I have a good rain outfit, Rivers West, but my gear in my pack gets soaked. Does anyone make a good rain proof line of packs? I plan to put everything in plastic bags until I find something better. Any other ideas?

Bona,

Have you tried a backpack rain cover? Here is a link to Campmor showing a variety of pack covers.   http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Category___76428__242?002=2176235&004=437006824&005=16854007&006=1315732054&007=Search&008=  

I have used a pack cover (Camp Trails if I remember correctly) while backpacking and it did a decent job of keeping my pack and everything in it dry. The only problem that I had was the water that ran down the back of my rain jacket would eventually soak the lumbar support of the pack and then water would collect at the bottom, inside, the pack cover. Small weep holes or eyelets would have solved that problem. All of my gear inside the pack was dry.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Bona,
I use an Alice pack for my gear. Military OD green poncho. Keeps everything dry. They can be a little warm though. Just a thought.

I used to be a backcountry ranger in Olympic National Park(a little rainy), and all I ever used was thick garbage bags to line the inside of my pack, and zipplock bags for all the little stuff.  Super cheap and easy to bring extras.  Never had good luck with the actual pack covers, another option is dry bags made for rafting.

Thank you everyone. Very helpful info.

Bona