Other than laminating at an office supply store,what is a good product for waterproofing maps? I have Fishers,but have a few old USGS Lake Topos I'd like to treat. And if so, are they still foldable? My hairspray idea may have helped, but not up to par. thanks,oth

OTH,
I use a product called AquaSeal Map seal. Purchased this at REI, but have seen it online for less money. Has worked very well for me and they are still foldable. I have heard the Thompson's Waterseal works as well and I am sure would be cheaper but I have not tried this.

My first two times into the BWCA, I got my McKenzie maps laminated at Kinkos. At the time I didn't realize that the maps themselves were waterproof. However, I have since learned that even a thin laminate can turn your tiny map into a huge, hard-to-fold behemoth. I'd go with one of the sealing approaches and avoid laminating.

I fold mine and fit it in a large zip lock along with a contour map from DNR Lakefinder. Cheap and waterproof.

Cool ziplocks at VNO.

Voyageur North has ziplocks specially sized to fold a Fisher or MacKenzie map in fourths and it will fit inside the ziplock exactly the right size.

Maybe other outfitters have them too but they are a nice option.

I ordered my map case from Piragis. Definately has helped keep the life of my maps. It has a ring for easy attachment to canoe or packs when portaging. They have different sizes. I orderd mine from their catalog. You can also go to their website as well.

do any of you bring an extra set of maps....just in case? ive thought about it but have never done it.

Most definitely extra set. a blowup of route/immediate area and one of entire area for backup.

We bring identical maps for every canoe.

I always have an extra set of maps and an extra compass.

We use a one gallon zip lock bag. When on the water I strap it to the back of a duluth pack so the person in the rear knows where we're going.

Just one set of maps per canoe is all you need. They're big enough and important enough that they just don't get lost. Losing a set of maps would be like losing your shoes while you're wearing them.

Also, bring a compass and for a backup, know how to make one MacGyver style! :)

I always laminate and pretty much leave the map on the floor of the canoe tied to it with a punch hole and small rope. Never bothers me down there and it is always ready to use when i need it. On portages, simply wrap it around something a couple of times and it will stay out of the way.

Just yesterday, while daydreaming about the BW and board out of my mind at the office, I started to scotch tape my various paper maps together to make one large map. While doing so I knocked my coffee on to the portion of the map that had a bunch of tape on it. I picked up the map and the coffee did not seep through! I taped the whole thing up front side and back.....WHA LA....water proof!!!

...39 rolls of tape later....

I use Thompson water seal.