Waterproof Gear for Hiking & Backpacking | Keep Essentials Dry
Waterproof Gear for Hiking & Backpacking: How to Keep Your Essentials Dry
Rain is only one way hiking gear gets wet. River crossings, sweat, wet ground and sudden weather can soak essentials fast.
The best waterproof gear for hiking and backpacking keeps your phone, keys, wallet, maps and other important essentials protected from rain, river crossings and unexpected weather without making them difficult to access. Small valuables often benefit from their own waterproof storage even when your larger backpack already has rain protection.
A good hiking setup doesn't need to keep every single item perfectly dry.
Water bottles, trekking poles and plenty of outdoor gear can handle moisture. Your phone, electronic car key, wallet and emergency electronics deserve a different level of protection.
The farther you get from the trailhead, the more important that distinction becomes.
What waterproof gear do you need for hiking?
At minimum, hikers should protect phones, electronic car keys, wallets, maps and other moisture-sensitive essentials from rain and unexpected water exposure. A backpack rain cover or pack liner can protect larger gear, while a small waterproof bag gives critical valuables their own layer of protection and keeps them easy to access.
What Gear Actually Needs to Stay Dry?
Not everything in your backpack needs the same level of waterproofing.
Keep These Dry
- Phone
- Electronic car key
- Wallet and ID
- Paper maps
- Portable battery
- Headlamp or electronics
Lower-Risk Gear
- Water bottles
- Trekking poles
- Cookware
- Some outer layers
- Trail gear
- Non-sensitive equipment
What Should You Bring Hiking?
The right gear depends on trail length, terrain, weather and remoteness, but common hiking essentials include:
- Phone or GPS device
- Car keys
- Wallet or ID
- Water
- Food and snacks
- Sun protection
- Extra layer
- Rain protection
- First-aid supplies
- Headlamp
- Navigation tools
- Portable battery on longer trips
How Do You Keep a Phone Dry While Hiking?
Keeping your phone inside your backpack helps, but that isn't always enough.
Rain can work through zippers and seams. Packs can be set down on wet ground. Water bottles can leak. River crossings can go wrong.
A dedicated waterproof layer around your phone gives you extra protection without depending entirely on the backpack.
Keep it somewhere waterproof and easy to reach rather than loose inside the main compartment.
A leaking bottle can soak electronics even on a perfectly sunny day.
Mountain weather can change quickly, especially on longer routes.
Waterproof Crossbody vs. Backpack Storage
Your hiking backpack should carry the bulk of your gear, but that doesn't mean every important item belongs deep inside it.
Waterproof Crossbody
Useful for small valuables you want protected and easy to reach.
- Phone
- Keys
- Wallet
- ID
- Small sunscreen
- Small electronics
Hiking Backpack
Better for the larger equipment you need for the day or overnight trip.
- Food
- Water
- Clothing
- First-aid gear
- Shelter
- Backpacking equipment
Why a Waterproof Crossbody Works for Hiking
Not every hike requires a waterproof backpack. But keeping the few items you use most often in their own waterproof bag can make your setup simpler.
- Keeps phone, keys and wallet together
- Lets you access your phone without removing your backpack
- Provides a separate waterproof layer for electronics
- Useful around river crossings and changing weather
- Works as an everyday bag before and after the trail
- Keeps small essentials from disappearing inside a large pack
Do You Need a Waterproof Backpack for Hiking?
Not necessarily.
Many hikers use a combination of a normal hiking backpack, rain cover, pack liner and individual waterproof bags for sensitive gear.
That can work extremely well because different items need different levels of protection.
| Protection | Best For | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Rain Cover | Protecting the outside of a backpack from rain | Doesn't fully seal the pack |
| Pack Liner | Keeping the main contents dry | Less convenient for quick access |
| Dry Bag | Clothing, sleep systems and sensitive gear | Adds organization and bulk |
| Small Waterproof Bag | Phone, keys, wallet and electronics | Limited capacity |
What About River Crossings?
River and creek crossings are where a hiking setup can suddenly need much more water protection.
Even a shallow crossing can result in a slip, and once your pack hits the water, rain resistance isn't much help.
If your route includes meaningful water crossings, protect critical electronics as though they could be briefly submerged.
What Size Waterproof Storage Do You Need?
| Trip Type | What Needs Protection | Best Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Short Day Hike | Phone, keys, wallet | Small waterproof bag |
| Long Day Hike | Valuables, battery, extra layer | Waterproof valuables bag + backpack |
| Overnight Backpacking | Electronics, clothing, sleep system | Small waterproof bag + pack liner or dry bags |
| Wet / River Route | Critical electronics and dry clothing | Multiple waterproof storage layers |
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant for Hiking
Hiking is one of the activities where either can make sense, depending on conditions.
| Protection | Designed For | Hiking Use |
|---|---|---|
| Water-Resistant | Light rain and brief moisture | Fine for fair-weather day hikes |
| Waterproof | Heavy rain and significant exposure | Better for valuables and changing weather |
| Submersible | Complete immersion | Useful where river crossings or water exposure are possible |
Backpacking Changes the Equation
The longer the trip, the more important dry storage becomes.
On a short hike, getting an extra shirt wet may be annoying. On an overnight trip, soaking your insulation, sleeping bag or critical electronics can become a real problem.
Backpackers often benefit from using several layers of protection rather than depending on one supposedly waterproof backpack.
Keep sleeping bags and critical insulation in reliable dry storage.
Your phone, battery and other electronics shouldn't depend on the same layer as the rest of your gear.
Frequently used items shouldn't require unpacking the entire backpack.
A desert trail and a rainy mountain route shouldn't use the exact same waterproofing strategy.
Hiking & Backpacking FAQs
How do I keep my phone dry while hiking?
Keep it inside dedicated waterproof storage rather than relying only on your backpack. This protects it from rain, wet ground, leaking bottles and unexpected water crossings.
Do I need a waterproof backpack for hiking?
Not necessarily. Many hikers use a normal backpack with a rain cover or pack liner, then protect sensitive items individually in waterproof storage.
What's the best way to waterproof gear while backpacking?
A layered approach usually works well. Use a pack liner or dry storage for larger critical gear and separate waterproof storage for electronics, keys and other valuables.
Should I keep my car keys waterproof while hiking?
If you use an electronic key fob, protecting it from heavy rain and accidental submersion is a smart precaution, especially on remote hikes or routes with water crossings.
Is water-resistant enough for hiking?
It can be for light rain and short fair-weather hikes. For valuable electronics, sustained rain or routes involving water crossings, fully waterproof storage provides more protection.
Is a waterproof crossbody useful for backpacking?
It can be useful for quick-access essentials such as a phone, keys, wallet and small electronics while your main backpack carries clothing, food, shelter and other larger gear.
Keep the Essentials Dry and Within Reach
Your hiking backpack should carry the big stuff. Your phone, keys and wallet don't necessarily need to disappear into it.
The SKÖ Waterproof Crossbody gives your most important small essentials their own waterproof place to stay while keeping them easy to reach on the trail.
Fully waterproof protection for your everyday essentials.