Waterproof Bags

Everything at Boundary Supply is done with purpose. From design to production, our goal has always been goal to create some of the most purpose-driven backpacks on the market. Specializing in everyday carry bags, it was essential for us to ensure that our urban backpacks could withstand whatever city life could throw at them while remaining customizable and expandable. 

We've been making bags since 2017, and within our first year of business, we recognized a crucial problem that we wanted to solve: water resistance. Finding a waterproof bag or water-resistant backpack at the time was quite difficult unless you were willing to wear a backpacking bag. We sought out a fabric that was lightweight, durable, and, most importantly, waterproof. Enter X-Pac.

So what is X-Pac? X-Pac is a high-performance, multi-layer laminated fabric developed initially as a sailcloth for sailboat racing by the U.S. brand Dimension-Polyant. X-Pac is renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, waterproof properties, and resistance to abrasion or tearing. The signature crisscross grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply fibers, which add stability and prevent stretching over time (did we mention we towed a car with X-Pac fabric?). Lightweight yet incredibly durable, X-Pac has become a favorite in outdoor gear and technical backpacks, offering a sleek look and long-lasting performance in all conditions. We are proud to say we have been using X-Pac since the beginning.

Regarding waterproofing, it's essential to understand the distinction between waterproof and water-resistant. In the outdoor industry, there are products known as dry bags, which are truly waterproof and can be fully submerged. These bags consist of taped or welded seams, which bond the fabric and are zipper-free zipper-free, usually closing by way of a roll-top. Long story short, no zippers or seams equals no water seepage. Water-resistant bags, however, like ours, while not completely waterproof, will at least keep your goods dry during rainstorms. Our X-Pac bags utilize a waterproof material combined with YKK Aqua Guard zippers. Although these zippers are not rated for submersion underwater, they will keep rain or spills from seeping through the zipper teeth. 

To prove our point, we set up an experiment by building a "rain simulator" at home using simple sprinkler parts and a wooden frame. Using our Rennen Pro, we propped our bag up under the sprinklers for 20 minutes. With a flow rate of 13 gallons per hour, this would be equivalent to over 4 gallons of downpour at a long enough rate to allow water to penetrate the bag. The results, you ask? Well, we don't want to spoil it, but let's say they ended in our favor. Watch the video below for more, and if you have any other questions about our water-resistant bags, don't hesitate to reach out!