Nylon Pack Cover

The Sea to Summit Nylon Pack Cover is a contoured rain cover for day and overnight hiking packs of 30–50 litres. Tough 70D nylon with a PU coating rated to a 2,000 mm hydrostatic head, fully taped seams, 111 g on the scales, and a stuff sack that keeps it ready at the top of your pack.

Who it's for

Anyone who walks where the forecast cannot be trusted. Afternoon storms roll over the Gold Coast hinterland most summer days, the Overland Track can serve up four seasons before lunch, and a wet pack is a heavy pack: soaked fabric, a damp sleeping bag and a cold night. Pull the cover over the pack at the first drops and keep walking.

We stock it because 70D nylon shrugs off scrub, rock and the odd tumble onto a muddy track far better than the featherweight covers do, and at 111 g it is easy to carry on every trip whether it rains or not.

Capacity, and what actually fits

The Small covers packs of 30 to 50 litres: big daypacks, lightweight overnight packs and most of the packs people carry on a weekend walk. The cover is shaped to the profile of a modern hiking pack rather than cut as a flat bag, so it sits snugly over the top lid and down the sides without a loose skirt flapping in the wind.

Fitting it

Go by the litres on your pack's label. If your pack sits near 50 litres and you strap a sleeping mat, tent or wet jacket to the outside, choose a larger cover, because external gear needs room under the cover as well. Packs above 50 litres need a bigger size than this one.

How it keeps the rain out

• 70D PU-coated nylon with a 2,000 mm hydrostatic head stops steady rain driving through the fabric.
• Taped seams close the stitch holes, which is where cheaper covers let water creep in.
• Contoured cut sheds water off the top and sides of the pack instead of letting it pool.

A pack cover protects the outside of the pack; the harness side against your back stays open so the straps work. For a long wet day we pair the cover with a dry bag or pack liner for the sleeping bag and spare clothes.

Weight

The Small weighs 111 g and packs down to 12 x 7.5 cm in its stuff sack, small enough to live permanently in a lid pocket so it is there when the weather turns.

Looking after it

Shake the cover off after rain and hang it to dry completely before it goes back in its sack; packing it away wet invites mould and wears the coating. Rinse off mud and salt with fresh water.