A short rain shower on your way to work is usually no problem. But what happens during a longer bike ride or when the rain becomes heavier?
How well a backpack protects your belongings depends on more than the fabric alone. Seams, zippers and the overall construction play just as important a role as the material itself. That's why we evaluate our products based on the performance of the complete backpack rather than the outer fabric alone.
To make choosing the right backpack easier, we classify our products into three rain protection levels: Light Rain, Rain and Downpour.
Light Rain
These products are designed to protect against light moisture and occasional showers. Depending on the series, water-repellent or waterproof materials are used. During heavy or prolonged rainfall, moisture may enter through seams or zippers.
Ideal for everyday use, commuting, travelling and occasional rain showers.
Rain
Series: Lotus Infinity, Original, Phantom, Aloe
These products are designed for everyday use in rainy conditions. Depending on the series, the materials provide a waterproof rating between 1,000 and 20,000 mm. Because the construction is sewn, moisture may enter through seams or zippers during heavy or prolonged rainfall. Many models also feature water-repellent zippers for additional protection.
They are ideal for daily commuting, cycling and everyday use in changing weather conditions.
Downpour
Series: Phantom Endurance, Commute
These products are designed for heavy and prolonged rainfall. Waterproof materials with a waterproof rating of over 10,000 mm are combined with a fully welded construction that prevents water from entering through the seams. The welded joints are created using high-frequency welding, resulting in a permanently waterproof construction.
They are ideal for year-round cycling, long commutes and demanding weather conditions.
Why the Waterproof Rating Isn't Everything
Many brands only specify the waterproof rating of the fabric. While this value is useful, it describes only how much water pressure the material itself can withstand before moisture penetrates it.
The actual rain protection of a backpack depends on the complete product. Besides the waterproof rating, seams, zippers, closures and the overall construction all influence how well a backpack performs in wet conditions. As a result, a backpack made from a fabric with a waterproof rating of 20,000 mm may offer less protection in heavy rain than a fully welded backpack made from a fabric with a lower rating.
What Does Waterproof Rating Mean?
The waterproof rating (also known as hydrostatic head) measures how much water pressure a material can withstand before water penetrates it. Generally, the higher the rating, the greater the material's resistance to water pressure.
Depending on the series, Ucon Acrobatics uses materials with waterproof ratings ranging from 600 mm to 20,000 mm. However, this value describes only the material and not the rain protection of the finished backpack.
Water-Repellent vs Waterproof
These terms are often confused, but they describe different properties.
Water-Repellent
Water beads up on the surface instead of immediately soaking into the material. This effect is achieved through the fabric construction or a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment. All DWR treatments used by Ucon Acrobatics are free from PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Like any DWR treatment, its water-repellent performance can gradually diminish over time through regular use and abrasion.
Waterproof Material
A waterproof material prevents water from passing through up to a defined level of water pressure, measured as its waterproof rating.
Waterproof Construction
A backpack only becomes truly waterproof when the entire construction—including seams and joins—is designed to prevent water ingress. This is achieved, for example, by using welded seams instead of sewn construction.
Which Rain Protection Level Is Right for You?
Choose Light Rain if you mainly use your backpack for everyday activities and only occasionally encounter showers.
Choose Rain if you commute regularly and want reliable protection in typical rainy weather.
Choose Downpour if you cycle year-round or frequently spend extended periods outdoors in heavy rain.