Keeping gear dry

[W_sommers]

New western hunter here heading on my first archery elk hunt in September and it seems inevitable that I’m going to get rained on at some point. I’ve seen conflicting reviews on whether a pack cover will actually keep your pack/gear dry. If you don’t use a pack cover then what recommendations does everybody have for keeping your gear dry.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I always carry a contractor bag at the bottom of my pack. If it rains I put clothing and other items that must be kept dry in it. The plastic bag also serves double duty as I use it as a "ground tarp" to keep game meat clean as I process an animal.

 

[MuleyFever]

You can use a dry bag.

 

[justinspicher]

I use a pack cover, never really had an issue, but it if is raining hard enough to need a pack cover, I am not moving and I am in a shelter.

I use the pack cover as a way to keep my clothes, bino harness and boots in one organized place at night more often than as a pack cover.

 

[SonnyDay]

I use a pack cover… very lightweight, easy to deploy, and doubles as a ghetto poncho/mini tarp in a pinch. It’s not perfect… but keeps the majority of the pack dry. This is for Colorado. If I were hunting SE AK I’d go with a dry bag…

 

[mad_angler]

I don't know how much rain you will get. In Wyoming last year, it was extremely dry and didn't even dew for the 10 days that we hunted.

But I have hunted Alaska several times. There, it rained every day...

I'd recommend:

• Critical gear like down sleeping bags, puffer, and electronics in a dry bag.
• Everything else in you pack with a contractor garbage bag as a liner
• Use your pack cover to keep your actual backpack a bit drier

 

[LongWayAround]

Depends on your pack.

I have never used my dry bag inside of my exo and never had noticeably wet contents.

Kuiu, the material is lighter and may get wet.

If the dwr coating is new, you're probably safe.

 

[TaperPin]

A simple clear lawn and leaf garbage bag inside the pack is much easier to hunt with than an exterior rain cover oversized enough for the pack in with a fully loaded pack. Friends who have used pack covers have all ditched them for garbage bags. There must be a reason so many covers are sold and every company makes them? Oh I forget, it’s more profitable to market and sell a $100 cover than a $.10 garbage bag.

 

[Velder]

I use a pack liner (contractor trash bag) to keep everything in my pack dry. A white bag is easier to see in the bottom without a light.

 

[Weldor]

Just Hunt AZ, rain is not usually a problem. Just kidding. Garbage bag for sure.

 

[Hussar]

Anything important that I don't want to get soaked goes in a roll top dry bag (mainly clothes and battery pack/phone). Sleeping bag goes in it's own dry compression sack.

I know it's not the most efficient way to pack things, but it keeps me organized so I can pull things out and repack things quickly.

 

[W_sommers]

Dang I didn’t expect to get this much response already. Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like I’ll go ahead and use a heavy duty garbage bag to line my pack and take the cover just in case.

 

[midwestcowboy]

If it ain't rain, it'll be snow.

+1 on keeping a contractor bag at the bottom of your pack. Takes up virtually no space and weighs little to nothing.