The real purpose of a rain cover for your camera backpack
Tuesday 30 June 2026, 15:51 by Nando Harmsen | 1,801 views | 5 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
Do you have a camera backpack? It probably came with a rain cover. Although the bag can handle a shower, the rain cover provides extra protection. Its real purpose, however, is probably not what you think.
A camera backpack protects your expensive photography equipment from Mother Nature. When it rains, everything in the bag stays dry. At least, that is what you would expect. A rain cover for the backpack can help with this.
Many good-quality camera backpacks are made from a material that is already water-repellent. This means you can face a rain shower without any problems. If it gets too bad, you can use a rain cover.
The most vulnerable parts of a camera backpack are the zips. Some are designed to be largely waterproof. Until water manages to get through after all.
So you want to give the zips extra protection, which is why you use a rain cover. But there is one small detail that is often overlooked. Many camera backpacks have the opening at the back. And of course, it is closed with a zip.
The zip of this compartment is not protected by a rain cover. All the water that gets between the backpack and you reaches the zip. The breathable material is also located there, and it naturally works like a sponge.
A rain cover therefore protects the part of the camera backpack that is already reasonably well protected. But it does not protect the zip that gives you access to your equipment. This is the major drawback of having a zip at the back of the camera bag.
Is a rain cover therefore useless? No, of course not. It protects the outside and the zips located there. Not just from rain, but also from mud and sand, and other dirt.
So use the rain cover when you put the bag on wet grass, the beach, mud, or other dirt. You can then access the back without any problems to take your camera out of the compartment.
If the zip is at the front, on the outside, of the camera backpack, this of course does not apply. But then you can be sure that the rain cover works perfectly for the downpour you get caught in.
Despite the limitations discussed, it is always sensible to use a rain cover in the rain. If you want maximum protection, however, consider a rain poncho that you can put over the bag.
Have you used a camera backpack in the rain? Share your experience below this post. Or perhaps you never go out when it rains. I would be interested to hear about your experiences.
About the author
Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.
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5 comments
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Henri wrote on Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 18:25 | replyHi Nando,
Translated from Dutch.
If it rains I don't take my camera backpack with me, I take my regular Ortlieb backpack which is completely waterproof and then put foam on the bottom and fold a piece of foam into it in which I only take the bare essentials,
I can't see myself changing lenses when it's raining anyway; it is an interesting question, why can't you find completely waterproof backpacks??
Regards -
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Mac wrote on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 08:01 | replyPersonally, I have walked through a great many heavy rain showers with a backpack, and have never had any problems with water getting into the backpack through the back. It actually always stays completely dry.
Translated from Dutch.
And if you are still a little worried about it, then a rain poncho is the answer, buy a large one, and you just put it over the backpack.
@henri
Lowepro has the dryzone, which is a completely waterproof backpack.
(I myself have a sling from camera armor, they no longer exist, which is also completely waterproof).
And there are still a number of bags available that are waterproof. -
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fotosvanrob
wrote on Tuesday 7 July 2026 at 12:25
| reply
A few times I have been caught by a heavy rain shower. At a moment when I had everything set up for a photo. Camera on tripod, backpack open on the ground. I took the rain cover for the camera out of the bag and over the camera. Then the rain cover of the backpack over the backpack on the ground. Hood over my head. Yes, and then it is a matter of waiting until it dries up.
Translated from Dutch.
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