| It very important to keep the contents of your | | | | bag waterproofing is that when you're looking for |
| rucksack dry, a soggy lunch is not very nice. A warm | | | | something in your bag you almost always have to |
| dry base layer or dry sleeping bag can be a real life | | | | bring the other items out to find the one you actually |
| saver in bad weather. Follow these easy instructions | | | | want and then these items get wet anyway. |
| to waterproof your sack so you can walk in | | | | 3. Use Dry-bags |
| confidence. | | | | My preference is to waterproof your rucksack using |
| 1. Use a Spray-on Waterproof Product | | | | individual bags: that way when you're looking for an |
| You can of course waterproof your rucksack fabric | | | | item which is at the bottom of your sack you can |
| but this will not last forever and you'll need to redo it | | | | pull out the other individual bags and they still stay |
| depending on how many times you use it. | | | | dry. This is also an excellent way to keep things |
| To do this you'll need to wash your rucksack using a | | | | organised in your sack. These packets are readily |
| cleaning product designed for this task and then | | | | available and are called "Dry-bags". They come in a |
| proof it using a spray-on waterproof product. These | | | | selection of sizes, colours and have a sealed roll-top |
| products are readily available and affordable. My | | | | which securely seals and compresses the contents |
| personal choice of product is Granders Fabsil Gold. | | | | allowing more space in your rucksack. Buy a selection |
| 2. Use a Waterproof Liner | | | | of sizes in different colours; put your sleeping bag in |
| Many people don't bother waterproofing the fabric | | | | the red bag, your warm layer in the yellow bag and |
| but waterproof the whole rucksack by putting a | | | | your phone and wallet and personal essentials in the |
| waterproof rucksack liner into their sack. You can | | | | smaller blue bag. I personally use Exped |
| then put all your kit inside the liner to keep | | | | Crush-Drybags as they are a light, thin and |
| everything dry. Purpose made liners can be purchased | | | | inexpensive long life bag. |
| in any outdoor shop. The cheapest of these are a | | | | Finally, keep items like compass or GPS, first aid kit, |
| thick plastic bag that slips into your rucksack. If you | | | | spare money, spare biscuits and chocolate, survival |
| don't want to buy one you can make a DIY one by | | | | bag, warm layer, hat and gloves and waterproofs in |
| using a bin liner bag, a refuse bag or any thick plastic | | | | your day sack and this saves you packing time. Your |
| bag that you have in your home. These will do the | | | | hiking kit will then be in the one place so it's easy to |
| same job but don't have a long life. | | | | find. Use these free walking techniques and tips to |
| The disadvantage with using this system of whole | | | | make walking more fun. |