No, Open Story backpacks are water-resistant, not fully waterproof, so they handle light rain but still need extra protection in heavy downpours.
You grab your Open Story backpack on the way to the airport, glance at the forecast, and see a chance of showers. The question that matters is simple: will this bag keep your gear dry if the sky opens up?
Open Story backpacks use coated, water-repellent fabrics and thoughtful details that shrug off drizzle and short walks in the rain. They are not dry bags or submersion-proof packs, so a long storm or soaked platform can still push water through seams and zippers.
Quick Answer: Are Open Story Backpacks Waterproof?
Brand pages from Target and Open Story describe most backpacks as water-resistant or water-repellent, not waterproof. The 35L and 45L Travel Backpacks, for instance, use a softside shell that Target labels water-resistant, built to keep contents dry through light rain and splashes.
Commuter styles such as the Signature 16″ Commuter Backpack rely on coated nylon with a water-repellent finish. Open Story’s own marketing also mentions durable water repellent treatment that makes water bead and roll off the fabric instead of soaking in right away.
Those phrases tell you that an Open Story bag handles quick dashes through rain, short walks across parking lots, and light mist in many cities. They do not promise a sealed shell with welded seams and a tested waterproof rating.
Open Story Backpack Water Resistance By Model
Open Story updates colors and trims often, yet the water story stays similar across the line. Here is a compact view of how the main backpack styles compare when you care about rain protection.
| Model | Brand Water Claim | What That Means In Rain |
|---|---|---|
| 35L Travel Backpack | Water-resistant softside exterior | Fine for drizzle, brief walks in light rain, and quick transfers between car, train, and terminal. |
| 45L Travel Backpack | Water-resistant softside exterior | Handles light showers during boarding or airport runs, but needs extra shielding in long or heavy storms. |
| 40L Travel Backpack With Expansion | Water-resistant travel hybrid design | Similar to the 35L and 45L packs: good for passing showers and wet sidewalks, not for soaking downpours. |
| Signature 16″ Commuter Backpack | Coated, water-repellent nylon exterior | Strong beading on the shell, solid choice for city commutes and campus walks during light to moderate rain. |
| Signature Day Trip Backpack | Weather-resistant construction | Built for day trips and sightseeing, keeps contents dry through passing showers and damp benches. |
| 17.5″ Backpack Range | Water-resistant exterior on most colorways | Good match for school or short flights; plan an added rain shield for long walks in steady rain. |
| 21L Canvas Backpack | Canvas body with water-resistant treatment | Resists splashes and brief drizzle, yet will soak through faster than coated nylon if the rain keeps coming. |
| Older Or Seasonal Styles | Usually listed as water-resistant or water-repellent | Assume the same story: fine for surface moisture, not designed for submersion or hours in heavy rain. |
If you browse the water-resistant travel backpack section on Target, you will see several Open Story models grouped there, which backs up this picture: helpful protection against wet weather, but not a dry bag.
What Water-Resistant Means For Open Story Bags
Most Open Story backpacks rely on a durable water repellent finish on tightly woven polyester or nylon. That coating helps raindrops bead on the surface so they roll away instead of soaking in at once.
Water resistance comes from more than just fabric, though. Open Story bags pair coated shells with zippers shielded by fabric, flap design around pockets, and internal lining. All of that slows down the moment when water sneaks through to your gear.
Waterproof packs work differently. Brands that promise full waterproofing usually add a sealed membrane or TPU layer, weld seams, and sometimes give the pack a tested IP rating such as IPX6 or IPX7. That build lets a bag handle strong spray from all directions or even brief immersion.
Open Story does not list an IP rating for its backpacks. That alone shows they sit in the water-resistant camp. With steady rain, fabric can wet out, zippers can drip, and seams can pass a little moisture into the main compartment.
For most city trips, airport runs, and hotel moves, this level of water resistance works well. You just need smart packing and, for wetter routes, a simple rain shell around the pack.
How Much Rain Can Open Story Backpacks Handle?
Think about your route and how long the bag stays in exposed rain. A five-minute jog from rideshare drop-off to the terminal is one thing; a forty-minute walk across town through steady showers is another.
Short exposures in light rain usually sit inside the comfort zone for Open Story packs. The outer shell beads water, shoulder straps drain quickly, and the main compartment stays dry enough for a laptop in its sleeve.
Once rain turns heavy, the fabric starts to saturate. Water sits on seams and around zipper tracks. Over time, that moisture creeps through tiny gaps, especially if the bag presses against your back or squashes under another suitcase.
Strong storms add sideways spray and gusts that push water up under flaps and along zipper coils. In those moments, jackets, hoodies, and paper documents can pick up damp patches unless they sit inside a secondary layer such as a packing cube or simple plastic bag.
