My 'waterproof' backpack failed me during a downpour in Chicago

Honestly, I thought I was being smart buying a $30 backpack off Amazon that claimed to be waterproof. Last month, I was walking from Union Station to my hotel in Chicago when a sudden storm hit. Within 10 minutes, my laptop sleeve was soaked and my clothes were damp. I had to duck into a Starbucks and dump everything out on a table. Turns out the backpack had a thin waterproof coating that wore off after two uses. Now I just use a heavy-duty trash bag as a liner inside my regular bag. Has anyone else dealt with fake waterproof gear on a trip?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason1115d ago

Yeah that coating stuff is a scam. Just buy a dry bag for cheap and throw your stuff in there. Learned that lesson the hard way too.

walker.alex15d ago

You ever try one of those spray-on waterproofing kits for a tent? Thought I was being smart, saved a few bucks, and ended up with a soggy sleeping bag on the first rainy night. So yeah, @jason11, I feel your pain on that. What ended up working for me was just getting a heavy-duty trash compactor bag and using it as a liner inside my pack. Cheap, tough, and if it rips, a new one costs pocket change. Dry bags are solid too, but I'd rather spend the money on a good tarp or something else.