Two Tools, Different Jobs
When you're shooting in rain or snow with a long telephoto lens, you need gear that keeps your equipment dry and stable. The LensCoat RainCoat Pro and LensSack Pro Jr both offer weather protection, but they serve very different roles. The RainCoat Pro is a dedicated rain cover for your camera and lens, while the LensSack Pro Jr is a bean bag support that also happens to be water-resistant. This comparison explains which one belongs in your bag for wet-weather field work.
At a Glance: What Each Product Does
- LensCoat® RainCoat Pro: The RainCoat Pro is a lightweight waterproof, breathable poly tricot cover designed for DSLRs with lenses from 200-400/300mm 2.8 – 800mm f5.6. It wraps around the camera and lens to block rain, snow, salt spray, and dust while still allowing access to controls.
LensCoat® RainCoat Pro - LensCoat® LensSack™ Pro Jr: The LensSack Pro Jr is a U-shaped bean bag with a removable aircraft-grade aluminum mounting plate, made from heavy-duty water-resistant Codura. It provides a stable platform for cameras with lenses up to 500mm and can be used as a standard bean bag or with a gimbal/ball head.
LensCoat® LensSack™ Pro Jr
When to Choose the RainCoat Pro
If your main concern is keeping rain, snow, and spray off your camera and lens while you shoot handheld or on a tripod, the RainCoat Pro is the right choice. It fits long telephoto lenses (200-400/300mm 2.8 up to 800mm f5.6) and includes a hood extension for 600mm and 800mm lenses. The cover has tape-sealed seams, an integrated pocket with a foldaway arm sleeve for camera control access, and a hook-and-loop bottom closure for tripod or monopod use. It comes in multiple colors including Black, Green, Navy, and several camouflage patterns. Note that the RainCoat Pro does not include a dedicated eyepiece or a rubber grip on the hood section.
When to Choose the LensSack Pro Jr
The LensSack Pro Jr is for photographers who need a stable support in wet conditions, such as shooting from a vehicle, railing, or the ground. Its water-resistant Codura construction and locking zippers keep the fill dry. The removable mounting plate lets you attach a gimbal or ball head for panning, or you can remove it for standard bean bag use. The LensSack Pro Jr supports cameras with lenses up to 500mm and weighs about 5 lb 8 oz when filled with sunflower seeds. It also features M.O.L.L.E webbing for attaching pouches and two storage pockets. It comes unfilled, so you choose your own fill (sand, seeds, or synthetic pellets).
Key Differences in Weather Protection
The RainCoat Pro is designed specifically to cover the camera and lens from rain and snow. The LensSack Pro Jr is water-resistant, meaning it can withstand wet conditions but is not a rain cover. If you are shooting in steady rain, the RainCoat Pro will keep your gear dry. The LensSack Pro Jr will keep your support stable and the bottom of your camera dry, but it won't protect the lens or camera body from falling rain. In practice, many photographers use both: the LensSack Pro Jr as a stable platform and the RainCoat Pro over the camera and lens for full weather protection.
Care and Maintenance
The RainCoat Pro requires simple care: allow it to dry before storing, clean with water only, and do not machine wash, dry, or dry clean. The LensSack Pro Jr's water-resistant fabric can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Both products are made in the USA and come with a mesh storage pouch (RainCoat Pro) or two locking zippers for easy filling and emptying (LensSack Pro Jr).
