Waterproof Backpacks Gear Guide

The Breakwater Supply Fogland 25L Waterproof Backpack is the best waterproof backpack you’ll find, and for good reason – it checks all the boxes. Thanks to its airtight drysuit zippers, the Fogland Backpack is 100% waterproof and fully submersible (IP68). For storage, it features 25L+ of capacity, with a 16″ laptop sleeve, interior pockets, side water bottle pockets, and our favorite of all: the 100% waterproof and airtight front pocket for easy access to your phone. Additional features include lash tabs on the front (with 2 included Velcro lash straps), multiple carabiner attachment points, fast-drying neoprene padding on shoulders, and a useful front buckle strap for wet clothing, towels, or shoes.

The Fogland Backpack has a thoughtful utilitarian design and is constructed of high-quality materials. The exterior is built with Breakwater Supply’s 420D double-sided Hydrowall TPU, and there’s also a CORDURA Ripstop Hydrowall TPU version. Small grab loops at the end of each zipper help counter the added pull strength of the drysuit zippers. There are reflective logos, elastic strap holders on all loose webbing, and a heavy-duty wrapped top handle.

While it comes in several colorways, the Fogland 25L in Stealth Black is particularly badass. For hiking, boating, fishing, camping, or even the gym/commute, the Fogland Backpack by Breakwater Supply is our top-rated waterproof backpack.

One other thing to note: we appreciate that several of the panels are internally welded (not patched), which indicates high-quality manufacturing. Not only does this enhance the look of the backpack by covering up the welding edges, but it enhances the durability as the panel edges will never delaminate. All of the other backpacks on this list have exterior weld “patches,” which is a cheaper way of manufacturing. You’ll notice the internal welds on the Fogland Backpack at the lash tabs, top handle, and the anchoring points for the buckle strap and guide loops.

Bonus: the Fogland Waterproof Backpack is the most lightweight 25L+ backpack on this list at 2.1lbs.

The YETI Panga is one of the most popular IP67 submersible backpacks, which may or may not be because it’s made by YETI. As we all know, YETI has a large following and for good reason: because they make great gear.

The Panga 28L is no exception to this, as it’s a high-performing backpack. For one, the almost-clamshell opening offers plenty of maneuverability when packing/unpacking. There’s an inside zipper pocket and dedicated laptop sleeve, plus plenty of gear hookups on the exterior (including two full Molle chains on the front), and multiple handles (top and sides). There’s a detachable waist belt and fast-drying shoulder and back padding as well.

For all its plusses, going without any exterior storage such as side water bottle pockets or a smaller waterproof pocket will leave you wishing you had them. YETI does sell add-ons for additional storage that will attach to the Molle loops, though they will add significant weight, and at an already-heavy 3.9lbs, it may become uncomfortable as a daily bag.

We also found that the clamshell design can make it difficult to remove your laptop when the Panga 28L is full. This is because the airtight zipper is at the front of the backpack and leaves a large overhang over the laptop compartment. As a comparison, the Breakwater Supply Fogland Waterproof Backpack features the zipper closer to the back, which allows you to slide your laptop out much more easily.

The Panga is constructed of YETI’s 840D ThickSkin for rugged durability, and is offered in multiple colors for $300 USD at time of publish.

The smaller version of the Fogland Waterproof Backpack is also a fully submersible backpack with IP68 waterproof protection, and it’s built exactly as the name implies, as a “Lite” version of the larger Fogland 25L. With its smaller silhouette, there’s 15L of storage along with a dedicated laptop sleeve to accommodate up to a 14″ machine. The interior configuration is the same as the larger model, with a large zipper pocket as well as mesh pockets. All interior and exterior components – straps, zippers, and hardware – are the same high quality as the larger Fogland. The airtight drysuit zippers feature the same grab loops, there’s fast-drying padding on the shoulders, an EVA back panel for comfort, S-curved shoulder straps, and our favorite 100% waterproof front pocket. There’s also the same reflective logos and reflective chest strap.

What the Fogland Lite 15L Waterproof Backpack omits versus the larger model is the front buckle strap, side water bottle pockets, and top handle. Though these would have been nice to have, there simply isn’t space for them on the smaller model.

Even for affordability alone, we love that Breakwater Supply built a Lite version of their Fogland Waterproof Backpack. You won’t find a submersible backpack at $160 USD of this quality and capability. A homerun for those looking for a smaller bag or daypack to keep their stuff dry out on the water or in everyday life.

Bonus: there’s a Fogland 20L size as well, which is essentially the Fogland Lite 15L with side water bottle pockets. You can find it on their website breakwatersupply.com.

The KUIU DeltaStorm 2200 is a rugged submersible backpack built primarily for hunting. Two chunky TIZIP zippers (one at the main compartment, the other at the front compartment) offer dual compartments for airtight storage, and numerous attachment points exist for hooking up extra gear. The KUIU DeltaStorm is built of 840D TPU with a Hypalon bottom, and comes with an additional organizer for internal storage. There’s a removable padded hip belt as well.

This is an exceptional backpack for hunters, and exists primarily for that niche. We wouldn’t recommend this as a daily bag, as there’s no laptop sleeve and it’s relatively heavy at 4.4lbs.

The Fishpond Thunderhead has become a go-to bag for anglers due to a number of fishing-specific features. We’ll note a few of them: side rod tube straps, front extra spool holder, and a padded, removable hip belt with loops for stashing pliers and other angling tools. The gear hookups are part of a modular system, easily allowing the addition of water bottle holders, extra lash straps and webbing, or additional carrying pouches. Fishpond makes a chest rig that easily attaches to the shoulder straps.

The exterior front pocket is not waterproof, so don’t stash anything valuable in there. All padding is fast-drying and lightweight. The Thunderhead comes in at 3.1lbs, so it’s still relatively heavy, and does not include a laptop sleeve, so while this would be a great bag for a day out fishing, it’s far from an everyday waterproof backpack.

Fishpond uses what they call “bomb-proof” 900D NewStream TPU fabric, and the Thunderhead comes in a variety of outdoor-compatible colors. Their Eco Riverbed Camo, which is a unique river-rock inspired colorway, is likely to keep you invisible from trout on your fishing pursuits.

The Filson Backpack Dry Bag is part of a collection of waterproof rucksacks from Filson introduced several years ago. Built for duck hunting (colloquially “waterfowling”), the Filson Backpack Dry Bag features a fully waterproof main compartment with a TIZIP airtight zipper, while the front clear pocket and side storage pocket have IPX5 “splash-proof” zippers (they’re not fully waterproof, so avoid putting anything important in there).

The Filson Backpack Dry Bag has many exterior “patch-welds,” which you’ll find at the front pocket, the lash tabs, and all hookup points. We’re a little confused at the top and front buckle straps, as they seem less than useful given that the front buckle strap goes directly over the front pocket zipper and offers no guide loops (it just hangs there).

There’s a beefy, padded waist strap to help with fit, however the slower-drying mesh back panel and shoulder straps may stay wet for a while. This backpack comes in at a relatively heavy 3.1lbs (same as the Fishpond), and there is no dedicated laptop pocket for internal storage. On the plus side, the side water bottle pocket is a generous size, though it may be prone to snagging given how it bunches up.