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You are here: Home / Gear Reviews / State of the Market Reports / Whitewater Packraft Reviews: 2018 State of the Market Report

Whitewater Packraft Reviews: 2018 State of the Market Report

by Luke Schmidt on February 8, 2018 New Features, State of the Market Reports

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Introduction: Packraft Reviews 2018

Packrafting, the practice of backpacking with a lightweight inflatable raft, has been going on since the 1980s. Participation in packrafting grew after Alpacka began making rafts in the early 2000s.

Since then, Alpacka and other companies have created increasingly sophisticated rafts with more and more features, mostly to increase whitewater performance. This makes choosing a packraft a bit more complicated than it was just a few years ago.

This packraft review will help you understand some of the complexity in the river packraft market, and to help guide you in selecting a packraft that is appropriate for your own needs.

Packraft SOM Report: Paddling up to a glacier in British Columbia.

Paddling up to a glacier in British Columbia. Packrafting is an enjoyable way to spice up a backpacking trip.

Category Context: River Packrafts for Solo Travel

This State of the Market Report focuses on one-person packrafts suitable for river paddling in wilderness areas.

If you plan to go packrafting in a big wilderness area in the Northern Rockies, Canada, or Alaska, you will want a raft that is big enough to carry you and your gear through mid-sized rapids.

This review focuses on rafts that have either a self-bailing floor or a whitewater deck. This review excludes smaller rafts such as the Alpacka Scout and Supai rafts because they have a different purpose (flatwater paddling). Additionally, this review excludes larger packrafts such as the Alpacka Gnu.

Features of River Packrafts

The first packrafts were quite like a rubber pool toy, just tougher. Since then manufacturers have modified the shapes of their rafts and added more features. The upgrades can add cost and weight but they also improve performance in many ways, so they are worth considering.

The key features addressed in this packraft review include spray / whitewater decks, self-bailing floors, thigh straps, material durability, hull design, inflation and rigidity, and cargo hauling apparati.

Decks for Weather, Splash, and Wave Protection

After seats, spray decks were one of the first features added to packrafts. The primary purpose of a deck is to keep waves from splashing into your boat and filling it with water. Rafts that fill up with water are not just uncomfortable, they are sluggish and difficult to maneuver. Another benefit of decks, even on gentle water, is that they keep the rain off and hold warm air in.

Spray Deck Design Considerations

There are two basic designs for spray decks. First, is a deck that has Velcro on the edge. You sit in the boat, flip the deck down and you're ready to go. The main deck of this type is the Alpacka "Cruiser Deck." Feathercraft offered a similar deck on it is Baylee and Bolder rafts, except it had shoulder straps to prevent water from pooling.

Packrafting in the Wind River Range, Wyoming

First-generation spray skirts (this one on a v1 Alpacka Raft in 2006) were "stretched" over the tubes and secured by some combination of tension and hope. Neither seldom won when faced with rocks, brush, and difficult whitewater. Boulder Creek, Wind River Range, Wyoming, April 2006. Photo and caption by Ryan Jordan.

Velcro type decks are simpler, slightly cheaper and lighter and quick to get in and out of. The disadvantage is that the Velcro over time loses its adhesion and potentially becomes loose in whitewater. Also, with Alpacka’s cruiser deck, water tends to make its way in at the paddler's back. Cruiser decks seem most-used by casual packrafters and those who value light weight and simplicity over whitewater performance.

Packraft Reviews: An Alpacka raft with a Cruiser spray deck.

An Alpacka raft with a Cruiser spray deck. This deck is less workable in whitewater, but it is lighter and simpler.

The other design for spray decks is what Alpacka calls the "Whitewater" deck. A similar deck available on Kokopelli rafts. The whitewater deck attaches permanently to the raft with an opening or cockpit to sit in. Around the opening or cockpit you run a plastic pipe (Kokopelli) or several pieces of aluminum tube (Alpacka). The tubing creates a combing for the spray skirt to attach to, similar to a whitewater kayak.

A whitewater deck is heavier than a velcro design and takes a bit longer to get set up, but it does a much better job of keeping water out. If you are going to be paddling in continuous whitewater, a whitewater spray deck means a much drier raft, and less time spent stopping to emptying your boat.

Packraft Reviews: Ben Scholten shoots a rapid in a Kokopelli Nirvana equipped with a whitewater spray skirt.

Ben Scholten shoots a rapid in a Kokopelli Nirvana equipped with a whitewater spray skirt. In places like the one shown a heavier but drier spray deck design is helpful.

Self-Bailing Packraft Floors for a Simpler Whitewater Experience

Self-bailing packrafts are a recent trend that seems to be catching on quickly. Feathercraft and Aire were already making self-bailers, but in 2016 Kokopelli and Alpacka both introduced self-bailing models of their existing packrafts.

Packraft SOM Report: A self-bailing raft has several advantages in whitewater.

A self-bailing raft has several advantages in whitewater. 

Self-bailers have an inflatable floor with drain holes around the edge, so the paddler is (mostly) out of the water. This adds bulk, but since self-bailers have no deck, the weight is similar. Alpacka claims the self-bailer option adds 6-8 oz (170.1-226.8 g) (not including the thigh straps and backband). Kokopelli’s 2016 self-bailer is a few ounces heavier than the decked Alpacka, but Ben Brochu put them on his scale and found the self-bailer was an ounce or two lighter.

Advantages of Self-Bailing Packrafts

There are a couple of advantages to a self-bailing raft. If you capsize, it is quicker to self-rescue and start paddling again without having to bother to put on a spray skirt. Ben Brochu’s experience on the Wood River illustrates this advantage. His raft flipped and he quickly got back in. With no time to fix his spray deck, he ended up swimming again. Also on technical rivers with lots of wood or sudden drops, having the option to jump out of your raft quickly proves helpful.

Another advantage of a self-bailer is the inflatable floor. First, there is an additional cushion between your body and the floor of the raft. This lessens the risk of floor punctures when striking rocks while packrafting.  Also, the inflatable floor makes the raft frame stiffer and keeps your rear end from sinking down below the boat which causes additional drag. This is especially evident when you look at a decked vs. self-bailing boat underwater. Finally, the thicker floor and increased rigidity of a self-bailer results in a higher seating position, which increases visibility and edging ability.

Downsides to Self-Bailing Packrafts

There are a couple of downsides to self-bailers. They are colder because your legs get splashed a lot more and no deck exists to minimize evaporative cooling from your lower body. The raised seating position has its advantages, but lowers stability (by raising your center of gravity), so that takes some getting used to and requires some compensation and more balance control.

It remains unlikely that self-bailers will replace decked rafts but many experienced packrafters seem to think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in many situations, and they appear to be catching on quickly.

Packraft Thigh Straps for Increased Maneuverability

Thigh straps are straps running along the inside tubes of a raft that you slip your knees under. This allows you to move the boat around by twisting your lower body. It is possible to roll a packraft like a kayak using thigh straps, but the primary function is to increase the paddler's connection with the boat for better maneuverability.

Packraft SOM Report: MYOG thigh straps inside an old Alpacka Raft.

MYOG thigh straps inside an old Alpacka Raft.

Everyone I know who has tried thigh straps agrees that they are a huge improvement, almost mandatory for class III+ whitewater. Many times, the current pulls my boat over. To set things right, I use a brace and a hip twist. I wear thigh straps even in very mild water just because I love the feeling of having total control of where my packraft goes.

Packraft Thigh Strap Positioning Considerations

The positioning of thigh straps is important because getting it wrong causes problems. Ideally, the thigh straps attach along a straight section of the raft tubes. When not in use the straps rest tightly against the tubes. This does two things. First, the risk of leg entrapment is minimized when thigh straps are tight against the raft tube. Second, tight thigh straps more efficiently transfer your hip movement to the raft. Some rafters have enjoyed success with adding a mid-point thigh strap attachment to achieve the same end.

Packraft Cargo Zippers for Better Gear Load Distribution

Kokopelli and Alpacka both offer cargo zippers as on option. These airtight zippers allow you to store your gear inside the raft's tubes rather than strapped to the end of the raft.

Packraft SOM Report

Without a pack strapped to the bow, packrafts handle whitewater much, much better. By lowering the center of gravity, stability increases.  Also, the awkward weight on the end disappears. It is also easier to see obstacles without a pack in the way.

Packraft Cargo Zipper Durability & Maintenance Concerns

The primary concerns with zippers are durability and longevity. Zippers can leak if they get dirty. Proactively cleaning a zipper and keeping it lubricated prevents most problems. It is unclear how zippers will hold up in the long term because they are relatively new. A prototype packraft from 2000 is still going strong so a raft should last at least 10-20 years. It is possible zippers might wear out before that but Ben and I think that is a risk worth taking considering the benefit.

Packraft Features Comparison

Below is a comparison of the features offered on different packrafts. Scroll right to see the entire table.
Packraft Mfg/ModelVelcro DeckWhitewater Spray Skirt DeckSelf BailingThigh Straps Cargo Zipper
Alpacka/Alpacka SeriesYesYesYesOnly on Self-Bailing RaftsYes
Kokopelli/NirvanaNoYesYesYesYes
Aire/Bakraft NoNoYesYesNo
Feathercraft/ Bolder, BayleeYesNoYesYesNo

River Packraft Specifications

The three most important specifications to consider on a packraft are weight, bulk, and cost.

Because different feature sets impact these specifications it is hard to make an exact comparison. For example, the Kokopelli rafts have thigh straps while the Alpackas do not. Adding attachments and thigh straps to an Alpacka adds around 6-10 oz (170.1-283.5 g) to the total weight.

Decked Packraft Specifications

Note - This table includes packrafts with accessories like cargo zippers. Rafts without some of these features could be both lighter and cheaper.
Packraft Mfg/ModelPacked sizeWeight Weight with Inflation bag. Cost
Alpacka/Yak9.5 in x 8.5 in x 12 in/ 24 cm x 22 cm x 30 cm8 lbs 1oz/ 3.7 kg8 lbs 5 oz/ 3.8 kg$1420
Kokopelli/Nirvana8 in x 11 in x 14.5 in/ 20 cm x 28 cm x 37 cm9 lbs 11oz/4.4 kg9 lbs 15 oz/ 4.5 kg$1000
Feathercraft/BayLee and BolderNA6 lbs 8oz/ 3.0 kg6 lbs 12 oz/3.1 kgUsed market

Self-Bailing Packraft Specifications

Note - This table includes packrafts with accessories like cargo zippers. Rafts without some of these features could be both lighter and cheaper. Note that some weights are estimated. Alpacka does not currently have a standard set of thigh straps for its self bailer so actual weights would depend on what the user choose.
Packraft Mfg/ModelPacked sizeWeight Weight with Inflation bag. Cost
Alpacka/Yak9.5 in x 8.5 in x 12 in/ 24 cm x 22 cm x 30 cm (est.) 7 lbs 8 oz (est.)/ 3.5 kg7 lbs 12 oz/ 3.5 kg$1370
Kokopelli/Nirvana8 in x 11 in x 14.5 in/ 20 cm x 28 cm x 37cm9 lbs 11oz/ 4.39 kg9 lbs 15 oz/ 4.5 kg$1000
Feathercraft/BayLee NA10 lbs/4.5 kg10 lbs 4 oz/ 4.6 kgUsed market
Feathercraft/BolderNA12 lbs 8 oz/ 5.6 kg12 lbs 12 oz/ 5.7 kgUsed market
Aire/Bakraft 8.5 in x 8.5 in x 14 in8 lbs 6 oz/ 3.8 kg8 lbs 14 oz/ 4.0 kg$1549

Packraft Reviews: Strengths & Limitations

Ben and I took all the rafts evaluated here on multiple trips. With the exception of the Bakraft we took them on multi-day wildenress trips in the Canadian Rockies and the Northern US Rockies. I wasn't able to try the Bakraft until late in the fall but it went on several day trips down the Snake River Canyon.

We rated each raft on the following criteria:

  • Construction - How well was the raft constructed?
  • Design - What were the advantages and disadvantages of a raft's hull design?
  • Whitewater Performance - How well did the raft handle whitewater paddling?
  • Cargo Hauling - How well did the raft perform carrying an expedition sized load of food and gear?

Member's Only Content

Login if you are a Premium or Unlimited Member to read the rest of this article, or subscribe now.

  • Alpacka Packraft Review
    • Alpacka Packraft Construction Quality
    • Alpacka Packraft Hull Design Notes
    • Self-Bailing Alpacka Packrafts
    • Whitewater Performance of Alpacka Packrafts
    • Durability of Alpacka Packrafts
    • Cargo Hauling with an Alpacka Packraft
    • Size and Weight of Alpacka Packrafts
  • Kokopelli Packraft Review
    • Construction Quality of Kokopelli Packrafts
    • Kokopelli Packraft Design Considerations
    • Inflating a Kokopelli Packraft
    • Paddling Performance of Kokopelli Packrafts
    • Kokopelli Packrafts: Other Construction / Materials / Hull Design Notes
    • Rigidity and Maneuverability of Kokopelli Packrafts
    • Kokopelli Packraft Deck Design Evaluation
    • Kokopelli Packraft Preferences: Self-Bailing or Decked? Thigh Straps?
    • Hauling Cargo in a Kokopelli Packraft
    • Packed Size and Weight of Kokopelli Packrafts
  • Feathercraft Packraft Review
    • Feathercraft Packraft Construction
    • Design of Feathercraft Packrafts
    • Feathercraft Packraft Performance
    • Speed Limitations of Feathercraft Packrafts
    • Cargo Hauling with a Feathercraft Packraft
    • Packed Size and Weight of Feathercraft Packrafts
  • Aire Bakraft Packraft Review
    • Construction of the Aire Bakraft Packrafts
    • Aire Bakraft Design Considerations
    • Inflating an Aire Bakraft Packraft
    • Whitewater Performance of the Aire Bakraft
    • Aire Bakraft Durability
    • Thigh Straps on the Aire Bakraft
    • How to Haul Cargo with an Aire Bakraft Packraft
    • Packed Size and Weight of the Aire Bakraft
  • Performance Comparison of River/Whitewater Packrafts (Ratings Table)
  • Commentary: How to Choose a Packraft That’s Best for You
    • Expected Use
    • “Low Volume” Water vs. “Big Volume” Water
    • Known vs. Unknown Rivers
  • Recommendations
    • Best Lightweight Choice
    • Best Expedition/First Descent Choice
    • Best Small Volume Whitewater Choice
    • Best Big Volume Whitewater Choice
    • Best Budget Value
  • Summary
Word Count: 7,100 Photos: 14

Disclosure

We received the discussed packarafts via purchase and loan with no expectation or obligation, including monetary compensation or any requirement whatsoever that a review would be published in any medium.
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