How to Choose the Right Pack Accessories for Hiking
The best pack accessories are the ones you reach for automatically. That comes down to buying for your actual trail conditions and your actual pack, not buying accessories in the abstract. The three worth thinking about before anything else: waterproofing, organisation on the move, and attachment systems for gear you need accessible without stopping.
Do You Actually Need a Backpack Rain Cover?
For most Australian conditions, yes, but with a caveat. A backpack rain cover keeps your pack shell dry in light to moderate rain and protects exterior pockets from getting saturated. It does not keep the contents of your pack dry if water gets in through the zip or frame. For that, a pack liner inside the pack is the more reliable solution for sustained rain or creek crossings.
If your pack is already water-resistant and your trips are day hikes in variable weather, a rain cover is the right call. If your sleep kit is in an ultralight pack with no internal waterproofing and you are heading into consecutive wet days, add a pack liner as well. Both the Osprey Ultralight Raincover and the Exped Pack Rain Cover are sized by litre; match the cover to your pack's maximum volume.
Shoulder Strap Pockets, the Most Underrated Pack Upgrade
A shoulder strap pocket is the single most useful accessory for a hiker who wants access to their phone, snacks or a soft flask without opening their pack. The Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Shoulder Pocket attach to any standard shoulder strap and sit at chest height for one-handed access while moving.
For ultralight packs without built-in hip belt pockets, a shoulder pocket effectively adds an accessible carry point without meaningfully changing the pack's weight or centre of gravity. If your pack's shoulder straps are standard width, compatibility is rarely an issue; check the strap width against the pocket's attachment range before buying.
Which Carabiners and Attachment Systems are Worth Carrying?
Lightweight hiking carabiners from Nite Ize, Sea to Summit and Gossamer Gear are load-rated for gear attachment, not body weight. They are designed to clip a water bottle, a stuff sack, trekking pole tips or a lightweight jacket to your pack's exterior webbing.
This is an important distinction: hiking carabiners are not interchangeable with climbing carabiners, which carry a completely different load certification.
The Nite Ize SlideLock Carabiner and the Sea to Summit Accessory Carabiner are the most versatile in this collection for everyday attachment. If you regularly clip heavier items to the outside of your pack, check the individual load rating on the product page before buying.
Staff Picks: The Accessories Our Team Never Leaves Home Without
For any trip with a weather window: the Osprey Ultralight Raincover or the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Pack Cover. Both pack to almost nothing and add a layer of protection for under 100g. Not an either-or decision, it goes in the pack every time.
For hikers who haven't added a shoulder pocket yet, the Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket changes how you access your phone and snacks on the move. Once you use one, going back to opening your pack every time feels unnecessary.
Not sure which accessories make sense for your specific pack?
Come see us in store at Ultralight Gear in Alexandria, Sydney, and our team can walk you through what actually makes a difference on the trail versus what just adds weight. We also price-match and offer deals if you pack accessories somewhere cheaper.
And if your pack needs fixing rather than upgrading, maintenance and repair gear covers tape, zippers and buckle replacements for trail-side fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a rain cover actually keep my pack dry?
A rain cover keeps the outer shell and exterior pockets dry in light to moderate rain. It does not keep the contents dry if water enters through zips, frame channels or the pack's base. For sustained rain or river crossings, combine a rain cover with a pack liner inside for full protection. On its own, a rain cover handles most Australian day-hike conditions comfortably.
What size rain cover do I need for my pack?
Rain covers are sized by pack volume in litres, not by brand or model name. Match the cover to your pack's maximum stated volume, not its loaded weight or current contents. If your pack sits between two size ranges, size up; a cover that is slightly large sits better than one pulled tight over a loaded pack and splitting at the seams on the trail.
Are hiking carabiners the same as climbing carabiners?
No, and this distinction matters. Hiking carabiners are load-rated for attaching gear to a pack, a water bottle, a stuff sack, a jacket. They are not rated for body weight or fall loads. Climbing carabiners carry a certified kN rating and go through standards testing that hiking carabiners do not. Never use a hiking carabiner as a safety device in climbing or rescue scenarios.
Can I add a shoulder strap pocket to any hiking pack?
Most shoulder strap pockets attach via webbing loops or hook-and-loop straps that fit a range of strap widths. The Gossamer Gear and Hyperlite Mountain Gear options work with most standard hiking pack shoulder straps. Compatibility is rarely an issue on full-size packs. Running vests with narrow, contoured straps are the exception; check the attachment system against your strap width before purchasing.
What is a compression cord used for on a hiking pack?
Compression cords lace through external webbing loops on a pack to compress and secure bulky items carried on the outside, like a wet rain jacket, trekking poles, a sleeping pad or a foam sit mat. They reduce pack sway on technical terrain by keeping external loads tight to the body. The Gossamer Gear Shock Compression Cord Set works with any standard lash point system.
How do I attach accessories to an ultralight pack without webbing loops?
Many frameless ultralight packs omit external webbing entirely to save weight. Options include shoulder strap pockets (attach to the strap itself), clipping carabiners through roll-top closure loops, or lashing cords through any reinforced seam point the pack has. The Gear Aid Hero Clip is a compact alternative; it grips any webbing edge without threading and holds lightweight items securely.
