Ultra-Sil Pack Cover Care: Keep Your Rain Cover Waterproof

Quick answer

Rinse your Ultra-Sil pack cover with fresh water after every wet trip, wash it gently with a non-detergent soap only when dirty, and store it dry and loosely packed. Re-waterproof only when water stops beading.

Step-by-step pack cover care

1. Rinse after every wet hike: Unclip the cover from your pack and rinse both sides with fresh water. This removes mud, salt, and tree sap before they work into the fabric. Common mistake: storing the cover wet, which can encourage mildew and break down the waterproof finish. Rinse within a day of returning home, not weeks later.
2. Hand-wash with mild soap only: Fill a basin with cool water and a few drops of non-detergent soap or gear wash. Submerge the cover, gently agitate by hand for a minute, then rinse thoroughly. Never use bleach, fabric softener, or powdered detergent. Common mistake: scrubbing stains with a brush, which abrades the 30D fabric. If a stain persists, soak longer rather than scrubbing harder.
3. Air-dry away from direct heat: Hang the cover loosely in a shaded, ventilated spot. Do not put it on a radiator, in a tumble dryer, or in direct sun for hours. Common mistake: drying on a hot surface, which can damage the waterproof coating. The cover should feel completely dry before you pack it. Flip the cover inside out halfway through drying to check for trapped moisture.
4. Re-waterproof only when water stops beading: Apply a spray-on water-repellent treatment made for synthetic fabrics, following the product instructions. Light, even coats work better than one heavy coat. Common mistake: treating a dirty cover, so clean it first or the treatment will bond to grime instead of fabric. Test with a water splash before treating; if it beads, skip the treatment.
5. Store dry and loosely packed: Once fully dry, stuff the cover into its own small stuff sack and keep it in a cool, dry place. Do not compress it tightly for months or leave it in a hot car. Common mistake: storing it wet or crumpled in a damp gear bin, which can cause mildew and creases that weaken the fabric. Loosen the stuff sack slightly for long-term storage to avoid permanent creases.

Product facts

• Ultra-Sil Pack Cover (Like New): The medium size weighs less than four ounces and packs into its own small stuff sack. That low weight and built-in storage make it easy to keep the cover with your pack at all times, so you are less likely to leave it at home and more likely to maintain it regularly.