Data as of Aug 16, 2026 · Based on 281 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Yes, you can use a high-quality trash compactor bag like 
Brands AI recommends here
Ideal for thru-hikers needing an ultra-lightweight and puncture-resistant solution. These liners are specifically designed for durability in the field compared to standard household trash bags.
The best-fit budget option for those who want a simple, effective way to keep gear dry. They are highly rated for durability but lack the specialized features of dedicated outdoor products.
Best for versatility. It functions as a high-quality dry liner while also allowing you to inflate sleeping mats without using your breath, reducing moisture buildup inside your gear.
NylofumeSource | Citation share |
|---|---|
 How to Keep Your Backpacking Gear Dry with Trash ...https://sectionhiker.com/how-to-keep-your-backpacking-gear-dry-with-trash-compactor-bags/ | 7.7% |
 5 Ultralight Pack Liners for Backpacking - 99Bouldershttps://www.99boulders.com/best-pack-liners | 5.9% |
 Trash bags: the secret BACKPACKING THRU-HIKINGgearhttps://www.youtube.com/watch | 4.0% |
 Hiking Tip of the Day: Put a trash bag... - Hiking With Shawnhttps://www.facebook.com/hikingwithshawn/posts/hiking-tip-of-the-day-put-a-trash-bag-into-your-backpack-as-a-pack-liner-this-wi/1235925288341353/ | 3.1% |
 What are your rhoughts on different bagliners such trash ...https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1kq0xde/what_are_your_rhoughts_on_different_bagliners/ | 3.1% |
 Best Pack Liners For Backpacking: Keep Gear Dry And Organized - TheKitchenAppliancehttps://thekitchenappliance.com/best-pack-liners-for-backpacking/ | 2.4% |
 Waterproof pack liner?https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/waterproof-pack-liner/ | 2.3% |
Comparison of Five Ultralight Backpack Liners - SectionHiker.comhttps://sectionhiker.com/5-backpack-liners-compared/ | 2.2% |
 These $2 Bags Are Our Favorite Waterproofing Hackhttps://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/camping/trash-compactor-bags-waterproofing-review/ | 1.9% |
Which pack liner is most waterproof? Which stuff sacks are MW?https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/leoxh2/which_pack_liner_is_most_waterproof_which_stuff/ | 1.8% |
Yes, absolutely. In fact, using a trash compactor bag is a legendary, time-tested backpacking hack.
However, there is a big catch: Do not use a regular kitchen trash bag. Standard kitchen garbage bags are thin, flimsy, and will puncture or tear at the first brush with a sharp tent stake, stove leg, or spork. Trash compactor bags (usually 18-gallon size, white, and roughly 2.5 mil thick) are vastly stronger, puncture-resistant, cheap, and fit a standard 40L to 65L backpack exceptionally well.
The Best Waterproof Pack Liners
If you want to move past grocery store hacks into dedicated gear, here are the top-performing waterproof pack liners on the market, categorized by budget and style:
Best Budget / Ultralight Plastic Alternative: [Nylofume Pack Liner Bags Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.litesmith.com/nylofume-pack-liner-bags/)
Best Value Purpose-Built Plastic Liner: [Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liners Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.gossamergear.com/products/clear-waterproof-pack-liners?srsltid=AfmBOopoGFxSTYQkePADaKY-JCaoox2VIs3IAyJakTohSzbO_GFNsHDp)
Best Premium / Heavy-Duty Fabric Liner: [Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.backcountry.com/b/osprey-packs-ultralight-backpack-liners?CMP_SKU=OSPZ1IT&MER=0406&skid=OSPZ1IT-BLA-L&srsltid=AfmBOopS_BX4zB1BjcSB83BD0sL53XcAFUmYPB30SEVtYHxURptqalbfaYQ)
Pro-Tip for Packing a Liner
No matter which liner you use, the secret to keeping gear dry is the closure . Don't just twist it like a potato chip bag. Place the open liner in your pack, load your gear inside, then squeeze out excess air, grab the open top, roll it down tightly 4 to 5 times , and clip or tuck the ends down before closing your backpack lid.
