Paddling Education

20 Days of Backpacking & Packrafting the Brooks Range in Alaska
Colorado Outward Bound instructors, Noah Larsen and Arthur Shain, took on Alaska’s Brooks Range for a 400-mile packraft and backpack expedition in August. We were able to nail them down for a video chat…
Outfitter Spotlight: Four Corners Guides, Colorado
We recently had a great virtual conversation with co-owners Lizzy Scully and Steve “Doom” Fassbinder to talk about Four Corners, their ranch, and running an outdoor tour business during COVID.
Your Best Options for Paddling Shoes
For both comfort and safety, having the right footwear is an important discussion for paddlers of all types of boats—kayaks, canoes, packrafts and stand-up paddleboards.
How to Kayak & SUP with Your Dog
We can tell a lot of you love to kayak, canoe, packraft and paddleboard with your dogs—we see so many of our 4-legged friends in your social posts! If you haven’t tried taking your dog along with you yet, but have wanted to try, we’ve collected some tips that’ll help you…
8 Ways to Find Kayaking Spots Near You
If you’ve not paddled much before—or even if you have, but haven’t fully explored the waterways around you—how do find the best places to kayak (or canoe, stand-up paddle board or packraft) near you?
Aqua-Bound Goes to Patagonia
Entomologist and packrafter, Dr. Isaí Madriz, recently covered remote areas of Patagonia by packraft, bamboo bicycle and on-foot in search of some of the rarest groups of insects on the planet.
Why Kayaking, Canoeing and SUP are Great for the Whole Family
We think paddling is one of the best things your family can do together! Here’s why...
How to Size Kayak & SUP Paddles from Home
When you can go into a paddle sports retailer and size a paddle, that’s great. But if you don’t live near one or they’re not open when you want to buy a paddle, it’s easy to size yourself from home, too.
The Many Benefits of Paddling Locally

There’s something adventurous and exotic about planning kayak, packraft, canoe or SUP trips in faraway places. Somehow we imagine a road trip or overseas destination will be better.

But paddling locally can be just as fun…and in our current situation, the best choice!

Aqua Bound’s Ray Series: Hybrid vs. Carbon Paddles
Many customers have asked us the difference between the Hybrid and Carbon models in our Ray series of kayak paddles. Here’s the low-down…
Why Paddling is a Super Social Distancing Activity
We think kayaking, packrafting and stand-up paddling are three of the best activities you can do in our new social distancing world. Here’s why… It’s Easy to Socially Distance in a Kayak, a Packraft or on a SUP Board That...
How to Shuttle Boats & Paddlers with Social Distance

We’re all longing to get out of the house and on the water in a kayak, packraft or SUP board. Not just because of two months+ of quarantine, but because the weather’s beautiful and summer is upon us! How do we do that in a safe, socially-distanced way?

“Just Me, Nature” - A Film about Solo Packrafting in Sweden
Just Me, Nature is the short film by Jacob Kastrup Haagensen about his solo packraft trip through Tresticklan National Park in Sweden. The Copenhagen native who founded UrbanPackrafter.com now lives in Sweden. Busy with work and family life, he managed...
A Roundup of Packrafting Podcasts
If you love the convenience of podcasts, here’s our not-to-miss list of podcasts geared to packrafting…
Never Say Never: Packrafting the Grand Canyon

“I’m never packrafting the Grand Canyon.” That’s what I told my partner, “Doom,” not even a year after I moved to Mancos from the Front Range to be with him.

A Fly-In Packraft Excursion in Sweden

Spending any time in Sweden is a good idea. Arriving the week of Midsommar and putting my boat in the water 18 days out of the next 24? A dream trip!

Basic Field Repair for Your Packraft [Video]

Packrafts are designed to be used in all conditions and can take a lot of abuse. But they’re not indestructible. Here’s what you want with you in case of a puncture…

Packrafting the Alpine Lakes of Western Colorado

Tisha McCombs made some packraft converts during a mountain weekend with a couple dozen other outdoor industry women…

Our Best Gear Tips for Bikerafting Adventures

New Zealand outdoor adventurer and filmmaker, Deane Parker, gives us his best tips on what gear to have along on a bikerafting excursion and the best way to pack it…

Urban Packrafting: Let the Adventures Begin

Packrafting began in remote wilderness areas. But why should packrafters stay there? Why not bring these versatile little boats into urban areas, too? Filmmaker and outdoorsman Neil Irwin agrees…

A Paddling Guide to the Poconos: What to Know, Where to Go
Boasting 150 lakes and 170 river miles, the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania is an incredible spot for watersports enthusiasts. From the rapids on the Lehigh River to the flatwater of Lake Wallenpaupack, you’ll find find lots of places to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding.