Honestly, after years of hiking in the rain, I've realized most "waterproof" bags are kinda a lie. I've had issues with expensive ones leaking through the zippers... it's so frustrating. For a more budget-friendly but solid option, I'd go with the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III. It's pretty rugged and the AW cover actually fits tight. If you're really worried about your R5, just grab a Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 13L to line the inside. It's not as fancy as the high-end brands, but it's literally saved my gear more than once when the PNW weather got nasty. gl!

In my experience, shooting in the PNW is basically a torture test for gear, so I feel u on needing something *actually* waterproof. Honestly, I've tried many bags over the years, but for my R5, I've gotta recommend these two:

- Shimoda Action X30 V2 Backpack - This is my go-to cuz the material itself is super water-resistant and the roll-top is clutch for keeping rain out of the main compartment.
- F-Stop Ajna 37L DuraDiamond Backpack - I mean, the DuraDiamond fabric is literally tough as nails and sheds water like crazy, plus the weather-sealed zippers are legit.

But yeah, a quick tip: even with a "waterproof" bag, always use the rain cover for long hikes. Also, I kinda always keep some PEAK DESIGN Shell Camera Cover - Large in my kit just for extra peace of mind when the camera is out on the tripod. Good luck out there, stay dry! 👍

Seconded!

Basically, I've spent over a decade dragging gear through rainforests, and I've learned that "water-resistant" is a term marketing teams love but physics hates. After a few years, those coatings almost always break down. For an R5 setup, you need to look at the actual textile construction rather than just a rain cover. - Gura Gear Kiboko V2.0 22L+ - This is the gold standard for me. It’s made of X-Pac VX21, which is a multi-layer sailcloth laminate. It doesn't rely on a temporary DWR coating; the material itself is fundamentally waterproof and way more durable than standard nylon over the long haul.
- MindShift BackLight Elite 45L - If you're doing long hikes with heavy RF glass, this is the one. It uses high-grade sailcloth and has a much higher hydrostatic head rating than consumer-grade packs. The rear-panel access is a huge safety feature—you can lay the bag face-down in the mud and keep the harness (and your back) completely dry, you know? Tbh, even with high-end gear, I’m cautious. I usually check the TPU coating on the zippers every season. If you see it cracking or peeling, that’s your failure point. I mean, even the best bag is just a bucket if the zippers leak, right?

Unfortunately, many bags marketed for weather protection fail to meet the actual field requirements for a high-end R5 setup. Ive had issues with moisture ingress through seams that were supposedly sealed. Here are a couple I have tested that handle the PNW better than most, tho they still have flaws.

• MindShift BackLight 26L Photo Daypack
• The rear access is a huge advantage for keeping the harness dry when youre swapping lenses in the mud. However, the external fabric is not as hydrophobic as I expected and tends to soak through if you dont use the rain cover immediately.
• Wandrd PRVKE 31L Photo Bundle
• The tarpaulin exterior is quite impressive for shedding rain. My disappointment lies with the side-access zipper; it lacks a proper storm flap, which is a major oversight for anyone shooting in sustained wet conditions. Basically, dont rely on the bag alone. Even with high-end zippers, the humidity inside the bag can become a problem for the electronics in your R-series bodies. I usually toss a few large desiccant packs in the main compartment to be safe...

im still pretty new to hiking with my r series setup but ive already had a close call during a wet weekend. i was honestly terrified of ruining my sensor... i relied on a bag that was marketed as weather-resistant but after a couple hours of steady drizzle i noticed the interior lining felt damp right near the main zip. kinda scary tbh. here is what i learned from that to keep the gear performing right:

• dont trust the water-resistant tag alone. water finds a path through the stitching if it sits long enough.
• i started using a dedicated rain shell for the bag even when the rain is light. just adds that extra layer of safety.
• keeping a small towel inside a sealed plastic bag is a lifesaver for wiping the mount area if you have to swap lenses. it definitely gives me more peace of mind knowing theres a backup plan if the main bag starts to give way. good luck with the pnw weather!

Seconding the recommendation above about zippers being the weak point. Honestly, in my experience shooting in the PNW for years, I've realized that the bag itself is only half the battle. I remember one time I was out near Rainier and my "weatherproof" pack completely soaked through during a sudden downpour. It was terrifying seeing my R5 sitting in a damp compartment!!

Basically, I've learned to focus on a safety-first approach now:
- I always use internal dry bags for my lenses
- I never trust the built-in rain cover alone
- I carry a small packable tarp for gear changes

Even with a high-end bag, I treat everything like it's gonna leak eventually lol. I'm still kinda figuring out the perfect hiking setup, but keeping the gear inside sealed pouches has saved my gear more than once. Better safe than sorry when youre dealing with expensive RF glass, right? Anyway, just my two cents... good luck out there!

Yep, this is the way

Same setup here, love it