Anyone field bio people have recommendations for good actually waterproof daypacks for rainforest that have a decent capacity and are comfortable for hauling a decent amount of stuff around for a day?
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If you really want things waterproof, I’d get a light weight dry bag to go inside the "outer" bag. You’ll still want the outer bag to be tough enough to hand scratches, being tossed around, and water resistant.
Sea and Summit makes some very lightweight dry bags. I have one that works well enough to keep my down sleeping bag dry on the outside of my pack in the rain.
FWIW most backpacking packs are not waterproof because it weighs too much but a pack cover will keep your stuff dry.
Patagonia Black Hole was my go to backpack but the early styles all delaminate after a while. I use a mountainsmith lumbar pack on shoulder strap so I can swing it around and keep what i need to access frequently while working in front. backpack strictly for carrying stuff i only need at destination
Waterproof backpacks aren’t really except for the drybags like yeti https://www.yeti.com/bags/backpacks/panga-backpack.html. Those are great but expensive & overkill unless you’re on water and it might get dunked. If you’re going to get rained on, find a backpack you like & get rain cover for it + ziploc stuff inside.
Basically if it has sewn seams, assume water can get in. Unless this is a long-term use, there are better items to spend the money on for a trip like this
What are you carrying? And how likely is it to get torrential? Ziploc everything, the backpack can get wet and the contents are dry. Whirlpacks are ok too.
Get a decent hiking pack - REI will let you try on all the options, with weights added, to find the one that’s most comfortable to you. Then buy a waterproof pack cover. If you have things that must stay 100% dry, buy a lightweight dry sack for them.
Waterproof bags tend to be very expensive, not very comfortable to carry, and unnecessary for the rainforest. You want a daypack with hip belt for comfy weight distribution & tough fabric to hold up to heavy use.
The SealLine bags from Forestry Suppliers can be voluminous, comfy, and, in my experience, impenetrable. I haven’t used them in the rainforest, but in rain and snow in the northeast U.S.
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FWIW most backpacking packs are not waterproof because it weighs too much but a pack cover will keep your stuff dry.