10 Best Backpack Rain Covers in 2023 - Buyer's Guide - Backpack Beasts (2024)

(Last Updated On: February 2, 2023)

A rain cover for a backpack has many functions. It prevents rain to leak through the material and get your gear soaked. It will also shield your bag from being ripped while hiking through thick vegetation. Rain covers will even shield the gear that is kept outside your bag from becoming soaked. If you store a tent, food, stove, or clothes in your pack’s outer pockets because you want, or because inside your backpack you don’t have enough space, a rain cover will keep them dry and shield them from injury.

A sudden rainfall will flood your bag and everything in it, as you walk through the forests or up a mountain path. That means sucking up and potentially losing your gadgets, snacks, and spare clothes. One solution is to bring a waterproof backpack or dry bag but some of these bags don’t necessarily provide all the features you want in a backpack (e.g. size, capacity, function, etc.). The modern solution is putting one of the best backpack rain covers to protect your gear from unpredictable weather adjustments. These rain covers are durable, lightweight, and compact enough to fold that while not in usage so they won’t take up too much room.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 10 hrs of research

Best Backpack Rain Covers – Overview

While most backpacks are made of water-resistant material, it is always important to have a rain cover for your backpack. If you’re backpacking for a long trip or thru-hiking, having the best rain cover for your backpack lets you keep your equipment secure and dry even in the toughest climatic weather. In addition, a rain cover, particularly the bright ones, will help ambulance and rescue personnel find you more easily in the event of an emergency. But how do you know the rain cover is the right one for your needs? In this guide, we will show you through how to pick the best backpack rain cover and show you our collection of the best models of the year.

Backpack Rain Covers Reviews

1. Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover – Best Value

The material of Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover is very complex, it’s compressed by 3 kinds of fabrics. Each of their function is different, the outer fabric is waterproof and inner fabric is to enhance the structure of the cover. Even the backpack cover consists of 3 kinds of fabrics, but the thickness is ultrathin.

Light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain is 1000, 2000, 3000mm. The waterproof coefficient of this backpack cover is 5000mm. 5000mm is the highest waterproof grade, Ideal for any rainy activities. The external fabric is rip-resistant that protecting backpack from scratch, dirt, sand, and internal is double waterproof coated layers that keeping off the water, rain, fog, and snow. Each cover comes with a velvet pouch to carry with.

Key Features:

• Made of 300D Nylon
• Rip-resistant
• Double waterproof coated layers
• Comes with a velvet pouch

Specifications:

• Brand: Joy Walker
• Capacity: 15-90L
• Weight: 0.17 lbs

2. Osprey Hi-Visibility Rain Cover

That rainstorm you’ve been dodging all day has caught up. You’ll need to quickly ensure your pack and gear are completely protected. Osprey has been continually developing a range of rain covers and has designed a range of ultralight ‘High-Vis’ rain covers perfect for defending against downpours.

The Osprey Hi-Visibility Rain Cover features a full wrap-around cinch attachment, secure hipbelt, and harness attachments to keep your pack totally covered. Each ultralight ‘Hig-Vis’ rain cover packs down to roughly the size of a tennis ball and comes with its own pouch for easy storage. The reflective graphics, high visibility material, and blinker light attachment mean that even in the worst conditions you’ll always be seen.

Key Features:

• Cinch attachment
• Reflective graphics are for your protection
• Blinker light attachment
• Rain cover folds up into its own case

Specifications:

• Brand: Osprey
• Capacity: 10-35L
• Weight: 1.13 lbs

3. Kelty Rain Cover

When backpacking, it’s important to keep your gear nice and dry–no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. While your pack will shed light rain on its own, when the weather turns really foul, you need a Rain Cover. The Kelty Rain Cover will protect your pack and the gear inside when unexpected weather hits.

Using a combination of treated 600D Polyester Ripstop and 600D Polyester Oxford with 610D Polyester Cordura in the areas that need reinforcement, the Kelty Pack Cover will keep your gear dry. Also stays on your pack when the wind kicks up using an internal adjustable pull cord that secures the cover to your pack. Please note that when ordering the Medium Pack Cover, packaging may state the item is a Regular or a Medium.

Key Features:

• Lightweight and easily stowable waterproof rain cover
• Durable, waterproof construction
• One interior slip pocket
• 100% Nylon

Specifications:

• Brand: Kelty
• Capacity: 49-98L
• Weight: 0.31 lbs

4. Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover – Premium Pick

The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover cover forever ends the debate about whether you can afford the extra weight of a pack cover. The medium size weighs less than 4 ounces and packs into a tiny stuff sack. Made of 30D Diamond Ripstop silicone impregnated Cordura, so its waterproof finish can’t peel or wear off over time. Siliconized Cordura is about one third the weight of traditional coated nylon.

