Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide

Choosing the right packraft paddle length is important for comfort, performance and efficiency on every packrafting adventure. Because packrafts are generally wider than kayaks, choosing the correct paddle length can be a little different from sizing a traditional kayak paddle.

So, what size packraft paddle do you need? The answer depends primarily on the width of your packraft and the type of paddling you plan to do.

We’ve developed the Packraft Paddle Sizing Guide below to help you choose the right paddle length. This guide is the most up-to-date and accurate source of sizing information for Aqua Bound packrafting paddles:

How Do You Choose the Right Packraft Paddle Length?

The two most important factors in packraft paddle sizing are:

• The width of your packraft
  
• The type of paddling you’ll be doing

Your height can also help determine the best size when you’re between two paddle lengths.

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re between paddle sizes, choose the shorter paddle if you’re under 5’7” and the longer paddle if you’re over 5’7”.

What Size Paddle Is Best for Packraft Whitewater?

If you primarily paddle whitewater, most packrafts are approximately 36–38 inches wide, making a paddle in the 197–200 cm range a good fit.

Packrafts wider than 38 inches: consider sizing up toward **205 cm**.
Packrafts narrower than 36 inches: consider sizing down toward **195 cm**.

For most whitewater packrafters, 200 cm is an ideal paddle length. It fits the majority of whitewater packrafts while still being long enough if you occasionally paddle flatwater.

(Photo courtesy of Jacob Kastrup Haagensen)

What Size Paddle Is Best for All-Purpose Packrafting?

If you use your packraft in a variety of conditions—including whitewater, flatwater and river touring—you’ll want an all-purpose paddle length.

For paddlers who do a little bit of everything but primarily enjoy cruising local rivers, 205 cm is an ideal size. This length fits most all-purpose packrafts while providing enough reach for wider boats.

What Size Paddle Is Best for Touring and Long-Distance Packrafting?

For touring and long-distance paddling, a longer paddle is generally preferred because your stroke becomes more low-angle, or more horizontal.

For this type of packrafting, 210 cm is a good choice.

A longer paddle can provide the additional reach you need for an efficient low-angle stroke when covering longer distances.

What Size Paddle Do I Need to Bikeraft?

Most bikerafts are approximately 38 inches wide, putting them in the all-purpose category for paddle sizing.

For bikerafting, we recommend:

• 205 cm for paddlers under 5’7”
  
• 210 cm for paddlers over 5’7”

This gives you a paddle length that works well with the width of most bikerafts while accounting for your height.

What Size Paddle Do I Need for a Tandem Packraft?

Tandem packrafts are wider and often carry more gear, so they require a longer paddle than a typical solo packraft.

If you plan to use your paddle as a kayak paddle in a tandem packraft, 220 cm is a good choice for most paddlers, particularly when sitting in the low-seat position.

For wider or heavily loaded tandem packrafts, consider 240 cm. This is especially useful when paddling from the high-seat position or when you plan to break the paddle down into two canoe paddles.

Consider the Shred Apart

The Shred Apart is designed specifically for tandem packrafting. It can be used as a kayak paddle by one person, or broken down into two canoe paddles for two people.

The Shred Apart was designed by Alpacka Raft and is made by Aqua Bound specifically for packrafters.

Aqua-Bound’s Paddles for Packrafting

Once you’ve determined the right paddle length, the next step is choosing the right paddle for the type of packrafting you do.

Most packrafters choose 4-piece paddles because they’re easy to break down, transport and store. A packable paddle is especially useful when your adventure involves hiking or biking to the water.

Blade design is also important. An oversized high-angle blade provides more torque and power with each stroke, which is best when paddling a packraft in fast-moving water and whitewater.

And when it comes to packrafting, lighter is generally better. If your budget allows, choosing a lighter paddle can significantly reduce fatigue on longer trips. As Aqua Bound paddles increase in price, they generally decrease in weight while offering increased performance and durability.

[The exception to that is our Aerial family. These focus on durability over lightweight, while still using the lightweight materials of fiberglass and carbon.]

Here are our recommended Aqua Bound paddles for packrafting, from our most affordable options to our highest-performance paddles:

Best Packraft Paddles for All-Purpose and Touring

Manta Ray Fiberglass 4-piece—The next step up in performance from an aluminum paddle. It offers similar durability while using a much lighter fiberglass shaft. It’s an excellent choice for novice packrafters who want to take trips of a few miles while reducing paddle weight and fatigue.

Manta Ray Hybrid 4-piece—If you’re getting more serious about packrafting and expect to include some whitewater in your trips, consider the Manta Ray Hybrid 4pc. The full carbon shaft provides substantially lower weight and higher performance, helping you stay on the water longer. The Posi-Lok and Versa-Lok versions weigh just 31 and 32 ounces, respectively.

Manta Ray Carbon 4-piece—An excellent overall value for packrafters looking for a lightweight, durable paddle. It combines Aqua Bound’s lightest shaft with our toughest blades, giving you a paddle that’s durable enough for demanding trips while remaining light enough for long days on the water. Posi-Lok = 29.75 oz • Versa-Lok = 30.75 oz.

Best Mid-Range Packraft Paddles for Whitewater

Shred Fiberglass 4-piece—If your primary goal is to hit the rapids and you don’t need all the bells and whistles, check out this paddle. It’s built for durability and for paddlers who are tough on their gear.

Shred Hybrid 4-piece—A significant step up in performance. Its 100% carbon shaft provides a lightweight, high-performance option for paddlers who want to cover miles as well as tackle whitewater.

Shred Carbon 4-piece—Our best of the Shred series combines an exceptionally light shaft with durable blades designed to withstand demanding conditions. If you’re serious about whitewater packrafting and need a paddle that can live up to your adventures but operate with a limited budget, the Shred Carbon is built for the job.

Shred Apart—Designed specifically for tandem packrafts and offers the flexibility of both a kayak and canoe paddle. It starts with the Shred Carbon kayak paddle and includes a pair of T-handle extensions that convert it into two canoe paddles. That means one person can paddle the packraft in kayak configuration, or two people can paddle together in canoe configuration.

(Photo: Avery Rosenthal-Murray)

Best Packraft Paddles for Expeditions and Long-Distance Trips

Whiskey Fiberglass 4-piece—Designed for paddlers who want to save every ounce on long-distance and backcountry trips. At just 28 ounces, it offers an exceptional combination of lightweight performance and high-tech durability. It’s available in three different and very cool blade patterns.

Whiskey Carbon 4-piece—If you’re traveling the globe and need a lightweight, high-performance paddle for uncertain conditions, this paddle is designed for serious expedition use. Built with aviation-grade carbon fiber from tip to tip, the Whiskey Carbon combines extremely low weight with durability and an effortless, flutter-free stroke.

Best Premium Packraft Paddles for Whitewater

Torq—New for 2027. This paddle is built for hard paddling and long days on the river, specifically for packrafters. The high-angle blades are made of compression-molded fiberglass with original artwork, and include our Lam-LokTM edge protection. The Torq is available as a  1-piece, 2-piece or 4-piece.

Aerial Major Fiberglass 4-piece Straight Shaft—Built specifically for aggressive whitewater paddling, the Aerial Fiberglass is tough as nails with beefy fiberglass blades edged with our Lam-Lok protection and a carbon shaft. Designed for packrafters who want a paddle that will last for several seasons of active use.

Aerial Minor Fiberglass 4-piece Straight Shaft—Identical to Aerial Major, but with slightly smaller blades for smaller packrafters.

Aerial Major Carbon 4-piece Straight Shaft—A fully carbon whitewater paddle for discerning packrafters who prefer a lighter paddle yet retain the durability of the Aerial family. 

Aerial Minor Carbon 4-piece Straight Shaft—The same paddle as the Aerial Major Carbon, but with the Aerial Minor profile.

Aerial Major Fiberglass 4-piece Crank Shaft—All the qualities of the straight shaft models but with a more ergonomic all-carbon shaft.

Aerial Minor Fiberglass 4-piece Crank Shaft—The crank shaft Aerial model for smaller packrafters.

Aerial Major Carbon 4-piece Crank Shaft—Designed for elite packrafters who want the combination of the Aerial durability, the all-carbon lightweight, and the ergonomic control of a crank shaft.

Aerial Minor Carbon 4-piece Crank Shaft—All of the above for packrafters who are smaller in stature.

See Our Entire Collection of Packraft Paddles

Still Have Questions About Packraft Paddle Sizing?

Choosing the right packraft paddle comes down to several factors, including packraft width, paddling style, your height, and the type of trips you plan to take.

As a quick guide:

• Whitewater: approximately 200 cm
  
• All-purpose: approximately 205 cm
  
• Touring/long-distance: approximately 210 cm
  
• Bikerafting: 205 cm if under 5’7”; 210 cm if over 5’7”
  
• Tandem packraft: approximately 220 cm, or 240 cm for wider/heavily loaded boats and high-seat paddling

If you’re still unsure which paddle length or model is right for you, contact our Wisconsin-based Customer Service team. We’re happy to help you choose the right packraft paddle for your boat and paddling style: sales@aquabound.com or 715-755-3405