Waterproofness of Tamrac series backpacks

[jeetsukumaran]

Still looking for a small camera backpack that fits my needs. I was considering the Micro Trekker 200, but there's no inherent rain protection. The Tamrac Expedition 4 is comparable in size, and the Tamrac site says that its material is waterproof except for the zippers, but a rain flap takes care of that. Has anyone got any of the Tamrac bags and can verify its waterproofness? Something that will survive a full monsoonal downpour for a few hours or more?

[Anke]

I have a Tamrac Expedition 5. I haven't exactly been in a full monsoon but its very good in typical British weather, which is usually rain. Apparently it floats too.

[showngo]

I have the Tamrac Adventurer 9 not sure how it compares, but it is NOT waterproof. I was in heavy rains when in Japan, and under and Umbrellla 60% of the time. The bag was soaked on the outside and very moist inside.

[jeetsukumaran]

Thanks all. Encouraging news from Anke, but discourging news from Ben! I'm planning to get the Expedition 4, which is too small for the Tamrac rain covers. Anyone know where I can get a small enough rain cover for this pack?

[showngo]

I am going to spray mine with waterproofing stuff from REI. But for rain covers I would figure out your backpack's dimensions and look on REI for North Face (and other brands) rain covers for those packs that are roughly the same size.

If you are going to be in that much rain have you looked at the Lowepro Dryzone packs?

[jeetsukumaran]

Ben:

I already have the Nature Trekker AW II, which works fine in the heaviest rain storms and a range of other camera-unfriendly weather. I was looking for a light-weight day-trip solution that would hold up if I happened to get caught by an unexpected shower.

I've been looking at rain covers, but the smallest is over 1000 cu inches in capacity, twice as large as the Exp 4.

[showngo]

I see, I thought this would be your only pack. This is not as clean of a solution, nor would it be the one that I would look for but none the less. You could always just take a garbage back with you, cut holes where needed for a quick rain cover... again not ideal but if it is only for the just in case scenario it would work, and take up much less space.

[showngo]

Also just using waterproofing spray may do the job. I will spray mine tonight and I can let you know how it works tomorrow night. It takes about that long to dry completely.

[jeetsukumaran]

Thanks, Ben. Really looking forward to your results. How do you plan to test it? Stick it under the shower for a while?

[andrewhuxman]

I have the Expedition 9 and it works well in moist enviornments. I have had it rained on it held its own but I wouldnt toss it in the river to see if it floats.I dont purposely put it in the rain but feel confident that it will do alright in case you get caught in a storm.

[jeetsukumaran]

Thanks Andrew, that's reassuring. Ben---how did the tests go?

[showngo]

Sorry I forgot (busy wrapping presents). After I sprayed the water proofer on the bag I stuck a bunch of dry paper towels inside and tossed it in the shower for a little bit. Not ideal testing but it gets the job done. The bag repelled the water fine, but the zippers are not sealed so those let in water/moisture. Also the section of the bag that is against your back is very porous and does not seem to have sealed well. Overall I would now feel comfortable taking the bag in light rain for a short period of time. I would have no hesitation taking it on a hike if it was not forecasted to rain, if rain is known I still would not take it out. Hope that helps!

[jeetsukumaran]

Ben:

Great test! At least we know the weak points now---the zippers and the back. I think the Expedition series bags have rain flaps to protect the zippers, but it's up to your back/body to protect the back of the bag. Very, very useful to know. Thanks for testing, and thanks for reporting the results.

[jeetsukumaran]

An update. I just got the Tamrac Expedition 4. I did pretty much the same thing Ben did, i.e., stuffing all the pockets with paper towels, and left it running under a full shower for quite a while. I did *not* pre-treat the bag with waterproofing spray, but I did cinch down the rain flap tight.

The result?

The outer wing pockets got soaked. Totally.

The full-sized outer pocket let in some water from the top, and the top half of the towels were damp, as well as the bottom corners. I estimate about 70% of the volume of towels remained dry.

I think that the weak point in both the above cases is the zippers. While these are weather sealed, the gap where the zippers meet lets in the water.

The main camera compartment was pretty damp, and some of the sections had collected pools of water. But it appears that all the water came in from the *back*---through the seams where back of pack joins the sides to be exact. No water came in through the front of the pack---the rain flap did its job.

All in all, then, these results reaffirm the findings of Ben: the weak-points are the zippers and the back. While wearing the backpack in the field, I guess your body would protect the back somewhat (as long as the backpack is cinched tight against it), but a rain cover or something might be needed to protect the outer compartments. As I've mentioned, the Nature Trekker AW II has held up in torrential monsoonal downpours for several hours, and so perhaps its design, with the built-in rain cover might be better. The DryZone waterproofness sounds great (at the cost of greatly increased bulkiness), but while it deals with water really well, its zippers seem vulnerable to the other elements of the field, i.e., mud, sand, and dust, and require some maintenance in unfavourable conditions (see: http://www.f-8andbethere.com/tips/dryzone.htm).

[Anke]

An update. I just got the Tamrac Expedition 4. I did pretty much the same thing Ben did, i.e., stuffing all the pockets with paper towels, and left it running under a full shower for quite a while. I did *not* pre-treat the bag with waterproofing spray, but I did cinch down the rain flap tight.

