Gregory Pack Rain Cover Review
Gregory's seam-taped, PFAS-free rain cover fits 50–80 L packs and weighs 108–136 g, a dependable shell that costs more in grams than a pack liner.
Overview
Gregory’s Pack Rain Cover is a seam-taped shell for 50–80 L backpacks, built from 40% recycled 70D polyester ripstop with a PFAS-free DWR finish. It is a conventional, no-surprises design: elastic drawcord, a hook closure, a drain hole and a stuff pouch. The trade-off is weight. At 108–136 g, it asks more of an ultralight base weight than the pack liners many thru-hikers rely on.
Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 108–136 g depending on version |
| Fits | Packs of 50–80 L |
| Material | 40% recycled 70D polyester ripstop, C0 DWR, PFAS-free |
| Construction | Seam-taped |
| Attachment | Elasticized drawcord with hipbelt loops and an adjustable hook closure that clasps above the harnesses |
| Packed size | 5.5 x 5.5 x 2 in (14 x 14 x 5 cm) |
| Max carry weight | 50 lb (22.7 kg) |
| Extras | Reflective front logo, bottom drain hole, attached storage pouch with envelope closure |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Price | $39.95 at REI |
Versions compared
| Version | Weight | vs. lightest |
|---|---|---|
| 50-80 L | 108 g (3.8 oz) | lightest |
| Standard | 136 g (4.8 oz) | +28 g |
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Weather protection. The cover’s main selling point is its seam-taped construction. Taped seams matter on a pack cover because they are where water sneaks in during sustained rain, and plenty of cheaper covers skip them. Owners who have used the cover on multi-day trips report that it kept the pack and its contents dry through steady drizzle, including a three-day Ozarks trip that opened with a wet first day.
Fit and retention. The elasticized drawcord pulls the hem snug around the pack, and hipbelt loops give the cover something to anchor to. The adjustable hook clasps above the shoulder harnesses, so the cover stays put instead of ballooning in a crosswind. Owners with large Gregory packs, including the Deva 70 and Baltoro 75, say it fits well. That’s no surprise, since Gregory has long bundled covers with its bigger packs. Its 50–80 L range also covers most non-Gregory framed packs.
Packability. Folded into its attached pouch, the cover measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 2 in. One owner described it as a little bulky, slightly larger than a soda can, but judged dry gear worth the space. The pouch has an attachment point, so the cover can hang from a daisy chain or shoulder strap and be pulled out quickly when the sky turns. Owners have asked for a dedicated pocket or built-in stowage on the pack itself, and the cover’s tether is a partial answer to that.
Visibility and drainage. The oversized reflective logo on the front makes a pack easier to spot on a dark road or in a whiteout. The bottom drain hole keeps water from pooling in the cover. Owners offered one cosmetic complaint: the cover doesn’t always match the pack’s color.
Environmental credentials. The fabric is 40% recycled, and the DWR is a C0, PFAS-free treatment. That is a meaningful step up from older covers coated in fluorinated chemistry, though the other 60% of the fabric is virgin polyester.
Weight. Here the cover loses ground with the gram-counting crowd. A pack liner or a trash-compactor bag costs a fraction of the weight and money. A cover does what a liner can’t: it keeps the pack’s fabric from soaking up water, which adds carried weight over a rainy day, and it protects external pockets. But hikers who already line their pack and accept a wet shell will find 108 g hard to justify.
Choosing a Version
The two versions differ in listed weight rather than in features. The 50–80 L version weighs 108 g (3.8 oz), and the Standard version weighs 136 g (0.3 lb), a gap of 28 g, or about an ounce. Both share the same fabric, taped seams and attachment system. Pick by pack volume: this cover is sized for 50–80 L packs, and smaller packs in the 30–50 L range are better served by Gregory’s smaller cover. Within the 50–80 L range, choose the lighter version if both are available to you.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Seam-taped construction guards against the leaks that plague budget covers
- Drawcord, hipbelt loops and hook closure hold the cover in wind
- Reflective logo adds visibility at night
- Drain hole prevents pooling
- Recycled fabric with a PFAS-free DWR
- Limited Lifetime warranty
- Attached pouch with a tether point for quick access
Cons
- At 108–136 g, it is heavy next to a pack liner or a lighter cover
- Packed size is a little bulky for a sub-pound accessory
- At $39.95, it is pricey for what it does
- Only 40% of the fabric is recycled
- Color doesn’t always match the pack
- Doesn’t replace an internal liner for river crossings or heavy soaking
Who Should Buy This
This cover suits section hikers, trekkers and mountaineers carrying a 50–80 L framed pack on trips where rain is likely and gear stays strapped on the outside. It is a natural match for owners of Gregory packs in this volume range. Ultralight thru-hikers with 40 L or smaller packs, or anyone who already pairs a liner with a water-resistant shell, should look elsewhere or skip the cover.
Verdict
Gregory’s rain cover is a solid, durable way to protect a big pack, with fit and sealing that owners trust. It is no weight-saver, and the price is steep for a piece of fabric. Buy it for a larger, heavier loadout; a liner does the job better for a lean ultralight kit.