<p>One of my most vivid memories from my freshman year at VT was the first time it rained like it can only rain in Blacksburg -- heavy downpour for hours on end -- and I had to walk to class in it. After years of being used to darting into buildings from the bus/car, I was sorely unprepared for a 10 minute walk to class in a downpour accompanied by gusty winds. I learned two things that day: (1) I needed a bigger umbrella; and (2) my backpack's "water resistance" was pretty mediocre; my engineering homework was soggy and thus earned me a lousy grade that day. 30 years later, getting ready to send my son off to VT, rain in Blacksburg hasn't changed, but technology has; now instead of soggy homework, we'd be talking about soggy laptop/tablet, which is a much more expensive issue. So, has anyone got any recommendations for a highly water resistant laptop backpack that will also accommodate other books/notebooks? </p>
<p>He’s going into engineering? Give him a trash bag and tell him to figure it out.</p>
<p>Need a “not helpful” button. Really, if you can’t contribute anything positive, then just be quiet.</p>
<p>I was being serious. I walked across campus with a trash bag over my backpack on really rainy days.</p>
<p>Never had that problem; but I do have your stereotypical North Face backpack. </p>
<p>I think the moral of the story is to invest in a good backpack. Here’s mine: <a href=“http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-daypacks-filter-category-backpacks/borealis_2.html?from=subCat&variationId=TJ2&variationName=TNF%20BLACK%20”>http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-daypacks-filter-category-backpacks/borealis_2.html?from=subCat&variationId=TJ2&variationName=TNF%20BLACK%20</a>. I sometimes walk from my apartment to campus in the rain, and I’d have my laptop and books and I’ve never had a problem. </p>
<p>It’s $90 but it has lasted me three years and is still in near perfect shape. The rain here is ridiculous; I’d also recommend getting a rain coat. </p>
<p>Uh, I have to agree with chuy and the trash bag idea. My son just finished freshman year and kept a trash bag in his backpack. Said you could count on 1 hand the number of times he needed it. For him it wasn’t worth it to get a really good waterproof backpack - those aren’t cheap and they can be heavy. He did use a mid-priced North Face and that worked out fine.</p>
<p>Also sent a nice collapsible umbrella with him. Given where I found it when he was packing up at the end of the year, I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t used at.all. lol</p>
<p>No need to over engineer the solution. Trash bag works and is cheap. I had a good laugh reading this thread.</p>
<p>NorthFace makes a raincover for their backpacks. We found it was included with some models that we saw at Dick’s sporting goods last year, but the price for the backpack was outrageous. Found a similar NorthFace backpack at another retailer (but no raincover included) for a lot less, then went to a ‘hunt’ to buy the rain cover seperate. You need to make sure you get the right size for the backpack that you choose. We ended up finding the right size on eBay! My son said he used it many times.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the cover. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-face-pack-rain-cover”>http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-face-pack-rain-cover</a></p>
<p>I found a waterproof laptop case… I think on REI? </p>
<p>High Sierra makes some really good laptop backpacks. Among other features, there is a rain ‘jacket’ that tucks into a zipper pocket at the bottom. Pulls over the entire bag and does a great job (personal experience) with rain. Very durable bag. Between family and co-workers I have personal knowledge of 6 different bags and they are holding up 3+ years. I had my first one for 8 years and just replaced it with a new one. </p>
<p>I found them on eBags, but they are available in other places as well. </p>