Given the amount of expensive digital equipment the average person carries around nowadays, it is increasingly important to have a reliable array of accessories to keep these intact. One of the most common ways to damage your electronic equipment, be it your mobile phone, laptop or camera, is water damage. Whether it’s through an accidental spill from a glass of water, to carelessly using your equipment in wet conditions, there are various ways that you can help to reduce the chances of damage. One of the ways is to cover them in something waterproof; be it a waterproof phone case or transporting them in a waterproof backpack. We will now look at the latter and show you four criteria you should consider when purchasing a waterproof backpack.
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Waterproof rating
Obviously, when looking for a waterproof backpack the first criteria to consider would be what level of water protection you require. Broadly speaking, bags are rated as water-resistant, repellent or 100% waterproof, and within these levels they are given IPX (water resistance) levels according to their level of waterproofing.
In terms of actual waterproofing, material is given a rating between IPX1 – offering light protection from dripping water for 10 or so minutes, up to IPX8 – which offers protection for your devices submersed in water over 3 feet deep.
An awesome example of a stylish backpack that has waterproof functionality would Rains’ Rolltop Rucksack. As the name suggest, the top rolls close, ensuring that water does not enter in even the heaviest of downpours, and keeping whatever is inside completely dry.
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Weight
Generally, the more effective the material is at waterproofing, the heavier it is. Weight may be an important consideration especially for people who spend much of their time wearing their backpacks, or those who travel by air often and must take cabin baggage weight into account.
For those who must consider the weight of the bag, there may have to be trade-offs made when choosing a bag. If your priority is absolute protection for your equipment, then you may need a heavier backpack. Heavier material will usually be more waterproof and can offer more protection from knocks thanks to internal padding and such.
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Volume
If you are likely to spend a lot of time wearing the backpack, you may not want to carry too much or it may become uncomfortable. Bags with smaller volumes will force you to only carry what is essential or pack more efficiently. Either way, bags come in a variety of sizes, usually according to their purposes. Small day-packs are useful if you only plan on carrying a few items, while huge dual-purpose duffel/backpacks are more suited to those who require a lot of storage space.
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Compartments
Regardless of whether the backpack is waterproof or not, compartments are always an important consideration to make. This may be for organisational purposes or protection purposes. Many bags will have separate, smaller and more easily accessible pockets on the outside for items such as keys or mobile phones. Often, these pockets may not be as well protected as the main compartment, so this is important to consider when choosing the bag.
If you plan on carrying clothes as well as your equipment, you may require a bag that allows you to separate these. Many backpacks will have a laptop sleeve within the main compartment, allowing you easier access to it while still giving it effective protection and separation.
With so many backpacks to choose from, it can be difficult to find the perfect one and sometimes you may not realise until you have you have used it consistently. However, if you consider these four criteria carefully, you should be able to make a more informed decision when investing in a waterproof backpack.