How to Seam Seal Your Pack (Superior Wilderness Designs)

I finally took some time to seam seal my Superior Wilderness Designs (SWD) frameless pack. The SWD is made out of X-Pack, a waterproof material. However, rain can penetrate through the stitching and find its way into the pack (I learned the hard way).
This method will work on just about any pack, but obviously you would probably only want to do so if your pack material is waterproof (otherwise, what's the point?) and the seams aren't already sealed/taped. I chose to use a mixture of 100% silicone (the hardwear store kind will work) with mineral spirits. The mineral spirits acts to thin out the silicone so it's not as thick, making it easier to apply to the pack and make its way into the seams.
I chose to seam seal my pack from the inside (turn the pack inside out), but it's possible to seam seal from the outside if you prefer.
GEAR MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Superior Wilderness Designs Frameless 30:
www.swdbackpac...
GEAR I USE AND RECOMMEND
Garmin InReach Mini: amzn.to/2Y9kbOz
Helinox Chair Zero: amzn.to/2vL3kFA
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Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket: amzn.to/2GM5xFM
Exped AirMat HL sleeping pad: amzn.to/2Lb6Ovr
Nitecore NU25 headlamp: amzn.to/2LfvG5v
Columbia Silver Ridge Lite hiking shirt: amzn.to/2UPPETP
Opsak odor proof food bag: amzn.to/2GWnnHD
Leatherman Squirt PS4 multitool: amzn.to/2XX1TA4
Deuce of Spades trowel: amzn.to/2DTnLo9
Suunto A-10 compass: amzn.to/2VD3rS6
Thermarest Compressible pillow: amzn.to/2WfBn4r
Sawyer Squeeze water filter: amzn.to/2Lb8sgB
CNOC Outdoors Vecto water container: amzn.to/2GPPBCz
Anker Powercore II external battery: amzn.to/2vGTFzO
Saramonic SmartMic microphone: amzn.to/2VRpyEC
BOYA BY-M1 lavalier microphone: amzn.to/2VNvu19
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Filmed on a Google Pixel 2 with Boya BY-M1 external mic
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Welcome to my random musings on all things backpacking. If you haven't already guessed, my name is Dan. I was bit by the backpacking bug in 2014 and since then haven't gone one day without thinking about my next adventure. I'm from Chicago, a great city but...not so much known for its bountiful backpacking opportunities. Nevertheless, I haven't let that stop me from enjoying the outdoors. Hope my videos leave you with one or two takeaways, or even better, inspire you to head out on the trail. Thanks for watching! Have fun out there!
Dan

[@nobodyhikes]

Thanks for the info! Looking forward to see how it holds up.

[@AquaTech225]

Going to be doing the same thing from the inside. Than after it dries. I believe I’m going thin it out a little extra an put some in a syringe an use a 25 gauge. An pack it with a pillow an made a water jug. An hang it from the straps. To see which seams have the most tension on them. An use that thinner batch an that thin blunt needle an run a thin bead down the seam folds from the outside so it stays looking unmessed with an clean there. An have a little more reinforced protection. Done with some precision

[@OutLan]

This is how I did mine as well. Seems to be working really well.

[@DanGoesHiking]

Good to know! Hopefully I'll get to say the same.

[@bahamastarry3054]

so often the instructions just say to "seam seal" with no ... instruction. thanks Dan

[@robertburgess749]

The manufacturer should have done this

[@davemacktraveler2333]

This was 3 yrs ago. How has the seam seal held up?

[@DanGoesHiking]

Seems to have done the trick!

[@Versatech17]

I have the same white xpack Dan. How do you clean them? How do you remove the stains the without degrading the material?

[@DanGoesHiking]

I don't! I just embrace the stains 😉

[@RayEveryday]

Smart good info

[@RayEveryday]

Check me out too

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

Great video - how much heavier did it become 😊

[@DanGoesHiking]

Haha! Next time I'll have to ask the hardware store guy if they have any ultralight silicone 😆

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

Yes ha ha - 😊

[@mischiefonthetrail8961]

How is it holding up I got mine a week or so ago and wondering if that would help as hoped

[@DanGoesHiking]

Not really sure yet! I haven't had it in heavy rain since seam sealing, but I can still feel the silicone on the seams so it hasn't rubbed off yet.

[@rosstreiber6802]

@@DanGoesHiking anything from the past 3 months? Curious how this held up

[@DanGoesHiking]

The weather for most of my recent trips has been rain free, but I had it in moderate rain this past weekend with no issues. However, I noticed a little seepage in the bottom of my pack after it sat on the wet ground all night. I'll probably add more to the outside of the seams for good measure.

[@rosstreiber6802]

@@DanGoesHiking Awesome, great to know! Thanks

[@yongkim2088]

How much weight gain in the pack have you noticed after seam sealing?

[@DanGoesHiking]

I didn't weight it before and after. I probably used just an ounce or so of silicone, so nothing noticeable.

[@yongkim2088]

@@DanGoesHiking thanks. Good to know.