Backpacking On A Budget: The $10 Amazon Pack Cover Gear Review
I am a backpacker on a pretty tight budget and have always been a bargain hunter. Therefore, when I was shopping for a pack cover a few years ago, I was less than pleased to find that a rain cover for a multi-day pack ran between $30 and $50. This seemed like a lot to spend on a relatively simple piece of gear, especially one that falls into the “hope you don’t have to use it” category, so, I went looking for a less expensive alternative.
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I ended up purchasing a couple of pack covers on Amazon priced at about $10. (I have found prices and inventory of these to fluctuate a lot on Amazon. I think I actually paid less than $10 and current prices for the large cover are more like $12 but they are still significantly less expensive than name-brand pack covers.) The pack cover is made by OUTAD, a brand that I had no experience with and had not seen for sale at any other retailers.
Some backpackers chose to go without an exterior pack cover, instead, protecting items inside their pack using pack liners or dry bags. I find my pack cover to be a multi-use item and like having it to sit on or protect my pack from the damp ground when it is in my tent vestibule at night. Now that I have put in quite a few trail miles with my OUTAD pack cover, I am ready to share my personal review on this piece of budget gear.
What I like about my OUTAD pack cover from Amazon…
Price
The price of this pack cover was less than half of even the least expensive name-brand covers I could find at outdoor retailers like REI and backcountry.com.
Features
The OUTAD pack cover has many of the same features found on pricier models. It is secured with an adjustable elastic drawstring and also has an elastic strap that fastens around the back panel of your pack. In addition, the OUTAD cover has a reflective stripe for visibility and comes with its own stuff sack.
Color Choice
At the time of this post is looks like Amazon only has this pack cover in black and grey. However, when I purchased mine I had a variety of color options. I chose bright orange for visibility and it sure is bright! I like that it can double as safety orange in areas where it is required during hunting season.
Durability
The pack cover appears well-constructed and the material is thicker than other most covers I have seen. Even the elastic strap, the only part I had some doubts about, has held up well so far.
Performance
This pack cover does its job, stays in place, and keeps my stuff dry.
Things I don’t exactly love about my Amazon pack cover…
Weight
If you are counting every ounce, this pack cover does weigh a bit more than most other covers on the market. Mine weighs 6.7 ounces according to my home scale. See the table below for weight comparisons between popular pack covers.
Bulk
The heavy-duty fabric that this pack cover is made of means it not only weighs more but also takes up more space in your pack. In its stuff sack, it measures about 4” x 8”. The picture above shows the OUTAD pack cover next to a popular Sea To Summit cover.
How does Amazon’s OUTAD pack cover compare to other popular options?
Note: This chart is for price and weight comparisons only. I have not tried all of these products and cannot speak to their performance, durability, etc.
| Pack Cover | Size | Weight | Approximate Retail Price |
| OUTAD | Large – for 55 to 80 liter packs | 6.7 ounces | $12 |
| Osprey Ultralight | Large – for 50 to 75 liter packs | 3 ounces | $35 |
| Outdoor Research Lightweight | Large – for 45 to 80 liter packs | 5.4 ounces | $49 |
| REI Duck’s Back | 60 Liter | 5.5 ounces | $26.95 |
| Sea To Summit Nylon | Medium – for 50 to 70 liter packs | 5 ounces | $29.95 |
| Zpacks | Medium – for packs up to 55 liters | 1.4 ounces | $50 |
So is it worth it?
In my opinion, yes. This pack cover is worth a try, especially if you are new to backpacking or on a tight budget. Here’s why….
Most of your gear budget will be spent on the “big three” (tent, pack, and sleep system) but the cost of smaller items adds up fast and if you are carrying a pack cover this is an easy way to save.
Unless you are truly counting grams, the additional weight (only an ounce or two) is probably negligible.
The only real complaint I have about the OUTAD pack cover is its bulk. I like to keep my pack cover in an exterior pocket on my pack for easy access and have discovered that it is more space efficient to leave the stuff sack at home. This way, the cover can flatten out and take the shape of the pocket rather than creating a huge bulge on the front of my pack.
Have you tried the OUTAD pack cover? Do you have any other budget backpacking gear tips to share? Please leave a comment below!
Looking more money saving ideas? Check out these other budget backpacking posts:
How To Score Great Deals At An REI Garage Sale