The Best Waterproof Backpacks for Hiking in 2022

By Thomas Sorheim •  Updated: 12/20/20 •  8 min read

Nothing can ruin an enjoyable weekend of hiking and camping quicker than a torrential rainfall that manages to completely soak all of your belongings. More than one unfortunate hiking soul has had their backpack, clothes, and gear drenched.

If you’re going to be serious about hiking, then you need to invest in some serious gear. A high-quality waterproof backpack should be near the top of your list of items to acquire.

Wondering what backpack to go with? That’s what we are here for.

Read on to find out our picks for five of the best waterproof backpacks for hiking in 2021.

CVLIFE Outdoor Tactical 30L Backpack

The first entry on our waterproof backpack list is without a doubt one of the higher quality, durable hiking backpacks available to purchase. Featuring a 100% waterproof build constructed with 600D nylon material, this backpack is built to last while staying completely dry no matter the elements.

Review

The CVLIFE features padded, adjustable shoulder straps designed to offer maximum comfort, the backpack also comes equipped with a 1.5 inch waist belt and a 1 inch sternum strap. The back is also padded to provide you with even more comfort when you are out in the wilderness.

As with pretty much ever military rucksack style hiking backpack, the CVLIFE also features a superb MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system.

The backpack features plenty of compartments and pockets to carry all of your equipment – there’s a main compartment, a secondary compartment, an upper front pocket, and a lower front pocket.

The 30L volume means that with a little bit of packing know-how, you can easily fit all of the items you’ll be needing for your outdoor excursions into the bag without having to carry around a bulky backpack all day long. It’s smaller size also makes it ideal for traveling, and it can even be brought on airplanes as a carry-on.

Pros
  • 100% waterproof 600D nylon material keeps the bag dry no matter what
  • Excellent MOLLE system
  • Comfortable padded, adjustable straps
Cons
  • The stitching in the pockets can tear rather easily
  • Can’t support as much weight as other backpacks on this list

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack

Loowoko may be a relatively unknown name in the hiking backpack industry, but with quality backpacks like this 50L option, that certainly won’t be the case for very long. This hiking backpack is incredibly comfortable to wear and it’s an ideal option for a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing.

Review

If having a hiking backpack that offers plenty of customization in the form of adjustable straps is a priority for you, then this is the pack for you. Featuring eight adjustable straps, you will be able to quickly and easily keep all of your supplies separated and organized.

The shoulder straps are made with a breathable mesh material with added sponge padding to help ease the burden of carrying heavier loads. There is also a high elastic breathable back support that offers excellent ventilation to help keep you cool and dry while you are hiking.

This backpack also features an additional waterproof rain cover stashed away in the bottom pocket, which helps to keep all of your gear nice and dry. The backpack itself is made with a nylon material that prevents water from penetrating into the bag, while the rain cover is made from ripstop polyester material.

Pros
  • Large 50L capacity can hold all of your items
  • 8 adjustable straps offer plenty of flexibility
  • Included waterproof rain cover
Cons
  • The zippers and zipper teeth don’t match the same quality as the rest of the bag
  • The larger size makes it more difficult to travel with

Read more about Loowoko 50L Hiking backpack in this article (Loowoko 50L Hiking backpack review).

Loowoko Hiking Backpack 50L

Polyester lining and zipper closure.

8 adjustable straps- for tying up your pack or hanging sleeping bag, mat, hammock, tripod, and other gears. Mesh side pockets, to keep your equpiment separate and organized

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AMEISEYE 20L/30L/40L Hiking Backpack

Next up, we have a hiking backpack that is available in several different size and color options. All of these AMEISEYE hiking backpacks are made with a high-quality water-resistant nylon fabric, and with the exception of the green 30L option, they all include an additional waterproof rain cover as well.

Review

Beyond the obvious benefit of being able to choose between 20L, 30L, and 40L capacities, all of these hiking backpacks feature a high quality, durable design that makes them an ideal choice for hiking, camping, traveling, fishing, cycling, and other outdoor activities.

