Imagine you could put a boat in your backpack, walk somewhere and go canoeing. That opens up all sorts of opportunities! And it expands previous typical spots that you would usually reach by car or public transport, creating new options. Hang on! That actually exists and it’s called packrafting. But that’s not all. Packrafting is a separate discipline that cleverly combines trekking and canoeing.
In this blog, we’ll answer a few questions, for example: What is packrafting? What do you need? How do you go about organising your first trip? We’ll also have a look at some versions of packrafting.
What is packrafting?
The term ‘packrafting’ comes from America. It consists of ‘raft’ and ‘pack’. So a packraft is basically a boat that’s packed up. The word ‘raft’, however, can be a little ambiguous. Packrafts are neither ‘rafting boats’ that are navigated through serious rapids by a whole team, nor are they actual rafts. Packrafts are extremely lightweight canoes that can be used for rafting, depending on model and build.
That’s how to do it: These relatively lightweight boats are packed in a way that allows them, the accessories and the rest of the luggage to be carried for long distances without problems. They’re usually single-seat kayaks, less often two-seater kayaks or Canadian canoes for two people. Based on their compact design, boats of this kind can usually be packed to the size of a large sleeping bag or small tent. The paddles can be separated into sections to save space and therefore be transported conveniently on or in the backpack.
The launch site on a river is often located in more remote areas so you’ll have to hike for half a day or a day to reach it. The actual canoeing is therefore the reason for the trip but also its goal. Of course, the journey to the starting point of the paddling adventure may take up just as much time as the main activity.
What equipment do I need for packrafting?
As mentioned above, packrafting uses a special type of boat called a packraft. Features, design, weight and pack size will depend on the individual model. What kind is best for you must be based on what you’ll primarily use it for. If you’re canoeing down rapids, you’ll need a different boat than if you’re just cruising along a gentle river. Personal factors, too, like weight and height will have an impact on what boat is suitable for you with what kind of shape and features.
If you have a lot of equipment to transport, or you’re relatively tall and heavy yourself, you should get a boat that allows for this additional load. In white-water, your boat should have a deck or additional spraydeck. If you’re on calmer waters, that’s not required and you can do without to save on weight.
But those are just some examples, and the exact configuration of the boat that’s perfect for you will depend on many individual factors. It may be beneficial therefore to get some experience with rented equipment and/or to ask an expert for advice.
In general, the following applies: If you want to go canoeing in standing waters only and you just started to plan a journey across Lake Constance or Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, you should choose a different boat. Based on their designs, packrafts are relatively slow and are much better fun on flowing water.
Spoilt for choice – blade paddle or double-bladed paddle?
Choosing the right paddle also depends on several, sometimes very personal factors. Single-seat packrafts are usually used with a double-bladed paddle and therefore as a kayak. Models that are suitable for two people are often used as a Canadian canoe with two single blade paddles. It’s therefore important that you choose a paddle/paddles suited to your boat. Please note: Some boats can be used in different ways. If you’re not sure which version is better for you – or you want to switch every now and then – you can use multi-paddles. Paddles of this kind can be assembled in different ways and can then be used individually as a blade paddle or connected as a double-bladed paddle.
Safety equipment – what you need to take
You need the relevant safety equipment for packrafting. What exactly you need and the type of equipment depends on the features and difficulty of your paddle trip. That’s why I’ll just list the basic equipment here.
- Life jackets: Life jackets (officially actually ‘flotation aids’) have several functions during canoeing. Primarily, they’re buoyancy aids that make sure that capsized canoeists don’t drown. Additionally, hardshell jackets will also protect you from impact during white-water rafting if you fall in. Besides hardshell jackets, there are also inflatable life jackets for packrafting. They have to be inflated using your lungs or a pump before you set off. They’re buoyancy aids only and will not protect you from impact. That makes inflatable life jackets mainly suitable for going on lakes or calm water and are convenient because of their small pack size. No matter what type of life jacket you choose, it’s key that it fits well and matches your body weight. Plus, you have to wear it. Merely owning it won’t help in the event of an emergency.