If you'd like, tell me:
I can give you a specific size recommendation that fits your exact setup.
Yes. A trash compactor bag is one of the best pack liners for backpacking—and many hikers use them instead of expensive waterproof liners. A regular kitchen trash bag is usually too thin, but an unscented trash compactor bag is much tougher and works very well.
A good setup:
Tips:
Pros
Cons
For most backpackers, this is the sweet spot.
A popular choice among thru-hikers. It weighs about 0.9 oz and is designed specifically as a pack liner, with better durability than many ordinary plastic bags.
A fabric liner such as
is heavier and much more expensive, but it can last for years and is a good choice if you dislike disposable plastic.
A note: a pack liner is usually more reliable than a rain cover alone because water can still enter through seams, openings, or the back panel of a pack.
Yes. A trash compactor bag makes an excellent cheap backpack liner—and a lot of ultralight backpackers use them.
For the best value: use a heavy-duty compactor bag. It’s waterproof, extremely light for the capacity, inexpensive, and easy to replace. Put it inside your pack, load your gear, then twist/roll the excess at the top and tuck it down. Avoid ordinary thin kitchen trash bags; they tear much more easily.
For the best overall backpacking liner: I’d choose the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag.
$22.95
It comes in 3–35 L sizes, weighs only 1.1–2.6 oz, and uses a roll-top closure, taped seams, and 30D Cordura nylon. Sea to Summit rates it at 2,000 mm hydrostatic head and specifically recommends it for keeping gear dry inside a backpack.
| Situation | My pick |
|---|---|
| Cheapest / ultralight | Heavy-duty trash compactor bag |
| Best dedicated pack liner | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag |
| Maximum durability | 70D+ waterproof dry bag |
| Keeping everything together in a 40–60L pack | Large liner rather than several small dry bags |
One important distinction: a liner is better than individual dry bags if your goal is protecting everything from a rainstorm. Put sleeping bag/quilt, clothing, electronics, etc. inside one large waterproof liner. You can then use small stuff sacks inside it for organization.
If you're doing serious wet-weather trips, I'd actually use the compactor bag as a backup even with a nice pack liner—the redundancy costs almost nothing.
$22.95
$47.50
$38.00
$19.97
Bottom line: If you're backpacking and don't care about having a fancy liner, buy a box of heavy-duty compactor bags and call it done. If you want a reusable, nicer solution, Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil is my pick. It isn't intended for prolonged submersion, but that's not what a pack liner needs to handle.
Yes, absolutely. Using a trash compactor bag as a backpack liner is a classic, highly respected "hiker trash" secret.
Can you use a trash compactor bag?
What are the best waterproof pack liners?
If you want to upgrade from a grocery store compactor bag to a dedicated, purpose-built backcountry solution, several options stand out depending on your priorities:
The minimalist/ultralight favorite. Originally designed to protect items during home fumigation, these clear, extremely tough nylon-film bags weigh under an ounce (≈0.9 o z ). They are completely waterproof and double as an odor-barrier to help keep food smells contained. You can find them at specialty shops like the Litesmith Nylofume Pack Liner Page.
Another cult-favorite ultralight option. It is made from a tough, clear, bio-based material that lets you see your gear organization at a glance. Available on the Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liners Page.
Fabric Roll-Top Pack Liners (e.g., Osprey Ultralight Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Hilltop Packs Go to product viewer dialog for this item.): If you want maximum durability and a proper technical fabric with fully taped seams (like 40D nylon or Challenge D50T), a dedicated roll-top liner is the most durable choice. They don't crinkle like plastic, they handle abrasive gear easily, and they last for years. Check options like the Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner or custom versions on the Hilltop Packs Ultralight Pack Liners Page.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help you pick the exact size and model that fits your setup.