They feature breathable mesh straps that are fully adjustable and a suspended net frame back system that helps to support your back while also distributing the pack’s weight load more appropriately. The backpack is also equipped with multiple smart strings and adjustable buckles, including a sternum strap with an attached emergency whistle.

AMEISEYE hiking backpacks also feature multiple tool attachment points, including D-shape hooks, compression straps, key rings, and more.

The backpack also comes with a built-in safe reflective strip, which helps to make you more visible in the night time.

Pros
  • Multiple size options available: 20L/30L/40L
  • Reinforced bar tack stitching makes the backpack extra durable
  • Comfortable straps and back system
Cons
  • Waterproof cover is only included with specific models
  • The padding can be slightly uncomfortable on longer hikes

1XD GEAR 30L Lightweight Hiking Backpack

If you’re looking for an extremely straightforward hiking backpack that is absolutely perfect for single afternoon day trips, then you really can’t go wrong with this 30L lightweight pack made by 1XD GEAR.

While it doesn’t feature a lot of the extra bells and whistles that other backpacks on this list offer, if you’re only going to be out in the wilderness for a few hours at a time, they simply aren’t needed.

Review

This bag is made with a high quality water-resistant and tear-resistant nylon fabric that will keep all of your gear safe from rain, sweat, and scratches.

There’s also multiple compartments built into the bag, with a large main pocket, a fast pocket on top, an interior organized pocket to hold all of your smaller, essential items, and there’s even loops capable of holding trekking poles or an umbrella. There are also a couple of handy stretch pockets located on each side of the bag.

The backpack also features a durable internal steel frame that provides a lot of structural flexibility. Meanwhile, the soft mesh back is fully ventilated, allowing a great deal of air circulation to help reduce heat.

Pros
  • Simple, straightforward design
  • Ideal size for traveling
  • Multiple compartments to keep your belongings safe & secure
Cons
  • No way to attach an emergency hydration bag unless you cut a hole into the pack
  • Other backpacks offer a lot more at comparable prices

Gonex Tactical Military MOLLE 70L Backpack

The final waterproof hiking backpack that we recommend is the Gonex tactical military MOLLE 70L backpack. Gonex is well known in the outdoor hiking and camping industry, as they manufacture a large amount of extremely high quality products.

This backpack is honestly one of the better backpacks that we’ve had a chance to review, although the 70L volume may be too large for many hiking enthusiasts.

Review

The backpack is made out of very high quality material, with a water-resistant anti-scratch 900D Oxford design. There’s also an included rain cover attached to the bottom, ready to be used whenever you need it. Beyond that, the bag is built for maximum stability and comfort.

It features contoured, adjustable padded shoulder straps and a thick mesh lumbar pad that provides your back with added comfort. The waist belt is also fully adjustable and is wide locking.

The bag also has a terrific MOLLE system with an additional CR carrying system. The weight decomposition system can be adjusted for up to three sizes.

Pros
  • Made with durable, high-quality material
  • Extremely large carrying capacity
  • The simple yet practical design offers enough compartments for all of your needs
Cons
  • 70L volume is simply too large for many
  • More expensive than other backpacks featured on this list
Gonex Hiking Backpack 70L Internal Frame Outdoor Tactical Military Backpack


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Final verdict

If you’ve read through each of these hiking backpack reviews carefully, you may have noticed that the majority of these bags share something in common. Four out of the five backpacks that we’ve reviewed are not 100% waterproof – instead they are simply water-resistant.

While they are all high quality backpacks without question, only one of them is truly 100% waterproof and that is the CVLIFE outdoor tactical 30L backpack. If having a bag that is truly waterproof is essential to you, then this is the backpack to go with.

On the other hand, if you are completely fine with a high quality water-resistant hiking backpack, then our number one recommendation would be to go with one of the AMEISEYE hiking backpacks.

No matter which backpack you end up deciding on out of these five, you can rest assured that they are all incredibly well-made bags that are more than capable of meeting your needs. We highly recommend all five of these bags if you’re looking for a waterproof (or water-resistant) hiking backpack in 2022.

Thomas Sorheim