This pack cover uses a no seam construction for complete waterproofness. Comes packaged in its own mini siliconized nylon stuff sack that remains attached to the cover so it can’t get lost. It also comes in XS, S, M, L sizes to fit a wide range of packs.

Key Features:

• No seam construction
• Siliconized 30D Ultra-Sil Nylon is durable & waterproof
• Keeper strap (sizes S-L) pulls the pack cover tight across the pack harness
• Packaged in its own, mini siliconized Nylon stuff sack

Specifications:

• Brand: Sea to Summit
• Capacity: 15-95L
• Weight: 0.31 lbs

5. Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover

The Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover covers your backpack from rain. The Ultralight Raincover comes in three sizes, spanning packs from 30L to 110L. The 40D nylon ripstop covers your possessions while you stroll or travel back to the trailhead easily to your next camp.

The strap attachment and the cinch belt tie around your pack all the way, keeping it from flying off in strong winds. When the storm lets and the sun starts to rise, until the next time Mother Nature unleashes her tears, tuck the rain cover into the provided carrying bag.

Key Features:

• Cinch attachment keeps the rain cover secure and in place
• Rain cover folds up into its own case
• Made from durable 40D Ripstop Nylon
• Lightweight

Specifications:

• Brand: Osprey
• Capacity: 30-110L
• Weight: 0.3 lbs

6. Gryps Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

The Gryps Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover is made with heavy-duty silver coating-lined 190T polyester fabric that is waterproof, UV-resistant, and tear-resistant, it can protect your pack from the elements of forces, such as rain, wind, sand storms, and sun, etc. This backpack cover is quick to put on and take off. Also, each backpack cover comes with a carrying pouch with carabiner, when folded in its carrying pouch, the rain cover is compact, lightweight and does not take much space.

There are buckle straps and elastic rim to keep backpack cover secure on the pack. The convenient buckle straps at the top can help tighten and prevent the backpack cover from slipping off while the elastic attaches firmly on your backpack, never worry about your backpack cover blowing away in strong winds or being pushed off by shoulder straps.

Key Features:

• Made with heavy-duty silver coating-lined 190T polyester fabric
• Elastic rim to keep backpack cover secure
• Comes with a carrying pouch with carabiner
• Buckle straps at the top

Specifications:

• Brand: Gryps
• Capacity: 15-80L
• Weight: 0.1 lbs

7. OUTJOY Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

OUTJOY Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover is ultra-lightweight but owns a powerful waterproof performance to protect your backpack against 1000 mm light rain, 2000 mm moderate rain, 5000 mm heavy rain, featuring as perfect water resistance and long-lasting durability. The reinforced elastic rim is high quality with great built and delicate stitching handcraft that makes it long-lasting durability.

With an ergonomic structure, it is convenient and quick to use and pack. It includes a waterproof reusable pouch carrying bag to store the pack cover, with a carabiner clip to attach onto the backpack that does not take your much space. With such adjustable and flexible elastic rim, it can wrap around your backpack and fasten&secure your backpack with full protection.

Key Features:

• Water resistance
• Includes a waterproof reusable pouch
• With a carabiner clip to attach onto the backpack
• Ultra-lightweight

Specifications:

• Brand: Outjoy
• Capacity: 26-55L
• Weight: 0.1 lbs

8. Jepeak Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

Jepeak Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover protects your backpack and belongings from rain, water, snow, dirt, sand, bugs, and scratches. This rain cover is made from lightweight nylon fabric that offers superior durability. With PU coating for better water resist (>3000mm) protect your electronic gadgets, books, and other stuff that can be damaged by water, even in downpours can also protect your backpack.

The quality waterproof material will give you years of use for different outdoor activities, such as camping, mountaineering, desert hiking, cycling, fishing, and more. Made of a full piece of 300D nylon fabric. With PU ultrathin coating, features 3000mm rain protection. There is an elastic material around the edge of the cover for you to be able to adjust the size according to different backpacks.

Key Features:

• 300D nylon fabric
• Lightweight material
• Elastic material around the edge of the cover
• PU coating on the surface

Specifications:

• Brand: Jepeak
• Capacity: 25-45L
• Weight: 0.3 lbs

9. Deuter Rain Cover III Waterproof Rain Cover for Backpacks

The Deuter Rain Cover III Waterproof Rain Cover for Backpacks ensures the contents of your backpack are still dry after a day out in bad weather. It provides excellent rain protection thanks to its polyurethane coating and taped seams. The luminous colors are for additional safety on roads or trails, or in an emergency.

Brightly colored Taffeta-Nylon is ideal for low-visibility conditions. Reflective elements for added safety in low light conditions. The rain covers rectangular shape is designed to fit trekking packs with a 45 to 90-liter volume. Taffeta-Nylon has a fine weave of 190 den threads that makes it lightweight and ultra-packable.

