Should You Get a Packraft?
7-minute read
Packrafts are still fairly new on the scene compared to other types of boats, but their popularity is growing. Should you get one? We’ll help you answer that question here.
Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting recently created a video discussing many of the pros and cons of packrafts. Watch it below:
Why Would You Get a Packraft?
Packrafts are ultra-lightweight, highly portable boats meant for bringing into the backcountry to access waterways that are out of reach with a motorized vehicle. They’re designed to be easily stowed in a pack along with other gear for long-distance trekking or cycling (called bikerafting) or even skiing.
Packrafts can weigh as little as 5 pounds, and even the burliest are under 15 pounds. (Of course, we’re referring to packrafts made by the experts like Alpacka Raft, Kokopelli and NRS—not knock-offs.)
So the biggest benefits of packrafts are their light weight and portability.
Another benefit of taking a packraft on a backcountry trip is they’re designed to store gear inside their air chamber. This keeps your boat’s weight low and evenly distributed, and it keeps the deck clear so your paddling is unobstructed.
Bikerafting is a popular way to use packrafts (photo courtesy of Four Corners Guides)
Types of Packrafts
There are three distinct types of packrafts, each meant for specific environments:
- A bucket boat is a packraft that’s floor will hold any water that gets in (from rain or splash) as a bucket does. These are economical and perfect for flatwater and slow rivers in good weather.
- Self-bailing packrafts have a separate inflatable floor. Underneath this floor, several holes in the bottom surface of the boat allow extra water to drain out while you paddle. Self-bailers work well in rapids up to Class 3.
- With decked packrafts, you can attach a skirt in order to paddle heavy water with big rapids. The skirt keeps water out of the boat altogether.
Materials Used for Packrafts
There are two types of materials used in packraft manufacturing, although only the second one offers the true benefits of light weight and portability:
- PVC is cheap and very durable. But it’s heavy and bulky. Packrafts made with PVC essentially move into the realm of inflatable kayaks, which makes them much harder to carry any distance.
- The best packrafts are made with TPU-coated nylon. Though less durable and more expensive, TPU-coated nylon is extremely light and thin. Packing them is easy and carrying them over long distances is super doable. And keep in mind that the modern packraft has been designed from the beginning to be tough enough for wilderness trips of hundreds of miles.
As Ken points out, some models have a dual-TPU coating, with a layer of material on the outside and the inside for extra durability. Beyond that, a variety of thicknesses are available. A single packraft can use a combination of TPU nylons—such as lighter for the body and heavier for the floor where the most impact occurs.
A packraft easily fits inside a backpack along with other gear needed for a multi-day trip (photo courtesy of Caj Koskinen)
What Are the Downsides of Packrafts?
The biggest downside of packrafts is that they’re sluggish. Packrafts are designed to be stable and haul gear, so they’re wide and slow on the water. Don’t expect to set any speed records using one, especially if you’re used to paddling streamlined kayaks or canoes.
But you also can’t carry a kayak or canoe 60 miles into the backcountry with ease like you can a packraft.
Packrafting Safety
Backcountry packrafting requires a high level of wilderness competence and safety training. This is especially true for multi-day expeditions in remote areas.
Another Aqua Bound Ambassador, Johan Grönblad, gave us some important safety keys for backcountry packraft trips (you can read our full interview with him here). Among them are:
- Be sure you wear the right gear, such as dry suits for cold water, helmets for whitewater and PFDs
- Bring an extensive repair kit for the packrafts
- Have a complete medical or First Aid kit
- Know and be prepared for the conditions you’ll face, including weather and water environments
It’s important to always bring your packraft’s repair kit with you anytime you paddle. Unlike inflatable kayaks, packrafts have only one air chamber. If it’s compromised, it will need to be repaired immediately.
It’s important not to over-inflate your packraft. PSI is low for these kinds of boats—quite a bit lower than for inflatable kayaks and especially paddleboards. And if you’re out in sunlight, be aware the sun’s heat can change the air pressure inside the raft. You’ll need to monitor that, especially if you pull up on-shore for a break for any length of time.
To keep packrafts cooler:
- Keep them in the shade if possible
- Tether them on shore and let them float on the water to keep them cooler
- Deflate them slightly so the air has room to expand
It’s always a good idea to bring your inflation bag along in case you need to refill it after a break. These bags are super light and pack small.
(Photo courtesy of Caj Koskinen)
If your expedition includes whitewater, then whitewater training and experience is necessary. “If things go wrong on fast water, they can go wrong very quickly,” says Ken. Experienced paddlers can use the right packraft up to Class 4 rapids. “You have incredible stability, incredible maneuverability, and they’re very forgiving.”
[Read more about whitewater safety here.]
Stowing Gear In and On Packrafts
If you plan to store your gear inside the air chamber of your packraft, it’s IMPERATIVE you keep the zipper system in pristine condition. Keep sand and grit away from it at all costs and treat the zipper(s) gently. No zipper, no packrafting!
When packing your gear inside, take advantage of gear ties to keep your dry bags and other items in place. You don’t want them sliding around inside and shifting the weight balance while you’re taking on a section of rapids. And, of course, wrap any hard items in padding so they won’t damage the nylon.
Packrafts have attachment points on the deck as well. These make it convenient to tie dry bags (or bikes) on the bow or stern and keep them in position for the duration of your trip. If packrafting will become a part of your life, it’s worth investing in dry bags made specifically for these boats.
Best Paddles for Packrafting
The first thing to consider for a packrafting paddle is the length.
As a general rule, the wider your boat and the higher off the water you sit, the longer your paddle needs to be. With packrafts, you’re sitting low on the water, but your boat is wide. A ballpark range of 215-225cm is a good starting point. High-angle (more whitewater) paddling requires a shorter paddle, while a low-angle style (mostly flatwater) needs a longer one.
See our Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide to find the right length for you.
The other thing to consider when choosing a packraft paddle is portability. When the whole idea behind these boats is that they’re easy to pack and carry, you want the same thing with your paddle.
The best paddles for backcountry packraft trips are very light, very durable and break down into four pieces, so they’re easy to pack.
Read Aqua Bound’s Most Packable Paddles to learn about our 4-piece paddles.
(Photo courtesy of Bound for Nowhere)
Urban Packrafting
Before we leave this topic of packrafting, there’s another environment where a packraft may be the perfect fit—an urban environment! It could be the ideal boat…
- For those who live in small apartments with little storage space and…
- Take public transportation or travel by bicycle
Because packrafts are so light and portable, it’s easy to enjoy them on urban waterways. For an example, read about one of our Ambassadors and his ventures in Amsterdam.
Packrafts enable paddle trips far into the backcountry (photo courtesy of Luc Mehl)
We hope this has helped bring you closer to a packraft decision! These little boats are ideal for specific environments and excursions. We hope more and more people will discover them in the years to come and use them to open up new worlds and adventures.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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