Deuter Raincover Review

Overview

Deuter’s Raincover is a plain rectangular shell of 70D polyamide that pulls over a loaded pack and cinches shut with a drawcord. It comes in three sizes, I, II and III, which together cover packs from 20 to 90 liters. It is not an ultralight cover: at 86 to 130 g it weighs more than silnylon alternatives. In return it offers a PU coating, taped and welded seams, and fabric that tolerates brush and rough stuffing.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	86–130 g (3.0–4.6 oz) depending on size
Compatible pack volume	20–90 L across three sizes (I: 20–35 L, II: 30–50 L, III: 45–90 L)
Dimensions (H x W x D)	60 x 30 x 26 cm (I), 69 x 30 x 27 cm (II), 97 x 37 x 30 cm (III)
Material	70D polyamide
Waterproofing	PU coating, taped and welded seams
Closure	Drawcord
Visibility	Reflective detailing
PFC/PFAS-free	Yes
Price (Deuter US)	$30 (II), $35 (III)

Performance

The fabric is a finely woven 70-denier polyamide that Deuter says packs small and sheds rain well thanks to its PU coating. The construction matters more than that spec line suggests. Taped and welded seams address the usual failure of cheap covers, which is water working through the stitch lines in sustained rain. Owners who have used the III in heavy rain report that gear stayed dry. One buyer called it noticeably thicker than the cover that shipped with their pack. Another reported hours of rain on the first day of a trip with everything inside staying dry.

All three sizes carry reflective detailing, a small margin of safety on road walks and in dim light. Deuter makes the fabric without PFAS, and the I and II are listed as bluesign, ClimatePartner and Green Button certified.

Packability is a quiet strength. Owners describe the III as small and compact when not in use, and the lighter sizes are easy to forget in a side pocket. Customers on European retail sites rate the II mostly for its low weight and price relative to performance, and it averages about 4.5 stars across eight reviews.

Fit is where the complaints cluster, and nearly all of them concern the III. It is cut for packs up to 90L, so it runs large on anything near the bottom of its range. A buyer with a 50+10 trekking pack reported the cover hanging a foot or more below the pack, with the drawcord unable to take up the slack. A second returned it as far too big. Pack size is the deciding variable. A buyer running a 45L pack in a III, meanwhile, said it wrapped around the load nicely. Those with truly large loads like the extra room. One owner praised it as big enough to cover gear lashed to the outside and still snug enough not to flap in wind.

As with any cover that cinches at the hem, access suffers. One owner noted that with the cover pulled tight, side-pocket water bottles were out of reach, and recommended a hydration reservoir for long days. A cover also does nothing for water running down the back panel against the shoulder straps, so it pairs best with a pack liner on multi-day trips.

Choosing a Version

The three sizes share fabric, coating, seams and reflective trim. Only the cut changes, and the weight gap is small until the jump to the III.

I (86 g, 60 x 30 x 26 cm): Rated for 20–35L packs. This is the version for daypacks, fastpacking packs and smaller overnight loads. It is the lightest of the three, though only 4 g under the II.

II (90 g, 69 x 30 x 27 cm): Rated for 30–50L packs. This is the version for weekend and thru-hiking packs in the 40–50L range, including a 50+10 trekking pack, where owners say it fits better than the III. It is also 40 g lighter than the III and $5 cheaper.

III (130 g, 97 x 37 x 30 cm): Rated for 45–90L packs. It suits expedition loads, winter kits and packs with bulky lashed-on gear, where the extra fabric is useful rather than flapping. Anyone with a pack under about 55L should expect slack at the bottom.

The overlaps are real. At 30–35L, the I and II both work, and the I gives a tighter wrap. At 45–50L, choose the II unless the pack regularly carries gear strapped outside.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Taped and welded seams plus PU coating give dependable protection in sustained rain
• Reflective detailing for low-light and roadside visibility
• PFAS-free construction, with bluesign certification listed for the I and II
• Packs small enough to live in a side pocket
• Three sizes cover 20–90L, with the III handling oversized loads

Cons

• 86–130 g is heavier than silnylon or Dyneema covers
• The III hangs loosely on packs at the small end of its range
• Cinching the hem can block access to side-pocket bottles
• Offers no protection against moisture on the back panel and straps

Who Should Buy This

This is for trekkers, mountaineers and multi-day hikers who want a cover that will take brush, gravel and repeated stuffing. Pick the I for packs up to 35L, the II for 30–50L packs and the III for 55L and up. Hikers carrying frameless packs who count every ounce are better served by a lighter cover or a pack liner. Anyone with a 45–50L pack should buy the II, not the III.

Verdict

The Raincover is a durable, properly sealed cover that does its one job well, and the II and III are priced fairly at $30–35. Its weight rules out ultralight setups, and the III’s wide size range leaves smaller packs with loose fabric. Buy the size matched to the pack and it earns its pocket space.