Backpacks that stand up to the rain: clever material choices and design ideas

The unpredictable weather of spring often throws our daily fashion choices into disarray.

Bags, too, can become a source of worry on rainy days.

Bags carry important things we don't want to get wet—smartphones, laptops, wallets, books—

and since storing and carrying these items is their whole purpose,

we naturally want to choose materials, designs, and features that keep the contents safe even if the bag itself gets rained on.

This time, we're focusing on backpacks (rucksacks) among all bag types, and introducing ones that are easy to carry on rainy days. 

What features does a rainy-day bag need?

First, let's think about what we want from a backpack we carry on rainy days.

・A material that resists water penetration, so contents stay safe even if the bag gets wet

・An easily overlooked detail: the use of waterproof or water-resistant zippers

・The reassurance of a flap

・Easy care, even after getting wet or dirty

【A material that resists water penetration, so contents stay safe even if the bag gets wet】

Carrying a backpack on your back while holding an umbrella on a rainy day—

unless you have a large umbrella that covers your whole body,

in most cases raindrops dripping off the umbrella will end up landing

on the backpack to some degree. This is unavoidable.

That's why it's important for a backpack's material to use fabric that resists water penetration even when the surface gets wet,

or to be treated with a water-repellent finish.

【An easily overlooked detail: the use of waterproof or water-resistant zippers】

With bags that have zippers, they may look securely closed and reassuring at first glance,

but in heavy rain, the backing fabric of the zipper can get wet, and water can

seep through and drip inside.

For those who carry a lot of electronics like laptops, whether the zipper area

uses a waterproof or water-resistant zipper is

an important point to check.

【The reassurance of a flap】

If you're worried that a zipper alone isn't enough, bags that also have a flap,

giving the opening a double layer of protection, offer even more peace of mind.

【Easy care, even after getting wet or dirty】

Even if a bag is described as rain-resistant, leaving it wet without care

is not good for the bag's fabric at all. Some maintenance is always needed, so

in that respect, thick cotton or polyester fabrics that can simply be wiped down

when wet or dirty are recommended.

(Leather, which can't simply be wiped clean when wet, isn't suited to rainy days.) 

Backpacks with clever material and design choices

Here we introduce, brand by brand, bags that meet at least one of the conditions listed above.

Whether a bag becomes your daily companion depends not only on its look—

its design and atmosphere—but also on questions like "what will I put in it,"

"in what situations will I use it," and "does it suit the TPO of my everyday environment."

With rain-resistance as a given, please choose while picturing

how each bag would feel once you're actually carrying it. 

【RAINS／Back Pack Mini】

This backpack from RAINS, the Danish rainwear brand,

uses the same material as their raincoats,

making it a bag truly built "for rainy days."

It uses a polyester fabric with a matte,

soft, rubber-like texture.

When you touch it, it feels moist and smooth, and against your back

it has no stiffness, making it a material that's comfortable even carried for long periods.

The main storage compartment of the RAINS Back Pack Mini is

protected by a large flap.

The hook on the front can be undone easily with one hand, so

taking things in and out is smooth.

Besides the hook, the flap also has two magnets attached, so

it won't lift open even on windy days, keeping rain from getting in.

The bag has pockets on both the inside and outside, and

since they use waterproof zippers, you can rely on them.

Even with a rain-resistant material, it's reassuring to have

a safer spot to keep your smartphone or wallet

just in case.

The outer pocket is placed against your back, so

it's designed to be further protected by your body.

RAINS was founded in Denmark in 2012.

Denmark is a country with a high frequency of rainfall—it rains more than a third of the year.

On rainy days, people might feel reluctant to go outside, or their mood

might turn gloomy.

Raincoats tend to be purely practical—convenient, but

not very fashionable, and young people don't want to wear them.

With this in mind, RAINS set out to turn the gloomy image associated with rain

into something positive, so that rainy days could be enjoyed—giving practical raincoats

a sense of fun and fashion. That is the philosophy behind RAINS. 

【QWSTION／Daypack Jet Black​】

The QWSTION Daypack Jet Black

is made of thick cotton canvas that has been further treated with a PU coating,

adding high water repellency and durability.

On top of that original water-repellent treatment, it also has a cotton twill lining, which is another

key point in protecting the contents from rain.

Twill refers to fabric woven in a diagonal pattern, a weave that creates a tight, dense texture.

The use of a cushioned, thick fabric is also well-suited as a countermeasure against rain.

The Daypack Jet Black is a functional bag that accommodates multiple ways of carrying and using it.

The handle is removable and works for both vertical and horizontal carrying styles.

A shoulder belt is stored in the large pocket on the back,

making it possible to carry the bag as a backpack as well.

