I had an idea a couple of days ago about using an old inner tube from a tractor as a drying bag in your rucksack. As you can just cut the tube open and roll both sides up so its waterproof. The good thing about this is that you can acces it from both sides and its a lot cheaper.<br>Any thoughts?<br>

If you want to keep things dry it's not only rain you have to worry about. You have to worry about pack being swamped while crossing a river or a creek. You have to be ready to use your pack as floatation device when something like that happens. Having two openings creates a potential hazard of one of them not being closed tight enough. I prefer a drum lining bag (hefty big black garbage bag) to keep my things dry. I know it only has one opening but with careful planing everythign I need will be on top. Also I would assume that tractor tire tube is about 12 inches accross which is really not the best size to store your stuff at least not for big packs like large ALICE. Plus the weight of the tube will add significantly to your pack as well. It's a good idea, maybe not the most practical but workable. Try it out and let us know.<br><br>Plus rubber no matter how well washed and scrubed has a tendency to stink and trasfer that smell over to your belongings.<br><br>My old man used to bring home a heavy duty bags that they used for Asbestos storing/packing/shipping. That thing was storng, light and durable. If you can get your hands on that, it beats anything you can find without forking wads of cash for over the counter waterproof bags.<br><br>Matt

I'll sure as hell try it, even if it is just for the purpose of this site. And as I live on a farm it isn't a big problem to get my hands on a tractor tube. <br>I'll see if I can get my hands on the heavy duty bags too. <br>thanx

This might work well, many waterproof bags work by folding the opening over on itself multiple times and securing with a "velcro" or snap closing. Odor may still be a problem. Pete

i was just planning to fold it a couple of times and then secure it with quick release buckles

I think that will work just fine. Pete