A place to share practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last, with an emphasis on upcycled and sustainable products!
Guidelines:
Things that are well-made and durable (even if they won't last a lifetime) are A-Okay!
Unlike that other BIFL place, Home-made and DIY items are encouraged here, as long as some form of instruction is included in the body of the post.
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A limited amount of self-promotion is accepted, IF the item you are selling aligns with this criteria:
If you don't mind the tactical look you can't go wrong with Savotta. It's a Finnish brand that makes outdoor gear for hikers and the Finnish army. All made in Europe. Check out Jääkäri S or Niukka 20L for example. Guranteed BIFL.
Sold at Varusteleka for example.
Hmm, I don't know how often I'll be using a trebuchet, but that does look like it's built pretty well.
Hmm, I don't know how often I'll be using a trebuchet
Ha! Well that is a statement that will age poorly!
There is no such thing as a truly waterproof for life backpack, buuuuuut Osprey is pretty amazing as backpack makers go. Check out their Transporter 30.
Yea my gut feeling is that Osprey will do something suitable for the OP. I've not tried my Daylite in a monsoon but I suspect it would do alright.
I'd throw a cover on mine, but they're not the drybag style.
Second for osprey. I love mine. Have it for 6 years now, nothing wrong with it.
What many backpackers do for a quasi-BIFL approach is to just buy a non, waterproof bag that's durable, and use a garbage bag on the inside (typically bags designed for trash compactor or nylofume which are much more durable than normal bags).
The problem is no coatings last forever, so you might as well have your waterproof layer be a replaceable wear item.
If you do want something that doesnt require an extra bag, avoid anything that has a coating on the outside, because that is inherently sensitive to abrasion. This especially includes DWR, which mainly serves to shed water and prevent water from getting into the fibers, not preventing water from getting inside.
Also, avoid gore tex or similar. Those are good for on your body, because you are generating heat (and sweat) so it needs to be breathable, but a bag does not need to be.
I prefer coatings to be on the interior of the fabric for durability. Some people like it on the outside so water gets shed instead of getting the fabric wet (even though whatever is on the inside will be dry). Coatings like polyurethane are actually waterproof, though they will break down over time if they are kept hot and humid, so just make sure you take care of your gear.
Alternatively, a waxed cotton canvas may be the best bet for you since it can be retreated as necessary.
I second the "waterproofing a regular backpack" concept.
I commute by bicycle in a place that has a tropical summer rainy season. In fact, I'm looking at a storm brewing outside my window right now. Several years ago I started a hunt for a waterproof bag, but after a while I realized that a truly waterproof bag in the size I needed (40-50 l) was going to A) be very hard to find, and B) cost a small fortune, many times what a regular pack that size would cost.
So I decided to buy a regular, well-made and sturdy backpack, and to try using a waterproof backpack cover (outer) on it. At first it wasn't so good, but ever since I slightly modified the cover to stay snugly attached over the top of the backpack (the problem is where the shoulder straps attach) it's done a great job. The straps get soaked, and some parts of the pack that touch my back get damp in really heavy rain, but almost never enough to make it through to the inside.
I still keep some important things in plastic bags inside the bag, but it's very rarely necessary.
Another advantage of using a separate outer cover is that regular packs tend to be more serviceable, with pockets and straps and whatnot, which you can use freely when the weather's good, and will generally stay completely dry under the cover (although they will be less accessible obviously).
I can't believe I didn't even mention pack covers. A bunch of packs even have little compartments for the cover, so you never have to even think about where it is
I've had an ortlieb daypack for a few years and so far it's as good as new. It's made in Germany and they have a lot of options.
I know this thread is getting kinda old, I own a lot of Ortlieb panniers and bike backing stuff and its pretty much the best in the business. I also have an Ortlieb messenger bag I bought in 2011 but I've never found their backpacks comfortable which is why I kinda held off recommendimg them.
as a kludge to hold you over until you make a decision – you can isolate what you need to keep dry in a dry-bag or trash-compactor-bag (budget option) stuffed inside your existing backpack
I've had the same Salewa backpack for 20 years, if it was to fall apart tomorrow I'd choose another
+1 for Salewa, I've inherited an old one and it's indestructible
If you still have it you should see if you can get it fixed by a tailor, or someone who knows how to sew.
I don't know yet if it is BIFL, but I've been cycling with a Stubble & Co rolltop pretty much everyday in any weather for the past couple of years and my stuff has always been bone dry, contrary to me.
