70-200.
So we're both in the market for some good gear. If anyone has any backpack or other suggestions, that would really really really help out.

Thanks, JJ

[kev curry]

You could buy a back pack rain cover....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trekmates-Backpack-Rain-Cover-Small/dp/B00206296U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=spo

[JJJetel]

Thanks Kev!

Those look like great options for rain covers.

[Brian Ellis]

Yeah, you're going to get rained on in Ireland. And rained on. And rained on. But what a great country - wonderful people, incredible photography. On my photography trip there I remember a day when it had rained all day long. Finally near the end of the day our guide said "our next stop is going to be an old church." I thought "wonderful, we'll be indoors and I can dry off." Unfortunately he was talking about this church:

[Robert Belcher]

Try Photo Backpacker at www.photobackpacker.com.

[jeroldharter]

The Kelty backpacks adapted by Photobackpacker have one of those rain covers built in. I have 3 of those packs and they are excellent. If you are not walking much, a Pelican case with built in wheels is the most rain proof. Someone recently listed a link to an NRS backpacking frame that allows attachment of various Pelican cases.

One thing to think about when raining is what to lay the backpack on when the ground is wet or muddy so that the pack does not lie in the slop. I like to use space blankets that I cut to the appropriate size. They are pretty water proof, lightweight, cheap, and fold up into nothing. It is a bit of a trick to fold/wad them up so that you don't get the dry side mucked up, but I fold it up and stuff it in an external side pocket on the pack. Easy to reach when I stop and set the gear down. Works well is snow too and can be large enough to kneel or sit on also.

http://www.amazon.com/SILVER-RESCUE-SPACE-BLANKET-EACH/dp/B0006GWSSK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1269309653&sr=8-3

[jeroldharter]

This is the NRS frame:

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2933&deptid=1989

[Eric James]

I like Integral Designs products - they make very light Silcoat pack covers. A number of companies also make pack liners, such as Sea to Summit. My wet-weather pack for photography in an Arcteryx Bora 55 with a Sea to Summit liner. All of my photo gear goes in the liner and can be quickly removed from the pack as a unit. If it's too wet to work you can toss it in the tent. If weather threatens but the light is nice I keep sorted beneath a 6X8ft blue tarp.

[Rakesh Malik]

I have a custom McHale pack made from Dyneema, which really only leaks water at the zippers. I also have a rain cover from http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/n/g4301.html Kinesis Gear that fits over my backpack. This keeps everything dry, weighs very little, doesn't cost much, and can double as a mini-tarp to lay the pack on when you set it down -- although using an emergency blanket as a tarp is a bit easier, since they're bigger.

[jeroldharter]

I like Integral Designs products - they make very light Silcoat pack covers...

Sil-nylon which is silicon impregnated nylon is very strong and the most waterproof. It is the best lightweight material for tarps, etc. It is expensive but not really for something small like a backpack cover. If you get one of those, seal any seams with McNett Sil-Net seam sealer.

[drew.saunders]

I have an Photobackpacker/Kelty P2 with the integrated rain cover, and on my last trip to Point Lobos, I almost finished before the rain started. The cover worked like a charm.

[JJJetel]

Well I just typed the whole response and was logged out as a reward for time spent. Everyone was individually referenced, so here is a less considered response. Sorry.

Brian - Hilarious. It looks as though the photo was worth getting rained on, and rained on, and rained. Truly an ephemeral moment.

I contacted Bruce at Photobackpacker. His customer service was exactly what I was looking for. Just like a shoe salesman but with far more interesting products. It was great to speak to someone who knows his product so intimately. This is a very strong front runner right now. I just have to reconcile the idea of spending this much on a backpack. Any trepidation I'm feeling is in regards to buying custom fit cases for cameras and lenses that I may not always use. It doesn't make complete sense as an investment.

Perhaps there is a cheaper alternative to his cases?

The space blankets are a fantastic idea.

Integral designs, Kinesis Gear, and NRS all have great options that will become strong contenders if I decide against Photobackpacker as it has the built in cover.

Really folks, thank you all so very much.

-JJ

[domaz]

I heard that ArcTeryx used to make a truly waterproof backpack but no longer (it was too expensive anyways). Rain covers are ok but that makes one more annoying step to get into your bag. Cheapest option is to line the inside with a contactors clear garbage bag. It works beautifully.

[J.Medlock]

I heard that ArcTeryx used to make a truly waterproof backpack but no longer (it was too expensive anyways). Rain covers are ok but that makes one more annoying step to get into your bag. Cheapest option is to line the inside with a contactors clear garbage bag. It works beautifully.


Maybe you're referring to this product: http://www.rei.com/product/780142

It is $499 at REI.

Regards

[cdholden]

Sil-nylon which is silicon impregnated nylon is very strong and the most waterproof. It is the best lightweight material for tarps, etc. It is expensive but not really for something small like a backpack cover. If you get one of those, seal any seams with McNett Sil-Net seam sealer.

McNett makes a good product, but it comes in a tube, which does not lend itself to clean application. An old thru-hiker gave me a better tip:
Take a glass jar and mix mineral spirits with clear silicone (sealant, not lubricant) at about 3:1 ratio, and stir til the chunks are dissolved. Apply with a brush. It's much easier to apply, looks better, and can be applied in multiple coats if desired.
Make sure to stuff your pack with newspaper, pillows in a garbage bag, or other so that the pack seams are not folded over on itself before applying. Silnylon tents/tarps should be setup, with lines taut before application.
True silnylon is nylon impregnated with silicone, so only the seams need to be sealed.
This will only keep out the rain from coming in. It does not stop condensation, which is something else you should consider. Love those liner bags!