Prevent April showers from waterlogging your adventures with our favorite rainproofing gear.
by Dan Nelson
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SealLine Kodiak Window Dry Bag
You think you’ve escaped the rain, then you find a drenched sleeping bag in the bottom of your pack. SealLine’s Kodiak bag (available in 5-to-40-liter sizes) is the fix. A clear panel shows what’s inside so you can find dry socks easily, and a purge valve in all but the smallest bags lets air out for maximum compression. [$20 and up; seallinegear.com]
Aquapac Camera Case
Olympus and Pentax make great water-resistant digicams, but if you already own a camera, you’ll need some aftermarket protection. Aquapac’s soft polyurethane prophylactics come in various sizes, to fit anything from pocket shooters to SLRs, and some feature clear lens covers designed to minimize optical distortion. [$55 for digicam, $130 for SLR; aquapac.net]
Marmot Mica Rainshell
Rain can ruin your day only if it catches you completely unprepared, which is why we suggest keeping a Mica in your pack. The jacket weighs just 6.8 ounces (in size medium) and crumples into a baseball-size bundle. Constructed with Marmot’s new 2.5-layer MemBrain Strata fabric, it repels heavy rain but still lets sweat evaporate. [$130; marmot.com]
Hilleberg Allak Tent
A stormworthy tent not only keeps you dry during a downpour; it’s comfy enough for you to while away a rainy day inside. The 5.5-pound two-person Allak meets both demands, protecting gear in two roomy vestibules while shrugging off a storm that dumped eight inches of rain and snow on us one night in Washington’s Olympic National Park. [$765; hilleberg.com]
Otterbox Armor Series iPod Cases
Keeping your iPod dry is easy with a plastic baggie. Oh, you wanted to listen to it while the heavens weep? Wrap your music player in a waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant Armor Series case from Otterbox. It incorporates a gasket-sealed headphone port and a thin membrane on the front so you have full access to your iPod’s controls. [$40; otterbox.com]
Vasque Breeze LT GTX Boots
The only thing worse than cold, wet feet are cold, wet feet in heavy, sodden boots. The lightweight Breeze LT GTX keeps your dogs dry with a Gore-Tex liner, a high, gusseted tongue, and a moisture-wicking insole. Built for day hikers and fast packers, the boot still has enough ankle support for heavier packs. [$130; vasque.com]
This article originally appeared in the April 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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