Best waterproof backpacks for keeping kit dry in 2025

The Rab Veil XP 20L is an ultralight, waterproof backpack designed for fast hiking and fastpacking. It looks and fits like a running vest, hugging your body for comfort and stability.

A weight of just 476g makes it one of the lightest options for day hikes or quick overnight trips (if your camping kit is light and small enough). It comes in two colours and sizes, though a wider range of options would have been appreciated.

The Veil XP is made from recycled, PFAS-free materials and uses a breathable mesh back system that stays cool and doesn’t soak up sweat.

Its roll-top closure and taped seams keep your gear dry, even in heavy deluges. There are plenty of easy-to-reach pockets for essential kit, plus special storage for trekking poles and soft flasks. The waist belt is wide, ventilated and supportive, and handily has pockets.

While the pack’s see-through material may look unusual, it doesn’t affect its strength or performance. The front soft flask storage may not suit all women, but overall, the design is practical and well thought out.

If you want a lightweight, technical pack for fast adventures in any weather, the Rab Veil XP 20L is a top choice and offers great value for its features.

Read our full Rab Veil XP 20L review for more or if you need something bigger check out the 30L version.

It’s safe to say we are thoroughly impressed by the Transporter WP pack. The materials are instantly recognisable as high quality; Osprey have used bluesign approved 400D recycled nylon, which is TPU double coated to make it extra strong and durable.

That same nylon is used on the main outer walls and the base of the pack in one big piece of fabric, meaning there are no weak points for water to attack. After 12 hours of hammering from Babet, the sleeping bags we stuffed inside this bad boy were still bone dry.

The waterproof rating of IPX6 is about as high as you can go without something being designed to be fully submerged. So when you factor in the clippable roll-top closure, what you’re effectively getting here is a big waterproof sack with durable and protective outer walls that you can fully seal up.

This is one of those backpacks that somehow feels larger than its 30-litre capacity. Probably because the opening is so big and the fact that the inside is pretty much just one large sack-like compartment. But it does also have some nice pockets.

On the front of the pack, you get a large stretchy fabric sleeve that’s perfect for stashing things like wet waterproofs or gloves and hats. There’s also a small zipped pocket under that stretchy fabric on the outside, as well as a laptop sleeve inside.

And, on top of everything else, this pack is comfortable to wear, which is especially rare amongst waterproof backpacks. It comes fitted with Osprey’s renowned AirScape back panel, which is well padded with foam and covered with a webbed mesh that allows air to flow between the rear of the pack and your back.

The Osprey Transporter WP 30 is the standout waterproof backpack we’ve tested this year. It does the most important job of keeping its contents dry and protected from the elements brilliantly, but the good news doesn’t end there. It’s tough, comfortable and comes with enough impressive features to justify its high price tag. This is a fantastic bit of kit.

Read our full Osprey Transporter WP 30 review.

The first thing we thought when we picked up the Montane Trailblazer 28 was ‘wow, this is light’. So light, in fact, that on first impressions we didn’t think it could possibly match up to its competitors on the waterproof backpack scene.

Luckily, our scepticism was quickly put to rest. What Montane have created here is a hiking daypack that ticks a huge number boxes for lightweight devotees. The side-clipping roll-top closure is clever, the waterproofing seems good, the comfort is impressive, and the capacity of this 28-litre version is plenty big enough for long days on the trail.

When fully loaded, the comfort levels of the Montane Trailblazer 28 are good. The hipbelt harness is deep and lightly padded with a mesh backing, so it hugs your body and absorbs some of the weight you’re carrying.

That same mesh from the harness extends up into the back panel and shoulder straps, which are both also lightly padded, to create a bit of airflow and breathability when it’s flush against your body.

The roll-top closure works well – the advice from Montane is to roll it over three times before clipping and tensioning down the side of the pack. There’s also a hydration bladder sleeve sandwiched between the Trailblazer’s main chamber and the back panel,

In all, this pack is ideal for any fastpacker or even trail runner looking to carry their essentials in unpredictable weather. It’s loaded with impressive technology and available in a huge range of sizes to suit every type of trip.