So are Open Story backpacks waterproof when you face that kind of storm? No. They give you a solid first line of defense, but you still need extra layers when the forecast shows long periods of rain or when your route keeps you outside for extended stretches.
Weather Protection Tips For Your Open Story Backpack
Pack Water-Sensitive Gear In Layers
Treat your laptop, camera, and travel documents as a separate kit inside the bag. Use padded sleeves, packing cubes, or even a simple zip bag for printed tickets and paper cash. That inner layer buys time if the shell begins to wet out.
Place electronics toward the middle of the pack, away from outer zippers and low corners where water tends to pool. Soft items such as hoodies or cubes of clothes can sit on the outside and act like a buffer.
Add A Rain Shell Or Poncho Shield
A basic backpack rain shell turns a water-resistant Open Story pack into a safer bet during storms. Choose a shell sized for 30–40L or 40–50L depending on your bag, then keep it in the quick-access pocket or in the trolley sleeve.
When you get caught in unexpected rain, pull the shell over the pack while it is on your back, secure the elastic, and walk on. In a pinch, even draping a spare poncho or light jacket over the bag while you move between terminal and train can cut down on direct spray.
Use The Right Pockets On Wet Days
On clear days, outer pockets feel handy for phones, passports, and chargers. During rain, though, zip tracks and seams around those pockets see the most water. On wet routes, shift sensitive items inward and reserve the outside for things that handle moisture, such as a tiny umbrella or gloves.
If your Open Story backpack has a bottom compartment or shoe pocket, watch where it rests. Puddles and wet floors push moisture upward. Lift the pack onto a seat, bench, or luggage rack instead of setting it on a soaked platform.
Weather Protection Options Compared
| Situation | Protection Strategy | Best For Travelers Who |
|---|---|---|
| Light city drizzle on short walks | Use the backpack as is; keep laptop in a sleeve and documents in a zip bag. | Move mostly between car, rideshare, and terminals with brief time outside. |
| On-and-off showers during sightseeing | Add a packable rain shell and stash a small umbrella in a side pocket. | Spend hours on foot with a mix of indoor stops and outdoor streets. |
| Heavy rain on the way to the station | Wrap the bag fully, keep sensitive gear toward the center in sealed pouches. | Walk or queue outdoors where water may run down straps and seams. |
| Boat rides, ferries, or kayaks near splash zones | Combine the backpack with a dry bag liner or separate dry sack for electronics. | Expect spray, wake, or small waves that can soak the lower half of the bag. |
| Overhead racks or under-bus luggage holds | Place the bag inside a large trash bag or rain shell to guard against drips. | Check bags on buses or trains where leaks and condensation are common. |
| Snow, slush, and salted streets | Brush off snow often, keep the base off the ground, and dry the pack each night. | Travel through winter cities where meltwater and salt can soak the lower panel. |
| Humid climates with sudden tropical rain | Carry a rain shell full-time and store valuables in inner dry bags. | Visit regions where intense showers can hit with little warning. |
When You Should Pick A Fully Waterproof Pack Instead
Sometimes water-resistant fabric is not enough. If your route includes rafting, multi-day treks with no shelter, or back-to-back days on small boats, a backpack that only sheds light rain leaves too much risk for your gear.
Waterproof backpacks use sealed materials and welded seams, and many come with an IP rating that spells out how much water they can handle. To compare options, an IPX waterproof rating guide shows how labels such as IPX5, IPX6, and IPX7 match up with spray, heavy jets, and short periods of submersion.
When you expect long storms, river crossings, or open boats with splash zones, pair your Open Story backpack with a separate waterproof pack or dry bag for the items that must stay dry at all times.
Checking Product Pages Before You Buy
Open Story offers several sizes and colors that change over time, so always read the current product page before you add a bag to your cart. On Target’s listing for the 35L Travel Backpack, for instance, the materials section spells out a water-resistant softside exterior made from recycled polyester. That language sets your expectations for rain performance.
Watch for phrases such as water-resistant, water-repellent, and weather-resistant. None of those equal fully waterproof. When in doubt, treat each model like a water-resistant pack, not a dry bag, and build your packing system around that baseline.
Quick Checklist Before You Head Out In The Rain
Use this short checklist next time you pack:
- Keep laptops, cameras, and paper items in inner sleeves or dry bags near the center of the pack.
- Carry a backpack rain shell sized for your Open Story model and keep it easy to grab.
- Move phones, passports, and chargers away from outer pockets during wet weather.
- Set the bag on seats or racks instead of soaked floors and platforms.
- Open zippers and air the pack out once you reach your room so the fabric and straps can dry.
- Refresh the water-repellent coating when you see water stop beading on the shell.
Treat Open Story backpacks as reliable water-resistant travel partners, not fully waterproof gear, and you will know exactly when to add shells, liners, or a separate dry bag to keep each trip running smoothly.