Gossamer Gear Waterproof Pack Liners

Description

Rikkar Specs

Key Features

• Ultralight waterproof pack liners
• Sold as a two-pack
• 1.4 oz / 40 g per liner
• 38-inch height
• 13-inch width
• 8-inch depth
• Clear construction makes contents easy to see
• Made from USA-produced PolyEarthylene®
• Biobased polyolefin material
• Designed to keep backpack contents dry
• Packs down small when not in use

Waterproof Pack Protection

A pack liner is one of the simplest ways to protect the gear inside your backpack from wet weather.

Rather than relying entirely on a pack cover to keep rain out, these liners create a waterproof barrier around the contents of your pack. That means your sleeping bag, clothing, electronics, and other moisture-sensitive gear can remain protected even when rain makes its way through the backpack’s outer fabric.

The clear material also makes it easier to see what’s inside the liner, which is useful when you’re digging through your pack at camp.

Ultralight Design

At just 1.4 ounces per liner, the weight penalty for carrying waterproof protection is extremely small.

For ultralight backpackers, this is one of the main reasons we like the pack-liner approach. You don’t need a heavy dry bag for every item in your pack, and you don’t need a complicated waterproofing system. One liner can protect the majority of the gear inside the main compartment while adding almost no noticeable weight.

The two-pack also gives you some flexibility. Keep one in your primary backpacking pack and another as a spare, or use the second liner to organize gear separately.

PolyEarthylene® Material

The current liners use PolyEarthylene®, a USA-made biobased polyolefin that Gossamer Gear has adopted as a more environmentally conscious material for its lightweight waterproof products.

As with other ultralight materials, reasonable care is important. Sharp objects, rough handling, and unnecessary abrasion can damage lightweight waterproof materials, so it’s best to treat the liner as a waterproof barrier rather than a heavy-duty dry bag.

What Are The Clear Waterproof Pack Liners Best For?

These liners are best for backpackers who want a simple, inexpensive, and extremely lightweight way to protect their gear from moisture.

They’re particularly useful for ultralight backpacking, thru-hiking, wet-weather trips, and anyone carrying moisture-sensitive equipment such as sleeping bags, quilts, down clothing, or electronics.

They’re also a good alternative to using a pack cover as your primary waterproofing strategy. A cover protects the outside of the pack, while a liner protects the gear inside.

The Tradeoff

The main tradeoff is durability.

At just 1.4 ounces, these are intentionally lightweight rather than bombproof. They aren’t designed to be thrown around like a heavy-duty dry bag, and care should be taken to avoid punctures or tears.

For backpackers who treat their gear with reasonable care, however, the weight savings are substantial. A waterproof liner can protect the most important gear in your pack without adding much weight or taking up much space.

Rikkar Take

Gossamer Gear’s Clear Waterproof Pack Liners are a perfect example of the ultralight philosophy: solve a common problem with the simplest possible piece of gear.

At 1.4 ounces each, there’s very little reason not to carry one when wet weather is possible. The tall 38-inch design gives you plenty of material to work with in a backpack, while the clear construction makes it easy to see and organize your gear.

The PolyEarthylene® material is also a nice step forward, giving the liners a more environmentally conscious material choice without compromising their basic purpose.

They’re inexpensive, nearly weightless, and provide an important layer of protection for the gear you really don’t want getting wet. For an ultralight backpacking kit, that’s an easy piece of gear to justify.