Just like our rafts, we strove to redefine what is possible in terms of weight while maintaining performance. Over the past 20 years, the packraft (just like the early days of mountain biking) has gone from a single utilitarian design to countless specialized ones. No one has submitted a review yet for the Caribou The Bikeraft. 2.1. Best of all, it allows for unhindered access to remote mountain lakes, streams, and canyons that youd otherwise never really explore. But there is also a quietly emerging contingent of flatwater packrafters. Likewise, when entering currents, consider how deep you want to go across the current before you turn. . Combining light and durable tubes with a full strength 840d Ballistic Nylon Floor and our innovative Late Rise Bow, the Caribou is the ultimate backcountry front end loader. The Scout is a stripped down version of Alpacka's whitewater boats. But it is easy to paddle with either kayak paddles (for long flatwater sections) or canoe paddles (for more intense whitewater control). Lightweight, portable and high-performance gear for all types of adventures. In fact, they make it look too easy. The main way to gain such a connection is to have decent thigh straps or knee cups and a moveable backrest that holds you upright and forward. Words by Mark Oates // Photos by Dan Ransom + Mark Oates, Youve got the latest and greatest packraft, youve got the cool hardcore creeking helmetcall it a complete kitand you even have some decent river miles under your belt. Likewise, many self-bailers are incredibly rigid due to their inflated floors. Back to login, Already have an account? E = EDGING If you always paddle your packraft flat to the water then you are missing out. Exceeding this does not mean the boat will sink. At 18 pounds, this is not the boat to backpack with. They take some getting used to and, initially, they waggle a lot for most novice paddlers. Compared to other ultralight flatwater boats like the Klymit LWD or Alpacka Ghost, we found the Rapid Raft to be the best balance of features and weight, and you simply cant beat the ease of inflation and deflation. But for paddling around a lake after rucking in? Most packrafters would be well suited with a whitewater paddle, though your packraft use will dictate your paddle choice. The homemade packraft how-to site and shop. #5 CONSIDER WHETHER YOU HAVE P.A.S.S.E.D. Acadia Rover by Evermax Eco Industry, Ltd. Thats also not to mention the TiZip that comes standard with the Refuge. It also comes at a high price. The boat is almost seven-feet long and three-feet wide. Best for roadside paddles, short approaches and splashy water. In terms of industry counterparts, this boat lands about into the same niche as the Alpacka Refuge: a lightweight and packable boat that lends itself to moving across broad swaths of landscape. There are some boats on the market, like the Kokopelli XPD, that use PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, as their main material. Supai Adventure Gear is proud to introduce our fully redesigned ultralight carbon fiber Olo Packrafting Paddle. We wouldnt hesitate to bring this raft along on any alpine fishing trip, or long traverse that only requires a brief river shuttle to cross. By leveraging the reviews and experience that's been shared by thousands of your fellow paddlers, you can help narrow down the various types of craft and whether a packraft, Gym and Home Exercises To Help Prepare Your Body For SUP Season, A Beginners Guide To Kayak Fishing: Safety Tips And Recommendations, Unforgettable Paddling Excursions In Africa, discussing their packraft experiences and questions, pros and cons of switching from hard shell kayak to a pack raft. All of those can be found and compared in the. Packrafting is hot right now, and rightfully so. Supai Adventure Gear Olo Packraft Paddle Review - SectionHiker A certified whitewater instructor and outdoor educator, Mark regularly leads trips through the remote Tasmanian wilderness near his home zone. In whitewater, a too-small boat capsizes more easily. Make a run for the border on this 28-mile, out-and-back route starting at entry point 16. If you wish to become an advanced paddler the ability to edge is absolutely crucial and it should be one of your primary objectives. How to Choose the Best Packraft for You 3. The availability of internal storage via the TiZip was a major step forward in packrafting when Alpacka introduced it in 2012. Scout - Best ultralight packraft when weight and space is at a premium The Scout packraft in Cedar Green. It has a simple open boat design, with no spray deck or self-bailing options. Built for canyoneering and high alpine lakes. When you do this, you are creating downstream momentum that is often parallel to your objective. This will allow you to steer clear of the meaty stuff on the outside of the bend. SPEND OVER $200, GET FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING, Route Planning The reality behind the jaw-dropping photos, the insane videos and the inspirational stories is actually quite differentit involves serious dedication and commitment. The material also allows you to inflate the raft to a higher PSI (3 versus 1.5). The Hornet-Lite is keen on it. It was an Alpacka ultralight model, now alas discontinued. help@garagegrowngear.comOur