Rain Cover/Fly or Not?

[JPD350]

My answer was yes but it is also no, I have an unable to replace very light GoLite pancho / tarp which also works extremely well for a pack cover and it has quite a few other uses as well so it is in my pack all the time.

 

[dirtytough]

I used one while guiding in AK. Now I never do. I doubt I would again up there either.

 

[Ranger619]

I usually do. It is handy to sit on in wet grass for glassing.

 

[lcpaul22]

I always take a rain cover out in my pack. Mountain weather changes in the blink of an eye and having wet gear makes for a lousy trip

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[Cahunter805]

I have a rain cover and have packed it along when the weather is supposed to be bad but only had to use it once so far. That could be because CA A zone is 100+ degrees usually though.

 

[Yote1]

Good information. Thanks.

 

[macabra11]

Question... for those with rain flys, will they work with pack overload shelves extended and full of meat? Or do they really only work for when the pack is not utilizing the expandable overload shelf?

 

[D wine]

Hey Roksliders, as always, we appreciate any feedback you can give us as we develop and improve our products, so we have a question for you:

Is a Rain Cover/Fly an essential part of your pack system?

Please take the single question survey shown above (full-site mode only, Tapa-talk doesn't support polls) and feel free to comment on the thread with your thoughts.

View attachment 165328

Good poll question. I’ve debated this for some time, but currently do not run a rain cover.

 

[OXN939]

I'd imagine if you limited this same poll to respondents that hunt in Alaska, it'd be even more one-sided. Almost every hunt I've been on up there has involved rain that would soak anything not specifically waterproofed, not only increasing the weight of what you're carrying by 1/3-1/2 but also creating a safety issue.

 

[Team Initial Ascent]

Question... for those with rain flys, will they work with pack overload shelves extended and full of meat? Or do they really only work for when the pack is not utilizing the expandable overload shelf?

Great question! Most are designed to be used in the standard mode otherwise they would end up much too large. Others might want to comment on other experiences with pack covers.

 

[blind-squirrel]

Just piling on, but I agree that its worth the weight to be able to keep everything dry. My current pack soaks up water so it gets a lot heavier when wet.

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[MuleyFever]

Almost always have it. Have never used it.

 

[Bowhnter]

Backcountry hunting in Alaska, I don't leave home without one. Light weight tents don't always provide a lot of vestibule space so having a pack cover to leave pack outside in whatever elements get thrown at me is essential. I know a lot of guys who don't use them and to each their own, but for me I enjoy not having a saturated pack to hike with.

 

[Bearsears]

I always had one and used it quite a bit until xpac bags came along. I've never used one since and it's so much nicer. No dry bags no covers and no wet items. Xpac is a total game changer in my opinion.

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[Elkangle]

No cover

Dcf dry bags....x pac main bags

 

[tdot]

BC rainforest = rain cover, no question

 

[16Bore]

Blaze orange fly weight cover is a multi-tool. Weighs nothing and the size of an apple. No big whoop. I’m sure some flatbrim will cry about the weight.

 

[300wmxcr2]

Both my packs have rain covers, weight is nothing don't always need it but always have it. Blaze Orange for my deer/ moose pack and camo for the sheep pack. Wet gear at the end of the day when trying to make camp and eat really sucks.

 

[Poser]

I have one, but seldom carry it in SW CO. I do keep relevant gear in dry bags inside my pack, but, after September, its snow at the elevations I hunt. Even in late September, it’s often hail or freezing rain. Now, a multi day trip during monsoon season, I’d take it with me.

 

[stubbleducker]

Always have it. Seldom use, but there when I need it and can serve as dry spot to sit or a clean mini-tarp to put stuff on with not much weight penalty