All About Packrafting: A Round-Up of Our Best Content
10-minute read
Whether for a 500-mile wilderness adventure or a 6-mile paddle on your local river, packrafts make it easier than ever to combine water and land travel. These versatile and fun little boats are much tougher than they look and might be the perfect fit for your paddling adventures.
(Photo courtesy of Luc Mehl)
If you’re new to the packrafting world, you’re in the right place. We have plenty of content about them to get you started:
Why Packraft?
Let’s start at the beginning…why packraft?
What’s So Cool about Packrafting?
This blog covers the main reasons why modern packrafts were developed in the first place: as an ultra-portable boat for long-distance backcountry travel.
Packrafts are the most lightweight, portable boats anywhere. Yet those made by reputable brands (like Alpacka Raft and Kokopelli) are tough as nails. They’re great for flatwater and slow rivers, and some are even designed for heavy whitewater. Yet they’re also great for the family cabin and local water trips.
Read: What’s So Cool about Packrafting?
Should You Get a Packraft?
Now we get into more details, reasons why, types of packrafts, some safety concerns and other info. This blog includes a 21-minute video by Ambassador Ken Whiting with Paddle TV.
Ken explains lots of things you’ll want to know, and we cover even more in this detailed blog. After reading this, your next step is to get out and try one on the water!
Read: Should You Get a Packraft?
(Photo courtesy of Cameron Lawson)
Kayak vs Packraft: Comparing Inflatables
You may be wondering what the differences are between packrafts and inflatable kayaks. In this blog, we go over these differences and why you may want to choose one over the other.
It’ll help you understand why packrafts are better in some situations while inflatable kayaks are better in others.
Read: Kayak vs Packraft: Comparing Inflatables
Which Alpacka Raft Packraft is for You?
Alpacka Raft isn’t the only company that makes packrafts, but the team there was the developer of the modern packraft and we have a long relationship with them. This Colorado-based family business manufactures its high-quality packrafts right in its shop.
Most of our Ambassadors who specialize in packrafting use their boats, including Finlander Caj Koskinen. This blog includes a video of Caj’s showing several different Alpacka Raft models and what they’re each designed for.
Read: Which Alpacka Packraft is for You?
(Photo courtesy of Nahua Expeditions)
Packrafting Gear and Care
Once you decide that yes, you’ll make your packraft purchase, then you’ll want to know further details about care so it lasts as long as possible. And you’ll want to know what’s out there for gear.
[NOTE: We have a ton of content on our blog in this category that’s focused on kayaking, but applies to packrafting as well. We didn’t include those here, but it wouldn’t take long for you to scan through our posts on PFDs, dry bags, et cetera.]
How to Care for Your Packraft
Packrafts are moderately priced when compared with sea kayaks and canoes, but you still want your investment to last as long as possible.
This blog includes a video from our friends at Alpacka Raft for tips on long-term storage, maintaining the all-important cargo fly zipper, and how to find and fix a hole in this inflatable boat.
Follow these tips and your packraft will be good to go for years of adventures.
Read: How to Care for Your Packraft
(Photo courtesy of @florian_guillier)
Basic Field Repair for Your Packraft
Since packrafts are designed to accompany you on wilderness trips, it’s crucial you learn how to repair any tears or punctures that may occur.
Again, our Alpacka Raft friends present a video that describes what items you’ll want in your repair kit, and then how to use them when you’re out and about.
Read: Basic Field Repair for Your Packraft
Packraft Accessories and Where to Get Them
Many of the accessories you’ll need or want are available from the manufacturers who make packrafts. Other gear items are innovations from packrafters themselves.
In this post, we go over some accessories you may be interested in and also include distributors outside of the US.
Read: Packraft Accessories and Where to Get Them
Custom-Crafted Ultralite Packrafting Gear
Our own Ambassador Dan Ransom, based in Oregon, has designed and sells a few ultra-light accessories. He started to make these when he couldn’t find what he wanted anywhere else (the story of so many outdoor gear items!).
These include a packraft seat bag, bow bag and pogies (a type of glove that fits snugly on the paddle shaft. Dan is a strong believer in multi-use gear, so these items can do double or triple duty in other ways, too.
Read: Custom-Crafted Ultralite Packrafting Gear
Packraft + Mountain Bike = Bikerafting
“Bikerafting” is extremely popular among many packrafters. It combines biking over land and packrafting on water to extend trip lengths and possibilities.
(Photo courtesy of Cameron Lawson)
A packraft rolls up small enough and is light enough to easily stow in a bike pack. Then it’s tough enough for you to strap your bike onto the bow while you paddle downriver or over flatwater.
Packrafting How-To: What’s In Your Bikerafting Kit?
Our friends Lizzy and Steve, from Four Corners Guides, take bikerafters on multi-day trips regularly and published The Bikeraft Guide in 2021.
In this blog, we highlight their advice for apparel and gear must-haves and nice-to-haves, how to keep your load light, what dual-purpose gear you should collect, gear for remote trips and more.
Read: Packrafting How-To: What’s In Your Bikeraft Kit?
Learn from The Bikeraft Guide Video Series
Lizzy and Steve are a fountain of wisdom when it comes to bikerafting. They published their book and video series to help teach others who are interested in this adventurous activity, too.
This blog features the first of ten videos in their series to give you a taste of The Bikeraft Guide, then points you in the right direction to find more videos and information.
Read: Learn from “The Bikeraft Guide” Video Series
(Photo courtesy of Four Corners Guides)
Our Best Gear Tips for Bikerafting Adventures
On the other side of the world is filmmaker Deane Parker. His independent films (we’re proud partners of many of them) of packrafting and bikerafting adventures have been accepted in many film festivals.
