HOW TO WATERPROOF MAPS // DIY Waterproof Maps for Hiking and Backpacking

I use the plastic sheet protectors used in 3 ring binders. They work great and then you can easily keep your maps organized in a 3 ring binder for future use. I got 100 sheets from Office Max for $20-ish.

I can still remember the dread I felt when my first flight instructor folded and drew lines on my brand new sectional. That's before I accepted maps as tools to be used and used up. Now I just take my topo, fold it so just my day's activity shows on one or both sides. I draw permanent highlights on the trails I want, then stick it in a ziplock bag. Because I use a GPS for navigation, I rarely need to take my map out during a hike anyway so in the pack it goes and usually stays there until the next hike.

Clever WMS theme. Contact paper laminate reminds me of old Adventure Racing map prep. One tip we learned if it gets tough to separate corner. Simply tear the corner slightly with fingers to make uneven edge and separation is super easy. For large maps 2 separate pieces of contact paper and starting from a a corner seem to work better than the seam method to eliminate bubbles. Another option which seals significantly better than zip lock bags are Alosak bags. Military grade zip lock are incredible. Happy Adventuring.

You have another option. You can buff your map with Renaissance wax. It's a museum wax. And yes, it's made for paper... I won't say I would use that for a map intended for scuba diving. But it can be a solution to protect your map form light rain.

Great video. Many people underestimate the importance of having a map waterproofed in some kind of fashion.

I believe during WW2 some maps were printed on silk. This eliminated the need for water proofing, crease lines from folding etc.

good video, ideas and demonstration, thanks. I use a hot laminator but this is a method I'll try too.

you can use a roll of clear tape too if that is all you have, to secure the edges of a clear folder leaf double it for durability and better proofing the advantage u can switch maps

Always used zip locks but really like this laminate method!

Similar to what I do. My WMS was cured last year and hasn't come back! Great job sharing this important cure!

You can get Rite in the Rain copier paper and a color lazer printer and just print them.

Thanks for the tip Mike. I am always folding my map to fit into my back pocket and it’s never folded to the right spot or easy to grab so by the end of the hike it’s either wet or mangled or both. I’m thinking that hanging a laminated map on the back of another hiker’s pack might be a handy way to keep it accessible (assuming I can keep up with them). What do you think, where do you keep your map when hiking? - Pete

Thanks for the time and information have you ever used Mapseal, Thompson waterproofing or even a commercial map case?

Here in the UK OS Maps which covers the whole of England, Scotland and Wales in both 25:000 and 50:000 scales, they come in both Paper and Waterproofed.

My God I 💚 nature; Adirondack is always a great hike to appreciate the beauty of real natural surroundings.

I've always used carnauba wax out of the tin, spread it thin over the back of the map, then use a hair dryer to get the wax to soak into the fibers. Let's me fold the map as it was shipped, cost is next to nothing if you already have a clear carnauba car wax.

Use a battle board and will be perfect!

Hot laminate the maps. Walmart has a hot laminator with 30 plastic laminate pouches for less than $ 20. Easy to use, insert map pouches, run through hot laminator, done. Handles normal letter size paper.

How to Waterproof maps - Laminate it.

WMS, lol!!!!