waterproof kifaru packs?

OP
L
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
33
Try the freezer bag variety of the gallon zip lock bags, they are of a more durable material than the plain gallon zip lock bags so they likely will not puncture as easily.
I like the freezer bag option better than the dry bag. cheaper and you can see into them without opening.
 

Diveslot6

FNG
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
9
Location
Eagle River, AK
Adapt, improvise, overcome: keeping stuff dry...

Just dovetailing on what others have suggested: I'm reading from the journals of Lewis & Clark lately. The segment of their (1805) trek along the Washington/Oregon coasts is chock full of rain, rain, rain, wet, wet, wet, cannot get gear dry, more rain... From what I gather elsewhere, conditions haven't changed much since then. The pack cover is what most use to keep packs from getting wet, but lots of other suggestions in this thread.

Seam sealer should work as kuhn4 & others suggested - and in your case might well be worth the trouble.
True waterproofing for pack contents will take impermeable material, like the pack cover, dry bags and ziplock bags suggested.
I've also had good luck with trash compactor bags when more volume is needed - they're just more durable than trash bags.

Something else to consider if you're going to trick out your pack; water repellent spray.
I use one on my waxed cotton ballcaps (as the wax wears out) called Tectron (http://www.rei.com/product/832781/tectron-water-repellent-spray-for-apparel), which has been easy to apply in coats and helps reduce water penetration through the fabric. The best result has been on the bill of the cap, where the spray lets water drip off instead of absorbing into the bill, spreading and getting me wet.

Six Moon (http://sixmoondesigns.com/support/faq-support/seam-sealing.html) had a useful primer for seam sealing, including how to make your own -the advantage might be mixing a thinner sealant which penetrates seams without glopping excess weight/sealer outside the seam. If you consider making your own sealer, the BPL site had a good idea for making your own small-volume stirring tool (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...ums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=14800), apparently silicone sealer and solvents mix only with some effort.

Using the pack cover or dry bag (zip locks, compactor, whatever) for stuff you need dry is simpler than sprays and seam sealing, but for Washington's wet season (6 months/year?), maybe more armor is needed!

Good luck, man.
 
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