Pack Cover
Overview
A pack cover is a fitted, waterproof or water-resistant protective layer placed over a backpack to help shield it from rain, snow, and moisture.
Key points
- Often made from lightweight coated nylon or similar materials.
- Provides limited protection against prolonged rain, as water can still enter through straps or seams.
- Useful for keeping external pockets and gear drier.
- Commonly used in conjunction with a pack liner for redundancy.
Details
Pack covers help reduce water absorption into backpack fabric and gear during wet conditions. While they offer surface protection, they are not fully waterproof due to openings required for shoulder straps and hip belts. Many hikers choose to pair pack covers with internal liners for full moisture protection. Some ultralight hikers skip pack covers entirely in favor of waterproof liners or bags.
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Illustrative hiking footage
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