For example, when out on regular work errands, you can carry it by the handle

to match your business style, and when it starts raining, you can switch to wearing it as a backpack

to keep your hands free for holding an umbrella—this kind of flexible use is possible.

The zipper opening runs along two sides, so no matter which of the 3 ways you use it,

the opening spreads wide, making it exceptionally easy to use.

It also features a storage space for a laptop,

and with multiple pockets arranged both inside and outside, it offers excellent storage capacity,

showing thoughtful consideration for everyday usability as a daily bag.

QWSTION is a bag brand born in Switzerland,

which started with the aim of bridging the gap between function-focused sports bags

and elegant fashion bags.

"Only by asking good questions can you find good answers.

For those searching for a bag that fits their lifestyle, QWSTION is the answer."

By questioning traditional forms and refining them through repeated improvement, the brand aims

to create products that can be used every day, unaffected by the passage of trends. 

【STANDARD SUPPLY／DAILY DAYPACK】

The DAILY DAYPACK series from STANDARD SUPPLY.

With a large main compartment and a wide front pocket,

it has a classic backpack shape, but its biggest highlight is the fabric used.

The fabric is called 64 (Roku-Yon) Cloth,

made from a blend of 60% cotton and 40% nylon.

The reason for combining these two different materials—cotton and nylon—

is to achieve "the best of both cotton and nylon."

Standard 64 Cloth has a structure in which cotton and nylon fibers are blended in a perpendicular direction.

When the fabric gets wet, for instance,

the cotton absorbs the moisture and swells,

which increases the overall density of the fabric, making it harder for water and wind to pass through.

This is why 64 Cloth is said to be resistant to rain.

Conversely, when the moisture dries, gaps form between the fibers, improving breathability,

which means that even when the fabric gets wet, it dries quickly.

Another important point is that the zipper area has a flap covering it.

Since the zipper isn't left exposed,

it prevents water from seeping in through the zipper even if the bag gets rained on. 

Every item from STANDARD SUPPLY has a very simple appearance.

This reflects the brand's concept of expressing more feeling through less design.

While the look is simple, a great deal of thought has gone into usability.

The pocket inside the main compartment has a belt to prevent items from falling out,

the outer pocket has a small pocket inside it,

and there's even a hook for attaching keys.

One side has a pocket that fits a bottle, while the other has a pocket

that closes at the top with Velcro.

The shoulder pads contain 10mm-thick urethane padding,

and tape is threaded through the inside as well, making for a design that's gentle on the shoulders.

The handle on top of the backpack, too,

is wrapped in glove leather, a design choice made to reduce the strain of carrying it by hand.

【Billingham／Rucksack Cradle】

The spacious, large-capacity rucksack from Billingham

uses bonded cotton (rubberized cotton), in which rubber is sandwiched within cotton,

making it a bag that's resistant to rain and dirt.

With a firm, sturdy fabric and design that gives off a substantial, no-nonsense atmosphere,

it's made from a material you'll want to use for years to come, one that develops a softened,

worn-in character over time as you use it.

Another point worth noting is that the handles, base, and piping

use thick, durable bridle leather with a strong presence.

The base of the bag is studded with rivets, which help protect against

dirt and moisture when the bag is set down on the floor.

Since its founding, Billingham has continued to make traditional bags rooted in

England's classic hunting-bag heritage, crafted by hand by skilled artisans

in west-central England.

With a timeless design that also takes function into account and just the right amount of storage capacity,

Billingham is a fashion item that shines in everyday life. 

Care and Storage After Rain

Even with rain-resistant materials and construction, if the bag gets wet,

you won't be able to enjoy it for years to come without proper care.

The key to keeping it clean and usable for a long time is to take measures against moisture and dampness.

・Always wipe it down once you're indoors

If the bag gets wet, wipe it down

each time you come indoors.

When you arrive at the station, when you get to the office, when you step into a restaurant.

On rainy days, always carry a hand towel, and if it gets wet,

wipe the fabric to reset it.

・When you get home

Once you're home, wipe the bag down again.

Don't stop at the surface—take everything out and press a towel firmly

against the inside as well to remove any moisture there too.

After that, hang it in a well-ventilated spot to let any remaining moisture or dampness dissipate.

If the next day is sunny, it's also a good idea to leave it outside.

・Put it away only once it's completely dry

Don't put the bag away until it's completely dry and no moisture remains.

This applies to any bag, but

storing it in a tightly packed space blocks airflow,

which can easily lead to fabric deterioration or mold, and

can also cause wrinkles, so please avoid this.

The best approach is to give each bag enough room to keep its shape

while securing a spot with plenty of space around it.

・To keep cotton material water-resistant

Even if a bag has been treated for waterproofing or water resistance,

that effect doesn't last forever.

Spraying waterproof spray over the entire surface on a regular basis

repels not just rain and water but dirt as well, so it's a two-for-one benefit.