Keeping things dry
 

I commute with a backpack on my rear rack. Every time it rains pretty hard, the contents get wet inside of my bag. Usually it just the ends of the books and not all the way through, but it's still not fun having wet things. What do you guys do to keep your things dry in the rain? Are there any hi-viz waterproof covers out there that you prefer to use?

My Camelbak backpacks came with yellow rain covers. But for a commute I use waterproof Axiom panniers, no messing with covers.

I just bag everything in the backpack in big ziplock storage bags.

I use trashbags as liners for my (non-waterproof :( ) panniers. Otherwise, I have a Chrome Ivan rolltop backpack that is completely waterproof. (I've carried it through some very heavy rains and it stayed bone dry inside :) )

^^^^

The traditional way is to put the contents in one or more plastic bags. You can always carry a scrunched up Target bag or two around. If it's an option for you to spend some money there are weatherproof backpacks, mess bags, and panniers around.

I've got both a weatherproof mess bag and a weatherproof backpack. It makes life easier and they're great for camping too.

When I used to do the backpack thing, I place my stuff in a duffle bag I had for storing sleeping bag. It had a draw string that I can zip up and place all my stuff in it as a liner before putting that I into the backpack. To further enhance to water resistant of the duffle bag, I sprayed it with some waterproof spray.

I use a Carradice Barley seatbag and the contents have never gotten wet. I don't ride in a lot of rain if I can help it, but I've been caught in showers many times.

Man, I want a Carradice. But I'm trying to be frugal. Do you use the bagman support? Would the bag rest on a rear rack?

One great suggestion that I've heard is to use a disposable liner for a kitchen trash compactor, they're smaller than a garbage bag, but much tougher. I haven't had to try it yet, I have a set of the Axiom drybag panniers...

I used to put everything in plastic shopping bags.

Then I bought one of these: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302885490

It is more convenient than the plastic shopping bags, and keeps the bag dry as well as the contents - but either way works well.

I'll bet the waterproof cover that Arkel sells for their panniers would work on your backpack as well.

Yellow, high visibility, works great. Takes about 2 seconds to cover something or take it off. Costs about $15. Check the Arkel website.

(I use the Arkel waterproof cover on my Arkel panniers -- but there is nothing that says you can't use it for other similarly shaped items).

You can get drybags with rolltop closures. The genuine canoe bags are made like high zoot Ortleib panniers and are quite expensive but the nylon ones work OK. I used a couple for an 8 week tour.
Ive seen the same product in fancy branded packaging in high street camping stores and unbranded in mil-surplus type stores for 1/2 the price.

http://seattlesportsco.com/index.html, another dry bag maker. in US.
smaller:and a backpack
http://www.seattlesportsco.com/produ...&idcategory=12

I like to use waterproof sacks. They are much cheaper than waterproof backpacks/messenger bags/panniers. Many manufacturers make them. You will typically see them in a camping related department. Here is an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Produc.../dp/B001AZNATC

Despite that my DIY pannier is made out of a waterproof bag, I do carry a folded plastic bag that I can use for emergencies.

My panniers are water-resistant, but I put my clean clothes and laptop in a kitchen trash bag inside the pannier. My wallet and cell phone go in a ziplock bag.

If I were touring I would use something more durable, but when the trash bag starts getting torn up, I just use a new one. Works fine for commuting, and it's cheap.

I cover my backpack with a garbage bag if its raining and I strap it to my rack. You can also get rainproof covers for most backpacks.

Been using these a little over a year now.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/7

I love them. They are light, cheap, and completely waterproof.

I've used: plastic bags, waterproof pannier covers, waterproof bags. The easiest is the waterproof bag.

I used a Carradice Nelson Longflap for a couple of years, and it did very well for me. However, I changed jobs and needed more space. I put my rear rack back on and went with the Carradice Super C panniers, which are made of the same material as the Nelson. I've also used a Junior as a handlebar bag.

In 4 years of year around 1+ day per week commuting, I have ridden in all kinds of weather with temps ranging from the low 20s up to 100. I have never had one drop of water or even dampness inside any of my Carradice bags. I live in the Seattle area, so my bags have seen a lot of rain.

Another vote for Arkel; they make a great product. You can find both rain covers and dry bags on their accessories page: http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categ...cessories.html

I use these. I keep one one or two rolled up in the camelback in case I need to protect the camera or other gear. Right around $12.- @ your local W-mart for a pack of 3 bags ( sm., md., lg.). After about 3 years of use and being caught in some killer downpours, everything has stayed dry. It is sort of a sil-tarp type of material, very light, yet water proof.

I use Ortlieb classic roller panniers; they're completely waterproof.

you might get lucky by spraying down your backpack with silicone spray, which will repel water...
but then your bag will be saturated with silicone spray...

I use this cheap technique on a lot of canvas items.

Just got one of these for my new backpack:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=NP06852

Can't say how well it works except that it attaches pretty securely - has two elastic straps that lash it tightly to the pack.

How do you attach a backpack to a rear rack? Anyone got pictures of this setup?

Ride safe,

Jeff

I am happy to sing the praises of the Ortlieb waterproof messenger backpack. The roll-top style, dark interior, and depth of the bag are annoying, but I got it to maximize the one attribute that was most important to me, namely, waterproofness, and it performs perfectly in that area.

garbage bag

I use a trash bag as a liner =)

Another vote for plastic garbage bags.