Waterproof Backpack

The waterproof backpack, from £22.90 to £191.90

Hiking, daily commutes, work or flying: a waterproof backpack gives your things real protection in a downpour. Product pages don't all say the same thing: waterproof nylon or Oxford for most, water-repellent fabric for a few (it beads light rain, with no promise of waterproofing), and some bags don't mention it. Before buying, read the material line carefully.

Hiking backpacks: from the 20 L foldable to the 90 L

To travel light, foldable backpacks pack into their own pocket: the Vanaheimr 20 L in high-density polyester, weighing 85 g (£22.90 to £42.90), the ultra-light 20 L (£32.90 to £63.90) and the 31 L (£33.90). The 32 L hiking backpack, at £29.90, is for day trips.

For the mountains, trekking and camping, our backpacks range from the 35 L (£79.90 to £151.90) to the 90 L (£59.90), including the 50 L multifunction (£60.90), the 50 L supplied with its cover (£74.90) and the 65 L with hydration system (£69.90). The 40 L (£70.90) is water-repellent, and the 75 L (£89.90) relies on its built-in cover rather than on its fabric. On the tactical side, the 40 L Molle bag in waterproof Oxford costs £59.90. For cycling, the 20 L hydration pack (£48.90) takes the water reservoir and helmet.

To protect a bag you already own, the waterproof backpack cover in polyester, at £9.90, comes for 30 to 40 L and 50 to 70 L.

City, work and laptop

For the office or university, a laptop compartment in water-resistant fabric avoids arriving with a wet PC. The cheapest, with a USB port, takes a 15.6-inch laptop for £29.90. Next come the Oxford model with USB port (£59.90), the nylon business with USB port (£69.90) and the 15-inch PU business (£74.90). For a 17 or 17.3-inch laptop, see the Oxford bags: the 37 L or 45 L with USB port (£99.90 to £109.90), the business with compression and TSA lock (£139.90), and the XXL compression travel backpack (£191.90). The anti-theft business is water-repellent (£69.90).

For everyday use and studies, the 44 and 45 cm travel backpacks cost £34.90 and £39.90, the expandable model £54.90, and the large-capacity anti-theft model £44.90. The 3-in-1 (£89.90) can also be carried by hand or crossbody and keeps shoes separate from the rest.

In the cabin

Five cabin backpacks are in waterproof nylon: the 20 to 35 L in two sizes (£59.90 to £69.90), the 40×25×20 cm for a 14-inch laptop (£59.90), the 40×20×25 cm with shoe compartment (£64.90), and two 40×30×20 cm with shoe compartment (£67.90 and £69.90). The dimensions are on the product page; airline rules change, so check them before you fly.

Nylon, Oxford, polyester or PU: the materials

The nylon dominates the selection: light, it is used on most hiking bags, cabin bags and travel backpacks. The Oxford, a thicker woven canvas, is found on the 17-inch business bags, the tactical Molle bag and the laptop model with USB port. The high-density polyester makes up the Vanaheimr, which fits in a pocket. The 15-inch business is in PU, a coating with a smooth look, dressier for the office.

Whatever the fabric, water gets in first through the zips and seams. For fragile personal items (documents, phone, laptop), store them in an interior compartment, and keep a cover in the bag for prolonged bad weather. The waterproof kayak bag, meanwhile, slips into a large backpack to isolate whatever must never get wet.

Colours and sizes

Black is found on almost all product pages, followed by green, grey and blue; the tactical bags add camouflage, and the Vanaheimr or the 31 L come in bright shades, orange or light blue, more visible in the mountains. As for size, the product page gives the capacity in litres for hiking bags, the screen size in inches for laptop bags, and the dimensions in centimetres for cabin bags.

Which waterproof backpack should you choose?

• For day hikes: a 20 to 32 L, foldable or not, from £22.90.
• For trekking or camping: a 50 to 90 L, or a model with a cover.
• For cycling: the 20 L hydration pack.
• For work: a laptop compartment and a product page that says waterproof, not just water-repellent.
• For flying: a cabin bag whose product page gives the dimensions.

Frequently asked questions about the waterproof backpack

Waterproof, watertight or water-repellent?

A water-repellent fabric beads light rain. A waterproof fabric resists water, but zips and seams remain points of entry. A watertight bag is designed to keep its contents dry even in contact with water: that is the aim of the 6, 12 or 24 L dry bag (£9.90 to £11.90), designed for kayaking.

Where can I find a waterproof women's backpack?

The models on this page are unisex; a selection designed for her is gathered on our waterproof women's backpack page, linked below.

What is the best backpack for your back?

The one whose capacity matches the outing, worn on both straps adjusted so the bag stays close to your back, with the heaviest items at the bottom and against your back. A 90 L filled for a day weighs more than it helps. If the sky looks threatening, a cover complements the fabric well: some of our hiking bags already have one, and the separately sold cover fits yours.

To complete your kit

For a specific use, see the Laptop backpack, Travel backpack and Hiking bag. Depending on the wearer, see the Men's waterproof backpack, women's waterproof backpack and all our men's backpack. For flying, our cabin backpack for flights; for a picnic, the cooler backpack; to go out with baby, the waterproof changing bag backpack.