Gear
Rain cover for the rucksack
A light waterproof cover that protects the rucksack from rain — sizes, materials, and why you should also have dry bags inside.
A rain cover is a coloured nylon sack that is pulled over the whole outside of the hiking rucksack and keeps it dry. Most modern rucksacks are not supplied waterproof in themselves (seams let water in), so an external cover is standard on longer trips in wet weather.
Materials
Usually PU-coated or siliconised nylon with PU elastic around the opening. Weight 80–200 g for typical sizes. Price 200–500 kr from the classic manufacturers (Bergans, Helsport, Osprey, Sea to Summit).
A strong colour (orange, red, yellow, green) is standard — it makes you visible from a distance and from the air.
Sizes
Choose according to the rucksack’s litre volume. Most rain covers fit a range:
- 15–30 L — day-trip rucksack
- 30–50 L — weekend trip
- 50–80 L — long trip
- 70–100 L — expedition
Check the manufacturer’s guidance on the rucksack — many hiking rucksacks come with their own integrated rain cover in a bottom pocket. If so, you do not need to buy a new one.
Why it is not enough
A rain cover covers the outside, but:
- Water runs down your back and can get in at the hip belt or the shoulder straps
- Strong wind lifts the cover and lets rain in
- Covers wear out and can develop small holes
The standard supplement: dry bags inside. Pack your sleeping bag, spare clothes and documents in waterproof dry bags (Sea to Summit, Exped, Ortlieb). That is the actual protection — the rain cover is only the first layer.
Packing
Place the cover in an easily accessible pocket on the rucksack. You should be able to put it on as the rain begins, not when the rucksack is already wet.
Maintenance
Dry it after use, let it air. Replace it when the PU coating starts to flake or the fabric develops holes that cannot be taped.
Text: Snuitide (2026).