business hours are 9 am to 5 pmCentral Time Monday to Friday. So, use a bit more caution with a packraft. Once you have a team, paddle as one! The CrossFlyte packraft is perfect for touring alpine lakes and crossing calm rivers. The ensuing expedition also became the first ascent of Lotus Flower Tower without using air to access the Cirque, and the possibilities of using packrafts to access deep locales opened up. By working from river right you build cross current momentum as you paddle, which will drive your boat deep into the eddy. However, we will note that the Refuge is a smaller boat than the Rogue, with a smaller cockpit and total overall length/width. IN THE BOX: 1 Packraft, 1 Inflatable Seat, 1 Compression Straps (Set of 2), 1 Inflation Bag, 1 Inflation Tube, 1 Emergency Patch Kit. Route Planning, Route Planning Many packrafters get away without edging their boats, but putting the time into learning this skill will change your paddling completely. Packrafting for Ultralight Backpacking - Gossamer Gear AQUA BOUND Shred Apart Carbon 4-Piece Packraft Paddle And a lo, Fantastic experience with Rogue-Lite! 2380 Wycliff St #140Saint Paul, MN 55114, Your Hub for Ultralight | Free Domestic Shipping Over $40, SheFly Apparel: Revolutionizing How Women Answer Natures Call, Appalachian Gear Co: Elevating Outdoor Wear With Alpaca Fiber, Pa'lante Packs Made By and For Design-Focused Ultralighters, Stick Stashers Stow Your Trekking Poles With A Satisfying Click, 5 Amazing, Lesser-Known Thru-Hikes in Canada, How to Prevent Plantar Fasciitis while Thru-Hiking. You can even use the edges of holes to slow yourself down and change your direction of momentum. Built on the Rogue chassis, this boat is still made from the same 210-denier TPU hull and tough Kevlar Aramid-nylon blend floor. Amy "Weezer" Woelber paddling with a Manta Ray Fiberglass paddle in the Spencer Glacier Lagoon What isa "Packrafting Paddle?" About the size of a loaf of bread when packed and inflating in under 60 seconds, the Rapid Raft from Uncharted Supply Co ($479) sets itself apart from the majority of other packrafts. All of the quality materials and workmanship that weve built our reputation on, with minimalist features to take us back to our roots and budget friendly pricing to boot. Since theres no seat on the Rapid Raft, we did find our backsides catching a chill while paddling alpine lakes this autumn. Experienced boaters will find it capable in technical steep creeks and high-volume runs of Class IV/V water. We would not recommend any boat for serious use that does not have this one-way feature. Made with a 70-denier ripstop nylon hull and a 200-denier nylon floor what Alpacka calls the practical minimum this gossamer vessel straddles the line between light and silly light and was created for the ultrarunners, canyoneers, or anyone who might find themselves with a calm expanse of water to cross. anywhere Litewater ready design Select recommendations from experts who use this product Skip to Content What is this? For those who are leading the bleeding edge and pushing limits, this packraft will open up new routes and new possibilities. Another tip to make dealing with rapids easier, particularly in big volume water like the Grand Canyon, is to take the inside line. This packraft is ideal for backcountry river crossings, high alpine lake fishing and wide calm rivers. Plant your paddle as far forward as you can and drive your boat forward with speed. Ultralight Paddle: | The Ultralight Hiker The best thing about consciously working on developing these ten strategies to improve your paddling is that ultimately they will not only help to make you more proficient paddler they should also make you a safer paddler. Made in the Czech Republic. All our gear is tested in real conditions in the backcountry to make sure it performs up to our standards. Sprawling Lac La Croix is stunning with its fleet of islands, and along the way you'll touch on the more intimate surroundings of Nina Moose Lake and Lake Agnes. Ideally, sign up for a two or three-day or even a week-long course. Is there something else that you still need? And to be, Kokopelli's Recon is, like any other packraft, purpose-built. Your seat should elevate you enough that you are in the proper paddling position. Ultralight Packrafts : r/Ultralight - Reddit . Amazon.com : ADVANCED ELEMENTS UltraliteLite 4-Piece Aluminum/Nylon Kayak Paddle - 224cm (88") Assembled - 60cm (23.6") Packed - 23.5 oz, Black, (AE5005) : Sports & Outdoors Sports & Outdoors Sports Water Sports Kayaking Paddles Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime While all packrafts are lightweight, they easily range from 4-20 pounds with each option lending itself towards particular adventures. Releasing a little air pressure would help make it roomier. But heres one of them: paddling on that alpine lake. It keeps gear dry, actually improves boat handling, and makes longer expeditions much more reasonable. Just like our rafts, we strove to redefine what is possible in terms of weight while maintaining performance. Kayakers have been paddling serious whitewater for decades and they have learned a few things along the way. Straps like the Alpacka DIY Thigh Strap Kit or Kokopelli 3-Point Thigh Strap Set are great options. During our testing, we