Nothing says unprofessional quite like arriving at the office resembling a drowned rat with a backpack full of soggy documents. Unfortunately, you can’t choose the weather. But you can choose your backpack, and picking a waterproof one is the smart way to go if you regularly commute in wet conditions.

A waterproof backpack will keep your possessions bone dry, whatever the weather. It’ll provide valuable peace of mind if you live somewhere prone to rain, and it’s a great feature to have even if you don’t. After all, you never know when the next spilt drink or unexpected storm will come and take you by surprise.

The trouble is, finding a waterproof bag can be weirdly confusing. Some look waterproof when, in fact, they’re anything but, and others use hazy lingo that might make you believe they’ll keep liquids out when, in fact, they’ll readily let them seep in.

To help, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite genuinely waterproof options below. But first, we’ll walk you through the need-to-know info when it comes to picking the right one for you.

How To Choose A Waterproof Backpack

Waterproof Vs. Water Resistant

These two things are not the same, even if some people do use them interchangeably. Water-resistant means the bag will shrug off light showers by allowing water to bead off the surface of the fabric. It does this by using a durable water-repellent coating (DWR). This wears off over time and needs to be reapplied.

A waterproof bag uses fabric that will not allow water to pass through it. In most clothing and footwear, this would mean using Gore-Tex or some similar fabric that allows water vapour (i.e. sweat) to escape while stopping liquid water from getting in.

In backpacks, airflow is less of a concern, so many waterproof bags are simply made from rubber or some kind of rubberised fabric, which lacks breathability but does a stellar job of keeping things dry.

Zippers

Ortlieb

A bag isn’t much good if you can’t get stuff into and out of it. Unfortunately, this creates unavoidable water ingress points where a zipper is placed. To ensure your bag is completely watertight, you’ll want to ensure it has fully waterproof zippers that use a rubberised design to stop water from getting through the teeth.

The alternative is to go with a roll-top or fold-over design—these work by keeping the openings covered so that water can’t get in. Roll-top bags are particularly effective, and rubber ones are often designed not to let water in even when fully submerged.

The Brands Making Truly Waterproof Backpacks

Arc’teryx

Canadian outdoor brand Arc’teryx is known for designing kit for those who push their clothing and equipment to the absolute limits of what it can do. We’re talking ice climbers, mountaineers and professional alpine athletes. As you might expect, making a waterproof backpack is a walk in the park for these guys.

The brand offers several waterproof options, ranging from adventure-ready daypacks designed for pure functionality to more lifestyle-orientated rubberised packs perfect for urban dwellers and commuters.

Shop now at Arc’teryx

Finisterre

Born on the English coast in Cornwall, Finisterre is a brand that knows a thing or two about wet conditions. Built around the cold-water surfing lifestyle, this British clothing brand creates a mixture of performance-based outdoor gear and casual clothing for those who value spending time in the great outdoors while also doing what they can to protect it.

Finisterre places a firm focus on sustainability, opting to use eco-friendly materials wherever possible, keeping chemical use to a minimum and offering an extensive repairs service to keep its products up and running for longer.

The brand’s bags, while not completely waterproof, use a combination of waterproof zippers and wax-based DWR to keep your belongings dry even in the heaviest of rain.

Shop now at Finisterre

Rains

Danish rainwear label Rains makes rubberised gear designed to completely seal out the wet. It’s best known for raincoats and outerwear, but it makes plenty of other pieces and accessories, including waterproof bags.

The brand’s bags are made from waterproof rubberised material, featuring either a roll-top or flap-top design to keep rain out of zippers and openings. They look great, too, with a touch of that minimalist Scandi aesthetic – simple, subtle and highly versatile.

Shop now at SSENSE

Patagonia

Californian outdoor brand Patagonia has been producing eco-conscious kit for climbers since the 1970s. It started making simple yet durable garments for hitting crags and rock walls, but the product line has since evolved to incorporate everything from high-performance outerwear to function-focused luggage.

The brand has a number of water-resistant and fully waterproof options, including the Guidewater bag, which is completely submersible. It’s made from recycled nylon, and all padded parts are treated with a hydrophobic coating to prevent them from soaking up and retaining water.

Shop now at END.

Tretorn

Tretorn is another Scandinavian brand specialising in rubbery raincoats and other similarly simple waterproof pieces. The label started in footwear, producing goloshes and tennis sneakers before branching out into apparel.

Rubber has always been at the core of everything Tretorn does, and bags are no exception. In fact, all of Tretorn’s backpacks are waterproof, using polyurethane fabric to ensure whatever you choose to put inside stays dry.

Shop now at Tretorn

Ortlieb

Ortlieb is a brand that specialises in waterproof bags. It’s best known for its rubberised bicycle panniers, but it’s not just on-bike kit the German label does brilliantly. The permanent collection includes many fully waterproof daypacks and laptop-friendly backpacks that are ideal for commuting in wet weather.

Most of Ortlieb’s backpacks feature a roll-top design to keep water out even in heavy downpours, and some convert to panniers in seconds, making them excellent options for those who get to and from work by bike.

Shop now at Ortlieb

Osprey

When it comes to lightweight packs with function at the fore, American brand Osprey is one of the most respected names in the game. Whether you’re on a multi-day trek through the mountains or simply braving public transport at rush hour, Osprey’s bags are designed to get the job done in as comfortable, practical and efficient a manner as possible.

Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of waterproof options to choose from. Osprey has a whole section of its website dedicated to waterproof backpacks, including fully submersible dry bags that won’t let a drop of moisture in even when placed underwater.

Shop now at END.