When it comes to bags and backpacks, the holy grail is a bag that’s completely waterproof, to protect all of your precious gadgets from rain and snow. Check out what Allen Mowery at DIY Photography has come up with. It’s an easy way to make any canvas bag water-resistant.

In order to make your canvas bag bead water, you’ll need two pots (or a double-boiler you don’t care about,) a mixture of paraffin and bee’s wax, and a brush. Water needs to be boiled in one pot. The other pot is going to be placed inside of this with the wax, causing it to melt. Use the brush to coat the bag with wax. Once you’ve covered the entire bag, let it dry. Toss it into an old pillowcase, and then tumble dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Once it’s done, you’ll have a water-resistant bag for a fraction of the price of an off-the-shelf one.

It’s also cool to just buy a cheap waterproof bag, but they are often less versatile and good looking as canvas bags. Waxing bags to keep water out isn’t anything new, and you’ll probably have to periodically refresh the wax coat as it wears, but it’s definitely a nice cheap way to keep your gear from getting soaked.

[via DIY Photography]