Read our full Montane Trailblazer LT 28 review.

the Exped Typhoon 25 is a great low-priced option if you’re looking for a reliable waterproof hiking backpack that doesn’t need to perform on the toughest terrain or in the worst weather.

What Exped have produced here is a lightweight, reasonably robust and stylish waterproof pack with a good roll-top closure. It’s ideal for use on day trips for everything from hiking and cycling to climbing and commuting.

Exped don’t make any overly bold claims about the Typhoon’s waterproofing capabilities, but from our testing experience the performance is very solid in terms of keeping the contents of the pack dry.

There are plenty of nice little features on this pack too. We like the gear attachments, the mesh back panel, and the inner lining that you can turn inside out and pull out of the pack for quick drying. 

In all, the Exped Typhoon 25 is a good choice if you’re looking for excellent value and reliability in an everyday waterproof backpack. The waterproofing is good, it has some really nice and useful features, and it looks great. Plus, you can choose from four colours (dark lava, coral, lichen and bluebird).

Read our full Exped Typhoon 25 review.

If you close your eyes and visualise a heavy-duty, technical, waterproof pack, it probably looks a lot like the Ortlieb Atrack 35. It’s the kind of backpack you’d expect to see Bear Grylls emerging from the Amazon undergrowth wearing.

Immediate highlights include its wear and tear-resistant fabric, an adjustable back system to suit your height, padded shoulder straps and back panel, and a heavy-duty and large zip opening that runs down the whole length of the back of the pack. And, the star of the show, an excellent IP67 waterproof rating.

That rating, in layman’s terms, means it’s hard to puncture with sharp objects and can even cope with short periods of immersion in water without letting anything seep through the fabric.

The comfort level of this pack is what sets it apart from the Osprey Transporter and the Sea to Summit Rapid, which have a roughly equal waterproof rating. The Atrack is excellently padded, and feels very much like a normal hiking pack (once everything is adjusted and tightened).

Read our full Ortlieb Atrack 35 waterproof backpack review.

The Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop 30L is a waterproof backpack designed for both day hikes and everyday use, and as such, its simple, stylish look fits well in the office or on the trail.

The pack comes in black or yellow and has a 30-litre capacity, which is enough for a day’s gear and a laptop. Made from tough, recycled Bergshell fabric, it’s durable and keeps kit dry.

The back panel and harness are soft and supportive, though the thin waist belt isn’t the most comfortable for long hikes.

What’s more, the pack sits close to your back, which feels secure but doesn’t allow much airflow so things can get a bit sweaty.

There are handy features like a padded laptop sleeve, side bottle holders and a roll-top closure to keep water out. The backpack weighs 1040g, making it a bit heavier than some many competitors, but you do get a robust, waterproof material in exchange.

Overall, the Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop is a great choice if you want one backpack for both work and outdoor adventures. It’s not the best for long or technical hikes, but it scores points for its quality, weather protection and stylish design.

Read our full Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop 30L review for more.

The Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L is a simple, versatile daypack that can be used for both hiking and everyday use. It’s made from tough, recycled nylon and comes in three colours: black, blue, and green.

A weight of 636g makes it reasonably light, while it offers 22 litres of space, which is enough for most day hikes (with the exception of big winter hikes).

The back panel is soft and padded, with breathable mesh for comfort, though it doesn’t compare to what you get on dedicated hiking backpacks.

Meanwhile, the shoulder straps are wide and supportive, and the waistbelt has handy pockets for snacks or a phone. The pack doesn’t have a stiff frame, so you can roll it up and pack it away easily, though this does mean it doesn’t carry heavy loads as well.

It’s worth noting that this pack is only available in one size – this wasn’t an issue for me, but definitely pay attention to the size charts.

