pack cover vs. garbage bag

We recently got an email from someone going on our Grand Canyon Backpacking trip asking about this. I thought I'd give my 2 cents:

A garbage bag is an inexpensive option to waterproof your backpack. If you line the inside of your pack with it, it will keep your gear dry, but will not keep the backpack itself dry, nor anything you might have in outside pockets. If you put the garbage bag on the outside of your pack, it will keep your backpack dry, but probably not entirely fit the shape of the pack. Garbage bags also have a tendency to get holes in them, but since they are inexpensive and lightweight you can bring extra along.

A pack cover is made of coated nylon (usually) that wraps around the outside of your backpack and cinches down to fit right over the pack. Most brands make their own pack cover, and there are different sizes depending on the cubic inches of your pack. A pack cover is great for when you are travelig during the day, and can often fit over a thermarest attached to the outside of the pack as well as the pack itself. The biggest con to a pack cover is that they are fairly expensive. I also would recommend lining your stuff sacks (or backpack) with garbage bags in addition to the pack cover.

In the end of the day, decide how often you are going to backpack, what climates you will mostly travel in, and what kind of monetary investment you want to make. I often covet pack covers when I see people backpacking with them. They look so streamlined and efficient. But truth be told, I still opt for the garbage bags. --Deb