paddled a loaner raft for Class III whitewater laps on a small Wyoming creek and on a Snake River fishing trip. Kokopelli designed the XPD using 1000-denier reinforced PVC material. $254.95 Quick view. 7+ DAY TREKS. You can carry it several miles, but if thats your main use you should opt for a lighter raft. Heck, it might even be the best solo boat of any type weve paddled for whitewater. And this means better handling. Use the current to draw you towards where you want to go. The Nirvana Self-Bailing X ($1,649) might be a bit heavy, but itll blast through almost anything. Start Here. However, there are a number of other factors that allow an advanced paddler to have exceptional control. The right combination of lightweight gear and a higher volume ultralight packrafting-oriented pack is a go-anywhere, do-anything set up. When combined, our packraft (24 ounces) and paddle (14.5 ounces) create a water-worthy kit that weighs an astonishing light 38.5 ounces (2 lbs, 6.5 ounces). Primordial packrafting asked a lot from those early boats, but the main thrust was a desire for a boat that could be carried for miles and miles across the expanses of Alaska and similar landscapes. Our lightest weighs 409.5grams. Paddling the Grand Canyon in a packraft? You should sit with an athletic stance in a packraft, with your legs touching the end of the boat and your knees bent. Thru Hiking Free Gear Friday: Win a Backpacking Pack and Tent From Mountain Equipment Company, Build It and They Will Ride: New Adaptive MTB Trails Open Up the Sport, Bike First, Electric Second: Velotric Thunder 1 ST E-Bike Review, Patagonia Sues Nordstrom, Alleges Counterfeit Clothing Sold at Rack Stores. These are often 200-220 cm long. The LiteWater Dinghy from Klymit weighs only 35 ounces and features ergonomic seating for a comfortable and well-supported paddling position. The ability to keep your bow up allows you to retain control of your boat rather than having the current decide which way to send you. I started back in 2010 with the bigger Denali Ll, My Moki Lite is wonderful. Ultralight Backpacking, Ambassador With good technique, the roll size can be reduced significantly. One of the most enjoyable aspects of whitewater paddling for me is the teamwork involved. Try to use your paddle to get hold of the water moving downstream on the far side of the hole so that you can make use of the momentum of this water. Ultralight Packraft | Litewater Dinghy | Klymit - Klymit This is a big advantage if you are trying to catch tiny eddies on a fast flowing river. $169.00. The Moki features a high pressure rigid drop-stitch floor, user friendly push-push valves, and 9 removable tracking fin. The Pack-A-Pump ($65) from Alpacka Raft is a plunger-style inflator that works specifically with Alpackas proprietary valves, or you could go electric with the Feather Pump ($50) from Kokopelli. Gear 2.3. From teaching packrafting to others I have found that the easiest sequence of strokes to master when tying to catch a large eddy is to actually do two or three forward strokes, but only on the inside of the turn. Made in the USA. The weight difference between rolling a wet boat and a dry one can be up to several pounds! For full-fledged rowdy water paddling, youll want a spray skirt to keep water from topping your boat. Best for: Lakes, Bays, Inland Waters, Slow Moving Rivers (Class I-II) Luckily, modern spray skirts are much more secure than their predecessors. In the event of a capsize, you can release the skirt with a pull loop at the front of the boat. Ultralight Packrafting Backpacks, Packraft Backpack Do you want to do a quick turn and then head off again very quickly downstream or do you want to drive deep into the back of an eddy to come to a complete stop? It live, Overall, I am especially please with the ease of inflation (less than 15 minutes with a good hand pump), weight, and performance in class 1 and class 2+ rapids. Some packrafts, like the Alpacka Expedition or the Gnarwhal, are available in a number of different sizes, while the majority of rafts on the market are of the one-size-fits-most variety. Find the Right Paddle for You; About Us / Our Mission; Our Innovations; Our History; Our Community; News & Events; Meet our Ambassadors; Product Reviews; . This downstream momentum is likely to take you straight past your goal. Compared to some of the other packrafts on this list, the NRS is heavy at more than 7 pounds, but it also is better able to handle splashy class II (maybe class III) water. Paddle Description The Supai Adventure Gear Olo Lightweight Paddle is a five-piece paddle that is both lightweight, weighing just 12.6 ounces (on the SectionHiker digital scale), that easy to pack in a backpack. We are committed to making high quality, ultralight packrafts and gear for the adventurous outdoors person! Shop XPD. Whether, Pedal Drive Fishing Kayaks are easily one of the fastest growing categories of watercraft in recent, Now that I'm back on the water again, I'm a lot more conscious and protective of my back. Ambassador There are a lot of other great boats in this category besides the Scout. What's the Deal with Dyneema? Plus, once it's inflated, youll have plenty of room to spread out. The one time that you do want downstream momentum is when you are about to hit a large hydraulic. Position yourself and your team members so that you can protect each other. Paddling a remote alpine lake or stream has never been this easy! If you want to take your own skills to the next level, to paddle harder rivers or even just become a safer paddler, then consider taking the time to deliberately focus on improving your technical, safety and trip planning skills. S = SPEED Think about how much speed you need to cross the eddy line. And if youre looking to haul an extra person along, a boat like the Kokopelli Twain or Alpacka Forager fits the bill. Click here to read about the best packraft brands for whitewater. Much of the explosion in interest of the packrafting category has been for the solo adventurer. These decks are simple, but only keep about 70% of the water out. Its packraft the CrossFlyte features an innovative skin over tube design that allows users to switch out skins based on use. Why do others make paddling hard rapids look effortless, while you come close to swimming? For further explanation on building and using this momentum and where to position yourself, refer to Tip #3. We were a little let down to find out that the thigh straps were sold separately. When out on the water, the mesh carry bag doubles as an on-deck gear bag for securing smaller items. A good boof allows you to jump hydraulics or holes as well as to drive over the top of submerged rocks and into eddies. Pioneer Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Package ISLE. If you need more help choosing a packraft, be sure to check out our extensive buyers guide at the end of this article. Please help out the community and share your experience! Using a commercial brace like the Whitewater Foot Brace from Alpacka Raft can be an excellent way to take up some slack, though weve also seen paddlers using everything from yoga blocks to beach balls. Even a day on flatwater can be exhausting and leave you sore. Rivers and rapids are rarely straight and water is pushed to the outside of bends as it moves downstream. Alpacka recommends keeping the Ghost Scout in your fishing vest just in case. It is possible to catch eddies from immediately above but it is challenging as it requires the skill to plant your paddle at just the right time and place and the ability to edge your packraft in order to halt your downstream momentum. Being able to strip the skirt from this raft is truly a joy, and weve used it to paddle alpine lakes one day and suit up for Class II runs the next. Recover password, Remembered your password? in nonideal conditions so many times, weve lost count. (with removable whitewater deck), Proprietary 210D high-count nylon hull and 840D ballistic nylon floor, Access to internal storage through the TiZip entry, 9 lbs., 3 oz. When the boat flipped, it was difficult to right. Technical paddling strokes deliver maximum efficiency and power while keeping you balanced in the boat. So what's drawing all of this newfound interest? Some more generalist packrafts have a cruiser-style deck that attaches only with Velcro and can be completely removed if desired to create an open boat. Then you need the Kokopelli Recon ($999). Packrafts - Advanced Elements They run the gamut from sub-2-pound ultralights, to Class V-capable whitewater boats, to two-person builds that can carry more than 1,000 pounds. Otherwise your momentum may take you straight out the other side of the eddy and you will have missed both it and the opportunity to stop at that particular location. If you only owned one packraft for the rest of your life, the Expedition wouldnt be a bad choice as it was the best overall in our testing. In order to paddle technical rapids well, you need your packraft to respond to subtle shifts of your weight and to each and every part of your strokes. If alpine lakes and the occasional river crossing is your thing, check out a boat like the Uncharted Supply Co Rapid Raft or Alpacka Ghost,or Alpacka Scout. It's an amazing tandem boat and perfect for pretty much any trip. Most notably, packrafts are durable enough to survive some level of rugged and remote usage where equipment failure is less of an option. There are plenty of other threads on the message boards about packrafting and other vessel types to consider. Two such experts are Chelsey and Jason Magness, who completed an early descent of the now-classic Little Nahanni River to access the Cirque of the Unclimbables in 2005. Whether its Mike paddling huge volume rivers like the Colorado on a self-supported Grand Canyon winter trip or Luc hucking waterfalls in Mexico, a huge amount of time, thought, energy and purpose has gone into getting them to that level. In general, packrafts are burly, but lighter boats are generally less durable. Otherwise you may not have sufficient angle to drive across it. Our raft/paddle combination has an equivalent weight that some of our competitors boats weigh! However, its not as light or packable as other options. What is Packrafting? The Best Packrafts of 2023 | GearJunkie And at a featherlight 2 pounds, 12 ounces, the Klymit Light Water Dinghy goes dang-near anywhere. Check out our list for the best paddleboards of 2023. Made of a 210-denier polyester, this raft eschews the common TPU-coated nylon for its build, as well as any conventional packraft shape.