The result?

The outer wing pockets got soaked. Totally.

The full-sized outer pocket let in some water from the top, and the top half of the towels were damp, as well as the bottom corners. I estimate about 70% of the volume of towels remained dry.

I think that the weak point in both the above cases is the zippers. While these are weather sealed, the gap where the zippers meet lets in the water.

The main camera compartment was pretty damp, and some of the sections had collected pools of water. But it appears that all the water came in from the *back*---through the seams where back of pack joins the sides to be exact. No water came in through the front of the pack---the rain flap did its job.

All in all, then, these results reaffirm the findings of Ben: the weak-points are the zippers and the back. While wearing the backpack in the field, I guess your body would protect the back somewhat (as long as the backpack is cinched tight against it), but a rain cover or something might be needed to protect the outer compartments. As I've mentioned, the Nature Trekker AW II has held up in torrential monsoonal downpours for several hours, and so perhaps its design, with the built-in rain cover might be better. The DryZone waterproofness sounds great (at the cost of greatly increased bulkiness), but while it deals with water really well, its zippers seem vulnerable to the other elements of the field, i.e., mud, sand, and dust, and require some maintenance in unfavourable conditions (see: http://www.f-8andbethere.com/tips/dryzone.htm).

Thanks a lot of this, this is a very useful test. Kudos for doing it to a brand new bag.

[Anke]

Would these results mean that the manufacturers claim that it floats, be false?

[jeetsukumaran]

I was not aware that Tamrac claimed that the bags float. It is possible that an *empty* bag might still float even if soaked through, if the average density of all the materials making up the bag is less than water. But then your MkIII would probably tip the balance in favour of Davy Jones. Either way, I'm not going to test it!

[andrewhuxman]

What I use in all my bags , including my Expedition 8 is those silica gel packets.I have at least 3 in my main compartment in different spots . seems to work well with any stray moisture.

[showngo]

I also like to try and hang on to those silica gel packs they do a great job at reducing moisture in the bags, I just get them out of other packages that I buy.

[GSH]

My Expedition 5 performed quite well whilst out shooting in this a couple of weeks ago...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Images2007/Grizedale%20%20Stages%2007/Grizedale%20Stages-0176.jpg

Not only did it snow heavily, but we also got heavy rain to make things even more miserable :D

There was some moisture in the bag when i got home, but that would mostly be down to me opening and closing the bag and also water dripping off my kit and rain covers.

They're not waterproof, but they'll certainly withstand a fair bit of rain. :)

[neilwood32]

I have the tamrac adventure 7 and i dont rate the waterproofing at all!

First decent rain shower (was in the rain for approx 5 mins) and it leaked like a sieve. The zips didnt stop anything and the back seems totally porous.
My camera body was wet (water running off it when i took it out) and the base of the bag which was in contact with my lens front elements had water sitting in it (probably about 5mm deep).

Not what you expect from a new bag!

Hopefully my Lowepro mini trekker AW (xmas pressie hopefully) performs better!

[Blackey Cole]

Tamrac sells rain covers for all there backpacks.

[jeetsukumaran]

Tamrac sells rain covers for all there backpacks.

Not for the smaller ones, I think.

[jeetsukumaran]

Hopefully my Lowepro mini trekker AW (xmas pressie hopefully) performs better!

I'm certain it will. Likes I said, the Nature Trekker AW II has held up great in all sorts of conditions. Also, I used to have the older Mini Trekker (the non-AW version). While I've not been out in heavy monsoon storms with it (as I have with the Nature Trekker), I've been caught out in a constant heavy drizzle for several straight hours. This older version has NO rain cover, and is not supposed to be weather-proof. But while some parts of the inside turned out to be slightly damp, in general all the gear remained safe and dry.

[Dorman]

If moisture were a big concern I'd look at a bag like the lowepro dryzone

[neilwood32]

I'm certain it will. Likes I said, the Nature Trekker AW II has held up great in all sorts of conditions. Also, I used to have the older Mini Trekker (the non-AW version). While I've not been out in heavy monsoon storms with it (as I have with the Nature Trekker), I've been caught out in a constant heavy drizzle for several straight hours. This older version has NO rain cover, and is not supposed to be weather-proof. But while some parts of the inside turned out to be slightly damp, in general all the gear remained safe and dry.

Good to hear! - Didnt get it for Xmas so it will be on my shopping list for the sales!

[Bootlegger0173]

I painted my Tamracs with Thompson's water seal as I do my backpacks. Recently had the bag strapped atop my kayak in rough water with no seapage. Would hate to rely on that solely, but getting caught in unexpected downpours shouldn't be a problem, as long as you got out of the rain as soon as possible. I feel sure that it would eventually absorb water if left out in it for prolonged times. My packs are nylon and though don't usually let too much water in, do get damp on the inside.

[yoshiguy]

I really like the lowepro slingshot 200 (http://coolfix.net/2007/12/09/lowepro-slingshot-200-aw-digital-camera-bag-review/) where there is weather cover hidden inside so you are never caught with out something to protect your bag.