pack rain fly

anyone made a rain fly for their pack that isn't a garbage sack?

We have one that is the spare tire cover from an SUV. Very lightweight, with elastic that holds it around the pack perfectly. Got it at a thrift store for fifty cents

Ahh thats pretty genious

Here is a link for a pack cover that will also serve as a gear hammock and water bag: http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearPackCoverGearHammock.html

Jeff makes it 47x58. I make mine much smaller, 38x38 or so. All it is is a rectangle with the corners cut off to make an assymetrical octagon. Hem the sides, run a drawstring through the hem, put a cordlock on the drawstring. done.

maybe you can try buying the north face backpack
which size do you want to buy?

Found my next gear project thanks for the link
now all i need to do is source some hunter saftey orange silnylon

I'm usually put off by the complexity (or my perception of the complexity) of MYOG items, but this seems like a fantastic item to add to my longer trips where bring my external frame! Nice link!

Safety colors in silylon: http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/NylonWoven/Ripstop.asp#Nylon Ripstop: Coated

and only $5.90 per 60"X 1 yard.

I've made this gear hammock thingy and use it all the time.
It works as a pack cover, gear hammock and I also lay out all my gear on it when I'm packing up to make sure I have everything.

It's a good first project and takes about 30 minutes to make (the first time).

Learning how to sew silnylon is 'fun'.
That stuff is slick!

Pictures?

I've made our pack covers from footprints sold at the REI 'scratch-and-dent' sales. The fabrics are getting lighter all the time, and for a few dollars and some elastic cord, you can make a nice cover.

Oops, just now seeing this (been having computer issues).

And, Richard's probably out at Yosemite now.

Here's a link to the plans for an "all-in-one".

PackCover-GearHammock

Lot's of good stuff on Jeff's pages.

Thanks Spock I like the looks of that pack cover. I am going to whip one up from leftover silnylon from my tent. I am sure it will be lighter than my mountain smith pack cover.