How to keep your pack dry

QWhat is the best option for waterproofing my rucksack – using a rucksack cover, placing a waterproof liner inside the pack, having a waterproof rucksack, or a combination of these? Simo■ Pate●, via Facebook

GT says This is a tough one, as it will depend on what sort of walking you do. Firstly, very few rucksacks are entirely waterproof, and these can be pricy, often lack features and have roll-lock lids, which can be awkward to use. Also, if the material is punctured then you’ll need a liner or cover anyway. That said, waterproof rucksacks are ideal for ghyll scrambling.

Waterproof rucksack liners are the most common means of keeping gear dry in a rucksack. They are lightweight and, if they split, cheap to replace. The drawback is that the rucksack’s outside pockets and fabric may soak up water, potentially resulting in it collecting inside the pack.

Lots of rucksacks come with an external raincover, or you can buy them separately. They can be good in calm weather as they keep the outer material of the rucksack dry, as well as the contents. However, they can easily be torn on rocks when scrambling and can act like a big sail in high winds, while some just flap annoyingly if they don’t fit well. So, external raincovers are ideal for valley walks or non-windy moorland walks. Overall, combining these options is probably overkill and in most instances using an internal rucksack liner will suffice, but in specific conditions it can be worthwhile adding the extra security of an external pack cover.