Dry bags or pack liner? Or both

I’m going with a pack poncho which will cover me and my pack. I will still want to provide rain protection for the inner gear. Do most folks go with dry bags or a single large pack liner? Or both?

People go both ways. I usually do individual bags because I like the organization it lends. A lot of people will just do a pack liner, or two pack liners, one for compressibles at the bottom of the bag, smushed and twisted with everything else in a bag on top.

I use water resistant stuff sacks in a waterproof roll top pack liner for my gear. I specifically put my sleep system in a separate waterproof dry bag. It’s key to keep things dry from the start rather than dealing with wet gear later, especially under unpredictable weather conditions.

@Merritt
Definitely, learning to set up and tear down camp efficiently, especially in bad weather, takes practice and a sense of humor. It’s invaluable to experiment with packing and unpacking in controlled environments like your living room or backyard before heading out.

I always recommend a pack liner. It’s the best fail-safe against getting your gear wet.

I use a pack liner and then smaller mesh bags for organization within. Large items like clothes, I roll tightly to conserve space.

I use a pack liner for most of my gear to ensure it stays dry. I keep frequently used items like snacks and maps in smaller, accessible waterproof bags, and my rain gear outside the liner to keep it separate from dry items.

I prefer dry bags for different categories like food and sleeping gear. It keeps my pack organized and means I don’t have to dig through everything to find one item.

I dream of a fully waterproof backpack that could eliminate the need for this discussion. It seems feasible but challenging to balance with the need for durability.

Reilly said:
I dream of a fully waterproof backpack that could eliminate the need for this discussion. It seems feasible but challenging to balance with the need for durability.

Durability is indeed a challenge for fully waterproof packs, especially since they frequently contact rough terrain and brush.

It really depends on your hiking style and needs. Ultralight hikers might prefer just a trash bag as a liner for simplicity, while those who value organization might opt for multiple dry bags.

The choice between a pack liner and dry bags can also depend on the activity. For instance, I use a regular pack with liners for backpacking but switch to waterproof portage packs for canoe trips.