Modern Packs

Unless your pack is literally a dry bag with straps welded on the outside, water/blood will bleed through the stitching or zips with saturation. I don't use an external pack cover. Instead I use a larger pack dry bag. Exo (as I'm sure other major brands do) do a Dry Bag pack liner accessory. Use this 99% of the time. Don't use compression sacks, just stuff lighter gear (quilt, puffer, clothing) then heavier gear in - fills all the crevices, and quicker, more efficient. The 99% rule has changed to 100% of the time after my roar trip after spending 36 hours in heavy rain and winds in the Kaimanawa tops and the Argali tent bottom soaked through (exceeded its hydrostatic limit). The exped pads kept the dog and I above the wet inside, and everything got put in the pack that I wanted dry). Walking out, wet gear can be packed in side pockets or below the inner dry bag in the main pack. Job done.

I've got a K3200 (which is with the top lid 3600 cubic inches = 58 litres). It's a push to get everything in there for a 7 day trip, but possible (I'm not hunting Fiordland!). I can see the temptation to get larger bags, but I know I'll just fill it up with more luxuries and clothing that I don't use. Great thing about a meat shelf, if you are pushed for space walking in, can synch off the food back to the frame for the walk in.

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