Here, Deane details his suggestions for bikerafting gear that include the bikes, bike gear, the packrafts, paddles, apparel, camping gear, electronics, navigation and even cameras.
Read: Our Best Gear Tips for Bikerafting Adventures
Stay Safe While You Packraft
Paddling safety very much overlaps between the disciplines of kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, et cetera. Here are some packrafting-specific tips as well as general wisdom anytime you’re on the water.
Packrafting Safety
We took the tips for this blog from Luc Mehl’s book, The Packraft Handbook. Luc is well-known among serious paddlers and this book should sit in the library of every packrafter, especially if you aspire to backcountry trips.
The book includes some great illustrations, one of which is in the blog.
Read: Packrafting Safety
(Photo courtesy of Caj Koskinen)
Safety Keys for Backcountry Packraft Trips
Aqua Bound Ambassador Johan Grönblad is an avid packrafter in his native Sweden. He gave us some time for a Q&A interview covering all kinds of safety topics for wilderness travel by packraft.
These include safety in whitewater, knowing wilderness First Aid, how trip length impacts safety and more.
Read: Safety Keys for Backcountry Packraft Trips
Develop Your Packrafting Skills
Packrafts are very popular with whitewater paddlers who love the idea of venturing onto remote, backcountry rivers. Before you head out, though, be sure your skills can handle the type of rapids you’ll face.
A great way to do that is with some whitewater courses or personal experience with friends who excel in whitewater environments. Read on to see what to expect:
Skills Session for Whitewater Packrafting
This blog is compliments of Rachel Davies, a whitewater paddler. Rachel gets into some nice detail about bracing, catching eddies, ferrying and surfing on rivers with nice waves and rapids.
She describes what each is, why the skill is handy and how to do each. She also touches on how to make these skills more fun.
Read: Skills Session for Whitewater Packrafting
(Photo courtesy of Lou Lamotte @hike2river)
Packrafting Skills Session: Whitewater Safety
This follow-up blog by Rachel Davies focuses on safety when taking your packraft on whitewater. She covers wet exit and re-entry, rolling, swimming safety, throw bagging and setting safety.
This post includes several of Rachel’s color drawings to enhance her content—extra fun!
Read: Packrafting Skills Session: Whitewater Safety
A Packrafter’s Guide to Paddle Feathering
“Feathering” your paddle means you offset the angle of the blades somewhat, usually to help decrease resistance in a headwind. Some paddlers like to feather their paddle to ease stress or pain on their wrists over a long day on the water.
Here we discuss why you might want to feather your paddle and how to do it. We
Read: A Packrafter’s Guide to Paddle Feathering
What About Your Paddle?
Of course, if you use a packraft, you’ll need a paddle…and a good one if you plan to take it into the backcountry.
Packrafters use kayak paddles—double-bladed paddles. So our blog content about paddles applies to packrafters, bikerafters and kayakers.
The key to packrafting in the backcountry or for multi-day trips is that your paddle is light, packable and reliable. Here are just three blog posts that will help you choose such a paddle (and there are many more if you look under “Paddling Education” and “kayak paddles”)
Aqua Bound’s Most Packable Paddles
For those who will take their packraft into remote areas by hike or bike, it’s ideal to use a paddle that breaks down into four pieces and not just two.
This blog highlights are most packable paddles—ones that break down easily and fit inside a bike pack, backpack or even in your boat as a spare. We include our premium whitewater paddles and several models of kayak paddles, both low-angle and high-angle.
Read: Aqua Bound's Most Packable Paddles
(Photo courtesy of Luc Mehl)
Which Kayak Paddle Gives You the Best Bang for Your Buck?
In this blog, we highlight a video by our friend Dan Arbuckle as he goes over which kayak paddle is right for you.
He covers weight, materials, blade shape and budget. Then we take a little more time to talk about ferrule systems and what they have to offer.
Read: Which Kayak Paddle Gives You the Best Bang for Your Buck?
Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide
Before you go out and buy your paddle (or order one online), be sure to look over our Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide. Packrafts are wider than kayaks—even recreational models—so you want to be sure your paddle is long enough.
Then your paddle length and blade shape will depend on the type of packrafting you plan to do. Whitewater? Bike rafting? All-purpose?
Read: Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide
More Packrafting Fun
A few more fun posts to finish up here…
Packrafting + Kids = Fun Family Adventures
New Zealand’s Deane Parker is back again, this time with his family. He shares in this blog how he and his wife have raised their kids to love paddling.
From why to bring your kids along, to how to keep it fun, Deane stresses how packrafting is accessible even to four and five-year-olds. Unlike organized sports, it isn’t age-based and offers great opportunities for family bonding time.
Read: Packrafting + Kids = Fun Family Adventures
Urban Packrafting: Let the Adventures Begin
We leave New Zealand and head to Amsterdam in this blog, featuring Ambassador and Denmark native Jacob Kastrup Haagensen and Scottish lass Annie Le Evans. A short film by Neil Irwin reveals the joys of urban paddling.
Even though packrafts were originally designed for long wilderness trips, why keep them in the backcountry when they can be the perfect solution for city dwellers, too?
Read: Urban Packrafting: Let the Adventures Begin
(Photo courtesy of @deaneparker_adventurechannel)
Where Can You Take Your Packraft? Worldwide!
Our Ambassadors and readers have taken their packrafts on adventures all over the world. Their ultra-portability makes them easy to bring along on a plane, bike, car or backpack.
To see some inspiring packraft trips on different continents, go to our blog under “packrafting” and scroll down. You’ll see films and photos from:
- New Zealand
- Germany
- The Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada’s far north
- Swedish Lapland
- And, of course, right here in the USA
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com, or choose our online chat option.
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