Why You Should Use Backpack Rain Cover

1. The lid with its pockets and everything inside will remain unprotected without a rain cover. Packs have various combinations of pockets in the lid (hood), and here you put valuables, maps, books. Yes, I know, you can put all this stuff in separate plastic bags. In fact, this is what I normally do, at least with mu wallet and passport (if I have it with me), although I always have a rain cover, all my packs have it. The reason for such an extra protection is that the lid is most exposed to the rain, so I add extra protection here.
2. You have side pockets, no problem if you use it for water bottles only. But you can store other gear in these pockets, and keep them fixed with side compression straps. Some of them you do not want to become wet.
3. You may have side zippered pockets. My Deuter packs have such bellows pockets, I love them and have separate items in separate pockets, so I always know where I keep my things. Many things stored here mustn’t become wet. These pockets may have some 10 liters of volume, so imagine, you have a lot of stuff here.
4. There are pockets on the front of the pack, different organization in different packs, see the Kelty Redwing 50 pack in the picture below. Some of these pockets are flat, suitable for maps only, so indeed, they must be protected.
5. A bottom compartment in many packs is a separate unit, sometimes without a removable divider. Here I normally keep stuff like gloves, hat, climbing harness, gaiters, or only a sleeping bag, so I would have to line it up with plastic bags separately.
6. Some packs have a specific design with extra storage space outside the main compartment. A great example of this kind are Gregory Cairns packs with their unique 3 storage systems, they are proud of this design, see the picture below. There is a lot of stuff outside the main compartment. So you need a rain cover for all this.

To summarize, in my mountaineering area, which is in the Alps most of the time, a rain cover has no alternative. Those who have visited this area know this well, and you will see rain covers used all the time. Many other areas in the world are similar and I shall never understand those who claim it is pointless carrying it and it is better using a plastic bag.

I have spent a year on Tenerife and have been climbing and hiking on the island a lot, so at very high volcanic areas the cover is rarely needed. But I have also walked for hours in rain in other parts of the island, in particular in the rain forests in the Anaga mountains, so the cover served its role nicely. It is always in its own pocket on the bottom of my pack, and I do not plan to remove it. But you will do it your way of course, it is up to you.

Let me know what you think, please share your thoughts here. There is a comment box below. Have a nice day.