pack cover vs. dry sacs

No, you are not alone – I have seen quite a lot of pack covers fly off in strong winds. Dry bags inside make a lot more sense, especially when you also have to carry something wet inside the pack.

Covers or liners — I think much depends on the backpacks in question — and also to plain ol' user preference.

My Mountainsmith Ghost is pretty water resistant — and thus, I never use a pack cover with it. For more serious rainproofing, I line my pack with a contractor's bag — which is a large 2-mil plastic bag. With the liner's opening twisted closed, my pack contents have remained completely dry in hours of rain — as well as one good dunking due to a canoe mishap.

I use drysacks or pack liners for the stuff I have to keep absolutely dry. I also use a pack cover, because my pack has several large mesh pockets that are generally filled with stuff that I'd like to keep somewhat dry. So put me down for belt AND suspenders….

Just wanted to remind everyone of the third option.

If you prefer an external frame pack, and carry the LuxuryLite you won't need either. Though I do carry my down in very waterproof stuff sacks.

You might want to check out this article about methods for keeping critical gear dry. Pretty much covers it all…

Come to think of it, I don't use a pack cover anymore either. Individual stuff sacks allow me to group my items by function, while providing sufficient water resistance. I choose the type of sack depending on the consequences of getting the contents wet; down items get the Sealine Stormsack.

Excellent article Jim!