Yes, absolutely. Using a trash compactor bag as a backpack liner is a classic, highly respected "hiker-trash" hack.
However, do not use a regular kitchen trash bag —they are too thin and shred easily. Trash compactor bags are thicker (around 2.0 to 2.5 mil), puncture-resistant, waterproof, inexpensive, and weigh only about 2 ounces. Just make sure to buy unscented bags so your gear doesn't smell like artificial spring meadow all day (which can also attract wildlife in bear country).
The Best Waterproof Pack Liners
If you want to move past trash compactor bags or want a dedicated, long-lasting piece of gear, here are the best waterproof pack liners available:
Nylofume Pack Liner Bags The ultimate lightweight favorite among long-distance backpackers. They weigh less than an ounce (1.1.5 ), are totally transparent (making it easy to see your gear), resist punctures remarkably well, and even provide a minor odor-barrier for food. You can grab them via outfitters like Litesmith.
Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liner Extremely lightweight (≈1.2 is approximately equal to 1.2≈1.2 oz), highly durable, and made of a clear eco-conscious material. If it ever gets a nick, it's easily patchable with tape. Available directly at Gossamer Gear.
Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner For those who prefer a dedicated outdoor fabric. It is made with taped seams and a rectangular, pack-efficient shape from 40D high-tenacity nylon rather than plastic film. It stands up on its own and has a proper roll-top closure. Available at Osprey.
Ultralight / Boutique Custom Liners (e.g., Hilltop Packs or UltraLiteSacks Go to product viewer dialog for this item.) Sewn and seam-taped using high-tech fabrics like UltraTX or Dyneema. These are bombproof, highly abrasion-resistant, and built to last thousands of miles, though they come at a higher price point than plastic films.
Would you like recommendations tailored to a specific pack capacity (like a 40L vs. 65L backpack) or advice on how to properly seal a roll-top or twist-tie liner for maximum waterproof protection?
Yes. A real trash compactor bag makes an excellent backpack liner—and it’s one of the best budget options. Don’t substitute an ordinary kitchen trash bag; compactor bags are much tougher. A typical 18-gallon compactor bag is around 68 L and weighs roughly 1.4 oz.
🥇 Best overall for backpacking: Nylofume Pack Liner
$5.00
$42.00
🥈 Best cheap option: trash compactor bag
If you're just getting into backpacking, I'd start here. They're inexpensive, waterproof, surprisingly durable, and easy to replace. ULA specifically recommends either a Nylofume liner or trash compactor bag as an inexpensive way to keep gear dry.
🥉 Best durable/reusable option: a coated-nylon liner
If you're hard on gear or want something you can use for years, a purpose-built waterproof liner makes sense. The tradeoff is weight and price: for example, the Sea to Summit Pack Liner uses 70D coated nylon, sealed seams, and a Hypalon roll closure, but weighs roughly 8–13 oz depending on size.
I prefer one large liner containing all the gear that absolutely must stay dry, rather than lots of individual dry bags. Put your sleeping bag/quilt, spare clothes, and insulation inside it. Keep wet items like a rain jacket outside the liner.
For maximum rain protection, use the liner inside the pack and don't rely solely on a pack cover. Pack covers leave the back panel exposed, while a liner protects the contents directly.
Bottom line: If you're backpacking, I'd buy Nylofume if you want the best ultralight solution; use a trash compactor bag if you want the best value. You really don't need a $40–$80 waterproof liner unless you specifically want durability/reusability.
Can you use a trash compactor bag as a liner?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, using a heavy-duty trash compactor bag (not a standard thin kitchen trash bag or a massive, crinkly black contractor cleanup bag) is a legendary, time-tested budget hack in the backpacking community.
What is the best waterproof pack liner?
The "best" liner depends on whether you want ultralight budget efficiency or a buy-it-for-life technical solution. Here are the top contenders used by hikers:
If you want to narrow this down, let me know:
Yes. A trash compactor bag is actually one of the best cheap pack liners for backpacking. REI and Outdoor Life both recommend compactor bags because they're thicker and more durable than ordinary garbage bags.
