3 Tips for Backpacking in the Rain

I wish everyday out on the trail was sunny with pleasant temperatures, but unfortunately Mother Nature often has different plans. If you spend a lot of time hiking outside, there will inevitably become a time where you have to hike in the rain. Through the course of my hiking career I have had the pleasant opportunity to backpack in a variety of rainy situations across a wide range of temperatures and intensities. Below are my top 3 tips for backpacking safely and comfortably in rainy situations.

1. Keep the gear in your backpack dry.

The most important thing when backpacking in the rain is to make an effort to keep the contents inside your backpack dry. This includes critical items like your sleeping bag and extra clothes. Getting wet while hiking is not a big deal, but it could end up being dangerous if all of your belongings get wet in the process. Not being able to get dry/warm at the end of the hiking day could result in hypothermia even at moderate temperatures.

The best and cheapest way to keep your stuff dry is to line the inside of your backpack with a trash compactor bag. These bags can be found in most grocery stores or you can get some on-online through sites like Amazon. They are much thicker than a standard trash bag and will keep the water out if rain penetrates your backpack.

Additionally, getting seam-sealed stuff sacks to put your sleeping bag and clothes in will also go a long way to protect these items from getting wet in the unlikely event the pack-liner fails. We have used these Sea-to-Summit stuff sacks with great success. These are especially important if you have goose down items. Once down gets wet, it is incredibly difficult or even impossible to get dry out on the trail.

You can use a pack cover if you wish, but I have always found them to be problematic. In a hard rain, water tends to find a way through. Covers are also just an extra thing you need to carry and worry about. I have chosen to leave this particular piece of gear on the sidelines. They are not necessary. A good pack liner and water-resistant stuff sacks for critical gear items will work very well.

2. Prepare for expected temperatures.

The strategy I take for rain gear depends largely on the temperatures expected for the trip. For example, what I bring on a mid-summer trip will be different than the gear I would take on a rainy, late autumn trip.

For warm summer weather, when temperatures are expected to be 60 and above, I will usually bring a light poncho. This emergency poncho from Frogg Togs can be found at most Walmarts for only a few dollars. They are light and will last a surprisingly long time before wetting out. We started using these on the Long Trail in Vermont and were very impressed on how well they worked. This poncho will also go over your backpack and function as a great pack cover as well – a great dual purpose and extra protection when used in tandem with a pack liner.

I find ponchos superior to a dedicated rain jacket because they allow your body to breathe while you exert energy while hiking. Especially in warmer weather. Beware of rain jackets that advertise as “Waterproof AND breathable.” This is so far from the truth!

No matter what temperature range, I still bring a light rain jacket, mostly for wind/warmth and bug protection. It functions as more of an additional top layer than dedicated rain protection. You can get decent, lightweight rain jackets at most outdoor rec stores. Brands like Outdoor Research, Marmot and REI’s own brand are all good choices.

For colder weather, especially when I know temperatures may dip below 50 degrees, I will often bring a pair of rain pants as well as the poncho. Rain pants are also good to have if bugs are bad as mosquitoes and flies can’t bite through them. In this temperature range, I will wear the poncho over my rain jacket if I start to get cold.

3. It is okay to be wet!

For three-season backpacking in the United States, I have always favored trail-running shoes above all else for hiking in wet situations. This might seem counter-intuitive and you may be asking why a waterproof Gortex boot wouldn’t be better. The simple answer is that trail running shoes will dry out much faster than a boot. Once a large boot gets wet, especially Gortex, it will take forever to dry out. This could lead to an increase in blisters or trench foot. Mesh-like trail running shoes will be more comfortable to walk in when they are wet and will dry very quickly afterwords.

When it rains and you are outside, you will get wet, no matter what strategy you employ. This is okay! The sooner you come to terms with this fact the happier your outlook will be when the skies open up. Hiking in the rain offers a different experience than hiking in dry weather, and both are great. Don’t let the weather forecast prevent you from enjoying nature – rain is just part of the total experience!

Hiawatha Hiking Co. leads backpacking trips rain or shine. For a list of unique experiences, check out our multi-night Backpacking Tours and Sunset Hikes for the 2019 season!