I may have just missed it, but when it said water resistant, I assumed It was solid material all the way around.  The front is mesh, so it won't resist much.  And it didn't. But,  I was on a 3000 mile motorcycle trip, and got nailed with driving rain for hours, on multiple days.  As for the  convenience of packing cubes, I have to admit that I am now a fan. It was just nice to be able to know these are the pants. These are shirts etc, am's be able to pull out what I needed.  Generally I would have just packed it all in the bag as loose items.  This just made so much easier, and I probably was able to pack more because of it.  Very nice addition,  I may try an's find water proof cubes, but these will get used again.