waterproofing back pack

[Realearner]

Hi all, just brought a mini alice pack from evilbay, cant complain only £20.00 delivered :happy-clapping:and 25 to 30ltr.
Anyway stop rambling, the pack is canvas which I wanted, however what are opinions regarding waterproofing:confused: as the Duluth packs are similar and I don't think they are proofed. The thoughts behind this is that any wet or damp items get chance to dry out in the pack as it can breath?
Or just use water tight bags inside?

[Martin]

I'd go for dry bags inside. You'll never fully 'waterproof' a rucksack so you'll have to put the stuff in dry bags anyway.

Martin

[mr.happy]

You could always wax it. I know a few companies sell it and some jackets come that way from the factory.

[JEEP]

http://www.grangers.co.uk/product.cfm?cat=17&productid=41

I have used this with succes before.

[luresalive]

Waxing a bag will certainly make it shower proof but you'll never fully waterproof it,I own a few Barbour coats and they stand up well in the rain but if its heavy they will eventually get wet inside..dry bags inside are probably the best bet

[garethw]

I doubt there are any truly waterproof packs out there...

As suggested the dry sack route is the way to go, with a small nylon pack cover.

I organise all my clothes, hammock, food etc in separate dry bags. If it is really looking bad I have a large pack liner too.
Finally, as the outer pockets aren't protected and I don't really want an already heavy pack getting soaked in water, I add a waterproof nylon pack cover.

With the issue Alice packs they used to get a couple of waterproof sacks for gear.

Spraying with a waterproofer may stave off a light shower though.

cheers
Gareth

[cuppa joe]

Dry bags ...get some British army bergen liners off flea bay....if you get a large bag for the main compartment on the Alice you will be able to take the bag out and put the rucksack and anything else needed inside it to keep water, bugs n such out.

[Realearner]

Thanks guys, looks like it will be dry bags inside and a cover outside. That should cover most cases :)

[Nako]

3 mil Contractor garbage bags work well inside a pack. Just roll down the top of the bag and everything inside stays dry. Much less expensive than dry bags unless our common language is getting in the way again.

[Martin]

3 mil Contractor garbage bags work well inside a pack. Just roll down the top of the bag and everything inside stays dry. Much less expensive than dry bags unless our common language is getting in the way again.

T^

Martin

[Ben Casey]

Thats what we used to do when I was young as we didnt have dry bags in them days well I dont think we did :) Back in the early 70's :)

[Realearner]

Thanks Nako could have saved me some money there

[Nako]

Thanks Nako could have saved me some money there

Not to salt the wound but garbage bags save weight too.

[Realearner]

Some people are so cruel, and hope it's sea salt :o

[Nako]

Some people are so cruel, and hope it's sea salt :o


For you only the best... Himalayan Pink Salt! :D

It may not be as bad as it first appears. You could line your pack with the contractor bag and use the dry bag (strapped to the outside of your pack) for extra gear.

[GwersyllaCnau]

These days I always use dry bags for EVERYTHING I want to keep dry even if the sack is 'waterproof' and I keep my sleeping bag in my bivi bag. But when I was younger I used a bin bag too.

[Fletching]

I'm a dry bag man, but for the three canvas Dutch haversacks I just bought (a couple for mates), I'm going back to what I did years ago - beeswax and a hairdryer. Results might look 'tatty' after time, but we all secretly like that 'well used' look don't we? And, after all, t'was what Scott and the Victorians used to do, to good effect. :)

[Merman]

I have used Barbour thorn proof dressing on an old-school backpack, and it works pretty well in showers and for putting down on damp muddy ground.

Heat the can up and wipe on with an old rag, then hair dry to even out the wax dressing, and put a double amount on seams stc....

[CanadianMike]

I wonder if something like Thompson's Water Seal (used for decks/concrete, etc. to waterproof) would work on cloth.......... I bought a gallon of it a couple weeks ago to seal the wood arrows I make, which is more than I need, so looking for other uses of it.............

[Nako]

I wonder if something like Thompson's Water Seal (used for decks/concrete, etc. to waterproof) would work on cloth.......... I bought a gallon of it a couple weeks ago to seal the wood arrows I make, which is more than I need, so looking for other uses of it.............

It works on canvas I know, a friend uses it to treat canvas tarps and tents he uses for mountain man reenactments.

[Martin]

Just check if the Thompson's water seal is flammable or not.

Martin

[CanadianMike]

Good to know, thanks. And Martin, am not sure, but because it's a milky colour, am thinking it's waterbased......

Ya, looks like it is waterbased:

http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/how-to-protect-waterproof-wood/faqs/

[Realearner]

Interesting thoughts :)