Getting caught in the rain carrying a backpack that isn’t waterproof can lead to disaster. You can find yourself with wet clothing, soggy papers, or worse, such as a ruined laptop or other electronic devices. To avoid this type of misfortune, it’s best to carry one of the best winter backpacks that provide protection from rain, snow, and damp conditions so that your belongings remain safe and sound.
When shopping for the best waterproof backpack for travel, school, or work, you’ll want to look for those that are either made of waterproof materials, or have a built in rain cover. These packs come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices, with a variety of different characteristics, so you’ll want to consider how you plan to use your pack and what you’ll typically be in it.
In order to help you find which hearty backpack is ideally suited to your unique needs, we’ve pulled together this list of of the best winter backpacks, all of which have received the highest ratings and reviews from actual users.
High Sierra Access Backpack With Rain Cover
Designed for maximum utility and comfort, the roomy 45 liter High Sierra Access provides tons of organization and storage options.
It has a built in rain cover in the hidden compartment at the bottom of the bag, which can be pulled out to cover the entire pack in seconds when needed.
The Access backpack is available in more than 15 color options.
Notable Features
- Fully padded laptop sleeve fits most 17 inch laptops
- Dedicated tablet sleeve, plus other small compartments designed to keep electronic gear safe and easily in reach
- Multi-compartment design provides lots of storage versatility, including spacious internal areas, side mesh water bottle pocket, and a premium organizer area in the front with pockets for pens, glasses, lipstick, or other small quick access items, plus a key fob
- Removable media pocket with headphone port conveniently located on the shoulder strap
Osprey Manta AG 28 Hydration Pack for Men
Osprey has long been one of the global leaders in backpacks and activity bags of all types. As a premium name in the backpack world, you’ll pay a bit more for these than others on our list, but you’ll find the quality and advanced design make them worth every penny. The 28 liter Manta AG 28 Hydration Pack from Osprey rates among the best waterproof backpack for travel, because it is ideally sized and outfitted for full day hikes, overnight adventures, or as a carry-on bag. The Manta also comes in 20 liter and 36 liter sizes.
An integrated and removable rain cover protects gear from foul weather. It stows neatly away into a compartment at the base of the bag.
Choose from fossil grey, sonic blue, or spruce green.
Notable Features
- Separate and easy to access hydration compartment, with included water bottle reservoir and drinking tube
- Comfort suspension system includes adjustable padded hip belt and shoulder harness
- Dedicated trekking pole attachment that’s perfect for poles, walking sticks, or tripods
- Multiple storage pouches including two mesh stretch side pockets for water or other items, and two zippered hip belt pockets for secure storage of small items needed quickly, such as snacks, multi-tool, hand sanitizer, and more
- Cycling helmet attachment loop for secure storage when not in use
If you love Osprey packs but prefer something larger or smaller, have a look at these other styles and capacities of Osprey backpacks with rain covers, with different sizing specially for men, women, and youth.
Osprey Mira AG 26 Hydration Pack for Women
The Mira AG 26 from Osprey is designed specially for women, with shoulder straps that fit comfortably across the chest and overall dimensions that better fit many womens’ physique. In addition to this 26 liter size, it comes in 18 liter and 34 liter versions.
The included rain cover is there when you need it, and stows neatly away in it’s own under bag pocket when you don’t.
Choose from bondi blue, cherry red, or misty grey with turquoise trim.
Notable Features
The Osprey Mira delivers all of the same robust features as the Osprey Manta men’s version above, including:
- Osprey’s Anti-Gravity (AG) suspension system, a combination of LightWire frame, mesh backpanel, BioStretch shoulder harness and AG hipbelt, which distributes the bag’s weight for ultimate comfort
- Hydration compartment with perfect fit hydration bladder
- Multiple organizing compartments inside and out, including two side stretch pouches, an organizer pocket, large quick access back flap pocket, and dual zipped pockets on the hip belt
- Trekking pole and cycling helmet attachment loops offer secure stowage for your specialized active gear
Uoobag KT-01 Slim Anti-Theft Waterproof Laptop Backpack
Great for business or travel, you’ll keep your valuables safe and secure with this sleek Anti-Theft Waterproof Laptop Backpack from Uoobag. Specially treated waterproofing nylon fabric repels and resists drizzle and light rain.
Choose from 3 stylish colors: coffee, grey, or black.
Notable Features
- Padded laptop area stores up to a 15.6 inch laptop
- Specialized anti-theft technology including double layered main zipper, hidden compartments, lockable zipper pulls, and anti-theft laptop sleeve and smaller sleeve
- Spacious main compartment plus multiple storage areas including 2 side zippered water bottle pockets, 1 tablet sleeve, and organization area with convenient access to cell phone, pens, keys, and more
- Headphone slot lets you listen to music or calls while your iPod or mobile phone are safely tucked away
Gowiss Waterproof Packable Travel Backpack
Looking for something ultra lightweight to go anywhere with? This ingenious waterproof travel backpack from Gowiss stows away neatly into its own little pouch. Just slip in in your luggage or trunk when not in use, ready to pull out and go when needed for a hiking outing, picnic, shopping spree, or whatever.
Made of ultra lightweight yet durable water and rip resistant nylon, this pack is the perfect minimalist solution for anytime use. Available in two sizes: 20 liter or 33 liter. 8 fashionable colors to choose from.
Notable Features
- Compact design neatly folds away into its own inner zip pocket, creating a handled packet
- Two front zippered compartments, two mesh side pockets, and one interior security zip pocket provide numerous storage options
- Lightweight yet roomy, pack weighs only .46 pounds (for 20L size) and .5 pounds (for 33L size)
- Backed by a lifetime guarantee
OutdoorMaster Hiking Backpack 50L with Waterproof Backpack Cover
Perfect for day hikes or overnight trips, this spacious 50 liter backpack from OutdoorMaster offers all the top features at an amazingly low cost (under $40 at this writing). The exterior water repellent coating together with the attached waterproof cover make this pack one of the best winter backpacks in its price range. Choose from 7 colors.
Notable Features
- Padded shoulder straps, supportive hip belt, and air ventilation system provide a comfortable, distributed load
- Padded laptop compartment secures a laptop up to 15.6″
- Holes for convenient hydration hose and headphone cable access
- Multiple exterior compartments including side pockets, mesh hip belt pockets, waist pocket, outer zippered compartment, and easy-access rear sleeve
- Bottom is equipment with ice axe loop and straps for exterior stowage of tent, sleeping bag, or jacket