Key Features:

• PU coating and taped seams
• Brightly colored Taffeta-Nylon
• Snug stay-put coverage
• Reflective elements for added safety

Specifications:

• Brand: Deuter
• Capacity: 45-90L
• Weight: 0.28 lbs

10. Mountainsmith Rain Cover Large Backpack Cover

Mountainsmith Rain Cover Large Backpack Cover is made of durable and weatherproof 70D ripstop nylon, the Mountainsmith Rain Cover offers protection against the elements for backpacks of varying shapes and sizes. A built-in drawcord allows you to cinch the cover tightly over and around your pack.

When not in use, the Rain Cover can be stowed neatly in its integrated, compact stuff pouch and stashed inside your backpack. The Mountainsmith Rain Cover also features angled cord attachment point, hook and loop closure, integrated stuff sack, and taped seams. With the Mountainsmith Rain Cover, your pack will stay dry, even while you’re getting soaked.

Key Features:

• Hook and loop closure
• Integrated stuff sack
• Angled cord attachment point
• Full circumference draw cord

Specifications:

• Brand: Mountainsmith
• Capacity: 40-100L
• Weight: 0.25 lbs

Buying Guide

Waterproof or Water Repellent

There are two kinds of rain cover – waterproof and water repellent. Waterproof ensures that the rain glides off the ground and doesn’t soak in the lining. Water repellent coating just defends against light rain so in a downpour it won’t be able to keep up. If you’re going to do light hiking during really dry seasons, you may be cool with water-repellent rain covers on the backpack. To secure your clothes, waterproof rain covers are suggested in extreme weather for longer backpacking trips. When you return to camp, the last thing you want is all your clothing and your gadgets dripping wet.

Materials

Nylon and polyesterare 2 of themost commonly found materials inrain cover for backpacks. Both are lightweight, and with their own advantages and disadvantages. Nylon is popular because it is strong and stretches when appropriate. It is resistant to water, abrasions, mildew, and stains. It’s also easy to clean if it gets dusty, which is most possibly, throughout your journeys. The downside of nylon is that it is not recyclable and once subjected to heat it is vulnerable to fading. We still prefer it to the other. Polyester is robust as well, but it doesn’t stretch as quickly. But it normally can’t compress as much, so it’ll suit your pack regardless of how much it gets wet. Even this material dries easily and is resistant to water, mold, and mildew.

Size

The size of your backpack rain cover depends entirely on where you want to put it. For example, if you have multiple backpack sizes for various needs, maybe it’s smarter to consider investing in more than a single rain cover. Typically a much larger rain cover is the better option. By selecting those, anytime you wish to attach an item outside the bag, you’ll have extra room for emergencies. Will you go camping, and bring a large sleeping bag or camping mat? If indeed, then consider opting for a rain cover of larger size.

Adjustable Drawstring

An adjustable drawstring is an integral function of a rain cover on the backpack. It’s useful to make you fit properly into the backpack. There is no space, with it, for openings to enable water to enter. Since you need your cover to match correctly, we suggest that you settle for a rain cover featuring an adjustable drawstring.

Color

If you get lost in the mountains, once the sun goes down, people searching for you won’t see a black backpack cover. But even in the fading sun, vivid neon orange or yellow one can help them find you. Many brands now have reflective logos on the back of a backpack rain covers. This can also help those around you find your location, as the reflective material captures the illumination of a flashlight or even the overhead moonlight.

Frequently Ask Questions

Why should I use a backpack rain cover?

While many backpacks are made of water-resistant, they are not waterproof at 100%. A rain cover will provide you with the additional security required to keep your gear protected from rain, reducing the possibility of soggy clothes and fried gadgets. If you use your backpack for camping, hiking, and so on, then there is an even greater need to secure your backpack with a rain cover. It’s not only that you might have the same kind of important things inside it (like a phone), but even everything you need in the next few days to survive. Imagine heading to your target, but all the clothes on you and those in your backpack and sleeping bag are soaked!

Should I buy the exact same sized rain cover as a backpack?

The minimum prerequisite is to purchase a rain cover which is the same size as your bag. However, choosing a rain cover that in one size bigger is the perfect way to cover something extra you’ve got sticking out of your bag.

How do I take care of my backpack cover?

What you need to do most is defend your cover from dirt. When you travel down a muddy road, you will accumulate dirt or dust, or as you set your backpack down while you rest. When you’re on the lookout for the best rain cover for your backpack, make sure you choose one built from a material that doesn’t quickly accumulate dirt. Luckily certain coverings are labeled as dustproof. This one repels dirt and dust so after any trek or climb you won’t need to wash them.

How easy is it to store your backpack rain cover?

Related to this is the amount of room the cover will consume while not in use. Main concerns for us is how it folds up, and where to put it. Some covers have scored better for getting a carrying bag attached and those that remain compact are still popular. It is often worth noting about how quick it is to pack and unpack the cover; you would normally have to adapt to rapid weather changes.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best backpack rain covers as well as our guide on features to look for in a backpack rain cover. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.