A Packraft for All Occasions

Packrafts are taking the paddling world by storm…

…for good reason. They’re stable, maneuverable and tough, and light enough (some weighing under 5 lbs.) to throw on your back and hike into your favorite waterway, be it for angling or adventure.

Leading the packraft pack is Alpacka, a company born in the wilds of Alaska and now based in Mancos, Colorado. The mother of the entire packraft movement (president Thor Tingey’s mother, Sheri, founded the company for her son’s 700-miletraverse of the Brooks Range; watch video here: https://vimeo.com/271712708), Alpacka has a raft for every use under the stroke-wherever-you-want-to sun.

Here are three of our faves:

 2020 Expedition Packraft:

The ever-popular Alpacka Expedition is now even better. It’s the same great lightweight packraft it’s always been, but now includes thigh strap and foot brace attachments standard (thigh straps and WW foot brace sold separately), making it the ultimate do-everything, backcountry adventure boat.
https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/expedition/

Gnarwhal Packraft:

With its next generation Rally Hull design, ergonomic seating, and four-point thigh straps, the Gnarwhal is Alpacka’s most stable and forgiving whitewater packraft. Ideal for building skills and confidence, carrying heavy loads, and charging hard on high volume runs, take it wherever you’d take your kayak or raft, from the Salmon to the Selway.
https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/gnarwhal/

Forager Packraft:

The Forager is Alpacka’s largest and burliest packraft. And it’s self bailing, meaning what goes in goes back out.  The Forager delivers two-person seating and massive cargo capacity in a super stable backpackable package. It also comes standard with Alpacka’s Cargo Fly internal storage system, featuring an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to, yes, actually store your gear inside the tubes. (Large roll-top internal dry bags sold separately). This keeps the gear off your lap and your center of gravity low, for even more stability. Whether you‘re doing a fly-in Alaska river trip (Noatak ring a bell?), running western whitewater classics, big game hunting in remote areas, or fly fishing in the backcountry, it’s big and tough enough to handle any adventure.

https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/forager/

With the Caribou packraft getting an honorable mention.