Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you’re looking for a water-resistant daypack you should definitely consider a roll-top backpack. While I won’t say that all the packs on this list are truly waterproof, they will help keep protect your valuables and look great whilst doing it. Just don’t blame us if we send you down another rabbit hole of top-quality goods. That’s kind of our job!
1) Filson: Dry Backpack
It won’t shock anyone acquainted with Filson that they have a top-notch Dry Backpack. And while it doesn’t have some of the same aesthetic properties as their iconic line of tin cloth items, it has its own attractiveness and it’s a whole lot more practical. It’s made from a nylon TPU material with welded seams, making it the closest to true water-proofness out of all the bags on this list. It features one large compartment with rolltop closure, several smaller pockets for your various EDC items, and padded straps for all-day comfort.
Available for $210 from Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.
2) Mis: Roll Up Backpack MIS-1009
While Mis‘ Roll Up Backpack might not be as water resistant as an all-TPU bag, its Cordura nylon outer makes for a much more attractive bag if you’re into your mil-spec gear. This pack features a roll-top secured compartment along with a mess pockets for laptops/tablets, and an array of smaller compartments. Available in camo and denim-inspired fabrics, this bag is a bit more out-there design-wise, but if it’s your style and fits your wardrobe it’s a solid choice.
Available for $233 from Hinoya.
3) master-piece: Spot Backpack L Black
master-piece is one of Japan’s most well-renowned bag makers with the Spot Backpack being just one of their phenomenal backpack options. Made from polyester fabric with a thick PVC coating, this bag is about as water-resistant as you can get without going full welded rubber. With its large compartment, inner laptop sleeve, and myriad of pockets, this bag has space for just about everything you can throw at it whilst offering protection from mother nature during those April showers.
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Available for $278 from Lost & Found.
4) WP Standard: Roll Top Backpack
If you like the idea of a roll-top but aren’t into synthetic fabrics, then WP Standard‘s Roll Top Backpack is an excellent option. It’s a simple design executed incredibly well, featuring a full leather body and leather/canvas straps. While perhaps a bit small if you’re looking to travel with it, this backpack’s main compartment and two side pockets are more than ample enough for most of our EDC essentials, and the whole pack arguably looks better than its synthetic-fabric counterparts.
Available for $299 from WP Standard.
5) Rains: Rolltop Rucksack in Navy
Option 5 is for those on a bit of a budget, but it still packs a punch. As the brand name implies, Rains specializes in water-resistant clothing and accessories, and they put their expertise to great use when they made their Rolltop Rucksack.
Made from a polyester fabric with a polyurethane coating, this bag would be nearly impenetrable to rain were it not for the small stitching holes, and even those shouldn’t be too big a deal. It features an attractive, minimalist design with a padded back and straps, a separate laptop slot, and enough room for just about anything you could home to bring with you.
Available for $125 from Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.
Plus One – Mission Workshop: Rhake
I’ll admit that I’ve been a fan of Mission Workshop for a long time, and to me, their Rhake roll-top backpack is just everything one could hope for in such a bag. It’s available in a ton of fabrics ranging from classic nylons to VX ripstop with Dimension Polyant water-resistant coatings. It features a large rolltop compartment, exterior laptop slot, water bottle holders, and even a stability sleeve to make it easy to balance on roller luggage. This bag isn’t cheap, although I’m sure its quality materials and USA construction had something to do with that. It’s an excellent and technical option if you carry a lot on the daily, travel often, and just want something reliable and solid.
Available for $545 from Mission Workshop.
