Packraft

The packraft: the craft for self-supported adventure

Born from wilderness expeditions, the packraft is an ultra-light inflatable boat built to be carried on your back. The idea is simple and powerful: hike, ride, cross a pass, then unroll your boat in minutes to paddle across a lake or run a river, before packing it all back into a rucksack. Where a conventional kayak means roof racks, trailers and a fixed put-in, the packraft opens lines that would otherwise be impossible: hiking or mountain-bike loops, valley crossings, mountaineering approaches, waterside bivouacs and fully self-supported trips. At Aquadesign we build these boats with the same standards as our whitewater kayaks: real paddling, not an inflatable toy.

How to choose your packraft

A packraft is chosen first by the terrain you are aiming for and the weight you are willing to carry. Here are the criteria that truly matter.

Decked or self-bailing?

This is the key question as soon as the river gets serious.

• The decked packraft closes off the cockpit and is used with a spray skirt, like a whitewater kayak: water stays out, the boat stays dry and manoeuvrable in the waves. It is the choice for technical rivers and committing whitewater, with thigh braces for body control. Our River TPU 230 embodies this approach, built for the river.
• The self-bailing packraft has a perforated inflatable floor that naturally drains any water taken on: easier to get in and out of, more reassuring for beginners, it handles flatwater and moderate rapids without ever swamping. Our Yupik follows this principle, with thigh braces and a fin.

TPU or PVC: which material?

• TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane-coated nylon) is the reference material for packrafting: very light, supple and remarkably compact once rolled, it absorbs impacts and is easy to repair. Its high-frequency welded seams are strong and watertight. It is the choice for touring, trekking and bikerafting, where every carried gram counts. Our Yupik TPU, DUO TPU 315 and River TPU 230 use it.
• High-tenacity PVC (1000 DTEX on our Yupik PVC) is heavier but far more resistant to abrasion, UV and higher pressure: it stiffens the boat and withstands repeated intensive use. It is the material of professional fleets and paddling centres, where durability matters more than weight.

One or two people

The single-seater is the benchmark: light, agile, effortless to carry and able to slip in anywhere, ideal solo for rivers and expeditions. A two-person boat such as our DUO TPU 315 lets you paddle as a pair or carry a child, gear or even a dog; in return it is heavier and one of you will have to shoulder it on the hiking sections. On low rivers a single-seater also scrapes the rocks less.

Weight, packed size and inflation

A touring packraft rolls down to the size of a sleeping bag and weighs anything from a few kilos up to under 9 kg for our most rugged pro models. Inflation needs no pump thanks to an inflation bag (air bag): you scoop the air in a few movements, push it into the chambers, and the boat is ready in two to three minutes with no extra weight in your pack. One essential safety point: favour multiple air chambers, which keep the boat afloat even if one is punctured.

Our packraft range

We have built a short but complete range, from the river model to the two-seater, shown above and within our inflatable canoe-kayak collection:

• Yupik PVC — the packraft designed for professionals: 1000 DTEX PVC, high-pressure Dropstitch floor, three independent chambers, self-bailing floor, thigh braces and a fin. Stable and rugged, it targets class I to III rivers (up to 160 kg of load).
• Yupik TPU — the same professional philosophy in a lighter build: TPU cuts the weight for easier carrying without sacrificing strength.
• DUO TPU 315 — the versatile two-person TPU boat, to paddle as a pair, with family or loaded with bivouac gear.
• River TPU 230 — the decked packraft, short and responsive, built for rivers and whitewater paddled with a skirt.

Bikerafting, trekking and expedition

The packraft shines whenever paddling extends another activity. In bikerafting, you strap the bike to the bow to cross lakes and rivers and close loops that would otherwise be impossible. On treks and mountaineering, it turns a reservoir or a crossing into a spectacular shortcut. It also appeals to hunters and anglers chasing hard-to-reach spots, and to every fan of self-supported adventure. To set off well equipped, think of a breakdown paddle that packs away, a buoyancy aid, dry bags for your gear, and a whitewater helmet as soon as the difficulty rises.

The packraft for professionals

Paddling centres, guides, clubs and rental businesses find in the packraft a boat that is easy to store, quick to deploy and versatile. Our Yupik PVC was designed specifically for this use: reinforced construction, three chambers for confident beginner sessions, simple maintenance and a durability-to-price ratio built for renewing a fleet with peace of mind. We offer professional pricing, the supply of spare parts and after-sales service handled in France, in Oraison (04). Round out your fleets with our pro inflatable kayaks and the full canoe-kayak range.

Why choose Aquadesign

A French brand and one of Europe's inflatable pioneers, Aquadesign develops its boats in France and produces them in its own factories, to its own specifications. Our packrafts benefit from the brand's whitewater expertise: premium materials (TPU, high-tenacity PVC, Dropstitch), high-frequency welded seams, self-bailing floors and CE compliance. Our boats are repairable, and our Oraison workshop handles servicing, repairs and spare parts. Discover too the buoyancy aids, paddles and safety equipment that complete your packraft.

Packraft frequently asked questions