The pack feels as though it’s built to last, with reinforced stitching and a durable, waterproof coating that keeps your gear dry in wet conditions. The roll-top closure is easy to use and helps seal out water.

There are plenty of pockets, including a large internal pocket, an outside zip pocket and mesh bottle holders. Reflective details and an external bungee add extra convenience.

At £74.95, this backpack is a great value for anyone who wants a reliable, eco-friendly daypack for the trails or travel, but for regular hiking there are better alternatives.

Read our full Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L review for more.

This is the second generation of the Gourdon we’ve tested, and we’re pleased to report the first one is still going strong after six years of weekly use. There’s nothing overly groundbreaking to report in terms of features – this is basically a big no-frills waterproof sack with a roll-top closure that seals it up effectively from the elements. 

The outer material is quite lightweight and thin, but in our testing experience it does the all-important job of keeping water out – in the kind of conditions you’d expect on a standard British hike or hill walk. We’ve used a slightly older version of the Gourdon (the Gourdon 30L) for more than six years and it’s never let us down.

In terms of comfort, we’d probably describe the Gourdon as more of a waterproof dry bag with shoulder straps than a full-on waterproof rucksack. that said, there is some padding on the shoulder straps and a thin protective layer on the back panel.

The hipbelt is just a thin adjustable strap that doesn’t offer a lot of support, but when you tighten everything it’s well-fitting and comfort isn’t an issue.

In all, the Gourdon 25 won’t win many awards for futuristic innovation, but if all you’re looking for is a well-priced waterproof sack that will keep your kit dry on wet hikes, then you can’t go far wrong with this.

Read our full Alpkit Gourdon 25L review.

The Fogland Waterproof Backpack takes a different approach to many of the other backpacks here.

Where most of them are quite lightweight and almost like a glorified dry bag, the Fogland is chunky, stiff, and utterly watertight. When we say watertight we mean it. Throw the Fogland in a lake, submerge it, it’ll keep your contents dry.

It does this by using a TPU-coated 420D nylon material and drysuit-quality zippers to ensure to no water or dust gets in.

Despite the hardcore waterproofing, we found this is quite a user-friendly backpack that’s suitable for everyday use, in addition to water sports and outdoor adventures. That said, some of the other options here are better for hiking.

We like that it’s a tough backpack too, with that main fabric being highly abrasion and puncture resistant.

Read our full Breakwater Supply Fogland Waterproof Backpack review.

YETI’s Panga backpack eventuated when the brand wanted to make a backpack version of its Panga Duffel. So, YETI simply took the TPU-laminated nylon material it called ThickSkin Shell and plied it into a backpack shape.

Like the duffel, the Panga backpack retains a sturdy EVA-moulded base, metal hardware, and crucially, a totally watertight design using a chunky HydroLock zip. More than water resistant, YETI says the Panga backpack is submersible.

Like the Breakwater Supply Fogland Waterproof Backpack, we can’t fault the Panga backpack’s waterproofing. With the zip closed properly, the inside of the bag is airtight and no moisture gets in. Ever. We were impressed with how sturdy the Panga backpack is too. Everything feels like it’s made to outlast the person wearing it and if cared for properly, it certainly feels like something you only buy once.

The flip side of this sturdiness, however, is that it’s a heavy backpack for its size. We were sceptical about the shoulder straps at first, but they ended up pleasantly surprising us with decent comfort levels. But, that said, this is by no means a hiking backpack.

The longest outing we wore the Panga backpack on was 10 miles. Loaded up with about eight kilograms of gear, the shoulder straps were perfectly comfortable, but the flat, non-ventilated back panel is very capable of making your back sweaty. There are removable chest and waist straps, but they didn’t make much of a difference for us.

Overall, with good storage solutions on the interior and truly faultless waterproofing, this is a superb pack that will last forever. But, it’s definitely not for hiking, and we’re still having some trouble getting over the steep price.

Read our full YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack review.