Getting out on the water with a sit-on-top or sit-in kayak, or an ultralight inflatable packraft provides you with an unrivaled sense of freedom and connection to nature. It’s also a great upper body workout and alternative exercise to running or the gym.
Unless you live close to water, a kayak requires transport with a vehicle. But what makes a packraft unique is its portability. Toss your packraft in a backpack and you can explore remote lakes/ponds, rivers, and wilderness areas that were previously unreachable. To get started, we’ve put together a gear guide for packrafting and kayaking below.
Packrafting and Kayaking Gear Guide
1. Kayaks and Packrafts
For kayaks, you’ll need to make the choice between a sit-on-top or a sit-in kayak. A sit-on-top kayak is a one-piece molded kayak designed to take on water from waves and splashes and shed it through scup holes, eliminating the possibility of sinking. Sit-on-top kayaks are popular for open water kayaking in the ocean or large lakes, and are a blast to use in warm weather, as the constant splash of water while flowing in and out of the scup holes is welcomed.
But once the water gets colder, having water splash all over you and come in/out through the scup holes isn’t as enjoyable, so it’s recommended to go with a sit-in kayak if you’d rather keep water out.
A few kayak options:
- Sit-In Kayak: Perception Flash – 9.5 feet long, with a capacity up to 325lbs, this is a great all-around sit-in kayak.
- Sit-On-Top Kayak: Perception Tribe – 9.5 feet long, 300lbs capacity, and popular for it’s durability and comfort.
- Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak: Pelican Sentinel 100x – a popular fishing kayak at an affordable price with rod holders and rear storage.
So now the question: what exactly is a packraft? Packrafts are essentially inflatable kayaks (similar to traditional inflatable dinghies) that will get you anywhere that a kayak does, but without the bulk of carrying around a solid piece of molded plastic. Whereas a kayak will weigh around 30lbs-60lbs, an ultralight packraft will go under 6lbs with a deflated size around 15 liters. This means you can stash it in a backpack, bring it on a bike, or store it with other travel gear. It’s not uncommon to carry a paddle, PFD, rechargable pump, and other essentials, staying under 10lbs total, which is safe for carrying on your back.
Here are three ultralight packraft options:
- Alpacka Raft Scout – just over 4lbs, ideal for lakes, canyons, and flat rivers. Made of 210D sides, 420D floor.
- MRS Minnow – less than 4lbs, includes tracking fin. Made of 210D sides, 210D floor.
- Catalyst Outdoors Packraft – a lightweight (5.3lbs), budget option. Made of 70D sides, 210D floor. Keep in mind that this packraft does not come with a fin, so make sure to purchase a fin installation kit and install one yourself.
2. Paddle
Aim for a carbon paddle that breaks down into 4 pieces. They can get expensive, but the weight savings is worth it if you plan on getting to your location on foot or by bike. Paddle size depends on preference and the width of your boat. Since packrafts tend to be wide, a longer, wider paddle (230cm) will allow you to have better control and comfort in calm water.
If you want to keep your budget low, try to find a 2-piece aluminum paddle in the 2lbs range to keep the weight down.
Some paddle picks:
- MRS Carbon 4-Piece Paddle – ultralight (2lbs / .9kg) and adjustable from 220cm to 230cm
- Aqua Bound Shred Carbon 4-Piece – ultralight (2.1lbs / .95kg), non-adjustable, many preset options
- HIKULA 4-Piece Aluminum Paddle – adjustable from 220-230cm, and weighs in right around 2lbs / .9kg. A great budget pick.
3. Backpack
A lightweight, waterproof backpack is key, especially one that can carry all of your packrafting and kayaking gear, including paddles, pump (for packrafts), and PFD. Aim for a waterproof IP68 backpack, meaning it’s fully submersible and floats on water. This makes one less thing to worry about if your packraft flips or takes on water. While rolltop dry bags are ok, the best option is a backpack with airtight zippers for IP68, fully waterproof protection.
Backpack picks for packrafting:
- Breakwater Supply River Ute 20L Backpack – designed specifically for attaching larger items like paddles, tripods, and rod tubes. The River Ute 20L is one of the best packrafting backpacks available, and features waterproof IP68 protection. It can fit an ultralight packraft inside.
- Rhinowalk 20L Pannier Bag – if you’re bikepacking, look into a pannier bag. They’re rolltop, so they aren’t fully waterproof, but you can combine a pannier with a submersible backpack and have extra space for other items that don’t need submersible protection and keep it on the bike.
- Breakwater Supply Fogland 25L Backpack – the Fogland line offers waterproof IP68 protection and is fully submersible, with different sizes and colors to choose from. The larger Fogland 25L waterproof backpack has plenty of storage space for a packraft, a 16″ laptop, and extra clothing.
4. PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
A reliable PFD is non-negotiable, and not just because it’s common sense. Depending on local laws, you’re most likely required to wear one, and of course, you want it to be lightweight and unrestrictive. Some PFDs choices are:
- Eyson Manual Life Jacket – Goes around the back of your neck, unrestrictive, and inflates with CO2 cartridges.
- Onyx MoveVent Paddle Vest – A very unrestrictive vest made especially for paddling.
- Onyx M-16 Waist Belt PFD – An excellent, low-profile PFD waist belt for flatwater paddling. Inflates using CO2 cartridges.
5. Inflation Pump (for Packrafts)
The best way to inflate your packraft is with a combination of a tiny rechargeable battery pump plus your own lungs. Using the one-way valve, the mini pump will quicky fill up your packraft, then you can give it about 5 hard pumps from your mouth. When you’re ready to pack everything back up, use the other side of the pump to deflate your packraft, which allows you to quickly fold and roll it back up so you can stash it in your backpack and get moving again.
Aim for a pump that offers at least 4.5kpa of force so that you can fill your packraft up quickly (within 2-3 minutes). Anything less than that and the pump may take 5+ minutes to inflate the side tubes. Note that most ultralight packrafts suggest inflating to 1.5PSI, which is fairly low, but still higher than your own lungs will be able to blow.
Here are three excellent mini-pump options:
- Etenwolf Air 3 Rechargeable Pump – very light and compact, with a good battery and 4.5kpa (.65PSI) of force.
- Airspirit Handheld Rechargable 2PSI Pump – super fast and powerful, with a 2PSI rating. You likely won’t need to top off your packraft by blowing if you use this pump.
- Origem 5.2kpa Rechargeable Mini-Pump – very powerful for a mini-pump, as 5.2kpa is about the strongest you’ll find in this size.
Final Thoughts
Packrafting and kayaking are some of the lowest impact ways to enjoy the water without disturbing nature. Depending on the body of water you choose, you can have the whole place to yourself, or you can go to more popular spots and see others enjoying the water around you as well.
And whatever reason you choose to get out on the water, whether it’s fishing, getting in some cross-training, or scouting your new swimming spot, the unobstructed view of open water in front of you at seat-level is a unique experience. A few last minute tips: make sure you’ve got sun protection (sunscreen and a hat), a repair kit, and you may want to also grab a waterproof first aid kit.
We hope this list helped. Now get out there and be safe out on the water!