I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips involving family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel.

This is the second of three reports of the Integral Designs Silcoat Pack Cover. The first report described the product in detail. The final report will discuss further experiences.

Product Description:

Integral Designs Silcoat Pack Cover
http://www.integraldesigns.com)
Received May 20, 2005
Integrated 5 inch by 6 inch (13 cm by 15 cm) pocket for storage
Ships in a 4 inch long, 3 inch diameter (10 cm by 8 cm) - stuff sack
MSRP US $35 (small size also available for $30)
Large size tested should fit packs up to 5,500 cubic inches (90 L) (small size also available to fit packs up to 3,000 cubic inches (50 L)
1.1-ounce 30 denier silicon-impregnated ripstop nylon
Available in "jade" (forest green - tested), grey, or yellow
Shockcord drawstring with toggle cord lock wraps completely around the opening
Large size measures 39 inches (97 cm) long, 15 inches (38 cm) wide, and 13 inches (32 cm) deep (per manufacturer and tester)
Stated weight 3.3 ounces (95g), 3.4 ounces (97 g) with the stuff sack and 3.1 ounces (90 g) without

Test Conditions

The field test was primarily conducted on a week-long backpack in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. Elevations ranged from 2,200 to 9,500 feet (700 to 2,900 m). Weather was mostly clear and sunny, with one day of brisk winds. The temperature ranged from 35 to 90 degrees F (2 to 32 C).

Field Test

As noted above, I have been cursed with good weather during the test period. While I could often see clouds in the distance, they steered clear of me. Therefore, I have not been able to test the waterproofness of the pack cover in field conditions. I did, however, use the pack cover in fair weather to test fit, access, and durability.

Fit. The pack cover is much larger than I had expected. My primary pack, an ultralight model, still has a capacity of 4,100 cubic inces (67 L), so I ordered the large size pack cover. The cover fits a bit large, but the drawstring does hold it securely in place. I am not sure that the smaller cover would adequately fit this pack, but the large size cover has a bit of surplus fabric when used on my pack. I also tried the cover on a more traditional internal frame pack that, while it has less internal volume, is physically larger in overall size. The cover still was more than large enough to cover it properly.

The effect of this roomy fit is that the cover looks a bit wrinkled. However, I did not notice any objectionable rustling in the wind, and there are no folds that might trap water.

The cover has two slots at the bottom to allow my pack's hip belt to pass through. This keeps the cover more secure around the bottom of the pack and also keeps it from getting lost or blown away when accessing the pack.

Ease of access to cargo in my pack. With a shockcord drawstring around the entire opening of the pack cover, it was easy to stretch the cover enough to reach a side pocket of the pack. Of course, accessing the main top-loading compartment required removing the cover from the top part of the pack, as with any cover I have seen, but this was still easy to do without exposing the bottom of the pack to the elements.

The biggest complaint I have about this pack cover, and others I have used, is the lack of an ice axe loop and strap. I attached my ice axe to my pack bottom-up. I have a guard for the pick and adze end, but not for the spike, so I made one using foam pipe insulation to prevent the spike from tearing the pack cover. This worked okay, but because the axe sticks out about 8 inches (20 cm) above the top of the pack, there is a lot of empty air under the pack cover, causing the fabric to rustle more than usual. I would prefer to see ice axe attachments on the cover, and will most likely add them myself when the test is complete.

Storage. I found the integrated pocket easy to use, and properly sized to hold the pack cover when not in use. It is possible to use one of the cord locks to tighten the pocket closed when used to store the cover. Since the silnylon fabric does not retain water and dries quickly, I use the integrated pocket for storage rather than the separate stuff sack. I do appreciate the inclusion of the stuff sack, however, as it is a nice bonus for storing other small items in my pack.

Ability to keep partially on for easy access during on-and-off showers. Because of the hip belt loops, the pack cover would have to be carried near the bottom of the pack if left partially attached for easy access during short rain showers. I tried rolling the cover around itself, but it did not stay well without a cord or strap to secure it. This might work better on other pack styles. I found it easier to just leave the cover on when rain threatened.

Waterproofness. I have had no opportunity to test the pack cover in the rain. The "best" I had was a heavy dew one night, and I left my pack outside my shelter that night with the pack cover on. No moisture touched my backpack, and the drops on the pack cover were easily shaken off before heading out on the trail the next morning. To prove just how waterproof the fabric is, I held the cover loosely to form depression and filled it with water. It held water like a bucket with no penetration of water into the fabric.

Durability. The flat-felled seams show no damage, nor does the fabric itself show anything more than a scuff. In camp I bounce my pack around a bit, although I do take care to avoid the largest branches that might snag my pack.

Summary. The light weight of this pack cover is very welcome. By comparison, the heavy duty plastic bags I use inside my pack to keep my sleeping bag and clothes dry weigh 2.4 ounces (68 g) each, and I usually carry two. Still, with the waterproof bags inside my pack, the pack fabric itself still gets wet. By using the Silcoat Pack Cover I can both save weight and have a drier pack.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Bill Jeffrey

Field Report

All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson