Best Packrafts of 2023
Lake, ultralight, bikerafting, backpacking, and whitewater packrafts by Alpacka Raft, Kokopelli Packraft and more
June 30, 2023
Pack rafts are versatile pieces of adventure equipment that can help get you places you otherwise couldn’t access or increase your adventures in unique, fun ways.
We review packrafts for bikerafting and packrafts for backpacking, packrafts for fishing, and more.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water: raft, inflatable kayak, SUPs, playboat, canoe, and Oru Kayak — so why consider a packraft? They can simply do things the others can’t. While folding an Oru into a suitcase-sized origami masterpiece is fantastic for people who don’t have space for a boat in their house or garage, it’s still not practical to backpack 10 miles into the wilderness to paddle across a remote lake or ride down a creek or river. Nor is a playboat or inflatable kayak.
With weights as little as three pounds and the ability to pack up as small as a loaf of bread, a packraft can add a lot of unique fun to an adventure you can’t get with any other watercraft. Precisely because packrafts are the most compact and portable watercraft, you’ll take it where no other boat can go.
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packrafts comparison table
| PACKRAFT | TREELINE AWARD | BEST USES | BASE WEIGHT (lbs) | PACKED SIZE | WEIGHT CAPACITY (lbs) | WHITEWATER REC? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpacka Classic | Best Overall Packraft Read why |
Whitewater, lake, backpacking, bikepacking | 5.7 | 16” x 6.5” | 400 | Up to Class IV with spray deck |
| Kokopelli Hornet-Lite | Best Backpacking Packraft Read why |
Lake, backpacking, bikepacking, light whitewater | 4.7 | 12” x 7” | 300 | Light whitewater, up to Class II |
| Unchartered Supply Co. Rapid Raft | Best Ultralight Packraft Read why |
Backpacking, bikepacking, alpine lakes, emergencies | 3.8 | 5” x 15” | 400 | Not ideal for white water but can take some bumps and scrape |
| Alpacka Gnarwhal | Best Whitewater Packraft Read why |
Whitewater, backpacking, bikepacking, lake | 7.9 | 20” x 7.5” | 450 | Class IV and higher |
| Kokopelli Nirvana Self-Bailing X | Most Durable Whitewater Packraft Read why |
Whitewater, multi-day floats | 14.3 | 14” x 10” | 300 | Class IV |
The Best Packrafts Winners
Best Overall: Alpacka Raft Classic
Best uses: Multipurpose (Whitewater, Lake, Backpacking, Bikepacking)
Base Weight: 5.7 lbs. (medium Yak), lightest configuration
Packed size: 16” x 6.5”
Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
White water recommendation: Up to Class IV with spray deck
Features: 4 grab loops front, 2 rear. Options: Cargo fly, Open deck, or one of two whitewater decks
What we liked: Made in US, front and rear grab loops, lightweight, customizable, multiple color options, utilitarian
What we didn't like: No knee strap options, somewhat expensive
An Alpacka Classic packed for a multiday trip on the Colorado River.
The Alpacka Raft Classic packraft is just that, a classic. It’s based on Alpacka’s original design, and the company keeps improving it. It handles well in flat and lighter white water, balances function with weight and features, and is easy to inflate and pack up. “These boats are light, durable, and capable. The boat design is appropriate for Class III and IV water, with thigh straps,” notes Mehl in a roundup of Alpacka rafts.
We’ve had a chance to paddle the Alpacka Packraft Classic raft multiple times over the years and test it this summer in multiple conditions, testing it side-by-side against other packrafts, including on a four-day float of Ruby Horsethief Canyons, a section of the Colorado River, in Colorado. Our conclusion is the best overall packraft for most paddlers is the Alpacka Raft Classic.
VIEW THE ALPACKA RAFT CLASSIC
Treeline Review tester James Graven and his daughter try out the Alpacka Classic on the Colorado River.
Since it’s made in the US and is usually sold in specialty stores or ordered directly from Alpacka Raft, it’s also one of the most customizable packrafts. It can include two types of spraydecks, an open deck, and a cargo fly. Alpacka also offers it in three sizes, from small to large. It has a short inflatable seat and seat back, which you can inflate to your liking.
Drybag strapped onto the author’s Alpacka Classic in Ruby Horsetheif Canyons.
Even if you don’t get one with a cargo fly, it has 4 grab loops on the bow and 2 grab loops on the stern, allowing for a lot of exterior storage. This feature makes it ideal for more activities than other packrafts, from backpacking to bikepacking and backcountry ski-packrafting or perhaps some new sport like packraft parasailing (we made that up to the best of our knowledge).
Depending on choices, the Classic weighs 5 to just under 8 pounds and can carry up to 400 pounds.
If you're looking for one packraft that is versatile enough to take on most trips, for navigating reservoirs, lakes, and calmer rivers and creeks with all the gear you need for climbing, biking, camping, etc., this is a quiver killer. It can handle some white water—particularly when outfitted with a spray deck.
What Alpacka Classic Configuration We Recommend
Attempting to surf a small rapid in the Alpacka Classic in Ruby Horsethief, Colorado.
We’d recommend getting the Alpacka Raft Classic with the cargo fly. It’s an additional $160, but the benefits of the extra storage add a lot of value to the packraft.
If you plan on using the boat on whitewater at least some of the time, we’d recommend getting the removable spray deck, as the Classic isn’t offered with a self-bailing floor. The removable spray deck adds $400 to the price of the boat. With the cargo fly, the boat is 5.8 pounds, and with both options, the boat weighs 7.5 pounds. The addition of these options makes the most versatile boat for a variety of use cases.
Best backpacking Packraft: Kokopelli Hornet-Lite
Best uses: Lake, backpacking, bikepacking, light whitewater
Weight: 4.7 lbs.
Packed size: 12” x 7”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
White water recommendation: Light whitewater, up to Class II
Features: Four gear loops
What we liked: Weight, size, cost, good entry to packrafting
What we didn't like: No customizable options, no rear gear loops
The Kokopelli Hornet-Lite is the trail boat we’re most likely to strap onto our backpacks for a multi-day trip when we know we’ll paddle out on easy water. We did this on a multi-day float of Ruby Horsethief, where we compared it directly with the Alpacka Classic.
VIEW THE KOKOPELLI HORNET-LITE
Fishing in a Kokopelli Hornet-Lite at Silver Dollar Lake in Colorado. Courtesy Quentin Perrot.
At 5.2 pounds, it’s the size of a large loaf of bread when rolled up. It’s easy to inflate with the included airbag or an electric pump and has a robust 210D floor. The valves on Kokopelli’s rafts are Leafield D7 valves — like those found on larger white water rafts, and it’s easy to tell if the valve is in the open or closed position when you’re pumping it up.
The inflatable seat covers about half the floor to ensure you don’t feel scrapes or bumps in shallow water. It’s also an excellent packraft for learning packrafting.
A drypack lashed to the attachment points on a Kokopelli Hornet-Lite packraft.
It has four external tie-down loops on the bow for attaching gear or a bike. But it doesn’t have any in the rear. It can haul the extra weight, but with only tie downs on the front, you may have to stack gear higher than you’d like, making it harder to see some things in front of you.
I’d feel comfortable on this boat with a 32-pound bike and 30 pounds of gear. I trust the weight limit but would be concerned about having that much weight on deck if it turned to choppy water.
At $550, it’s still expensive, but for a full-featured packraft that’s ready for multi-day adventures and floating alpine lakes, this is the pick. It’s also easier to find than Alpacka pack rafts since it’s available on Amazon and in stores like REI.
Best Ultralight Packraft: Unchartered Supply Co. Rapid Raft
Best uses: Backpacking, Bikepacking, Alpine lakes, Emergencies
Weight: 3.8 lbs.
Packed size: 5” x 15”
Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
White water recommendation: Not ideal for white water but can take some bumps and scrapes
Features: Four gear loops, airbag inflation style, included one-way blow valve
What we liked: Super-quick inflation, rolls up very compactly, lightweight
What we didn't like: Difficult to get a perfect seal with roll-top closure, not ideal for whitewater
At just over 3 pounds, the Unchartered Supply Co's Rapid Raft packs down smaller and narrower than a foam sleeping pad. It's a good option for the paddler who values ultralight over features, such as taking your packraft on a thru-hike or backpacking trip with a small section of lake or moving water to cross.
Its affordable price and no wait time also make it appealing to thru-hikers or bikepackers who don't think of rafting as the primary objective of their adventure but need a solid lightweight boat for a portion of their trip.
VIEW THE UNCHARTERED SUPPLY CO. RAPID RAFT
A Treeline Review tester padding on flatwater in the Unchartered Supply Co Rapid Raft.
Regarding ultralight packrafts, there were a few interesting models to consider, Alpacka’s Ghost, Klymit’s Litewater Dinghy, and Unchartered Supply Co.’s Rapid Raft. We didn’t have a chance to test the first two, but we did test the Rapid Raft and enjoyed it, especially for its value price.
We particularly appreciated that the Rapid Raft is unequivocally the quickest to inflate and deflate since the whole raft is essentially a roll-top airbag. The only downside is it’s a little harder to ensure a perfect seal when rolling the top up. Thankfully, there’s also one inflation straw to top it off and add inflation if it deflates.
At just over 3 pounds, it’s a hair heavier than the other two options we considered in the category. However, those weights don’t include their inflation bags, which add a couple of ounces for the gram counters.
We also must say that this category of packrafts isn’t meant for long days of packrafting but more for floating in alpine lakes and when you might need a floating craft for canyoneering or an emergency. We’d feel confident using the Rapid Raft for these situations, and we like its compact size when rolled up on the back of the bike–where this kind of raft is likely to spend most of its time.
Interested in water sports? Check out our most popular water gear guides:
Best Whitewater Packraft: Alpacka Gnarwhal
Best uses: Multipurpose (whitewater, backpacking, bikepacking, lake)
Weight: 7.9lbs (medium), lightest configuration
Packed size: 20”x 7.5”
Weight capacity: 450 lbs.
White water recommendation: Class IV and higher
Features: 4 bow grab loops, 2 stern grab loops, adjustable seat, 2 ankle loops, 2 multi-slot strap plates, and two strap plates, cargo fly. Options: Self-bailing or spray deck, three sizes (medium, long, extra long)
What we liked: Highly customizable, cargo zipper included, super stable, battle ready
What we didn't like: Expensive, hard to find in stores
We didn’t test the Alpacka Gnarwhal, but it is widely respected in the packraft community as the hard-charging whitewater chomping packraft of choice. The Gnarwhal is a capable Class IV+ rapid runner — beyond this author's capabilities in white water!
VIEW THE ALPACKA GNARWHAL
It has Alpacka’s Rally Hull design, designed to handle whitewater's rigors while helping keep you upright. The high-volume hull keeps you higher in the water and bouncing off obstacles.
Adventurer Mike Curiak, a Hyperlite Ambassador and Alpacka Pro Team Athlete who said he spends about 100 days a year in a packraft, writes on his Big Wheel Building blog: “I've spent a good chunk of time in every packraft that makes any claim to whitewater competence.” He claims Alpacka’s packrafts “stand head and shoulders above the rest.”
Of the Gnarwhal, Curiak says: “The Gnarwhal is a big, wide (and thus stable), capable yet forgiving boat that doesn't require you to be on your toes at all times. It's not a stretch to say that it will save your ass more times than you can count or even realize... The stability and forgiveness of the Gnarwhal is bad because it can lull you into thinking that you're a more competent paddler than you are.”
GearJunkie rated it as the Best Whitewater Packraft. “Paddling the Grand Canyon in a packraft? This is your boat. The Gnarwhal ($1,500-2,175) is the highest-performing and most forgiving whitewater packraft we’ve ever paddled. Heck, it might even be the best solo boat of any type we’ve paddled for whitewater,” said in their review.
The Gnarwhal comes standard with a foot brace and Alpacka’s thigh braces, which allow paddlers to stay secure in the boat and control it with their lower and upper bodies. It’s also configurable as either a self-bailing boat or with a whitewater spray deck.
Alpacka’s Gnarwhal comes with a Cargo Fly at no extra cost and has two internal webbing straps for connecting dry bags to the inside of the boat. However, the dry bags are sold separately. It’s also available in three sizes: medium, long, and extra long. For boaters under 5’7”, Alpacka recommends its narrower Wolverine, a more aggressive version of the whitewater packraft.
Despite all the features, the Gnarwhal remains impressively light and packable. The medium self-bailing version is 7.9 pounds, according to Alpacka. The Gnarwhal and its sibling Wolverine are both excellent boats, but the high cost and extra features available on them are more geared towards a more advanced whitewater adventurer.
Unless you know that’s what you want to be doing, the Classic is ideal for most.
Most Durable Whitewater Packraft: Kokopelli Nirvana Self-Bailing X
Best uses: Whitewater, multi-day floats
Weight: 14.3lbs. (Boat only)
Packed size: 14” x 10”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
White water recommendation: Class IV
Features: 4 bow D-rings, 2 stern D-rings, adjustable seat, self-bailing, ability to add thigh straps.
Options: Cargo fly
What we liked: Burly, battle-ready, thigh-straps available, stable
What we didn't like: Expensive, heavy, hard to compact
If you’re looking for a packraft to get into whitewater packrafting, you can feel good about bashing against all the rocks in the world in Kokopelli’s Nirvana Self-Bailing X boat. The Kokopelli Nirvana Self-Bailing is a time-tested model with a Kevlar bottom for extra durability.
The Nirvana X adds Kevlar fabric on the sides to make a much-praised boat into something protected like a tank. We bounced this off the rocks and rapids in the Golden Whitewater Park with buddies for hours of fun without fear of popping anything or tearing the floor.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE KOKOPELLI NIRVANA SELF-BAILING
NIRVANA SELF BAILING
NIRVANA SELF BAILING X
Tester Winston Ross adjusting the knee braces on The Kokopelli Nirvana Self-Bailing X packraft before taking on Class II and III rapids on the Lower Deschutes, Oregon. Photo courtesy Winston Ross
The Kevlar does add some weight and volume when it’s rolled up, unfortunately. The Nirvana X weighs 14.3 pounds (16.2 pounds with backrest and floor), while the Self-Bailing Nirvana weighs 9.2 pounds, according to Kokopelli. The Nirvana X also rolls into a larger package than the original Nirvana and most other packrafts we tested.
We got the raft down to about a 9.5” roll that’s 17” long — not including the removable, inflatable floor, backrest, or the (sold separately) thigh straps. It would consume most of the space in a 40-liter, multi-day pack and may be difficult to stow on a bike for bikepacking, but you could save some packing space by using the 56” long floor as a 3/4 length sleeping pad.
Close-up of the the knee braces and adjustable seat on the Kokopelli Nirvana X Self Bailing. Photo courtesy Winston Ross.
Kokopelli introduced the Nirvana X and the Rouge-Lite X Kevlar versions of its packrafts in 2022, but the Nirvana has been around for years. In a 2020 review of the Nirvana Spray-Deck Eastern Packrafting’s Darren Kazemi, an avowed Alpacka packraft fan, says: “The Nirvana has a sharper design than most Alpackas. Meaning its corners are more square. I thought this would negatively affect the boat’s whitewater rafting capability, but I was wrong. The large rocker in the bow — upturned — more than makes up for the boxy hull. It will carry you well over waves and shed water fast enough to get you out of frothy boils. You’ll find yourself coming out of big drops more easily.”
Simon Coward, Director of Canada’s AQ Outdoors and Aquabatics, writes in his review of the Nirvana (the regular version, not the X): “I’m a long-time whitewater kayaker and have spent many years paddling and teaching all over the world. This year I decided to try packrafting for the first time. I thought a packraft wouldn’t be much of a whitewater tool... However, I was pleasantly surprised... I first thought it felt like paddling a playboat — like a Jackson rockstar or something. This is especially the case as the Nirvana has a flat planing bottom.”
We also appreciate that the X version comes with metal D-Rings for rigging and attaching gear, whereas many packrafts (including the normal Nirvanas) use Nylon webbing loops for rigging. You could use it to rig a bike or backpacking backpack.
The Nirvana line of packrafts is available in self-bailing or spray-deck versions, and the TiZip cargo zipper is an additional $150. However, the X version only comes in a self-bailing version and is only available on Kokopelli’s website directly as of 2022.
Best Handling Packraft: Alluvia Packraft Dirty Devil
Best uses: Backpacking, bikepacking, light whitewater
Weight: 7.4 lbs.
Weight capacity: N/A
White water recommendation: Up to Class II
Features: 4 bow gear loops, 2 stern gear loops, included removable spray deck, grab handles, fin
Optional: Cargo fly
What we liked: Highly maneuverable, easy to remove and install spraydeck, durable bottom material
What we didn't like: Test unit didn’t have seatback or fin, inflation valve could be better designed
We were stoked to meet the co-founder of startup Alluvia Packraft, Mariana Cevallos, at the Moosejaw Accelerator at the Outdoor Retailer Show this summer. We were even more stoked to have a chance to paddle their first model, the Dirty Devil, for a couple of weeks. It was comfortable and is a great boat for folks who want solid handling on Class II rapids, making it our winner for best paddling packraft.
VIEW THE ALLUVIA PACKRAFT DIRTY DEVIL
If you know you want a boat that can handle Class II but won’t need heavy or advanced whitewater features, the Dirty Devil is a good choice.
That’s despite our demo model lacking a seat back and the removable fin. The latter was probably better because, by the time we floated down the Longmont whitewater park in St. Vrain Creek, we were definitely scraping on shallow rocks — no boat handles well when you’re scraping rocks — and we would have just damaged the fin.
The Alluvia Packraft was a highly maneuverable and responsive boat in deeper water. We also appreciated the easy-to-remove spray skirt and the capability to roll it up and stow it at the foot of the boat. It allows you to open it on flat water but quickly reinstall it for choppy water or rapids.
As such, we think the company is making waves already and look forward to getting back in the Dirty Devil when we can. We also appreciate that it’s a Bi-POC-owned business. Even though it’s a start-up, it’s already dedicating 3 percent of its profits to “making the outdoors a more inclusive, diverse, and safe space for everyone.”
Best for Overlanding and Recreational Use: Advanced Elements Packlite+ Packraft
Best uses: Lake, light white water
Weight: 13.4 lbs. (Floor, seat included)
Packed size: 16″ X 15″ X 5″ (boat only)
Weight capacity: N/A
White water recommendation: Up to Class II
Features: 8 Bow D-rings, 4 stern D-rings, removable, durable floor, grab handles, tandem packraft available
What we liked: Great for families and beginners, removable drop-stitch floor, comes with backpack and pump
What we didn't like: Not as agile as other packrafts, can’t inflate with an airbag, inflation tube for seat needed regluing, seat attachments were flimsier than other options
The Advanced Elements Packlite+ Packraft is the best packraft for Overlanding and Recreational Use. It's the most widely available packraft we considered, with availability at the most retailers across the US of any packraft model we considered. It is is the packraft we’d want to keep in an overlanding vehicle, or boat. Its fabric is burly and it’s bulkier than other options, but it’s great for flat water, fishing, starters and those who want a recreational boat that’s not really designed for white water.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE ADVANCED ELEMENTS PACKLITE+ PACKRAFT
Advanced Elements is better known for its inflatable kayak and SUP offerings, but it delved into the inflatable packraft market with its Packlite+ packrafts, which are available in one and two-person models. These are unique in that they offer 3 modes of use based on the floor and seating configuration — technically, you can say that other packrafts we tested have two modes of use: inflated floor/seat or without.
As an SUP company, Advanced Elements makes its floor much more robust — robust enough to just about use it as a makeshift SUP. Or you could try paddling a lazy river without the floor and let your buddy float on the removable floor.
Unladen with the floor or seat, the packraft weighs a respectable 7 pounds. The inflatable, cushioned seat brings the total weight to 8.4 pounds, and with the floor and seat, it weighs 13.4 pounds. Despite the packraft weighing less than the Nirvana X, we found it rolled up nearly as large.
However, the Packlite+ also comes with its backpack with generous side pockets that are big enough to house a paddle and its raft pump. Both can be kept inside the raft when paddling, thanks to its TiZip.
The design of the raft is less aggressive than all but the Rapid Raft; as such, we don’t recommend it for long stretches of challenging whitewater. With that said, we think it’s a great boat to keep in an overlanding or VanLife-type vehicle or to have for floating for the paddler who prefer a sit-down raft rather than an SUP.
Other models worth considering:
Alpacka Ghost
The Alpacka Ghost is one of the lightest packrafts we’ve seen, and is the lightest packraft of the ones we considered. It's a lightweight packraft designed for ultralight adventures. At 2.25 pounds and it packs down to 11” X 5” just larger than a Nalgene. It’s minimalist without a seat and only has one gear loop, so it’s limited as a packraft in terms of utility.
Klymit Litewater Dinghy
The Litewater Dinghy from Klymit is another ultralight option (2.75 pounds) we considered. Like other ultralight packrafts, its usage is a little more limited. It does have guy points for lashing gear but is still not the most utilitarian. It's the most affordable of the packrafts we considered.
AIRE BAKraft Hybrid (Tributary Spud), and NRS Packraft
We looked into all of these models since we’d seen them on some other lists of packrafts. However, upon contacting the maker of these, we were informed that the Tributary Spud is the only one they were still making. That and the Spud is 21.5 pounds and is aimed more at youth than adults.
Kokopelli Twain
This is a two-person packraft (pack canoe?) for flatwater. At 13.6 pounds it compacts down to the size of a large sleeping bag, so you’d really have to delegate sharing weight and pack space with your backcountry buddy(ies) if you’re taking it into the backcountry. We didn’t have a chance to test this but would be interested in the future.
Alpacka Forager
If you’re looking for maximum carrying capacity as a backcountry hunter, the Forager can carry up to 1,000 pounds. So, you could float that elk or moose out, use it for supplying a backcountry camp accessible by boat only, or take down some white water with a buddy.
Supai Adventure Gear Makat Flatwater Boat
Another minimalist, ultralight packraft. This teardrop-shaped boat seems like it is ideal for light missions, like lake paddling, but is not suitable for whitewater paddling. However, we did read at an account of a paddler who took it from Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry, which they describe as "a relatively calm section of the Colorado River."
A brief history of packrafting
Inflating bullock-skin boats-for crossing the swift Himalayan river Sutlej, n. India. India, 1903. Underwood & Underwood, P. (1903) Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2020681604
Packrafts might seem like a new innovation, but we traced the origins of these small inflatables to ancient times when people attempted to make inflatable, lightweight floats out of animal skins to cross rivers. Some interesting stories and images are like this: Inflated Bullock Skin Boats.
The first inflatable pontoons came about in 1839 after Thomas Hancock and Charles Goodyear figured out how to vulcanize rubber. The first successful inflatable pack raft-style boats were the Halkett boats, designed in the 1840s and used by Canadian explorers. When not floating, the boat could be rolled into a knapsack, worn as a cloak, or used as a waterproof blanket — any modern ultralight hiker can appreciate having a piece of gear that’s so useful. And given all that, it should be no surprise that today’s packrafts are also gear for exploring.
In World War II, pilots were outfitted with self-inflating one-person rafts in case they were downed over water and needed to paddle to rescue (Click here for a cool video showing their use then). These started showing up in army surplus stores in the late 1940s, and the first backcountry, wilderness uses of these occurred in the early 1950s.
By the 1980s, a couple of companies (American Safety Equipment and Curtis Designs) made lightweight rafts based loosely on the WWII rafts. By 1982, one of these was used in one of the wildest races, the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic — an adventure with a start, finish, and well, that’s just about it.
We’ve come a long way since inflating bull skins and steering them across rivers! Modern packrafts, explicitly designed for adventure, likely started with Thor Tingey and his mother, Sheri Tingey. They built an inflatable raft for Thor after he did a 600-mile packrafting traverse of Alaska’s Brooks Range in one of these lightweight boats. They launched Alpacka Raft in 2001 and sold their first boats in 2002. Thor became Alpacka Raft's CEO.
Since then, more companies, including Kokopelli, MRS, and others, have launched to make packrafts. Even bigger companies, like NRS and Advanced Elements, have dipped their paddles into the packrafting market. This history, as well as DIYers making their packrafts, led to the current renaissance and explosion of interest in packrafts.
Today’s pack rafts are designed for various functions — from ultralight flatwater floaters to whitewater demons capable of dropping Class IV and V rapids. For this piece, the author explored moderate rapids in whitewater parks, rafted creeks and rivers on Colorado’s Front Range, went on multi-day packrafting trips, and hiked and paddled across alpine lakes and reservoirs in them. He’s also previously tested them in Colorado and Utah.
We were fortunate enough to have used and tested multiple versions from multiple companies, as pack rafts are as hard to come by following the pandemic (similar to good mountain bikes). We got as many models to test as possible and used our dual methodology of meta-analysis and testing to develop this guide to the best packrafts for various needs.
A group of packrafters enjoy paddling the Colorado River through Ruby Horsethief Canyon
How we Researched & Tested
For this review, we employed our dual evaluation strategy of physical testing combined with evaluating professional and verified customer reviews. We sourced multiple packrafts for review, used our previous experience with them, had other experienced white water paddlers evaluate them, and spent a lot of time researching and evaluating all the best packrafts available. Many models were in short supply for testing even early in Spring 2022.
As such, we did our routine meta-analysis using some of our favorite sources like GearJunkies Adventure Junkies, Outdoor Gear Lab, and more — however, in this case, only GearJunkie had delved into testing packrafts. We explored other rankings from GreenBelly, Garage Grown Gear (2015), Elevated Adventurer, and others.
We found the listings from paddling.com and Paddling Magazine lacking, so we did a ton of research into packraft enthusiasts and what they’re using and why. Since we couldn’t get our butts into every model we hoped to evaluate, we considered some favored models rated by packrafters, shop owners, and guides.
Some of the packrafts we tested side-by-side. From top to bottom: Kokopelli Nirvana X, Advanced Elements Packlite+, Packraft, Kokopelli Hornet Lite at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park.
Types of Packrafts
If you’re going to paddle your packraft on flat water where you’re not worried about space and weight, you don’t need the same features as you do for a whitewater packraft that you plan on hiking or biking with. If you’re on flat water on an alpine lake but still have a long hike in, size and weight will be important.
Weight and packability are not just concerns for multi-day trips. Big round trips in a day will have the same concerns.
Our winners often cross over for different uses. For example, an ultralight packraft can be used on a lake or as an adventure packraft for bikepacking.
Here’s what type of boat may serve you best on where you are going on the water and how you are getting there.
Lake packrafts
Lake packrafts can be heavier and don’t need to roll into a small package to fit on a bike or pack. They are ideal for paddling calmer waters and fishing or hanging out on a lake. These rafts don’t necessarily need as many attachment points for gear or internal storage. They don’t need spray decks or self-bailing capabilities. Though some, like Kokopelli’s Hornet-Lite, are lightweight, they don’t need to be, unless you plan on using them in a lot of multi day backcountry trips. Lake packrafts are best for fishing or hanging out on calm water.
Ultralight Packrafts
Ultralight packrafts are pretty minimal in their functions and capabilities. They’re usually made of a lighter denier material, which makes them more susceptible to punctures and may not have as many attachment points. They’re generally under five pounds and roll up pretty small. They’re not intended for paddling white water but can handle some light rapids. They’re similar in function to lake packrafts in terms of function, but the real emphasis is on light weight and compactness.
Adventure Packrafts
Adventure packrafts tend to be light and roll up small, so you can attach them to a bike or pack without taking up needed space. They may not have a spray deck or be self-bailing. These are ideal for backpackers and bikepackers who need to minimize weight and carrying space but still want to take a packraft on a trip or need one to navigate certain parts of an adventure. They should have some attachment points and internal storage is definitely a great feature to have in an adventure packraft, particularly if you plan on a multifaceted adventure with a bike and backpack.
Whitewater Packrafts
Whitewater packrafts have a spray deck to keep water out or are self-bailing. This feature helps ensure that the inflatable boat doesn’t fill up with water in rapids. In our testing, we ran a non-self-bailing packraft without a spray deck down Clear Creek and ended up spending a lot of time bailing water out. These rafts may be a little heavier and more challenging to roll because some use a heavier-duty, higher-denier material.
Spraydecks and sprayskirts can be intimidating for those not used to charging white water in a playboat, so self-bailing packrafts are an ideal option for people getting used to whitewater. To help keep you secure and give you more control in a whitewater packraft, look for thigh strap or knee braces that you can slide in and out of if you get flipped over.
Two different ways of mounting packrafts on mountain bikes.
Buying advice
Since pack rafts cover various uses, from fishing and playing on a lake to riding rapids, we considered various designs and styles, from ultralight designs to kevlar reinforced boats designed to take on serious rapids. These designs are vastly different in size, style, and weight. Some are practical to paddle in a pack or on a bike, while others push that packability function in light of the need to be made of burlier, rip-resistant materials.
Flotation capacity
Despite their small size and light weight, most pack rafts can carry at least 200 pounds, and many can carry 300 pounds or more. When choosing a pack raft, you must consider not just your weight but also the weight of any gear you plan to take. That can include camping gear, fishing gear, climbing gear, a bike, a paraglider, skis — it’s pretty unlimited.
Durability
Like any good adventure gear, especially a piece of gear that you’re spending upwards of $500 hundred on, you want a raft that will hold up for years. With proper care, any pack raft should last that long, but there are always those unexpected things, like scraping against an unseen piece of rebar or a sharp rock edge that can slice through a pack raft. Unexpected, yes. But possible.
The lighter they are, the less durable they are, and the lightest, most compact packrafts are also the most likely to experience a failure. For this reason, most pack rafts come with a repair kit that you should always bring along.
Packrafts designed for whitewater rafting, like the Kokopelli Nirvana X, have a heavier denier fabric, which reinforces the fabric with Kevlar. That also makes it a heavier boat that’s more difficult to roll into a compact unit. However, it’s more likely to last for years on end.
Packability
The lightest packrafts can pack up to the size of a loaf of bread. Larger, heavier ones stretch the idea of being a pack raft as they pack down to the size of a carry-on suitcase or multi-day backpacking pack.
Carrying options
Smaller packrafts are ideal for stowing in a backpack or on a bike’s handlebars for multi-day trips. Larger ones may be less ideal for the backcountry in packs or on handlebars but can be stowed in larger packs or outside of packs. They’re also still great options for overlanding and backcountry vehicles.
Inflation options
INFLATION BAG
To reduce the gear you need to carry to inflate a pack raft, most come with inflation bags. They attach to the inflation port of a packraft; simply breathe into them at a slight distance (2-3 feet), and it will compound the air going in. Close the top and roll the bag up to inflate the raft.
ELECTRIC PUMP
Another option is an electric pump like Kokopelli’s Feather Pump, a small micro-USB rechargeable pump with multiple nozzle heads. Kokopelli claims it can inflate about 40 boats on a charge. It isn’t waterproof, so you must keep it in a dry bag on multi-day trips.
PUMP
A final option is a pump. These aren’t ideal for backcountry trips as they take up more space and weight. However, they are a quick way to inflate your packraft; just ensure you have the proper nozzle for the packraft ports.
Airbags and electric pumps for pack rafts don’t inflate to a very high pressure. In most cases, you’ll want to add a couple of breaths to the inflation port after inflating the raft to make it more taught and give it more flotation.
self-bailing Floors
There are two main types of packraft floors: self-bailing and non-self-bailing. Self-bailing floors have holes in them, like a larger raft, that allow water to escape, so the raft never fills up with water in white water. Non-self-bailing floors are waterproof and used in flat water packrafts or whitewater packrafts with a spray skirt.
Inflatable Floor or Seat
Another feature many packrafts have is an inflatable floor or seat. These make it more comfortable to paddle, protect your rump from sharp rocks, and in the case of full-sized inflatable floors, help reinforce the boat's structure.
Additional features
In addition to the features and functions mentioned above, some packrafts have additional features that add more functionality. These include tie-downs, TiZips or cargo flys, decks, spray skirts, and knee or thigh straps.
A drypack lashed to the attachment points of the Alpacka Classic packraft.
Tie-downs/attachment points
Tie-downs or grab loops are fabric or metal loops on the front or rear of a pack raft that allow you to attach your external gear like skis, a bike, or a backpack. They should be securely fastened to the tube and can handle the pressure of running straps or cordage through them to secure your gear.
TiZips/Cargo Flies
These rugged, waterproof zippers allow you to use the inside of your packraft as storage. Some packrafts with TiZips have attachment points on the inside to help keep gear in place and from shifting weight while rafting. If it doesn’t, you can tie cordage around the inside of the pack raft’s tube to help keep gear in place.
While these flies are a great feature, they’re also a potential failure point. Treat it well if you get a packraft with a cargo fly. It’s an expensive add-on ($150 or more) and as expensive or more expensive to have it worked on if it breaks.
Deck and spray skirt
A deck and spray skirt is primarily used in white water packrafts. They help keep water out of the boat so you can ride rapids or choppy water without sinking. While they’re ideal for experienced whitewater riders, they can be challenging to get used to. If you opt for a raft with a deck and spray skirt, practice getting in and out of it on the ground and flat water before attempting in white water when you may have to get out of the raft while upside down, like a playboat.
Thigh/knee straps
Thigh and knee straps are a feature of whitewater packrafts. They are lashed to attachment points on the interior of the packraft and connect your knees and thighs to the main tubes. They allow you to use more of your body weight to control the boat's movement through rough features.
Whitewater rating
There's no accreditation for packrafts for white water. Brands have their own white water rating recommendation. Take everything you see with a grain of salt and know your own skills, take the appropriate classes, and be safe. Don’t forget your Personal Flotation Device!
PAcKRAFT FIT
Many packraft manufacturers have one-size-fits-all sizing, with Alpacka Raft being a notable exception. If you find that standard packrafts are too small for you, we recommend looking at the Alpacka Mule, which is built for people 6’2” to 6’8” tall and holds 500 pounds.
Packrafters scouting out McPhee Reservoir packed with their packrafts, paddles, and PFDs.
How to pack a packraft for other parts of your adventure
Packing a pack raft requires a little practice.
While in the great outdoors, you’ll usually want to lay the raft flat after deflating it and let it dry as much as possible before packing it up.
Fold in the flattened tubes until they meet in the center and roll from the tip to the inflation port, allowing you to squeeze out any extra air.
Secure the roll with ski or raft straps, stow it in your pack, or attach it to your pack or bike.
Getting comfortable while bikepacking in a previous model Alpacka packraft. Alpacka Raft has been around since 2002 and has seen many iterations to develop the boats they have today.
How to pack a packraft for rafting
Understanding how to pack a pack raft is worthy of at least a few chapters in a book. Mainly because of the flexibility and range of activities you can do with them. Hence, we’re just going over the major ways to store gear with a packraft here.
Also, we were fortunate enough to have two packrafting experts Luc Mehl, co-author of The Packraft Handbook (Amazon | Bookshop.org), and thru-hiker and pack rafter Renee Patrick to discuss how to get into packrafting. It’s a great discussion on getting into packrafting, and we also have a full transcript available.
Very briefly, there are two primary ways to pack a packraft for adventures: internal and external.
Internal storage
Internal storage has the benefit of keeping weight low in the boat, making it more stable. However, adding a cargo zipper means you must be aware that it’s properly sealed, and everything inside should be kept in dry bags and secured, so it doesn’t bounce around, which could throw your weight off when paddling rapids. It also means you could store your camping gear inside the packraft and still be able to secure a bike to the bow.
If packing a packraft externally, you’ll want to put most of the weight on the bow to balance the front against your weight in the back. Some, but not all, packrafts feature grab loops on the stern as well, which you can use for packing extra gear.
External storage
If using a packraft with just external storage, we suggest considering a drybag/backpack option like the Sea To Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack or the Six Moons Designs Flex PR Pack Rafting Backpack. These packs have removable harnesses allowing them to function as rugged drybags alone or a pack large enough to hike for days with. However, they may not vent as well as traditional backpacking packs.
For more information about packing a packraft, check out the education section of the American Packraft Association.
James Graven paddling an Alpacka Classic in the Colorado River. Note he’s wearing a Personal Flotation Device, has a paddle,
Essential Packrafting Gear
When you’re packrafting, there’s some essential gear you should keep with you beyond what you might bring on many other trips. Among these are the patch kit that comes with most packrafts — it’s a real bummer if you’re days away from civilization and can’t fix a popped pontoon!
Beyond that, you’ll need to bring an inflator, whether it’s the inflation bag that comes with most packrafts, an electric pump, or a hand pump — especially if you’re transitioning to multiple activities on your trip.
Since packrafts are designed for packability, they also need a packable packraft paddle. Many packraft paddles are designed to break into four sections around 2 feet long and about 6 feet long when assembled.
A good PFD (personal floatation device) should be a requirement whether you’re on whitewater or flat water. If you need one, we ranked them for ya already!
Along with a PFD, you should also consider a helmet, particularly if you plan on running any whitewater. A brimmed kayak helmet is recommended for serious whitewater packrafters, but a snow helmet or mountain bike helmet should be suitable for the paddler who only expects to hit rapids occasionally.
Throw bags are another essential item to carry onboard in your cockpit. They’re valuable to help rescue other rafters and kayakers in bad situations, which is always great for a reciprocal apres beer.
The Rapid Raft packraft at a gear show. Note the box that it comes with includes some basic maintenance equipment.
Packraft Maintenance
With proper care, any pack raft should last years, but there are always those unexpected things, like scraping against unseen rebar or a sharp rock edge that can slice through a pack raft. Unexpected, yes, but possible. After using a packraft, you should inspect it to check for any damage done to the tube or floor and make any repairs necessary before going out again.
Since not all packrafts are made from the same materials, it’s essential to ensure any patches and glue used are compatible with your pack raft. Check your manual or the maker’s site to see the recommended patch kits and glues.
When deflating and packing a pack raft for storage, if the packraft has a T-Zip, make sure it’s closed. Remove any parts like a backrest or inflatable floor. Then rinse all parts, removing any mud, sand, or other particles that could abrade the material while it’s rolled up.
Check to ensure all valves are free of debris, which will help them last longer and reduce leakage. Close all valves and covers and inspect the T-Zip to ensure it's free of debris and adequately lubricated. Then clean it off with mild soap, like dish soap, and rinse again.
Allow the raft to dry in the sun, flipping it over and rolling the tube over to ensure no residual water is left in any crevices. Finally, fold the raft up and then roll it. These steps will help increase the longevity of the raft and ensure it’s less likely to get and smell moldy.
The author paddling a Kokopelli Rogue R-Deck packraft at Deer Valley Resort in Utah.
Packrafts and the environment
With packrafts, sustainability is an issue. The materials and vulcanization processes aren’t the most environmentally friendly (here’s a link to a decade-old white paper about processes and materials from MountainBuzz: Sustainable_Rafting (Word Doc)). The upside is they are an adventure tool that should last, with proper care, for years — they’re not the rubber or poly tubes you’re buying to tube down the local creak and are likely to toss at the end of the year.
Most packrafts are assembled in Asia, except for Alpacka Rafts, which designs and manufactures all of its packrafts in Mancos, CO. Alpacka Raft says its sustainability efforts include sourcing US-made materials wherever possible in an attempt to reduce its transportation footprint and support American manufacturers. The company also recycles its fabric scraps into tote bags and scrap wallets. It also has a list of conservation organizations it partners with or supports. Aside from Alpacka, we did not find any information about sustainability practices on most packraft manufacturers’ sites.
However, beyond properly maintaining a packraft to increase its sustainability through longevity, paddlers can take steps to be environmentally responsible packrafters. Chief among these is cleaning the pack raft off between uses.
Since pack rafts are used in many areas, and a pack rafter might choose to paddle them in a remote area, it’s essential to wash them off. Washing them off will reduce cross-contamination of chemicals and invasive species like zebra mussels and water fleas. The American Packrafting Association has more recommendations for reducing aquatic invasive species' impact.
The author packrafting in the Aire Spud packrafts, that we mention in our “other packrafts we considered” section. The Spud was deemed too bulky for most packrafters, but he sure did have fun playing around.
About the Author/Why You Should Trust Us
I first learned of packrafting around 2016 and have been interested in them ever since. Since then, I’ve used packrafts multiple summers and have bikerafted — on a guided trip — with one of the pre-eminent pack rafters, Steve “Doom” Fassbinder, who most recently was on the “The Forgotten Coast” filming expedition with Chris Burkhard exploring Iceland. I’ve written about multiple pack raft companies in the past, and I’ve been able to test them through the spring and summer of 2022, along with my other mountain biking and hiking adventures.
I have authored multiple outdoor guidebooks. My most recent Falcon Guide, "Colorado’s Best Front Range Adventures: The Greatest Hiking, Climbing, Paddling and More From Denver to Colorado Springs and Fort Collins," arrived in Spring 2021. In it, I cover the region's best hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting. I’m also the author of Falcon Guide’s “Climbing Colorado's Fourteeners: From the Easiest Hikes to the Most Challenging Climbs” and edited Justin Lichter’s excellent guide to thru-hiking titled “Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker's Guide To Ultralight Hiking And Backpacking.” This experience has helped me become a first-rate gearhead and product tester.
I have 20-plus years of exploring, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, guiding, and playing in the wild. I worked with National Geographic and their mapping division in developing their Colorado 14ers Map Pack Bundle. I’ve written about hiking and climbing for Elevation Outdoors, including stories about Colorado 14ers and outdoor apps to boost adventures.
In addition, I’ve written columns about ultralight hiking and gear for Backpacker, gear reviews for Treeline Review, Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, Popular Science, and other publications, including Elevation Outdoors, 5280, and more.
At Treeline Review, we strive to offer unbiased reviews to help you find the best product for the price. Treeline Review doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews. I am not sponsored by any companies, nor are any of my family members sponsored by, employees of, or ambassadors of any of the companies in this review.
Other Treeline Review stories by Chris Meehan:
