A backpack you haul around town or on the trail is only as good as its waterproof exterior. We want you to have the best experience while using these backpacks, and we go to great lengths to test everything. The Skog A Kust backpack series caught our attention, and we simply had to know what it was all about.
From the basics to its waterproof capabilities, we will also explain any issues you might have with the bag. Will the Skog A Kust keep your valuables safe and dry through snow and rain? Is it as airtight as it looks? Keep reading to see how this versatile backpack holds up in the waterproof department.
The Basics
Skog A Kust calls their backpacks a BackSak, and they design them for particular purposes. Before you choose these backpacks, remember that they float and are designed for water activities. They are perfect for kayaking, rafting, swimming, camping, hiking, fishing, or heading to the beach. This bag, however, could be your everyday bag because you like the style or prefer something waterproof.
With that in mind, you can take this bag everywhere even if you don’t plan to go in the water. The bag features a sternum clip for added security, uses a roll-down top for easy loading and unloading, and employs 500-denier PVC fabric to create a waterproof seal.
The padded back makes it more comfortable to wear, and the side D-rings help you carry water bottles, keys, flashlights, and other accessories.
The inner pocket is spacious and carries all your supplies with both 25L and 35L sizes available. There is a splash-proof outer pocket for your wallet, phone, and keys, as well. Choose from nine amazing colors including black, blue camo, digicamo, grey, mint, navy blue, a palm tree pattern, yellow, and pink.
Weighing in at only 2.3 pounds, the bag uses welded seams, EVA foam, high-visibility trim, and Duraflex hardware to make it more comfortable and extremely durable.
Waterproof Testing Results
Our waterproof testing results feature three main experiments. We use the Mist, Rain, and Dunk tests to determine the level of waterproofing and how effective the bag will be.
The Mist
For the Mist test, the bag passed without a single issue. This means even the splash-proof outer pocket protects against water intrusion. If you hike through a dense fog or get hit with some sea spray while walking along the shore, your contents remain dry.
The Rain
The Rain test is a little bit more intense, but the bag, again, passed with a perfect score. As long as you close the bag properly, the Skog A Kust can handle a heavy downpour.
The Dunk
We had a bit of an issue with the dunk test. Of course, dunking a backpack in water is not an ideal situation for anyone. At the same time, this bag claims to be a great piece of gear when swimming and kayaking.
Our Dunk test involves completely submerging the bag for a few seconds. The bag's main compartment was dry, but parts of the exterior pocket were a little damp. It’s important to note that the pocket is only described as splash-proof, and that makes sense. Skog A Kust does not claim it is “dunk-proof.”
Keep in mind that the rain test does not go on for hours and hours—a situation you might encounter in the real world. If you were to stand in the rain for extended periods, you might experience the sort of dampness we found in the dunk test.
Other Features We Like
We appreciate that this bag is available in two sizes. Only you know the type of bag you require, and choosing between large and small can help you save money or fit the items you need every day. Let’s compare the sizes. The 25L bag is 16 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. The 35L is 19 inches tall, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 inches deep.
We also like the 35L Pro option, which uses an entirely different material and setup than the other bags. The pro model uses waterproof TPU-coated rip-stop nylon, which is thicker and more durable than waterproof PVC. You get a laptop sleeve inside the bag, exterior mesh pockets, and a removable waist strap that you do not find on the other models.
Another plus about the Skog A Kust BackSak is that it’s vegan-friendly, making it an ideal and versatile option for many. We also like the way you can roll down the top of the bag and maintain the seal. You click the top clip in place, and you have another handle. We love how you can create a carrying handle on top which makes it easier to maneuver the bag for loading and unloading.
Skog A Kust offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the bag.
Complaints
Aside from the minor slip-up with the exterior pocket, we have very few complaints concerning this bag. If we had our druthers, the bag itself would be thicker and potentially feature extra interior pockets or compartments. A laptop sleeve is not enough.
The straps and zippers on the bag do not appear to be as durable as they should be. While the back panel is designed to keep you dry, it is a separate panel that could, with heavy use, separate from the fabric.
Who Should Get The Skog A Kust BackSak
This backpack is perfect for people who ride a bike or motorcycle to work every day. Hikers can use these packs to keep their supplies dry, and you can use this bag if you need to grab something inside the bag quickly. You get the support around your chest if you have issues with posture or back pain, and you might try this bag if you are a courier, helping keep your packages dry in the rain, wind, or snow.
Final Verdict: Is The Skog A Kust BackSak Waterproof?
Yes, the Skog a Kust is waterproof, but it is not the best-waterproof bag we have ever seen. If you think your bag will get soaked, you might want to avoid using the exterior pocket. Otherwise, you can use this bag every day and keep your items dry. Because it's super easy to access the main compartment, it made our list of the best waterproof backpacks!
Until next time, stay dry out there.