Best value: a heavy-duty, unscented trash compactor bag. Put it inside your backpack, load your sleeping bag/quilt, clothes, and other critical gear, then twist/roll the top several times and tuck or clip it closed.
Don't use a thin kitchen trash bag. Contractor/compactor bags are substantially tougher; AMC recommends at least roughly 3-mil material for this purpose.
Best purpose-built ultralight liner: Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liner — about 1.2 oz and 48 L, so it's extremely light while giving you a dedicated liner rather than a disposable bag.
Best durable dry-bag-style option: Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner Medium — shaped specifically for a backpack and designed to protect gear from wet weather.
Best if you're expecting serious water exposure: SealLine Discovery Dry Bag 20L — much more robust than a thin liner, though considerably heavier.
$5.00
$47.50
$39.95
$39.95
For normal backpacking in rain, I'd honestly use the compactor bag. It's cheap, light, easy to replace, and proven effective. Save the money on a fancy liner unless you want better durability/organization.
One important distinction: a pack liner protects the inside of your pack; it isn't necessarily a substitute for a true dry bag if you're going to submerge the pack (river crossings, packrafting, etc.). For that, use roll-top dry bags for your critical gear.
Yes, absolutely. Using a trash compactor bag as a pack liner is a legendary, time-tested backpacking hack . However, you must make sure it is a trash compactor bag and not a regular kitchen trash bag or contractor cleanup bag.
The Lowdown on Trash Compactor Bags as Liners
The Best Waterproof Pack Liners (Alternatives to Compactor Bags)
If you want something lighter, more durable, or purpose-built, here are the top-rated waterproof pack liners on the market:
Widely considered the ultimate upgrade to a compactor bag. Originally designed to protect items during home fumigation, this clear nylon-polymer film is completely waterproof, highly puncture-resistant, lighter than a compactor bag (about $0.91 oz), and doubles as an odor-barrier for food . You can buy them affordably from specialty outfitters like [Litesmith Nylofume Pack Liner Bags Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.litesmith.com/nylofume-pack-liner-bags/) or LiteAF Nylofume Pack Liner.
An iconic ultralight choice . Made from biobased, recyclable materials, these clear liners are tough, highly waterproof, and inexpensive. You can check them out directly at Gossamer Gear Clear Waterproof Pack Liners.
If you want premium ultraluxe performance, a roll-top liner made from Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) with fully taped seams is waterproof, incredibly light, and doesn’t hold water on its fabric face. It can be found at Zpacks Pack Liner.
A robust, shaped-to-fit nylon option featuring a rectangular base and a waterproof roll-top closure, ideal for traditional backpackers wanting a structured fit . Available via retailers like Backcountry Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can recommend the exact size or model that will fit your setup best.
Yes. In fact, an unscented trash compactor bag is one of the most trusted backpack pack liners among long-distance hikers. It's inexpensive, highly waterproof, and surprisingly durable compared with ordinary kitchen trash bags.
The key is to use the right bag:
Roll the top down several times after packing your gear, then tuck it inside your pack. That creates a very effective waterproof barrier for rain, wet brush, and even brief submersion.
If you want the best value, I'd recommend a trash compactor bag.
Pros
Many experienced hikers report using a single compactor bag for hundreds or even thousands of trail miles. Community consensus also strongly favors them over regular trash bags.
If you want something more durable and reusable, a dedicated pack liner is a nice upgrade.
One good example is:
$7.50
This style is lighter than many dry bags, designed specifically for backpack interiors, and works well for ultralight hiking.
If you want a premium reusable liner that will last for years:
$47.00
For most backpackers, I'd rank them:
A final tip: a pack liner is generally more effective than relying on a rain cover alone. Rain covers don't protect against water running down your back, wind-driven rain, or water entering through the harness area, whereas an internal liner keeps the gear itself dry. Many experienced hikers use a liner as their primary waterproofing method.