- Throw-bag: A throw-bag is a pouch with an integrated lifeline. It’s used during canoeing to rescue helpless, capsized people. The throw-bag is usually deployed from the shore. The rescuer holds on to the line and throws the bag to the helpless person who can hang on to it. The rescuer then hauls in the line, thus helping the capsized person to reach the shore.
- Helmet: Helmets are primarily used during white-water rafting and will protect you from head injuries in the event of capsizing.
- First-Aid kit: From a small scratch to a serious injury: this will contain everything you need to perform First Aid in the event of an emergency. There are even waterproof medical kits for canoeing.
Clothes, accessories, bits and pieces
In addition to the boat, paddle and safety equipment, there are several things that can make your life easier or more convenient during packrafting. This includes, for example, a neoprene suit. These come in all sorts of designs that I won’t elaborate on here. I just want to mention one thing: Neoprene suits will protect you from cold water and, to some extent, also from scrapes and bruises during white-water rafting if you capsize. While classic neoprene suits will keep body heat or the warmed up water on the body, there are also dry neoprene suits that will ensure you won’t even get wet to begin with. You can also reliably protect your hands and feet during canoeing with neoprene gloves and shoes. What exactly makes sense or is needed will depend on the water temperature, the route and your personal needs.
Getting wet during canoeing isn’t generally a problem and part of the experience in a way. But then it’s a great feeling to get into dry clothes after the trip and the rest of your things also being dry. Paddle bags have been developed exactly for this purpose. They’re waterproof stuff & compression sacks that are sealed using a roll closure. This will keep your items dry even on wilder trips. Don’t forget: Tie down everything you put into the boat. Otherwise, during white-water rafting in particular, you may quickly lose something.
Some packrafts feature special luggage compartments in the air chambers. This has the advantage that items stored there are reliably protected from going overboard and from getting wet. However, everything you want to store in these chambers must be stowed before inflating the boat and can only be used again when the boat is deflated. You shouldn’t stow items there that you’ll need during the trip or when you take a break.
Your first packrafting experience – how to go about it
If you don’t have any experience with canoeing, you’re best off joining a group for the first packrafting trip(s) and to learn everything you need to know about canoeing and the correct behaviour while you’re out on the water. There are now numerous professional providers everywhere that organise relevant courses or trips lasting a day or several days. Apart from that, there are also various regional canoe association groups that will probably offer packrafting trips as well.
Packrafting is a bit of a material battle. Initially, it definitely makes sense to use rented equipment. During guided tours or courses, this is usually no problem and often provides you with the opportunity to try different things until you have worked out what exactly you want and need.
If you’re an experienced canoeist, you can go off on your own, of course. For the planning phase, you can find many tips for trips on the internet and there are also canoeing guides published as books, of course. But you must make sure you find out about current local conditions beforehand as well as boating rules, obstacles and weirs on rivers.
Packrafting, elaborated – different versions
While packrafting in the classic sense involves canoeing and hiking, there are also other versions.
The best known version is probably bikerafting, i.e. the combination of a cycling and canoeing trip. Advantages of this combination include the greater range and generally increased mobility. While it’s relatively easy to transport the boat on your bike, transporting your bike in the boat is much more complicated. So if you’re starting with packrafting and are considering doing bikerafting later, you must bear in mind space requirements and the additional weight when choosing your boat. Foldable bikes are often used for bikerafting because they can be stowed more easily on the boat. However, if you’re using a “conventional” bike, it will probably be best to take off the front and rear wheels for the transport. This makes the bike more compact and easier to stow.
Relatively “lazy” day trips or half-day trips using public transport are generally easy to manage with a packraft. Thanks to the small pack size, you can take these boats on a train, bus, tram or the tube without great effort, which is very convenient for getting to the starting point or back home afterwards.
