Ultimate Guide to Packraft: Learn how not to limit your backpacking trips to the land.
The Packraft is a new type of boat that is gaining in popularity, allowing you to go down rivers and navigate reservoirs and fjords.
They have several advantages over kayaks and canoes, which are super heavy and bulky, making them completely impractical for any kind of overland journey.
Packraft on the other hand, are compact and inflatable, designed to be carried on your back of a person who has to transport it over long distances.
Don't think they're pool toys either
These are serious boats, made to withstand the violent lash of branches, sharp rocks, high pressure water and whatever else nature throws your way (aquatic).
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There is a wide spectrum of different boat designsmade for all kinds of adventures. From crystal clear lakes to class V rapids.
The best Packraft for you will depend on several factors, such as the type of lake, river, fjord, etc. you want to hike, how much weight you are willing to add to your pack and many other things that we will discuss below.
Types of Packraft
There are various types of PackraftHunting/fishing, bikerafting, 2- or 3-person, whitewater, open/decked/self-canoeing, ultralight or canoe type.
We will now divide them into 2 subtypes, so that you can see more clearly which one would be the most suitable for you, depending on the activity you want to carry out. So, we will differentiate between:
Packraft for still water
Some Packrafts are made for calmer, calmer waters. There are models that can handle up to Class III rapids, but generally, these Packrafts are designed for a more relaxed experience on the water.
Packrafts for flat water are more like rowboats and less like kayaks. They often have rounded edges and lack the stability of their whitewater counterparts. They have an open boat design compared to the closed construction of a kayak.
What they lack in performance, they more than make up for in portability.
They are significantly lighter than whitewater boats and compressed to a smaller sizewhich makes them the preferred choice of most backpackers.
Cruising Packrafts are also typically much cheaper than whitewater models, making them ideal for beginners to the sport.
Whitewater Packraft
Whitewater Packrafts are made for navigating rapids. As they will be subject to more abuse, they naturally have to be much more durable than stillwaters.
The design of whitewater models is generally more complex, with reinforcements than cruising packrafts. Whitewater rafts often have decks modelled on hard-hulled kayaks as well. Because of the more enclosed design, you will need a designated place to store your equipment.
The durable construction and additional features make Packraft whitewater packrafts heavieralthough many of them are portable enough to carry on your back. They can weigh between 3 and 5 kilos at most, making them less ideal for long backpacking trips.
However, if you're heading for remote rapids, whitewater boats are much more portable than inflatable or hard-hulled kayaks.
Tips for your Packraft outing
Always look for the lightest packraft
This comes down to comfort and packability. You're going to be hiking and carrying this thing on your back, potentially for long distances. Also keep in mind that the packrafting requires more equipment than the raft itself (paddle, provisions, etc.).
Backpackers with a flatwater adventure in mind should aim for rafts of around 1 kilo. Whitewater rafts will start at 3 kilos, minimum. You can expect full packrafting gear to add between 3 and 5 kilos to your pack.
Durability is one of the most important features of the product.
Even on calm lakes, rafts will come into contact with edges, branches, rocks, etc. Sacrificing durability means risking hasty repair work in the middle of nowhere, or worse, an early end to your trip.
"Denier" is the unit used to measure the thickness of the fabric. Quality tubing and ground cloth shall be coated and made of at least 70 D and can go up to 840 D.
Manoeuvrability in water
If you want your packraft to be wide enough for stability, but also narrow enough for a smooth hydrodynamics and minimal water resistanceThe dinghies are renowned for their strength and for being the easiest to manoeuvre in the water.
Self-balancing and the amount of manual work involved
Some packrafts come with holes or vents to allow water to flow freely in and out of the raft floor. This prevents water from getting trapped inside and forcing you to pull it out manually.
Don't worry, those holes won't make you sink. Remember, unlike a closed-floor packraft, its inflated pontoons keep it afloat. But be prepared to constantly have wet feet and wet floors.
The carrying capacity you must not exceed to keep packraft afloat
You must consider how heavy you are and how heavy your equipment is. Most packrafts can easily carry almost 100 kilos and some up to several hundred. This is called "load capacity" or "maximum weight".
Do all the calculations you need to go light on luggage and stay above water, for all you care.
The size it folds down to when folded
Packrafts are designed to be practical, packable, portable, water manoeuvring devices that you can take almost anywhere.
These inflatables are strong enough to navigate rivers or boisterous mountain lakes and at the same time are compressed enough to fit in your backpack.
They are rolled up in a similar way to a sleeping bag, there are those with some compressions as small as a roll of paper towels or even a bottle of water.
